St. Peter’s Church - October 17, 2005
Fr. George Young opened the meeting with prayer at 6:10 p.m. Present: Toby Atkinson, Jeri Kolke, Lynn Grant, Ginger Mock, Cheryl Smith, Bert Jenkins, Bill Dickson, Gary Bong, Early McCall, Ben Stephens, Vann Simmons, and Treasurer Jim Carpenter. Absent: The Rev. Lisa Flores, John Dyal.
A Special Welcome was extended to our newly selected Vestry members: Cathy Kaltenbach, Neil Blalock, Neil Frank (each present), and Francis Flood, following which Toby Atkinson offered “Centering” meditation.
NEXT MEETING: November 14, 2005 @ 6 pm DEVOTIONAL: Cheryl Smith
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Margaret Tassey - for the many contributions she makes to parish life but particularly coordinating and participating in the work of the Lay Eucharistic Visitors, (those who take communion to parishioners unable to get to Church).
2) Trey Warren - for his energy, enthusiasm, and leadership in the many activities of Parish Life he chooses or is asked to be a part of (in particular the recent kyack outing).
3) Marinelle Chandler, Sandra Grant, Pat Burns, and Jeri Kolke - for hospitality at our many parish functions but particularly at Sunday night’s Fall Parish Meeting.
4) The Anonymous Benefactor whose generous contribution toward the new and upgraded signage around the Parish Campus has given new “lift” to finding one’s way.
Minutes from Meeting of Sept 12 were unanimously approved
Treasurer’s Report:
Jim Carpenter reviewed the September and nine month financial results, which continue to compare favorably both to the budget as well as to last year; leading him to feel cautiously optimistic that if the balance of the year tracks the results for the year so far, we will likely report a surplus for the year. While the ‘06 budget is still very preliminary, Jim is hopeful there will be a “carryforward” from this year to next, that will help as the Vestry begins considering various “initiatives” mentioned in prior meetings.
Gary Bong reiterated his hope that Vestry members scheduled to “retire” this year be given the opportunity to share their experience in reviewing and at least commenting on next year’s budget; in appreciation of which, Jim expects to have a preliminary budget for the Vestry to review at the November meeting.
Fr. George added the concluding comment as to what a blessing Jim Carpenter, his team, and in fact the entire Office Staff are to the enormous range of activities the Parish is engaged in.
Rector’s Report:
O Fr George reminded all that Lisa Flores will be ordained at St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville Sunday, Dec 11 @ 5pm and that all who can do so will wish to attend. Fr. George has been invited by Bishop Howard to preach. Further details regarding transport etc will be forthcoming.
O The New Member Welcome, acknowledgement, and blessing, as witnessed by the numbers at each of last Sunday’s services (75 in total), has been enthusiastically applauded. Congratulations to Rich Smith and Ann Herbek for coordinating this effort.
O As we are about to commence Stewardship Season, Fr George reminded all of the importance of Vestry example, one important aspect of which is the Vision of Stewardship Statement which the Vestry is asked to sign each year. It was circulated and signed by all members present and will be included as part of the materials sent to each Parish family.
Stewardship packages will be distributed at the Oct 30 services and mailed in the following week to those unable to receive them in person. Celebration Sunday is Nov 13th.
O The Vestry/Staff Retreat will be held at Camp Weed Jan 20/21 of next year. All are asked to protect those dates.
In addition, the Parish of St. John’s Cathedral will hold its own parish weekend at Camp Weed March 24-26 next year and St. Peter’s has been invited to participate.
O Sexual abuse/harrassment Training - St. Peter’s is fortunate to have two of our members, Caroline Morrison and Kim Geib, who have been trained to offer orientation sessions for staff, Sunday School teachers, and Vestry members on site.
Dates will be announced for these sessions in the coming weeks.
O The Kennard Library renovation, a work in progress for many months thanks to the generosity of the Kennard family, is now nearing completion. Dedication ceremonies will be scheduled later this fall.
O Capital Campaign - With the launch of the Stewardship Campaign and the focus being given to the possible sale of the Broome St property, Fr George feels that the matter of a capital campaign should be put on hold for the time being. However, scheduling the work which needs doing next Spring (particularly on the exterior of the church building) is moving ahead (see Junior Warden’s Report below).
O Christian Education director - Preliminary work is being conducted by Lynn Grant and members of Staff in looking at different job descriptions and salary ranges. The plan is still to have someone in place by early March.
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Vestry Initiatives:
3. Young Adults: Ginger Mock - The Holiday Jazz extravaganza (an event being orchestrated jointly by the Under the Hill Gang and Founders) is scheduled for December 15 (7 to 9pm). The $20 price is a bit higher than last year’s but the food and entertainment will make the investment seem a bargain.
6. Community Outreach: Gary Bong reported that Bill Dickson will pick up responsibility for distributing bookmarks when Gary’s vestry term ends in January (this effort supported financially by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew). The Outreach Committee will be deciding in the next month the last of its ‘05 awards.
7. Year-round Stewardship: Ben Stephens - The focus for the moment is on launching the “old fashioned” stewardship campaign and adding some new features to the “pledge card” that encourages folks to give recognition to various “life” activities that while perhaps not thought of as typically “stewardship” in nature are nonetheless significant contributions to the “community” of which we are all a part.
Going forward, Ben hopes to develop a dialogue with the Parish Community that encourages “stewardship” as way of life, not something we think about a couple of weeks in the Fall of the year.
10. Music Program Enhancement: Early McCall handed out and reviewed a synopsis of the survey results (summarized in last month’s Minutes). Among the “ideas for improvement:” more (and different) ways of using our historic pipe organ; raise priority of/for Choir membership.
Senior Warden’s Report:
0 Toby thanked the Vestry Nominating Committee for the fine job they did.
0 In reporting on the service Fr George conducted for the residents at Osprey Village, a highlight for her was how much the service and Fr George’s participation meant to the residents there. She recommends it to any and all who might like to attend (1st Thursday of the month @ 2pm).
0 Referring to the report at the Parish Meeting on the Broome St. Property, all are encouraged to pass along any comments from parishioners regarding the possible sale of the property. The Vestry will be making a decision regarding the current offer from HCA in the next few months.
0 Responding to Toby’s “invitation,” Ginger Mock volunteered to host the Vestry/Staff Advent party, Dec 5th.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Bert is well along in filing our matching grant application for historic preservation funds for the exterior repairs/rehab to the Church building. He asked for and received volunteers to shepherd “support” letters to be signed by various state and community figures, to be included with our application. Submission deadline is early December.
The anonymous gift for new signage around the Parish grounds has been mostly spent. John Cotner will assist in examining what if anything ought be done to the main church sign on Atlantic Ave (there is about $1,000 of gift money left).
With Fr. George’s parting blessing, we adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
