| Clergy: List what you need from our diocese to enable you to offer your best. | |
| C1 | Don't preach to us. |
| C2 | Reasonable availability for the diocese for help — affirmation and encouragement — resources and communication — days of retreat and recollection — opportunities for fellowship and prayer as priests |
| C3 | I've learned the resources are there if you look for them. I think it is already offered — I just need to plug into it. Training course in how to lead a bible study and how to bring this to the lay people |
| C4 | 1. Leadership skills — through education. 2. I value very much the clergy days when we have speakers who bring in spiritual nourishment. 3. More retreats — in October at Stella Maris. 4. Having the Bishop come to convocation. |
| C5 | Support — pastoral support, monetary support for ministries, leadership, guidance, planting seeds |
| C6 | Bishop Councell's openness to clergy and listening — loves the diocese (for what it has given him and the faith) — grew up here — Kep Short's ministry with youth, leadership and support of parish ministry with youth — he does not inflict his agenda nor does he try to transform the parish, rather Kep listens then offers help which benefits the parish. |
| C7 | To be a resource for pastoral ministry — more facilitation, less "rule maker" role |
| C8 | 1. the assurance of my Bishop's support in this vision, and he has — for example, through personal issues in my parish, training opportunities for laity through Institute 2. What I need additionally is help of a deacon or seminarian |
| C9 | The assistance of a deacon is the work in the parish. Somebody that will enable us to walk through our individual vision for the church. |
| C10 | Retired — continual renewal of license so that he may continue his ministry. |
| C11 | Support of our bishop who is a treasure. Support of others for Deacon ministry. Support, love, and respect from parish. Asking us to do more and respect us when we say no. |
| C12 | More of a sense of equality within our congregation |
| C13 | Understanding and appreciation of what it is to be shepherd of the church — and all that's competing with that. |
| C14 | 1. Open door 2. Especially with youth 3. Support during transition |
| C15 | Understanding of different ethnicity — want the Diocese to become anti-racist — need diocese to support theology even if they disagree with me. An open theology. Diocese willing to change for the good of the people of the diocese, Africans, gays and lesbians — do more ecumenism. |
| C16 | Creation of atmosphere of being open to paradox and conflict — to keep us talking together. Guidance for all parishes to re-establish sense of Anglican communion and not be independent churches |
| C17 | Resources for time/space/program in which lay people can explore contemplation life. Facility nearby would help. |
| C18 | Leave me alone! My present congregation appears to be able to serve God on its own, without the interference of Diocese. |
| C19 | leadership that listens, caring that continues to be open. Take this process and listen to it as best we can |
| C20 | Not to prejudge new initiatives. There needs to be new paradigms — new models for ministry |
| C21 | Opportunities for collegial interaction — support for ministry in parish by Diocese — help us with necessities for ministry more the money |
| C22 | How to be part-time and maintain collegiality. Balancing parental demands / parish involvement / support of our family units — advocacy in the parish of the clergy |
| C23 | A willingness to allow conservative voice to be heard, respected in same way other voices are heard and respected. Let us be the broad church we are. |
| C24 | specific educational opportunities that will translate into parish programming and a way forward |
| C25 | 25th hour and an 8th day! — a willingness on poor of diocese to look to other fields for new way of being. We need more store fronts — more team ministry |
| C26 | more of the gentle, passionate leadership of steadfast Bp Councell — his example motivates and inspires us |
| C27 | need better way for priest to feel that they are not alone — very grateful for communication — some fund to supply mission with necessities like copies of BCP's — would like guidelines — for proper liturgies — can be same sex blessings — too much variation. — more aggressive in consolidating congregations to better utilize resources |
| C28 | 1. opportunity to pursue my ministry and allow me to be in a place He has me w/out the policy and procedure — not to be confused with canon law 2. leadership w/out their own personal agenda 3. consistency in implementing p&p with prejudice |
| C29 | I often feel isolated — a greater sense and actualization of community from the Diocese |
| C30 | having while of the diocese being |
| C31 | To have group donations and convocation confirmations. It would take the load off our parish and the Bishops visit could be about how our parish is doing |
| C32 | Contact — someone to hear us when parish have issues — bigger Diocese Staff |
| C33 | 1. shorter commute to Trenton 2. a second bishop, or to be two dioceses 3. a diminishing healthcare crises in the US, 4. there is too much work, all the time |
| C34 | 1. to be included in diocesan level activities 2. pastoral support from bishop and pees 3. get rid of near/mission identity — just a vocal mentality 4. a new fob that employs my gifts |
| C35 | A way to use her Spanish, Christian education resources, stewardship training, resources, inspiration. More "2 times" and other publications to share with congregation to help them feel linked with diocese. A directory of special services available from other parishes |
| C36 | 1. more staff to support administrative 2. return emails and calls 3. make me feel valued 4. drop humble stance. More assertive and decisive |
| C37 | help with evangelism — how to rekindle the fire did us as youth. Understand that our local branch parish is just a part of the larger picture. To heal the sick — get that more prominent in struggles over resources for places understaffed, for stewardship education — cathedral be in focal point we do not always realize how lucky we are — have potential while diverse |
| C38 | Have appreciated bishop's pastoral concerns |
| C39 | Commitment to more collegiality and clergy 'wellness' groups, spiritual nurture — more stewardship among congregations, to enable combined and shared ministries. Continuation of our loving Bishop and staff — keep them all healthy |
| C40 | Being retired, I seek serving when I can. Continue with spiritual support and discuss how we have been offering it. |
| C41 | I would like to have a stronger voice so that people know when are strong. I do not want to hear from others what we are doing (our stand). I want to hear from the Diocese. I like to have our bishop lead us the way he does — "continue being who you are" |
| C42 | Access to continuing education, clergy and lay; wishes that there was a staff person for Christian education, children and adult. |
| C43 | Prayer, companionship from both "church" and diocese — funds — it is a necessity to carry out ministries |
| C44 | Others to seek release from their anger |
| C45 | A capable, skilled diocesan staff. Need for diocese is be willing to coordinate joint ministry projects that allows churches of all to come together in common tasks. Program that allows laity to have relationships across parishes. Good pastoral care from bishop and other clergy, basic love and trust. |
| C46 | Continued permission and support, honesty, information and resources from which glean, like the last Wardens Day — continued and increasing opportunity to gather together with other clergy and congregations, in it together — not alone |
| C47 | Diocese needs to be heart of Diocese — Bishop needs to fulfill role of pastor — Interim ministries essential |
| C48 | the Bishop |
| C49 | A Bishop |
| C50 | Access to the Bishop. Timely response from diocesan staff. Times together as the diocese to feel good about being an Episcopalian Christians in the Diocese of NJ. |
| C51 | More parish development, more humor. More worship — loving faith in worship |
| C52 | Already receiving from Diocese and bishop. Engage with people very different. Healthy spirit — openness needs opportunities to find support from other clergy more. |
| C53 | We need information — the process in getting better. We need encouragement — Bishop and staff need to be appreciative of volunteers. |
| C54 | Chance to serve at other levels, outside the parish. Trained in larger arena and skills are under utilized in parish ministry |
| C55 | 1. A sense of connectedness for himself and congregation which is a real challenge in NJ. 2. COntinue/build ministry institute 3. Regular collegial study. |
| C56 | 1. reliable provision of resources to support congregation ministry e.g. stewardship, evangelism, youth — some is getting better, some needs much more 2. build on clergy days and retreats that are very helpful |
| C57 | training of more lay people — more communication of new ministries — each parish — to bring one to convention for showing others |
| C58 | resources — financial resources to help establish, continue new programs for health ministry |
| C59 | support our ministry in parish — congregation development / personal spiritual development |
| C60 | Confidence and reassurance of my ministry |
| C61 | 1. believe Diocese Is doing good job in supporting me 2. continue to stress Diocese Presence in farthest corners of Diocese 3. keeping laity informed on what Diocese is doing for them |
| C62 | A full-time position; now a transitional deacon — freedom and support to develop my ministry |
| C63 | pay more attention to congregations at the margins of Diocese |
| C64 | prayer, companionship of each other, funds |
| C65 | 1. clear direction, procedures regarding ministry, finances, training of lay leadership 2. overhaul and clear guidelines re clergy compensation 3. plan for regional ministry — persons, nursing homes, colleges, etc. |
| C66 | 1. Raising sufficient funds to support care of poor, whether soft services such as counseling or hard services such as food and clothing 2. Ongoing sense of mutual ministry, caring support and collegiality |
| C67 | support, training for lay leaders, particularly wardens |
| C68 | information, a sense that every portion of the Diocese is equally valued (not just certain major parishes in the forefront). |
| C69 | Already doing a good job of supporting our clergy and providing tools for parishes. I am concerned for the Bishop. And feel that we should call a Suffragan Bishop sooner rather than later. |
| C70 | I need to see my bishop — not in an official capacity. I want him to drop in, to come to Mass for Holy Cross, and say how are you. |
| C71 | That Bishop Councell be able to take care of himself. I need him to remain healthy so he remains our bishop for very long time. Because my parish is to diverse — need the Diocese to remain whole, complex, unified in its diversity — as a model, a testament — appreciate opportunities for collegial relationships |
| C72 | An invitation to participate, opportunities to offer my own gifts to individual parishes and diocese information on what needy parishes need so missions and outreach could be coordinated |
| C73 | Further training from consultants to resource parish |
| C74 | 1. opportunities to come together and share resources, experiences 2. strong pastoral presence from Bishop — thank you |
| C75 | to offer my gifts — such as teach classes on a Diocesan level |
| C76 | Staff of diocese knows who I am. To be more realistic about financial stewardship. Breaking up of the Princeton mindset. |
| C77 | Breadth of exposure to experience beyond our parochial concerns — there is something beyond our own backyard |
| C78 | Fair compensation for gifts and ability — clear vision of diocesan needs — sharing of responsibly — matching gifts and talents with needs |
| C79 | Fair compensation for gifts and ability ministry for single clergy — ministry that includes recognition — gender, especially in our larger congregations |
| C80 | Encouragement, affirmation |
| C81 | Opportunity for service |
| C82 | Give me a voice. I want communication (two way) |
| C83 | More continuing education — provided for the clergy — to be empowered to support two small churches in the diocese — involvement |
| C84 | Like to see a forum for pastors — committed to transitioning their congregations — to a new vision. What works, what does not |
| C85 | continue sharpen our pastoral focus toward all our ministers |
| C86 | personal affirmation and acknowledgement from Bishop |
| C87 | |
| C88 | Pastoral and spiritual support from the bishop and staff, which I have received |
| C89 | Step by step explanation of how to do things. Such as 1. how a mission becomes a parish 2. how a person enters the ordination process (deacon) 3. how a church can get Diocesan Assistance for building project and or capital campaign, etc. |
| C90 | 1. supportive listening by staff 2. staff discerning issues 3. resources support |
| C91 | Honest support, not just lip service. Last year we met, heard from both sides, applauded both, and then returned to business as usual. |
| C92 | Sense of companionship and supportive community that is the parish — sense of community of people who do this — training programs that individual congregations could not support |
| C93 | Sense of collegiality and opportunity for this — sense of community and communication everyone — as well as clergy — availability and ways to be connected — return phone calls, what's it like for newcomers? |
| C94 | facilitation an atmosphere which allows people to truly listen to one another across differences. Developing options for full—time diaconal service. |
| C95 | 1. vision and leadership that are willing to engage in risk-taking/boldness — to be less calculating. 2. increase clergy compensation, living wage |
| C96 | Diocese needs more staff — worry about Bishop burning out. Stronger center — Diocese limited by its resources |
| C97 | More opportunities for intentional dialogue with clergy and diocese amend transformation skills for parishes and pastoral needs and issues. |
| C98 | Support of my brother and sister in Christ in embracing the same hope, same expectation of the fulfillment of that hope, and willingness to work for that fulfillment of that hope. If we all take the piece, each equipped to handle it, we can move this mountain comfortably. Together we have to believe: 'I take action'. |
| C99 | I need every congregation in this diocese to take their fair share seriously. It is extremely difficult to serve a diverse group. 164 congregations w/less than half the staff of every other diocese of our size in the Episcopal Church. Without exception, the size volume of world expectation make it a daily struggle to remain creative. |
| C100 | Continued support of this Bp. and clergy. Continuing Ed. availability. |
| C101 | Pastoral support. Continued opportunity to use the gifts and has given me. |
| C102 | Model of leaders who can share and support pastoral presence, need community that identifies and holds up sacredness of community, need church to be church — love, honor, value diversity, respect, believes in Jesus. |
| C103 | Help from Diocese. Not about # to be, but rather help on seeing that vision come to fruition. Help on having those visions happen. How could go forward. How could the Diocese help with stewardship? He feels good that the church He serves now is the closest to realizing the dream/vision. |
| C104 | Opportunities to serve. Here I am, send me. |
| C105 | Money — if I can employ a good musician to lead the music. To be frank, I really do not need anything. |
| C106 | Acceptance of who I am — so I can be my whole person to church, which has only recently been possible — I am a gay clergy |
| C107 | As a deacon to feel equal to my colleagues — accepted as valuable. |
| C108 | To have parish recognized for it is progress, ministry, outreach. We do not need more busyness. Tough to get people to give up time (especially a Saturday) for diocesan events/activities. |
| C109 | I fear Congregationalist streak in me, however, having said that it is so important for my ministry and for the mission members for the bishop to be unflinchingly affirming in conversation with us. |
| C110 | Lack of pressure to conform personally to what is perceived as official Diocesan positions on issues with varying valid Christian views |
| C111 | Genuine concern for my problems at our parish level |
| C112 | Vision and leadership in caring for creation |
| C113 | I need customary services of faithful bishop for Episcopal visitations. I need the combined resources of the diocese together for educational programs for clergy, lay and youth. For the diocese to function in its admin. Capacity on behalf of the congregations and with the national church for diocese to be inclusive of both traditional and more contemporary congregations without an agenda to foster a programmed p.o.v. |
| C114 | We need a clear vision from the Diocese surrounding the atmosphere of evangelism |
| C115 | Lack of willingness on part of Diocese to cooperate with the missions. |
| C116 | More presence in human resources from the Diocese for our needs |
| C117 | Economic resources needed |
| C118 | Programs: Cursillo, matrimonial preparation, housing, marriage encounter |
| C119 | Hispanic person on the diocesan staff |
| C120 | More willingness from the Diocese to value what the minority thinks and believes |
| C121 | Larger Hispanic programs for greater participation by the Latino missions. |
Back
to top |
|