THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK OUR DIOCESAN COUNCIL Wednesday, March 13, 2013 St. Agnes Church, Little Falls Minutes of Meeting (Amended at 4/10/2013 meeting)

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1 THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK OUR DIOCESAN COUNCIL Wednesday, March 13, 2013 St. Agnes Church, Little Falls Minutes of Meeting (Amended at 4/10/2013 meeting) The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 St. John s Church, Passaic Officers Present: The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, President; Mr. Paul Shackford, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor Elected by Districts: Mr. Thomas Bisdale, Mr. Alan Bowen, The Rev. Tim Burger, Mr. T. Donald Cairns, The Rev. Sheelagh A. Clarke, The Rev. Charles Hatfield, Ms. Naomi Horsky, Ms. Lorraine Jones, The Rev. Anne Koehler, The Rev. Thomas Mathews, Jr., Ms. Barbara Piccirillo, Ms. Martha Reiner, The Rev. Robert Rhodes Bishop's Appointments: The Rev. Dr. Barrie Bates, The Rev. Ginny Dinsmore, The Rev. Deborah Drake, The Rev. Manoj Zacharia Absent: Ms. Edith Gallimore, The Rev. Dr. Allison Moore (on sabbatical), The Rev. William Thiele Staff: Ms. Nina Nicholson, Ms. Kai Alston, Mr. John King The meeting was opened with a prayer by Bishop Beckwith. AGENDA The agenda was adopted as prepared. MINUTES Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meetings of January 9, 2013 and February 6, The motion was adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Beckwith s comments included: Welcomed Mr. John King, new staff member as the Director of Administration and Secretary of Convention. Announced the hiring of The Rev. Ginny Dinsmore as the Coordinator for Missional Church Strategy. As such, she will leave the Council as a member. Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 1 of 8

2 The Rev. Tim Burger will be the new co- convener of the Empowering action team and will be the vice president of Council. Efforts were underway to hire a fund development director. Returned yesterday from the House of Bishops meeting. With eight other bishops he spent time on the issue of gun violence. The committee offered a document on the subject that was discussed and received by the HOB. Will continue to keep the witness in the forefront. A bus was chartered for the March 25 trip from Newark to Washington to join other Episcopalian from around the country to hold a Stations of the Cross in Washington D.C. on the Monday in Holy Week (March 25) as a witness against gun violence. The bus will leave at 5am. Participants will start at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Church in Lafayette Square, walk past the White House and onto the Mall, and finish at the Capitol. The walk will include prayers and meditations to help challenge the violence in our world. There will be cross walk in Chicago to make a witness against gun violence on the Friday before Holy Week. The Justice Board met recently and will continue plans for the next steps in assisting congregations with local efforts on gun violence. On Pentecost, May 19 there will be a service outside Trinity & St. Philip s Cathedral in Military Park to celebrate the restoration of the City and to bring the altar into the world as stated in the vision statement. The mayor was invited. The Rev. Dr. William Howard, pastor of Bethany Church, will be the main speaker. The lion dancers from Chinatown will participate in the procession. His sabbatical will begin on Monday, May 20. While away he will travel to Nepal; New Delhi and be with a monastic community that ministers with the Dalit community; Christ- in- the- Desert monastery in New Mexico with Bishop Julio Murray, diocese of Panama; and a visit to Navajoland and the church community located there. Preparations for the time away have been coordinated with Ms. Kay Lark, Canon Greg Jacobs and the Standing Committee and the chaplains. There were two back up bishops if needed The Rt. Rev. George Councell and The Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk. FINANCE REPORT Mr. Paul Shackford presented a finance status report and reported on several items of interest. Summary of Significant Matters The proposed 2013 budget, which was approved by the Council at its December 2012 meeting, was adopted without change at the Annual Convention in January The budget included two items that called for the use of a portion of the proceeds from the 2012 sale by the Trustees of the former church property in North Bergen. The financial statement reflects the income from those sales (totaling $141,000) in January 2013, and the related expense of $111,000 to contribute to the lay pension plan and $30,000 to establish a fund for the search and call of the next bishop. Both funds are held in the Diocesan Investment Trust which is managed by the Trustees. Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 2 of 8

3 There are a number of variances in actual results as compared with the budget, but all are considered to be timing differences at this point. Income: Pledge Revenue The methodology used to create the monthly budget was to base the estimated 2013 monthly pledge income on the actual pattern of pledge receipts in 2012 and Historically, a significant portion of the full year's pledges occurs in December of the year as well as in the subsequent months of the following year. Non- Operating Income The budget and actual results for January include income from the Trustees of $141,000 representing the use of a portion of the proceeds from the sale of property in North Bergen which the Trustees completed in Of this total: (a) $111,000 represents an amount to be contributed to the lay pension plan to reduce the amount of the underfunded liability; and (b) $30,000 to create a new fund with annual contributions beginning in such fund is to be used for the search and call of the next bishop. The corresponding expenses, representing the contribution of this income to these two funds, are included in line 45 for the lay pension plan and line 51 for the search and call of the next bishop. Rental lncome- Episcopal House Based on signed lease agreements with Victoria Foundation and the Sadie Nash Leadership Project, we will record an equal monthly amount of income this year. Expenses: In general, variances of actual expenses as compared with budgeted amounts represent timing differences. We will monitor all variances in the upcoming months. Compensation Compensation expense, which includes salaries and benefits for employees at Episcopal House, is slightly higher than budget due to the timing of the payment of certain benefits. Diocesan Convention This expense is favorable to budget, but most of this variance is a timing difference which is expected to be reduced in future months. TEC 2008 Pledge Arrears The annual budgeted amount of $10,000 will be paid in quarterly installments. Domestic and International Outreach Grants The budget assumes that these grants will be paid later in 2013, as a significant portion will be funded by Alleluia Fund receipts. Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 3 of 8

4 Post- Retirement Pension & Insurance As noted above, this line item includes a contribution of $111,000 to the lay pension plan fund to reduce the underfunded pension liability, using income from the sale of property in Search & Call of Next Bishop Also as noted above, this line item represents a contribution of $30,000 to a fund that has been created in This and future annual contributions to this fund are intended to provide funds to pay the expenses which will be incurred in the search and call of the next bishop. This $30,000 is funded by a portion of the income from the sale of property in Net Result It is too early in the year to determine if there are any significant permanent variances from the budget that was adopted by Convention in January. At this point the favorable and unfavorable variances are generally considered to be timing differences. Based on the higher than budgeted pledge receipts and lower than budgeted expenses, the bottom line reflects a favorable variance of $62,738 as compared with budget. Other Matters The final total amount of pledge income in 2012 included an accrual of $140,000, which represented the amount of 2012 pledges that are expected to be collected in Of that accrued amount, we have collected $128,000 through the end of February. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the Treasurer s report as presented. The motion was adopted. ADDITIONAL FINANCE INFORMATION Mr. Paul Shackford reported on the following items: PAROCHIAL REPORTS STATUS As of today not quite half of the reports were received, several were in progress. There were 16 Page 5s received, which was half of those received by this time last year. AUDIT REQUIREMENT The Council approved last year the audit check list and it has been published and available on the website. Audit, review and compilations are generally done by outside auditors; the latter two are not audits, there was no testing of transactions. The audit check list should be used. STEWARDSHIP EVENING REPORT On February 28 former and current chairs of Stewardship Committees attended the evening. Thirty- five churches were represented and the evening included sharing of stories and resources. Information was available on the website. HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT The tax credit was a way of getting up to 25% of the premiums paid for health care; average age less than $50,000 and fewer than 25 employees Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 4 of 8

5 and at least 50% of coverage were the basic requirements. The information was available on the website. UPDATED DIOCESAN INVESTMENT TRUST RESULTS New information on the DIT funds and benchmarks were published on the website. FINANCE COMMITTEE In response to a question on what does a finance committee do? He sent a survey to all treasurers asking about the workings of church finance committees to gather information on the roles and responsibilities. STEERING COMMITTEE - REVIEW OF ORIENTATION MATERIALS The Rev. Ginny Dinsmore reviewed with the members the materials prepared for orientation. The documents included Orientation documents: Council Mission Statement; Diocesan Vision Statement; Council Member Job Description; Council Protocols; Council Meeting Structure; Asset Distribution Policy; District By- Laws; Covenant Agreement; Diocesan 2013 Constitution and Canons. STEERING COMMITTEE - CONVENTION ACTIONS & RESOLUTIONS The Rev. Ginny Dinsmore reviewed the actions decided at the January diocesan convention and the adopted resolutions. In particular to the Diocesan Council was resolution : A Call to Understand Wealth Disparity and the Future of the Diocese of Newark. The resolution encouraged the Diocesan Council to hold two or more regional hearings before the 140th Convention to explore the significance of the disparity of wealth, its influence on the Church s ability to worship and serve in local communities, and to shape and form the mission of the Church; and, to report on the results of these hearings to the 140th Convention, with guidelines for how to proceed (or go forward your option) as a Missional Church. It was moved and seconded to temporarily adjourn the meeting of Council. The President called to order the Meeting of the Nutley Senior Housing Corporation. NUTLEY EPISCOPAL SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION Ms. Martha Reiner introduced the revisions to the by- laws of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Manor Corporation. The revisions were prepared and accepted by a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees. The revisions were brought to the Council for ratification and submission to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for final approval. The revisions included: establishing a nominating committee for local representatives; changing the term for local representatives to three years from one year and filling vacancies; changing term of the officers to three years from one year; clarification on calling for special meetings; explanation of quorum requirements and removal of members Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 5 of 8

6 who don t attend; eliminate proxy voting; annual review of the managing agent contract; and an annual review of the by- laws. The following resolution was presented: RESOLVED, subject to approval of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the By- Laws of the of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Board of Trustees be amended with the following revisions: establishing a nominating committee for local representatives; changing the term for local representatives to three years from one year and filling vacancies; changing term of the officers to three years from one year; clarification on calling for special meetings; explanation of quorum requirements and removal of members who don t attend; eliminate proxy voting; annual review of the managing agent contract; and an annual review of the by- laws. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the revisions are proposed. The motion was adopted with one abstention. Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Meeting of the Nutley Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted. GARDEN STATE EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. BOARD ELECTIONS The President called to order the Meeting of the Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation. Motion: It was moved by the Rev. Ginny Dinsmore and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees for the terms noted. The motion was adopted. Class of 2015 (term expires December 31, 2015): Mr. Greg White. Class of 2014 (term expires December 31, 2014): Mr. William (Tim) Carpenter Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Meeting of the Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation. The motion was adopted. The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council. RESOLUTION OF THANKSGIVING The Steering Committee presented a resolution of appreciation to Mr. Michael Francaviglia for his service to the Diocesan Council. Whereas, Michael Francaviglia has faithfully served the Diocese of Newark for over 22 years as Director of Administration and Secretary of Convention and had announced his intention to retire as of April 5, 2013 and Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 6 of 8

7 Whereas, Michael has loyally and skillfully undertaken the care and feeding of three Bishops of this Diocese and countless committees, commissions, Trustees and convention delegates and Whereas, numerous members of this and previous Diocesan Councils and the aforementioned committees and commissions were lifted into those positions, eagerly or otherwise, by the efforts, counseling and cajoling of Michael, RESOLVED, Diocesan Council offers its thanks to God and to Michael Francaviglia for his mission and ministry in this Diocese, his ever present good humor, his inerrant font of institutional memory and his sartorial splendor, and be it further RESOLVED, that as Michael continues his faith journey in new directions, Diocesan Council prays that he will continue in God s good grace and remain a fiend to all of us who have been privileged to share the journey with him. The motion was seconded and adopted by a show of resounding applause. ACTION TEAM MEETINGS: GOALS & EXPECTATIONS FOR The action teams met to review their goals and expectations for this year and next. ACTION TEAM REPORTS The action teams reported on their discussions. Equipping: Mr. Alan Bowen and The Rev. Barrie Bates reported the team discussed the current JCAM request for funding. The request may be available for Council action in June. A meeting had been held with the JCAM leaders (representatives from St. Paul s, Grace Church Van Vorst and Incarnation) last week and Mr. Alan Bowen, The Rev. Barrie Bates, The Rev. Canon Greg Jacobs and Mr. Paul Shackford to discuss the ministries in Jersey City. Empowering: The Rev. Deborah Drake reported the team will be meeting with members of the Mission Strategy Committee next week to get to know each other better. The focus for the team continues to be on discipleship and the discernment of our gifts empower people on how to tell their stories. A forum or workshop may be scheduled on this topic later this year. Will seek Jubilee funds for support. When meeting with MSC will suggest a clergy swap. Engaging: The Rev. Manoj Zacharia and Mr. Tom Bisdale reported the team discussed the convention resolution : A Call to Understand Wealth Disparity and the Future of the Diocese of Newark. There was ambiguity but the team came to an understanding want to develop two seminars addressing wealth disparity county by county demographics and Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 7 of 8

8 consult with academics and theologians on how to live into our baptismal covenant. The submitters of the resolution will be invited to participate in the planning. MEETING EVALUATION Time was well spent. A continuing work- in- progress as we discuss our relationship with MSC. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mission Strategy Committee will sponsor another missional church conversation on Saturday, March 23 Going Deeper St. Michael s, Wayne. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION Ms. Martha Reiner, co- convener of the Empowering action team, moved the following resolution in thanksgiving for the service of the Rev. Ginny Dinsmore on Council and as co- convener of the Empowering action team. Resolved, That the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark thanks the Reverend Ginny Dinsmore for her service as a member of the Steering Committee, the Vice President of Council, and co- chair of the Empowering Team; and be it further resolved that our prayers go with her as she takes her new post as diocesan Coordinator for Missional Church Strategy. The motion was seconded and adopted. COMPLINE The meeting was adjourned into Compline led by the Equipping action team at 8:20p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia Diocesan Council Meeting Minutes March 13, Page 8 of 8