Convention Elections

To be elected: Class of 2029 – 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.

Questions? Contact: Bob Cottingham or Jewels Quelly.

To be elected: Class of 2030 – 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.

Questions? Contact: The Rev. Danielle Baker or Bernie Milano.

To be elected: Class of 2031 – 3 positions

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.

Questions? Contact: John Garde, Esq.

To be elected: Class of 2029 – 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.

Questions? Contact: the Rev. Ellen Kohn-Perry.

To be elected: Class of 2027 – 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.

Questions? Contact: Diane Sammons, Esq.

To be elected: Clergy Class of 2032 (1 for six-year term)
To be elected: Lay Class of 2031 (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.

Questions? Contact: Laura Russell, Esq.

To be elected: Class of 2029 – 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.

Questions? Contact: John Garde, Esq.

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.