February 12, 2006

Following a 6:00 pm dinner, beautifully organized and served by Betty Anderson and her Altar Guild colleagues, Fr George began the 2005 Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm pursuant to the Agenda included in the 2005 Annual Report which had been mailed to each Parish family the week before.

The first formal order of business: Dedication and Blessing of the Kennard Library, made possible by the generosity of the Kennard family, in memory of Samuel Kennard.

Minutes from the 2005 Meeting were offered but not read and will be posted as an attachment to these Minutes.

Selection of Diocesan Convention Delegates: As Fr George succinctly explained, since the Diocesan Convention has been moved from its January timeframe to May, the Delegates chosen at last year’s Annual Meeting will serve through the ‘07 Convention; and therefore there was no need to elect Delegates at this year’s Meeting. The following were chosen at last year’s meeting (as Delegates and Alternates respectively) to serve commencing in ‘06 and ending with the ‘07 Convention:

Delegates: 1. Bobbie Morgan Jones 2. Liz McCall
Alternates: 3. Nancy Carpenter 4. John Dyal 5. Ben Buck

Presentation of St. Peter’s 2006 Budget: Treasurer Jim Carpenter reported the satisfactory conclusion of the 2004 Audit and once again commented favorably on the relationship that has developed with the audit firm (Coursan & Stam). He then reviewed the 2005 year-end financial results and the “process changes” implemented in 2004 (budgeting based on prior year’s results with the objective of maintaining a budget which is “in balance” throughout the year). This approach, together with the generosity of the St. Peter’s family, led to a 2005 “surplus” of $43,565.

As approved by the Vestry at its January meeting, this surplus will be applied in the following manner: $20,000 to reduce the principal remaining on our Blessing upon Blessing bank loan obligation; $17,500 to “balance” the ‘06 Budget (copies of which were included in the mailed material as well as Jim’s handout); and the balance to the Thackera Fund (the operating fund available to draw on during the year to meet operating requirements).
The 2006 Budget largely mirrors 2005’s, with modest increases being in areas critical to the life of the Parish: the commitment to hire a full time professional Christian education director, and to provide salary increases consistent with Diocesan guidelines. Jim continually reminds us that the Budget is a “living document” which by its nature will be revised to accomodate changing circumstances and requirements in and of the Parish.
On a final note, Jim reminded all of the option now available to make regular contributions to St. Peter’s electronically, by simply completing the one page authorization form. This form can be suspended or modified at any time, but alleviates the inconvenience of checks and envelopes, and makes the job in the Finance Office that much easier. Those interested may contact the Finance Office.

Lent at St. Peter’s: The theme of this year’s Lenten observances - “And we shall never hope in vain”. Those who are scheduled (or who we hope will accept invitations) to participate include The Rev John Andrew (participant in last year’s Founders/Valentine cruise); The Rev Anne Bridgers (Assistant Rector, St. John’s Cathedral Parish); The Rev George Young (Fr. George’s father).

As complements to our Lenten program, Fr. George will be leading an adult Sunday School class in the coming weeks on the Gospel of Mark, with the subtitle: read Mark and inwardly digest; and, a group from St. Peter’s has joined with a similar group from Christ Church, Ponte Vedra to develop a pastoral outreach initiative (with the theme “we care”) intended for those in the community feeling left behind, isolated, or forgotten.

Presentations and comments by the Rector: Expressing Parish appreciation for their years of dedicated service, Fr George made presentations to retiring Vestry members Jeri Kolke, Bert Jenkins, Gary Bong, and Vann Simmons; and to Toby Atkinson who continues service as a Vestry member but who has turned the job of Senior Warden over to Bill Dickson.

Next, as an ordination gift (belatedly bestowed) from the Parish membership, a pesonal Communion kit was presented to The Rev Lisa Flores.

And finally, the St. Peter the Apostle (”Rocky”) award was presented to Jim Carpenter, for his 3+years as Treasurer and head of the Finance Office, in addition to the many other areas and countless hours of dedicated service he gives to the life of the Parish on a regular basis.

With thanks to those brought, served, and cleaned up afterward, Fr. George blessed the assembly and concluded the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

John C. Train, Clerk

Annual Parish Meeting - St. Peter’s Church - February 16, 2004
Fr. George Young, presiding - approximately 100 attending
Gratitude and applause were extended to Eliza & Dan Rhodes and their team, for their gifts of food and fare - all seemed to enjoy and be well satisfied.
The minutes of the ‘03 Meeting were offered but not read. The business of the evening followed the Agenda provided.
I. Selection of New Diocesan Delegates: Ilona Preliou, Carolyn Phanstiel, Joel Embry and Ben Buck were nominated. Ilona and Carolyn were selected delegates; Joel and Ben, as first and second alternates respectively.
II. Highlights of this year’s Convention were outlined principally by Toby Atkinson and Carolyn Phanstiel (Brenda Commandeur and Jay Mock were the other non-clergy convention delegates). Following a description of the dignity and beauty of the Investiture service and the litugy of passing the pastoral crook from Bishop Jecko to Bishop Howard, Toby commented on the contrast between the tension on the one hand of feelings about the different resolutions that were offered up; and the soothing presence on the other of Bishop Howard’s stature and leadership as incoming Diocesan head.
Bishop Howard’s Friday morning address is available on the diocesan website and will soon be available through the parish office on video. His emphasis on traditional episcopal values, and the family approach to airing and working through the issues that lay before us gave calm to potentially tempestuous propensities. Ibba spoke about the respect that Bishop Howard commands (and demands) and how this too should be helpful as we all search for the most effective way of working through and dealing with the various issues that draw our attention.
George mentioned the Bishop’s reference to 28 stars in the Diocese’s crown, of which two, Jim Corbett and Avery Douglas, are from the St. Peter’s family, something we as a parish can be extremely proud of.
III. The 2004 Budget
Jim Carpenter walked us through the numbers, and the process, and concluded that while it may cause some discomfort that we begin the year with a projected shortfall over $42 thousand, there are a number of reasons why anxiety should not prevail: 1) the budgeting process was conducted by asking each staff member what would be required to do the work each had been asked to do. While a lot of non-essential wants have been eliminated, if push comes to shove, we may have to make further revisions as the year goes along; 2) there are at least two accounts (Schuyler, BUB) that have cash in them that could be used if the Vestry decides it’s warranted; 3) given that the St. Peter’s community has a history of “responding fully” when the Parish’s needs require it, there is no reason to budget on assumptions that don’t take that into account.
More detailed discussions centered around the BUB balance that’s due and the likelihood that a new capital campaign may be considered in the coming year or two. In the meantime, the balance at the bank is attractively financed and thus not overly worrisome. Jim also touched on the Camp Weed pledge of $130 thousand over 10 years; the annual diocesan pledge; and the different ways the Vestry has directed that these commitments be handled.
The “bottom line”: we all need to be mindful that there’s nothing disturbing in our financial profile that “more givers” won’t fix. We all need to practice our own outreach/recruiting effort to ensure that what we love and treasure about St. Peter’s is shared with as wide a prospective audience as possible and that we grow our numbers as we grow in what we try as a community to do ever more effectively.
In closing, Jim invited anyone who wants more information to stop by the office (Mondays & Thursdays).

IV. Rector’s presentations and remarks
Fr George made touching tributes/presentations to outgoing Vestry members Carolyn Phanstiel, Frank Stafford, Jim Hatch, Tom Glenn, and C.T. Smith; and to Sallie Peebles and Betty Anderson for their untiring and invaluable contributions.
In reviewing briefly the Vestry/Staff retreat at Epworth last week end, Fr. George presented the Benedictine notion of how we might use this time of Sabatical to achieve some genuine renewal and transformation, not just for the rector and his immediate family, but for all of us in the St. Peter’s family. As part of his departure exercise, there will be a parish celebration on March 14 and at that time, an exchange of tokens for him to take with him and for us to have while he’s away. This will be a part of our Lenten focus as well as our individual and collective sabbaticals; and should ensure that on his return, we will have even more to celebrate than when we parted.
During Lent, we will have as Tuesday evening guest speakers a list of notables including George’s wife, George’s father, and Fr. Bob Snell (who will also be assisting with other priestly duties while George is away). George paid tribute to the Eli Lilly Foundation and suggested that members of the parish might like to drop a note of individual appreciation to the Foundation for the opportunities its grant makes available to us.
In expressing his continued appreciation for the opportunity to serve as St. Peter’s Rector, George reiterated his desire (and determination) to carry on in that capacity for some time to come; on which note, the meeeting concluded at about 8:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,

John C. Train, Clerk