St. Peter’s Church - August 8, 2005
Fr. George Young opened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Present: The Rev. Lisa Flores, Toby Atkinson, Jeri Kolke, Ginger Mock, Cheryl Smith, Lynn Grant, Bert Jenkins, Bill Dickson, Gary Bong, Early McCall, and guest Joe Crim. Absent: John Dyal, Vann Simmons, Ben Stephens.
Toby Atkinson offered “Centering” meditation following which Early McCall shared spiritual reflections.
NEXT MEETING: September 12, 2005 @ 6 pm DEVOTIONAL: Bill Dickson
Fr. George welcomed Lisa Flores as our new Assistant Rector and Lynn Grant as Vestry Person appointed to serve the remainder of April Davis’ term.
Minutes of the June 13th meeting were unanimously approved.
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
- The loyal and dedicated Office Volunteers - who give cheerfully and tirelessly to the tasks of answering phones, stuffing, folding, sorting various types of Parish correspondence, and who hospitably greet visitors to the Parish offices.
- Sheila Herrin - for her dedicated and conscientious effort at keeping the Parish Hall, kitchen, and offices so spotlessly clean and tidy.
- Billy Gass - for coming to the Parish’s rescue when there were potentially severe problems with supports beneath the Church floor and in the Parish Hall ceiling.
- Bonnie & Gary Bong - for their dedicated and praiseworthy efforts heading up the Kitchen Angels.
Rector’s Report:
- Fr George has received the full report from our Strategic Planning facilitator, Dick Grim, which will be reviewed with the Pente Group and reported on further at our September meeting.
- The Letter of Agreement with Lisa Flores as our new Assistant Rector is being finalized and when signed will become part of the Vestry Archives.
- There will be a dinner hosted by staff and Parish volunteers honoring those who so frequently honor the Parish by their service in handling meals and refreshments at Parish functions (business sessions as well as social occasions and wedding & funeral receptions).
- As has been mentioned at several Vestry meetings, there is a growing list of needs in the Parish that qualify as “capital” requirements as distinct from “operating” or routine. Jim Carpenter has discovered that over 50% of our regular giving comes from folks who were not members of the Parish at the time of our last Capital Campaign. As we look ahead to our Sesquicentennial (2008), Fr George plans to begin discussions with the group of those who have served as Senior Wardens during his tenure to develop proposals (regarding strategy, timing etc of our next Capital Campaign) for Vestry consideration.
Vestry Initiatives:
- Planned Giving; the St. Peter’s Foundation: Bill Dickson - Articles of Incorporation are “of record” with the Fla Attorney General. Final revisions to the By-Laws (Clyde Davis, legal; Margaret Tassey, editing), and obtaining IRS recognition/approval of tax exempt status (Darrell Holcomb) are in process.
- Reaching out to the Community Unchurched: Jeri Kolke - Sunday, Nov 13 will be a date when all in the Parish will be encouraged to bring families and friends who might like to get to know St. Peter’s. There will be special recognition paid to visitors and refreshments after the later service.
- Community Outreach: Gary Bong mentioned three opportunities for folks in the Parish to contribute to community activities: 1) the Council on Aging; 2) the ECW who will be hosting a meal on Sept 23 for organizers of the Amelia Island Book Festival (Sept 29-Oct 1); and 3) School Mentoring (under the direction of Jody Mackle). Anyone wishing to participate in any of these should contact Gary.
- Music Program Enhancement: Early McCall - Preliminary reviews of the “survey” results are quite gratifying. Early is pleased with the amount and quality of the feedback received. People seem interested in “developing” greater knowledge about and facility with music; and are more positive on the direction St. Peter’s is headed with its music program. More feedback will be forthcoming.
Gary Bong suggests we try and utilize our rich and noteworthy organ facilities by hosting concerts, recitals etc.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
Lisa reports that she is settling in nicely (with her dog Maggie) and is quite enthusiastic about getting to know as many in the Parish as possible as quickly as possible. She invites folks to stop by her office and say hello.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Toby suggested that responsibility for putting up and taking down the courtyard umbrellas be added to the Vestry Person of the Day responsibilities, the rationale being: 1) it’s not a big deal to ask one or two fellows at breakfast for help putting them up; and 2) even if there’s no one aroound when it’s time for them to be taken down, they aren’t very heavy. There being no strenuous objection to this, it will be added to the VOD’s list of responsibilities.
Regarding the Church property @ Broome and 11th Streets, investigation has turned up no stipulations as to how the property might be used or disposed of. Toby plans to solicit input from the Congregation, most likely at the Fall Parish Meeting, as to what folks feel would be appropriate possible uses of the Property. Joe Crim once again raised the possibility of a “swap” as something to consider.
Lastly, Toby reported that a Vestry Nominating Committee has been formed and will develop a list of 6 Candidates (for 4 vacancies), selection (by lot) to be made at the October 9 Fall Parish Meeting.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Bert wanted to acknowledge the huge contributions of Joe Crim and Jerry Torcia: Joe, for being a lifesaver in helping repair a severed thermostat wire when efforts to find anyone else were fruitless; and Jerry, for his ongoing advice and assistance in keeping the grounds around the Parish buildings looking as neat and appealing as they do.
Bert reviewed the several capital projects that have been mentioned over the last several meetings: the need to have the exterior of the Church building repaired and sealed; reworking of the upper story windows; replacing the Great West Doors; painting the exterior of the Classrooms and Offices. A “matching” grant application will be submitted to a State of Florida agency (for $97,050) to cover part of these expenses, but we will have to raise an equal amount from other sources; and, some of the project needs will not qualify for that type of grant assistance.
Other Business:
Cheryl Smith will hold an Acolyte Training session on Aug 20, and invites younger members in the Parish to consider this important offering of service. Cheryl will also be coordinating the rededication of Daughters of the King on Aug 21.
The new Parish Pictorial Directory is at the printers and should be available in September.
The Young Adults have adopted a new name: The Under the Hill Gang.
Ann Herbek is coordinating an effort to acknowlege and welcome new members to the Parish.
Fr. George concluded the meeting by leading us in closing prayers and we adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
