Convention Elections

To be elected: Class of 2028 – 3 clergy/3 lay members

Council’s Canonical Responsibilities include: (Canon 5.4)
a) Analyze needs, determine primary concerns and program priorities, and develop goals and policy for the Diocese.
b) Review and evaluate the program of the Diocese, set standards, gather and analyze data, and compare results with goals and policy.
c) Establish such planning groups as the Council may deem appropriate to carry out its purposes and duties.
d) Engage consultants and utilize resources sufficient to accomplish the planning process.
e) Supervise the financial affairs of the Convention, including budgetary matters.
f) Submit annually to the Convention a unified budget for the ensuing year to provide for the total operation of the Diocese.
g) In the event the Convention fails to adopt a unified budget at its annual Convention, to provide for such a budget for the ensuing year in accordance with any general or specific mandates of the Convention.
h) Adopt a working budget annually.
i) Provide for the maintenance of sound and accepted business practices in the affairs of the Diocese,
j) Give recognition to accredited organizations, institutions, and other activities of the Diocese and provide regulations whereby such recognition can be given.
k) Approve ACTS/VIM, Ward J. Herbert and Congregational Growth and Development Fund grants.
l) Together with the Diocesan Staff, to encourage the timeliness and accuracy of parochial reports.

Meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday evening of every month (Except July & August) and Council will meet in the various congregations of the diocese. Meetings typically last from 6 – 8:30 PM and dinner is served.

Candidates – Clergy

Candidates – Lay

Barbara Monahan – Christ Church, Ridgewood
I am interested in being apart of the Diocesan Council to use my talents, education and experience in the leadership of the Diocese. I am a vestry member, Women’s group leader and train Acolytes to serve at the altar @ Christ Church Ridgewood. I am a member of Valley Toastmasters where I help member develop their speaking and administrative skills. I was an Accountant for a major car company where I lead a team to achieve tight deadlines while developing and implementing efficiency projects. I was a founding member of the company’s Toastmasters group and Women’s networking group where I held the President position for several years. Please note that I am a Candidate for Holy Orders to the priesthood.

To be elected: Class of 2029 – 1 clergy/1 lay members
Multiple nominations; require 3 clergy and 2 lay candidates.

The Standing Committee consists of 8 members. Four clergy and four lay members are elected by Convention for a four (4) year term. A maximum of eight (8) consecutive years may be served.

The Standing Committee is the Bishop’s council of advice and the ecclesiastical authority when there is no bishop in charge. Additionally, the Committee:

• gives consent to elections and resignations of bishops;
• approves any encumbrance of real property and sale of real property;
• approves modifications or revisions of judicial sentences;
• recommends postulants for candidacy, candidates for ordination to the diaconate and deacons to be ordained priests.

Attendance is required at ten monthly meetings via Zoom on first Wednesdays at 7 PM. The Standing Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month (except July and August).

Committee assignments as required.

Desirable, but not necessary, experience: law, real estate, vestry/executive committee, diocesan groups.

Candidates – Clergy

Candidates – Lay

Election To Fill Vacancy

The Trustees hold title to and administer the funds and real estate for the benefit of the Diocese.

Additional candidate requirement: Must reside in the geographical area of the diocese.

Candidates

16 Positions to be elected for the 82nd Triennial General Convention
(July 1-8, 2027 in Phoenix, AZ)

Those not elected as Deputies are immediately considered as the nominees for Alternates.

Consider being a part of the worldwide Episcopal Church. See a religious democracy in action. Worship with over 1,000 Episcopalians singing with full voice! You will leave exhilarated, excited, renewed and proud to be an Episcopalian.

The Episcopal Church gathers every three years for General Convention.

Each diocese elects a deputation of 4 lay people and 4 clergy with 4 alternate deputies for each order.

The General Convention is typically held the first two weeks of July. The convention is in general session for ten days with committee meetings prior and post-convention.

The deputies and alternates must be able to travel and take time from their family and work.

All expenses are paid by the diocese for business related activities (transportation; hotel accommodations; meals and taxes….) for the deputation and first alternates in each order.

Candidate requirement: Communicant and member in good standing.

See also: Are you considering running for Deputy to General Convention?

Candidates – Clergy

Elizabeth Ivell – St. Mary’s, Sparta
I have been very grateful to be a part of the Diocese of Newark for the last four years. I have been a member of the ACTS/VIM Board and as a Alternate for the Clergy Delegation to General Convention in 2024. I have served at St. Peter’s in Morristown, and now Church of the Messiah in Chester and St. Mary’s in Sparta. In the past I have served as a Clergy Deputy to the General Convention in 2018 for the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and was an assistant secretary for a legislative committee during that time. I am very interested in the governance of the Episcopal Church, especially when it comes to the future of congregations. I am studying how we can have strong, healthy congregations in the doctorate program at Drew.

Candidates – Lay

Jewels Quelly – St. James’, Hackettstown
I believe in turning vision into action—and I’ve done just that in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. Since 2018, I’ve served on Diocesan Council, the Diocesan Visioning Team (Congregational Collaboration), and represented our diocese as a Lay Deputy to the 81st General Convention. At that Convention, I felt a strong call to advocate for neurodiverse individuals and their caregivers in the Episcopal Church. With the support of our diocesan convention, I launched BOOST, a task force dedicated to exploring parish life through the lens of neurodiversity. I continue to work tirelessly across the diocese to raise awareness and build resources. With your vote, I will bring this same passion, leadership, and dedication to the 82nd GenCon.

Meredith McKeever – Grace Church, Madison
During the 2024 General Convention, I served on the Official Youth Presence, where I got to sit in on the House of Deputies, learn how Convention works, and engage in important conversations with leaders of the church. As an official voting deputy to Convention, I could have a bigger impact on the Church and help highlight youth voices and opinions.

To be elected: Class of 2028 – 1 clergy/2 lay members
Multiple nominations; require 2 clergy and 4 lay candidates.

The ACTS/VIM Board also administers funding grants through the Alleluia Fund.

Membership: Twelve members. The Diocesan Bishop; 3 clergy and 6 lay members elected by convention for a three-year term; 3 clergy or lay members appointed by Bishop for a three-year term. Two consecutive three-year terms may be served.

Candidate expectations: attendance at four meetings a year when proposals are being considered for funding. Two meetings between the second week in March and last week in April. Two meetings between the second week in October and the last week in November. For the Alleluia Fund. Two or three site visits made to grant requesters in the spring and fall. Also, as needed, participation in at least two educational forums about ACTS/VIM around the diocese in the calendar year; e.g. district meetings, convention, workshops organized by ACTS/VIM.

Desirable, but not essential, experience: grant writing, reviewing grants, starting or expanding programs.

Candidates – Clergy

Elizabeth Ivell – St. Mary’s, Sparta
I have been very grateful to be a part of the Diocese of Newark for the last four years. I have been a member of the ACTS/VIM Board and as a Alternate for the Clergy Delegation to General Convention in 2024. I have served at St. Peter’s in Morristown, and now Church of the Messiah in Chester and St. Mary’s in Sparta. In the past I have served as a Clergy Deputy to the General Convention in 2018 for the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and was an assistant secretary for a legislative committee during that time. I am very interested in the governance of the Episcopal Church, especially when it comes to the future of congregations. I am studying how we can have strong, healthy congregations in the doctorate program at Drew.

Candidates – Lay

To be elected: 10 members – (lay or clergy)
Multiple nominations; require 11 candidates; clergy or lay.

The Constitution and Canons Committee consists of 10 members, the Chancellor (member ex officio and chair), and the Vice Chancellor.

The committee serves from the adjournment of the convention at which it is elected until the adjournment of the next annual convention. It reviews the Constitution and Canons and makes recommendations for the amendment thereof and reports to the convention on amendments proposed by others. The committee also reviews Opinions of the Chancellor, as outlined in Canon 20.

The committee meets in the beginning months prior to the convention to prepare for the annual convention, during convention as necessary, and when called into special session as described in Canon 20.

Desirable, but not essential, experiences: church law, revising parish constitutions.

Candidates

Thomas Bisdale – Grace Church, Westwood
I have served on the committee for over 2 decades which might suggest to some that it is time for new blood, However, on this particular committee that is outweighed by the benefits of experience and institutional knowledge. Currently a member of the Trustees and the Disciplinary Board, I have also served the Diocese and my parish in many capacities. I am a member of the NJ and NY Bars.

To be elected: Clergy Class of 2031 (1 for six-year term)
To be elected: Lay Class of 2030 (1 for five-year term)
One nomination necessary for each office.

The Disciplinary Board consists of 11 members: 6 clergy and 5 lay.

The Disciplinary Board oversees matters of clergy discipline under Title IV of the Canons of the Episcopal Church. Each diocese must have a Disciplinary Board. The committee is made up of lay persons and priests and deacons. The members are elected by diocesan convention. The Elected Members of the Disciplinary Board will be required to attend an organizational meeting of the Board to be scheduled within 2 months of the conclusion of the convention.

Candidates – Clergy

Candidates – Lay

To be elected: Class of 2028 – 1 clergy/1 lay members
Multiple nominations; require 2 clergy and 2 lay candidates.

The Chapter consists of 18 members, as follows:

• The Diocesan Bishop as President
• Bishops
• The Dean
• Archdeacons, if any
• 3 clergy & 3 lay persons elected by Convention for a one 3-year term
• 3 clergy or 3 lay members appointed by the Bishop for a one 3-year term
• 2 wardens, 1 treasurer, 1 clerk and 12 lay members elected from and by the congregation

Under the joint consolidation agreement and the Constitution of the Cathedral, the Chapter shall have the regulation, management and administration of temporal affairs of the Cathedral and the decision in such spiritual matters pertaining to its administration as may be referred to the Chapter by the Bishop or the Dean. Attendance is required at quarterly meetings.

Desirable, but not necessary, experience: vestry, diocesan groups.

Candidates – Clergy

Candidates – Lay

One nomination necessary.

Candidate requirement: Communicant in good standing.

The Secretary shall give notice of all Conventions as required by the Constitution, take Minutes of the proceedings, preserve the journals and records, attest the public acts of the Convention, and perform such other services as may from time to time be prescribed by the Canons or by the Convention.

The Secretary of the Convention shall also be a Secretary of the Diocesan Council.

John King – St. Andrew’s, Harrington Park
I consider myself privileged to serve the congregations and people of the Diocese of Newark, I have always felt a call to serve and assist the good work of this Convention and its committees. I am proud to be part of this community, and I look forward to continuing in this role.

One nomination necessary for each office.

Candidate requirement: Communicants in good standing.

The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer each shall give satisfactory security for the faithful performance of his/her duties. The Treasurer shall be entitled to a seat in the Convention and shall submit a statement of the accounts to each Annual Convention. The Assistant Treasurer shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Treasurer of the Convention.

The Treasurer of the Convention shall also be Treasurer of the Diocesan Council.

Candidates – Treasurer

Samuel Reckford – Christ Church, Short Hills
As the CFO of the diocese, it probably makes sense for me to serve as the Treasurer of Convention.

Candidates – Assistant Treasurer