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Committees, Commissions, and Boards: Diocesan Council
Reports from 2006

The most recent report is first.

Report from the December 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on December 12, 2006, the Council:

Approved the Loan and Grant Committee's recommendation for a grant for repairs for St. Mary's Church, Clementon, in the amount of $10,000 from the Capital and Revolving Fund.

Approved funding from the St. James' Fund for Church of the Ascension, Atlantic City, in the amount of $78,423 for 2007, $81,100 for 2008, and $83,884 for 2009.

A review of the 2006 Pledge to the National Church revealed that the Diocese is short of its 100% commitment in the amount of $16,259. Diocesan Council moved to pay the difference if funds are available in the 2006 Budget.

Report from the November 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on November 21, 2006, the Council:

Approved the following Loan and Grant Committee recommendations:

The two present mortgages of St. Barnabas' with the Venture in Mission Fund of the Diocese of New Jersey shall be combined into one mortgage, also at 4% [as both are at present], for a period of 20 years starting January 1, 2007 for payments on a monthly basis.

Financial officers of churches seeking loans from our Committee must show proof of being bonded for an amount at least equal to their financial assets before the disbursement of the loan.

The interest rate on new loans from the Venture in Mission Fund shall be 5%.

A one year $150,000 balloon note (due one year from draw down) be made to Christ Church, Middletown, from the Capital and Revolving Fund to serve as a bridge loan. This loan, as required by the Capital and Revolving Fund, shall carry no interest, but if it is not paid in its entirety on time, any balance shall be transferred to the Venture in Mission Fund at 5% per annum interest, with monthly payments. The financial officers of Christ Church must be bonded.

A $10,000 grant to St. Clement's Church for new windows, storm doors and siding for its vicarage, to be paid from the Capital & Revolving Fund.

A $10,000 grant from the Capital and Revolving Fund to the Church of St. Andrew, Camden, for repairs needed due to last summer’s flooding.

Approved the appraisal of the service station rental property owned by Grace Church, Elizabeth.
Accepted the Report of the Board of Missions recommending Mission Assistance Grants for 2007 and 2008.

Report from the October 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on October 17, 2006, the Council:

Approved distribution of the $20,000 allocated for Millennium Development Goals as follows:

$10,000 – Episcopal Hospital, Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza
$5,000 – Bishop Tharp Business and Technology Institute in Haiti
$5,000 – St. Mary's Health Center in the Diocese of Namibia

The document, Factors to consider in reviewing Mission grant requests, was adopted as representing the mind of the Diocesan Council.

Report from the September 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on September 19, 2006, the Council:

Approved a loan to Christ Church, Palmyra, for the purpose of painting the outside of the church, parish hall, and rectory, in the amount of $7,000 for five years to be drawn equally from the R. Bowden Shepherd Fund and the Capital and Revolving Fund.
Adopted the policy proposed by the Alcohol and Drug Dependency and Recovery Ministries Committee.
Approved an emergency grant for St. John's, Sewaren.

NOTE: No meetings in July and August.

Report from the June 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on June 27, 2006, the Council:

Approved the nomination of Mr. Reginald Whitman to fill the vacancy on Diocesan Council in the lay order, Class of 2008.
Received a written report "Be Bold in faith … vision … giving" from the Diocesan Council sub-committee regarding the Campaign for Fair Share Partners.
Heard report on General Convention from Bishop Councell
Was informed that Eugene Haring, Esq. retired as Chancellor. John Wood Goldsack, Esq. will become Chancellor of the Diocese effective July 1, 2006.
Received updates on Trinity Cathedral:
- Monday, October 9, 2006: Trinity Cathedral Community Day (golf outing)
- Friends of the Cathedral Program
- Report on the search process for Dean

Report from the May 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on May 16, 2006, the Council:

Discussed a “Campaign for Fair Share Partners,” a proposal, shared with the Diocesan Council by Bishop Councell, for an ongoing effort that would engage congregations in a discussion about the way that congregational Fair Share pledges support the mission of the church. Ideas and suggestions for the program were offered by Council members, and a subcommittee was formed to organize the information and report to the Council's June meeting.
Made the following appointments for the 2006-07 year:

Visitation Committee Chair: Ms. Donna Devlin
Recording Secretary: Mrs. Mary Ann Rhoads
Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. Kathy O'Hagan
Finance and Budget Committee: Mr. Ronald Sheay and Ms. Annette Buchanan
Board of Missions: The Rev. Mark Van Sant and Mr. Charles Perfater
Audit Committee: The Hon. Robert Scott and Mr. Morris Anderson

Approved a motion to discontinue the policy of deducting mission congregations' Fair Share pledges from quarterly assistance grants.

Report from the April 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on April 18, 2006, the Council:

Approved the joint purchase of St. Theresa's Church, Tuckerton, by the Diocese and the congregation of Holy Spirit, Tuckerton, at a price equal to or better than the appraised value, but not to exceed $1,300,000 total for the church and separate parking lot. The Diocese of New Jersey and the Church of the Holy Spirit will enter into a covenant that describes the expectations of the relationship between the congregation and the Diocese of New Jersey and the arrangements under which each will have use of the facility, and recognizes that the Church of the Holy Spirit may, at a future date, repay the Diocese of New Jersey the amount of its investment, and then assume full usage of the church and property for its own purposes.
Approved funding for the building inspections for three small congregations under the Building Inspection Program.
Heard a report that Mr. Jay Combs, St. Peter's, Freehold, will be appointed as Safety Manager be in the diocese, in accordance with The Church Insurance Company's policies, at an annual cost of $28,000, which will be reimbursed by The Church Insurance Company.
Approved funding in the amount of $1,250 for two members of the Insurance Committee to attend the Church Medical Trust annual conference.

No March 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council
Diocesan Convention was held during this month.

Report from the February 2006 Meeting of the Diocesan Council

At a meeting of the Diocesan Council on February 18, 2006, the Council:

Heard a report from the Visioning Committee, which has begun to formulate a process for communicating with congregations throughout the Diocese.
Heard a report from the Anti-Racism Commission, which has 2.5 day workshop scheduled for May 4-6 at the Rutgers Inn & Conference Center.
Approved a request from the Board of Missions to create a special task force to study the proposal for purchase of a new building for Holy Spirit, Tuckerton.
Received a request from the Audit Committee regarding accounting for medical benefits for retired clergy; referred the request to the Insurance Committee for action.

The report from the January 17, 2006 meeting of Diocesan Council was not available for approval.

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