MINUTES - DECEMBER VESTRY MEETING
St. Peter’s Church - December 5, 2005
Fr. George Young opened the meeting with prayer at 6:05 p.m. The Rev Lisa Flores and all current members except Toby Atkinson were present. All four “rising” members were also present: Cathy Kaltenbach, Neil Blalock, Neil Frink, and Francis Flood.
NEXT MEETING: Jauary 9, 2006 @ 6 pm; DEVOTIONAL: John Dyal
Treasurer’s Report:
In Jim Carpenter’s absence, Fr George reviewed the 11-month financial report, highlights of which include: a positive revenue variance through November of $33,000; a positive expense variance; and a $25,000 “surplus”. These results are consistent with the trend of earlier months and give added strength to the possibility of ending the current year with a surplus of between $25 and $30K.
Property Discussion:
There is little new to report on the formation of the Committee authorized at the November meeting. Several candidates with local real estate experience have been approached but there has been no formal action.
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Don Neal - whose tireless and unceasing efforts led Amelia Island Plantation’s extraordinary gift of a 25-passenger bus, a gift which comes at a time of wonderful opportunity for the entire Parish community.
2) Irene Basore - for her devotion and leadership with the very successful Alternative Gift Market and International Craft Fair.
3) The Children of the 3rd through 5th grades - who in carrying out their highly successful Bake Sale showed what it means to “Live the Good News”.
Minutes from the meeting of November 14th were approved with minor correction.
Rector’s Report:
Fr George announced that Bill Dickson has agreed to serve as Senior Warden for the coming year; and handed out: 1) preliminary 2006 Vestry Initiative assignments. Pente Group meetings will be scheduled in the 1st half of January. 2) copy of Lisa Flores signed “Letter of Agreement” with St. Peter’s (finalized and signed in October), which becomes a formal part of these Minutes and will be so filed.
Fr George gave a special “thank you” to retiring Vestry members Jeri Kolke, Bert Jenkins, Vann Simmons, and Gary Bong, and reminded them that further formalities will be observed at the Annual Meeting, Feb 12. He also reminded all of Lisa Flores’ ordination ceremony on Sunday, transportation opportunities now enhanced by the arrival of the new Church bus.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
Lisa is quite enthusiastic about interest being shown in the first Theology on Tap session to be held Dec 14th. Over 125 people have been contacted and there is real excitement in some quarters.
She also reported on the different groups the Parish Christmas outreach is in collaboration with: Toys for Tots, Heavenly Wishes; and Joy for the Children. This represents a more coordinated approach to working with these Groups than in past years, which should facilitate a better matching of support and need.
Vestry Initiatives:
Community Outreach: Gary Bong has made his farewell distribution of Parish bookmarks; the Outreach committee will be making its final ‘05 financial distributions during the last two weeks of the year (beneficiaries include Council on Aging, Episcopal Relief & Development, St. Marys Outreach, and Take Stock in Children).
Cheryl Smith mentioned that Daughters of the King will conduct their annual community Christmas-gift collection in the coming weeks; all are invited to participate.
Senior Warden’s Report:
In Toby’s absence, Bill Dickson spoke of things he’s working on to get on top of his new appointment: 1) The Vestry Handbook which he finds a useful primer for all to review and become familiar with (he will soon circulate his copy to all Vestry members); 2) he has spent time in the office watching the flow of different tasks that come to rest most frequently at Pat Burns’ desk, and feels that we need to ensure Pat gets the suppport that critical function requires; 3) he is conducting a compensation review to evaluate how the Parish compares to others in its peer group; and 4) the ‘06 Vestry Person of the Day assignment list is in process and will be distributed shortly.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Bert mentioned repairs being made to damaged sprinklers on Atlantic (and the hope we may get partial reimbursement from the State); and some recent plumbing problems in the kitchen area.
More anxiously, Bert reiterated the growing evidence of seepage and moisture penetration the Church building is experiencing, particularly in the Sacristy. He reminded that there is no money in the preliminary ‘06 Budget for this work, the cost of which will approach if not exceed some $30,000. The nature of the work (surfaces and materials required) dictate that this effort (cleaning, sealing, coating, painting etc) begin in the first quarter of the year. There is no assurance that any of the grant applications the Parish has submitted will be honored, or when proceeds will be paid.
Other Business:
The following resolutions were duly adopted by the Vestry of St. Peter’s Church at their regularly scheduled meeting on Dec 5, 2005, a quorum being present:
Whereas section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code specifies that the amount of ministers’ compensation that is designated in advance by their employing church as a housing allowance is not taxable in computing federal income taxes to the extent that it is used to pay for actual expenses incurred in owning or renting a home or apartment, and in the case of ministers who own their home, does not exceed the fair rental value of the home; and
Whereas Rev. George D. Young, III is compensated by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida, exclusively for services as a minister; and
Whereas St. Peter’s does not provide a parsonage for him; therefore, it is
Resolved, that of the total compensation paid to Rev. George D. Young, III for calendar year 2006, $30,000 is hereby designated as a housing allowance pursuant to section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code.
And, whereas Rev. Lisa C. Flores is compensated by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida, exclusively for services as a minister; and
Whereas St. Peter’s does not a provide a parsonage for her; therefore, it is
Resolved, that of the total compensation paid to Rev. Lisa C. Flores for calendar year 2006, $20,000 is hereby designated as a housing allowance pursuant to section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Ending…Fr. George led us in closing prayer, and we adjourned at 7:00 pm. for Advent observances at the home of Jay and Ginger Mock.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
