Wednesday, May 9, 2001
St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little Falls, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting

Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael F. Rehill, Chancellor

Elected by Districts: Ms. Kathleen Ballard, The Rev. Kim Capwell, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Ann Hirsch, The Rev. Briggett J. Keith, Ms. Elizabeth Moss, Mr. Nat Nelson, Ms. Nancy Read, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, The Rev. John F. Stanton, The Rev. Gordon H. Tremaine, Ms. Margaret Tuttle, The Rev. Paul Walker, Ms. Patty Watts, Ms. Pat Yankus.

Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King

Absent: The Rev. Martin Bagay, The Rev. Michel Belt; Mr. Jack Reade

Others: The Rev. Maggie Gat; Dr. Louie Crew

Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger.

The Rev. Dwight Neglia, rector of St. Agnes', was introduced to the Council members. He presented a history of the congregation from when St. Agnes was founded as a mission of St. Peter's, Essex Fells in 1896, and services were first held in the train station. In the world of similarities: The Rev. Robert Thompson, was a former rector who left St. Agnes' in 1912 to accept the call as rector to St. John's, Dover. More recently, Mr. Neglia had been the rector of St. John's, Dover before being called as rector to St. Agnes'. Prior to his arrival, the Rev. Maggie Gat served as the interim at St. Agnes'. When Neglia left Dover, Gat became the interim at Dover.

AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of April 4, 2001 The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS

Announced several recent clergy changes: Peggy Hodgkins to Trinity, Princeton from Calvary, Summit; Sunil Chandy to Vineland, NJ from Christ Church, Ridgewood; Charles Lochner to Spring Lake, NJ from Grace Van Vorst, Jersey City; Stephen Winsett from interim, St. Paul's, Paterson to interim at Grace, Jersey City; Wade Renn to St. James', Ridgefield as interim; Phil Krug to St. Andrew's, Lincoln Park as interim; and David Wolf was called as rector to St. Paul's, Paterson from St. Alban's, Washington.

Reported that interviews were scheduled with candidates for the open position of congregational development officer.
Shared that reactions continued to be generally positive for the diocesan confirmations.

Reported on the congregational development team made up of current staff members at Episcopal House. The team consisted of the members of the management team and the eight program directors, and would focus on providing support to our congregations.

Welcomed Louie Crew, president of the Standing Committee, and Helen Harper, a member of All Saints', Hoboken and a postulant for ordination.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn presented the treasurer's report. Year to date income was the usual less than one month behind budget. National church giving continued at 25%. Operating expenses for Episcopal House were higher than anticipated because of increased energy costs, specifically, natural gas costs.

It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted.

EMPLOYEE POLICIES

Mr. John Zinn moved the following resolutions regarding two personnel policies for use in the Diocese of Newark.

Resolved, That all employees working at Episcopal House, except for the bishop or bishops, are covered by the Employee Policies and Procedures of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark; and, be it further

Resolved, That all incumbents of executive level positions at Episcopal House will report to and be accountable to the Bishop of Newark or his/her designee.

The motion was seconded and adopted.

The visioning process had provided an opportunity to review the personnel policies and the staff structure at Episcopal House. One of the conclusions of that review was that there were a number of staff at Episcopal House who were not covered by the personnel policies of the diocese and it was not clear what if any policies did apply to those staff members. There appeared also to be a lack of any formal structure of reporting and accountability for these positions. This was clearly not a desirable situation for the diocese, the employee or the program for which the employee works.

The intent of the resolution was to establish that all employees at Episcopal House were covered by the diocesan personnel policies and to provide a reporting structure. As part of implementing the resolutions, job descriptions will be developed for all positions that do not have such a description and a process of annual performance evaluation will be implemented. In addition, a human resources function will be established in the Finance Department reporting to the Chief Financial Officer.

EMPLOYEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Mr. John Zinn presented the revised Employee Policies and Procedures Manual, that had been originally adopted in 1998. The intent for the revision was to be clear and consistent in the implementation of employee policies.

The changes from the 1998 version were highlighted in bold text and reviewed. They included the inclusion of the resolution adopted above under the section, Employment; clarification that flexible hours must be approved by the supervisor; a language to clarify that positions, not people, were either exempt or non-exempt; change in exempt vacation policy that dropped a sabbatical every five years and replaced with an additional week of vacation.

The policies will be reviewed by the chancellor and an outside human resources consultant.

During discussion the following questions were raised: How did the policy compare to parochial contracts? Were there limitations on the carryover of vacation or personal days?

The vote to adopt the Employee Policies and Procedures manual will take place at the June meeting of Council.

DISTRICT REPORTS

District 6 - Don Roberts reported that a picnic was planned for June 16 at Liberty State Park. At the last district meeting, the Rev. Jack Stanton made a presentation on the Episcopal Development and Relief Fund (EDRF). The June meeting will feature David Farrand who will present a program on planned giving. Ms. Dorothy Fowlkes was elected as the representative to the Commission on Aging. She was recently honored as Hudson County's Senior Citizen. He expressed concern that there was no clergy representative to Council, because of canonical residency issues.

District 7 - Nancy Read and Paul Walker reported that during the three meetings to date the focus had been on sharing. Several congregations held joint services during Holy Week. The district was meeting monthly, but with the summer off. A district calendar and newsletter were planned. The district mind map would be reviewed for the next meeting to determine the trends for the district, leading perhaps to joint ministry and focus for future meetings. Representatives were elected to the Commission on Aging and Youth Board. Meetings included program content of presentations on such topics as EDRF and church growth. Core working groups on youth work and liturgies were planned. The district clergy were meeting monthly. A Pentecost Vigil service was planned district wide. There might possibly be a district choir.

District 8 - Ann Hirsch reported the next meeting was scheduled for May 20. The first meeting in February focused on joint ministry with an emphasis on outreach. District programs were held for youth and on Palm Saturday and the Easter Vigil. Plans were underway for a social gathering. Study groups were also planned.

District 9 - Nat Nelson and Jack Stanton reported the district was meeting this evening. There had been one meeting at which a number of issues were raised, including outreach to the Asian communities, formation of a CDC, and a directory. Cooperative ministry with the Lutheran churches was planned. A planning group met and ideas surfaced which included a youth trip to Virginia, movie viewing and discussion following, advertising campaign, use of the curriculum on sexual abuse/child abuse, and the human sexuality curriculum for teens.

District 10 - Pat Yankus and Briggett Keith reported that two meetings were held. The first was more to become familiar with each other. At the second meeting, representatives divided into four interest groups: youth which will hold a summer picnic; education committee that will work on confirmation and curriculum, and campus ministries with such programs as adopt a student; community development work, including Highlands CDC; and a parish collaboration group working on hymn sings, singles' ministries, district news on line. The district will hold anti-racism training at St. Paul's, Paterson, on October 11 and 12. Pat Yankus requested advisory information on the rental of church halls to for-profit organizations. The Chancellor responded that a one page memorandum was available and could be circulated to churches.

ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

The Rev. Maggie Gat presented the recommendations from the ACTS/VIM Board. She also reviewed the revisions to the proposal form and evaluation and review procedures that were included in the ACTS/VIM meeting minutes of March 8.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted.

AV-01-01 Boonton, St. John's CDC - After School Program requested $20,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $8,000: 9 yes, 1 abstention.

AV-01-02 Newton, Christ Church - Operation After School (OAS) requested 10,000
Motion to fund: 10 yes (letter to suggest seeking guidance on state regulations).
Motion to fund $3,500: 10 yes.

AV-01-03 Newark, Newark School of Theology requested 19,950
Motion to fund: 9 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $8,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-04 Chester, Messiah requested 20,000
Messiah Community Resource Corp. Community Education
Motion to fund: 10 yes.
Motion to fund $7,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-05 Paterson, St. Paul's CDC requested 20,000
Case Management for Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing
Motion to fund: 9 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $7,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-06 Newark, AIDS Resource Center CDC requested 20,000
Dependent Children Program & Legacy Project
Motion to fund: 9 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $9,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-07 Hackensack, Christ Church CDC requested 20,000
Peter's Place: Client Advocacy & Next Step Services
Motion to fund: 10 yes.
Motion to fund $7,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-08 Jersey City CDC - Corpus Christi Ministry Housing requested 15,000
Motion to fund: 10 yes.
Motion to fund $5,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-09 Newark, Episcopal Community Development requested 15,000
The Samaritan Project
Motion to fund: 10 yes.
Motion to fund $6,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-10 Newark, Apostles' House - Case Management Staff requested 15,000
Motion to fund: 10 yes.
Motion to fund $7,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-11 West Milford, Highlands CDC requested 15,000
Microenterprise Development Program for Native Americans
Motion to fund: 9 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $6,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-12 East Orange, Christ Church - L.I.A.C. Summer Program rqustd 20,000
Motion to fund: 10 yes.
Motion to fund $9,000: 10 yes.

AV-01-13 Newark, Diocese of Newark requested 7,000
Hispanic/Latino Program for Seminary Education
Motion to fund: 8 yes, 2 abstentions.
Motion to fund $3,000: 10 yes.

TOTAL RECOMMENDATION TO DIOCESAN COUNCIL $85,500

DIOCESAN OUTREACH COMMITTEE

The Rev. Gordon Tremaine, Committee Chair, presented the recommendations. Next year's deadline will be moved to a date earlier in the year to give the committee an opportunity to review the applications prior to the hearing date. Where funding wasn't recommended it was because either the proposal really wasn't outreach or while the ideas might have been good, the program was not ready for funding. There was discussion on the need for future coordination between the ACTS/VIM Board and the Outreach Committee.

The Rev. Gordon Tremaine moved that up to 80% of the funding for the three CDC's be available now, if so needed, because of changes in levels of federal funding.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted. For the third consecutive year the committee received requests in two categories; international outreach and domestic outreach. For 2001 there was $19,500 available for international outreach and $101,000 for domestic outreach.

In the international category, the committee received two requests. The requests and the committee's recommendations are as follows:

1.Diocese of Lebombo - a request from the companion diocese committee for funding for the treatment and reduction of malaria in Mozambique which is a major cause of death in that country. Recommended funding - $14,500

2. Pastors for Peace – a request for funding for this program which is under the auspices of the Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organizing. Funds will be used to purchase medical supplies, educational materials and basic food items to be given to those in need in Cuba. Recommended funding - $5,000

In the domestic category, the committee received 21 requests that totaled $193,500. The requests and the recommendations are as follows:

1. Outreach Ministries Survey and Conference – a request for $4,000 to conduct and document an outreach ministries survey and hold an outreach ministries conference. Recommended funding - $2,000

2. Care Closet, Christ Church, Belleville - a request for $4,000 to purchase products for household and personal hygiene to be distributed to low income families in the Belleville area. Recommended funding - $4,000

3. The AIDS Resource Center CDC at St. Barnabas Church – a request for $20,000 to provide daily meals for dependent children of HIV infected parents no longer eligible for Ryan White assistance and the Legacy project help families deal with the realities and issues of HIV/AIDS. Recommended funding - $16,000

4. St. John's CDC, Boonton – a request for $20,000 towards the expenses of the organization's after school program. Recommended funding - $9,000

5. LISC – a request for $5,000 towards the operating budget of LISC's Newark and Jersey City office which provides technical and financial assistance to community development corporations. Recommended funding - $5,000

6. Epiphany Food Pantry, Epiphany, Orange – a request for $4,000 to purchase food for the reopening of the church's food pantry. Recommended funding - $2,000

7. Friends for Life – a request for $3,000 to fund stipends and publicity for service providers for an evening support program for HIV+ professionals and their partners. Recommended funding - $1,000

8. Women meet at the Well – a request for $5,000 to underwrite some of the costs of a conference/retreat on domestic violence. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended

9. Messiah Community Resource Corporation – a request for $20,000 to hire staff to provide educational, emotional and spiritual support to those persons acting as caregivers to an aging parent or relative. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended

10. Highlands CDC – a request for $15,000 to support micro enterprise development for disabled Native Americans. Recommended funding - $5,000 for the organization's revolving microenterprise loan fund.

11. Christ Church, Newton, Operation After School – a request for $7,000 to expand an after school program for children in Newton. Recommended funding - $5,000

12. Jersey City Episcopal CDC – a request for $10,000 to support the CDC's programs that assist those in need in Jersey City. Recommended funding - $8,000

13. Apostles' House – a request for $15,000 to support the organization's programs to assist families in need in the greater Newark area. Recommended funding - $15,000

14. BALC – a request for $15,000 towards the cost of the Church of the Incarnation in Jersey City's summer programs for children. Recommended funding - $7,500

15. St. John's, Dover – a request for $2,000 to pay some of the start up expenses for worship in a different language. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended

16. Roots and Wings – a request for $10,000 to support a housing initiative for youth that age out of foster care. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended

17. St. James CDC – a request for $15,000 to support the CDC's community development efforts in the lower Broadway section of the North Ward of Newark. Recommended funding - $12,000, Mr. Zinn was not present for the discussion or the vote on this request.

18. St. Paul's CDC – a request for $10,000 to support the CDC's programs that assist those in need in Paterson. Recommended funding - $7,500

19. Metropolitan Japanese Ministry – a request for $2,500 to re-establish a relationship and extend the work of the Metropolitan Japanese Ministry. Recommended funding - $1,000, the Rev. Mr. Day was not present for the discussion or the vote on this request.

20. Camp Shining Star – a request for $4,000 towards the expenses of a summer day camp program in East Orange. Recommended funding – $1,000

21. Our Whole Lives – a request for $3,000 for an educational program for senior high students in this diocese on human sexuality and relationships. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended

WARD J. HERBERT FUND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ms. Liz Moss Board member, presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted.

WJH-01-01 Little Falls, St. Agnes': Church roof replacement requested $5,060
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,500: 16 yes.

WJH-01-02 Jersey City, St. Paul's: Boiler replacement requested 8,450
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,250: 16 yes.

WJH-01-03 Kearny, Trinity: Rectory boiler replacement requested 3,663
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $3,663: 16 yes.

WJH-01-04 Mendham, St. Mark's: Church steeple replacement requested 10,000
Motion to fund: 12 yes; 4 no.
Motion to fund $2,500: 16 yes.

WJH-01-05 East Orange, Christ Church: Handicapped accessibility ramp
Not considered for funding.

WJH-01-06 Milton/Oak Ridge, St. Gabriel's: Church furnace replacement rqst'd 1,240
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $1,240: 16 yes.

WJH-01-07 Towaco, Transfiguration: Concrete steps replacement requested 4,325
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,825: 16 yes.

WJH-01-08 Montclair, St. Luke's: Slate roof, internal gutter maintenance rqst'd 5,000
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $2,500: 15 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-01-09 Washington, St. Peter's: Repair work requested 4,835
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,610: 16 yes.

WJH-01-10 Parsippany, St. Gregory's: Roof repair work requested 5,755
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $5,755: 15 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-01-11 Maplewood, St. George's: Church repairs; parish hall roof rqst'd 46,835
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $14,413: 15 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-01-12 Orange, Epiphany: Abestos abatement, boiler room/basement rqst'd 11,530
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $9,000: 16 yes.

WJH-01-13 Jersey City, Grace: Repair heating system, recore locks requested 3,185
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $3,185: 15 yes, 1 no.

WJH-01-14 Newark, St. Andrew's: Rectory repairs requested 10,000
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $7,500: 16 yes.

WJH-01-15 Montclair, Trinity: Rectory & church boiler replacements n/a
Removed from this granting period and will be placed in the May cycle.

WJH-01-16 Union City, St. John's: Stained glass window restoration requested 6,224
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $5,000: 16 yes.

WJH-01-17 North Bergen, Transfiguration: Rectory Repairs requested 2,725
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,725: 15 yes, 1 no.

TOTAL RECOMMENDATION TO DIOCESAN COUNCIL: $67,666

It was moved and seconded to temporarily adjourn the meeting of Council.

The President called to order the membership of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. BOARD ELECTIONS

Mr. John Zinn presented a history of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation that would celebrate its ten year anniversary this year. The CDC was our diocese's response to the 1989 national church program called the Michigan Plan.

Mr. John Zinn moved the following persons be elected to the board of Episcopal Community Development until the December 2001 meeting of the Diocesan Council:

Mr. John Webb, Good Shepherd, Wantage; Mr. Frank Faiella, St. Peter's, Morristown; Ms. Jennifer Hauge, Grace, Madison; Mr. Michael James, Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark; Ms. Chris Retlin, Christ Church, Short Hills; Ms. Allison Davis, St. Mark's, Teaneck; Mr. Ron Hermance, St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood; Ms. Antoinette Neals, Incarnation, Jersey City; Ms. Mary Sunden, Grace, Westwood; Mr. Peter Van Brunt, Messiah, Chester; Mr. James Grimstead, Christ Church, East Orange; Ms. Joan Mebane, Christ Church, Short Hills; and Mr. John Zinn, St. Paul's, Paterson.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the membership meeting of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation. The motion was adopted.

RUTHERFORD SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation.

Mr. Michael F. Rehill described the senior housing projects in Rutherford, Hillsdale and Nutley, sponsored by the diocese and built with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. Michael F. Rehill moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted:

Diocesan Representative Trustees (terms expires May, 2004): Mr. Edward Mazure, Grace, Rutherford.

Rutherford Trustees (terms expire May 8, 2002): Ms. Rachelle Bialek, Ms. Maureen Casciano, Ms. Annette DiTomaso, The Rev. Ray Frazier, The Rev. Meredith Hutchison, Ms. Constance Keeler, Ms. Anita Mauterer, Ms. Mary Ann Murray, Ms. Barbara Russell.

The motion was adopted.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.

HILLSDALE SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Hillsdale Senior Housing Corporation.

Mr. Michael F. Rehill moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted:

Diocesan Representative Trustee (term expires May, 2004): Mr. William P. Hafemann

Hillsdale Trustees (terms expire May 8, 2002): Mr. Bruce M. Bloch, Ms. Angela Williamson, Mr. George Norman, Mrs. Nancy De Noble, Mrs. Barbara Blinn, Ms. Chessie Kouba, Ms. Gean Kling, Ms. Colette Killian.

The motion was adopted.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Hillsdale Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.

The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reminded members of the annual meeting scheduled for Saturday, May 19. The speaker will be Carla Lerman. The event was scheduled for a Saturday to make attendance easier for working women. A planning meeting for the future was set for June.

The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Croneberger.

The meeting was adjourned 8:40 at p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary


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