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Committees, Commissions, and Boards: Diocesan Council
2005 Minutes

Report from the November, 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on November 15, 2005, the Council:

Considered recommendations from the Finance and Budget Committee for a program of pastoral response to congregations who are not current in the payment of their Fair Share pledges, discussed various options for the program, and referred the discussion to a subcommittee to be reported back for action at the December Council meeting.
Heard a presentation from the Rev. Joanna Graham, recently returned from a trip to the Holy Land, on the plight of the Palestinians in that area.
Received the preliminary report from the Board of Missions describing recommendations for grants to mission congregations for Fiscal Year 2006.
Received a report from the Anti-Racism Commission regarding ongoing anti-racism training that is being provided for congregations, and on the Anti-Racism Conference that is scheduled for November 19th at Trinity Cathedral.

Report from the October, 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on October 11, 2005, the Council:

Heard the financial report from Canon Wanda Greene, and began consideration of a program of pastoral response to congregations who are not current in the payment of their Fair Share pledges.
Reviewed final language for a Diocesan Stewardship Statement, presented by a subcommittee of the Council, adopted the Statement, and requested that it be sent to all clergy and congregations, posted on the Diocesan website and published in 2Times.
Received a report from the Anti-Racism Commission on a major training event to be held at Rutgers University, ongoing training that is being secured for congregations, and an Anti-Racism Conference that is scheduled for November 19th at Trinity Cathedral.

Report from the September, 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on September 20, 2005, the Council:

Allocated the diocesan commitment of 0.7% of 2005 income to support the Millennium Development Goals, choosing to focus on women's health and education and HIV/AIDS in Africa, as follows:
$10,000 to Episcopal Relief and Development for its programs providing primary health care in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ERD programs include a health care clinic in the Diocese of Katanga and the training of HIV/AIDS prevention teams; and
$10,000 to Cuttington College in Liberia, through the Association of Episcopal Colleges for scholarships, for female students in the School of Nursing. This amount will cover all costs for 5-6 students (typically about $1,600 per year).
Reviewed draft language for a Diocesan Stewardship Statement, presented by a subcommittee of the Council. Members considered the proposed language and made suggestions for revisions, with the expectation that the statement would be finalized this fall, at the Council's subsequent meetings.
Heard a proposal from the Rev. Canon Elizabeth Geitz for a Ministry Institute, in response to the recent changes to Title III of the national canons that incorporate a greater focus on vocational discernment and education of all of the baptized. Training and workshops would be offered to interested laypeople from any diocesan congregation.
Received a report from Bishop Council that Ms. Annette Buchanan and The Rev. Philip Carr-Jones have been appointed to co-chair the committee that will lead the Visioning Process for the Diocese.

[No meetings in July and August 2005]

Report from the June, 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on June 21, 2005, the Council:

Accepted Bishop Councell’s report that $19,382, included in the 2005 budget to support the Millennium Development Goals, must be allocated and distributed for that purpose by the end of the year. Appointed Ms. Devlin, Mother Graham, Father Legnani, Ms. O’Hagan, Judge Scott, Dcn. Turner and Father Van Sant to study the relevant information and make recommendations to the full Council.
Heard a report from the Treasurer regarding funds that are dedicated to congregational ministry in the Diocese, and supported the development of a plan, working with the Trustees, for making these funds readily available to congregations.
Reviewed the schedule of Fall Convocation Meetings with Bishop Councell and selected meetings for each member to attend.
Heard a report on progress in developing a diocesan stewardship statement, a draft statement expected to be presented at the September meeting.

Report from the May, 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on May 17, 2005, the Council:

Made the following appointments to leadership positions for the 2005-2006 Council year:
- Audit Committee: Judge Robert Scott
- Board of Missions: The Rev. Mark Van Sant
- Chair of the Council’s Visitation Committee: Mr. Jay Ham
- Corresponding Secretary for the Council: Ms. Kathy O’Hagan
- Finance and Budget Committee: Mr. Ronald Sheay and Ms. Annette Buchanan
- Recording Secretary for the Council: Mrs. Mary Ann Rhoads
Heard a report from Kep Short, Diocesan Youth Director, on youth activities in the Diocese, including the appointment of Dcn. Debi Clarke as Program Assistant for Youth Ministry, the recently‑completed Spring Youth Event, New Jersey’s attendance at the national Episcopal Youth Event in Kentucky in July, and developments in the Happening program.
Received reports from Diocesan Council visitations at St. Peter’s Church, Spotswood and Trinity Church, Woodbridge.
Agreed to Bishop Councell’s request to participate in developing a diocesan stewardship statement, and appointed Dean Diane Nancekivell, Ms. Amy Thompson, Mr. Reg Whitman, and Fr. Ed Zelley to represent the Diocesan Council and work with Bishop Councell to develop a draft statement to be presented at the June meeting

Report from the April 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council

Approved grants from the Harriet Procter Matthews Fund: A grant for the Diocesan Choir Camp in Cape May, and for the Elizabeth Detention Center at St. John’s Church, Elizabeth.
Reviewed the parish visitation program, under the leadership of Mr. Jay Ham, and began the process of arranging the parish visitation schedule for 2005-2006.
Heard reports from the Anti-Racism Commission about ongoing activity in anti‑racism, and from the Communications Director, Ms. Cynthia McFarland, about plans to reinvigorate communications in the Diocese.

Report from the February, 2005 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council

Heard a report from the Anti-Racism Commission that a diocesan-wide Anti-Racism Conference will be held in the fall.
Received a report from the Rev. Canon Lee Powers, for the Board of Missions, that two Vicars’ dinners were scheduled at St. Alban’s Church, New Brunswick and Trinity Church, Vineland to discuss the challenges missions face and hear suggestions on how to better provide support and encouragement.
Received a report from the Rev. John Bryant, for the Atlantic City Mission Board, about the Atlantic City Mission Board’s program to offer a musical literacy outreach program to the children in the Atlantic City area. The Council endorsed the program, and awaits further detail.