Committees, Commissions, and Boards: Diocesan Council reports from 2004

The Diocesan Council develops, administers, oversees, coordinates, and evaluates the program of the Diocese and maintains general supervision over the Diocese's budget and financial affairs*. Members must be canonically resident in the Diocese. They should be knowledgeable about and active in diocesan programs. Meets about ten (10) times a year, usually the fourth Tuesday**.

Below you'll find reports of Diocesan Council meetings in 2004. The most recent summaries are first.

Report from the December 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council approved the Board of Missions' recommendations for direct assistance to mission congregations in 2005.  The total amount of direct assistance is $410,600, distributed among six urban and ten non-urban congregations.

A proposal from the Atlantic City Mission Board to offer a musical literacy outreach program to children in the Atlantic City area, which would be funded from the income generated by the St. James Fund, was present to the Council for future consideration.

The Bishop advised the Council that he would be meeting with The Rev. Canon Ben Helmer from the Presiding Bishop's Staff and the Executive Committee to begin discussing the Bishop's proposal for a visioning program for the Diocese.

The Council was apprised that the Bishop had recommended that The Reverend Canon Diane Nancekivell be elected Dean of Trinity Cathedral for her remaining time at the Cathedral, while the Cathedral continues with the search process for a permanent Dean.

Report from the November 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The Council devoted the first half of the meeting to a discussion of the Windsor Report, which was commissioned by the Primates of the Anglican Communion to offer suggestions for maintaining communion in the contentious environment that has arisen since the last General Convention. Bishop Councell led the discussion, leading members through the Report by Sections. Members asked questions and offered thoughts and opinions on the state of the Communion and the contents of the Report. Bishop Councell advised the Council that he wished to continue the discussion of the Report in the Diocese.

The Council reviewed Wanda Greene's report on congregational pledge payments. Ms. Greene was asked to prepare a report for the December meeting of congregations who have not yet remitted at least half of their pledges. Members of the Council will continue last year's practice of contacting congregations by telephone to discuss the circumstances in the congregation, offer the Council's assistance in resolving any issues that they might be able to assist with and inquire about the congregation's prospects for completing their pledge.

The Council reviewed the status of the congregational visitation program, and agreed to coordinate visits with the Board of Missions' visits to mission congregations that are mandated by the canons. The Council also considered creating a “shepherding list” that would match Diocesan Council members with all of the congregations in the diocese for ongoing communication.

Report from the October 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
At the recommendation of the Loan and Grant Committee, the Council endorsed the policy that Venture in Mission Loan Funds would not be made available to refinance parochial loans that were obtained from other sources, noting that the funds are intended to be available for repairs and new building projects.

The Council heard a report on ongoing anti-racism efforts in the Diocese, including several parochial training events, the anti-racism focus at the Fall Youth Event, and two upcoming training sessions for financial committee/commission leaders.  The Anti-Racism Commission will also be enhancing the questionnaire that is included in the Parochial Report. 

Further discussion was held on the ongoing meetings with the people and clergy of each Convocation; positive spirit, and the effectiveness of the communication and listening at the meetings was noted. 

The Council agreed to begin discussion of the Windsor Report, in accordance with the Reception Process and the urging of international church leaders, at the November meeting.

Report from the September 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The Council elected two new members to fill the unexpired terms of Dr. Winton Manning, who passed away in May, and Dr. George Moore, who relocated to Indianapolis. Ms. Annette Buchanan and Mr. Reginald Whitman were elected to fill these terms until the Diocesan Convention meets in March.

The Council heard a report from Ms. Neva Rae Fox, who was appointed by Bishop Councell to chair a Task Force on Communications, that outlined recommendations for establishing and maintaining a communications program in the Diocese. The report included recommendations for a Director of Communications, and for use of print, broadcast and electronic communications media.

Convocation Deans joined members of the Council in a discussion of Bishop Councell's plan for convocation-based meetings with parish leaders. (A meeting in each of the eight convocations is scheduled for the fall; Wardens, Vestry, and other congregational leaders are urged to join Bishop Councell and members of the Diocesan Council for an evening of prayer, celebration and conversation.) Letters and briefing material for the visits were distributed; Bishop Councell reviewed his goals for the meeting and for the diocesan budget, and urged conversation about other things that ought to be discussed. Arrangements and logistics for the meetings were also discussed.

Report from the June 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
Discussion continued on Bishop Councell's proposal for a diocesan-wide discernment process to articulate a common vision and build mission and program under that vision. A meeting in each of the eight convocations has now been scheduled for the fall; Wardens, Vestry, and other congregational leaders are invited to join Bishop Councell and members of the Diocesan Council for an evening of prayer, celebration and conversation.

The Council approved the Loan and Grant Committee's recommendation to refinance Venture in Mission loans for three congregations that requested refinancing in accordance with the canonical change approved at the last Diocesan Convention, reducing interest rates on those loans from 5% to 4%. The Council urges other congregations who have VIM loans to contact the Loan and Grant Committee, to take advantage of the lower rate now available.

Members of the Council reported that, as part of the Council's parish visitation program, they are urging that lay leaders of the congregations become involved in the Diocese by placing their name in nomination for diocesan offices. The Council urges members of all diocesan congregations to make themselves available for election or appointment to the various committees and commissions that are active in the Diocese. Interested individuals should contact the diocesan office.

The Diocesan Council was apprised of efforts, led by Mrs. Ruth Councell, to develop a chapter of the Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts (ECVA) in the Diocese of New Jersey. Members of any congregation in the Diocese who are involved in the visual arts, either as a vocation or a personal interest, should contact the diocesan office for more information.

Report from the May 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council was apprised of plans, generated by a study group led by the Rev. Canon Elizabeth Geitz, for a possible restructuring of the diocesan Ministry Development offices to accommodate changes made to national canons at the last General Convention. The proposal would restructure the current Commission on Ministry into an umbrella commission comprised of the Committee on Lay Ministry, the Committee on the Diaconate, the Committee on Priesthood, and the Committee on Continuing Education to provide the comprehensive focus on ministry of the laity and the baptismal covenant that was articulated in the new national canons.

The Council was apprised of the continuing efforts of the Anti-Racism Commission to provide anti-racism training throughout the Diocese. A 2 and 1/2 day training session was held at the Marriott in Trenton; another 2 and 1/2 day training session is scheduled for October. Planning is also underway for one-day training sessions for the financial committees of the diocese. Diocesan trainers continue to visit parishes to offer training.

Discussion continued on Bishop Councell's proposal for a diocesan-wide discernment process, to articulate a common vision, and build mission and program under that vision. A meeting in each of the eight convocations is anticipated for the fall; Wardens, vestry, and leaders of the congregations will be invited for prayer, celebration and conversation with Bishop Councell and members of the Diocesan Council.

Report from the April 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The 2004-2005 Diocesan Council met for the first time on April 20; members are:

Serving until 2005: The Rev. Mark H. Chattin, The Rev. Douglas A. Freer, The Rev. Francis A. Hubbard, Mr. Richard S. Ellwood, Mr. Felix Estepa, Mr. Robert Mack.

Serving until 2006: The Rev. Canon Servio R. Moscoso, The Rev. Canon Diane Nancekivell, The Rev. Edmund W. Zelley, Mr. Jay Ham, Dr. Winton Manning, Dr. George E. Moore.

Serving until 2007: The Rev. Joanna Graham, The Rev. Ronald N. Pollock, The Rev. Mark R. Van Sant, The Hon. Robert W. Scott, Ms. Claudia Storicks, Dr. John J. Ward.

In accordance with the canonical change approved at Diocesan Convention, the Diocesan Council lowered the prevailing interest rate for Venture in Mission loans to 4%. The Council urges congregations who currently have VIM loans at an interest rate higher than 4% to contact the Loan and Grant Committee, and to refinance under the lower rate now available.

Bishop Councell reported that the Communications Task Force that was discussed in February has been appointed, chaired by Neva Rae Fox, charged with the responsibility of developing a communications strategy for the Diocese. The Task Force has been asked to report to the Council in June.

Bishop Councell proposed that the Council undertake a diocesan-wide discernment process, to articulate a common vision, and build mission and program under that vision, beginning with the theme for next year's Convention ('New Life, New Mission, New Jersey.') Short term goals of the process include a convocational program that incorporates singing, prayer and Bible Study in a discussion of mission goals and priorities, for clergy, wardens, vestry members, and other congregational leaders. Long term goals include defining, articulating and setting a strategy for mission, and setting a 5-year plan to 're-vision the Diocese of New Jersey'.

Report from the February 2004 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
Upon the approval of a reduction in the 2004 budget for communications, the Bishop agreed to appoint a task force to consider the most cost-effective way to provide short-term communications in the Diocese, and to design a longer-term strategy for diocesan communications.

During the presentation of budget results for 2003 members of the Council noted that some congregations had paid less than the amount that they had pledged for that year. The Council decided to make telephone calls to those congregations, to inquire whether circumstances had arisen in the congregation since the pledge was made that affected their ability to meet their pledge, and whether the congregation expected to make any additional payment toward their 2003 pledge. The Bishop offered to write to those congregations in advance of the Council's calls.

The Board of Missions reported that the mission congregation of Christ Church, Three Bridges, in consultation with the Board, the Bishop and the Canon to the Ordinary, had determined that the effort to begin a mission congregation in that part of the Diocese had not succeeded, and ended that effort. The Council urged that the Bishop convene a task force to review Christ Church, Three Bridges' experience, to identify the reasons that it did not succeed and determine what can be learned from that effort that could be helpful in similar, future endeavors. The Bishop agreed to do so.

20 January 2004: Summary of the meeting

• Accepted the Treasurer's Report for the period ending December 31, 2003.

• Endorsed the Loan and Grant Committee's recommendation permitting loans from the Venture in Mission Loan Fund to be loaned at not less than 4% interest.

• Endorsed Finance and Budget's recommendation that the accumulated assets over the past 3-4 years be applied to the Doss settlement to end this obligation.

• Endorsed Finance and Budget's recommendation for follow-up pastoral phone calls to be made to congregations who have not paid their full fair share to see if they would be able to complete it in the beginning of 2004.

• Approved the proposed 2004 budget.

• Approved the preliminary 2005 budget.

• Supports funding in principle for the Ad Campaign Program in the Camden Convocation.

• Heard reports on clergy deployment, the work of the Audit Committee, Anti-Racism Committee, and the ECW.

• Next meeting: February 17, 2004: 10 a.m.

** Council meets the fourth Tuesday of every month. The meetings are open to everyone. On occasion the date may be changed. Call Diocesan House, 1 877-394-5281, for confirmation of date.

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