St. Peter’s Church - February 13, 2006
Fr. George Young opened the meeting with prayer at 6:00 p.m. Present: The Rev. Lisa Flores, Toby Atkinson, Lynn Grant, Ginger Mock, Cathy Kaltenbach, Bill Dickson, Neil Blalock, John Dyal, Early McCall, and Ben Stephens, as well as guest Joe Crim. Absent were: Cheryl Smith, Neil Frink, and Francis Flood.
Following Toby Atkinson’s “centering” meditation, Ginger Mock shared spriritual reflections.
NEXT MEETING: March 13, 2006 @ 6 pm; Devotional: Lynn Grant
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Jim Corbett - for his regular, consistent and cheerful leadership in so many areas of Parish life (leading the Early Bird adult education class; the prison and Carribean Mission ministries…to name but a few).
2) Neil Frink - for taking up early responsibilities regarding care and driving the new Parish bus;
3) The Kennard Family - for their generosity in donating resources for our new Parish Library;
4) Tom & Irene Basore - for opening their home to and hosting the Newcomers social;
5) Margaret Tassey - for coordinating the scheduling of the Lay Eucharistic Ministers;
6) the Youth (and their leader Becky Kaufmann) - for the extraordinary contribution at Youth Day activities in the Parish.
Minutes from the meeting of January 9th were approved without exception.
Rector’s Report:
Fr George reviewed the upcoming Warden’s and Vestry Retreat hosted by Bishop Howard at Camp Weed March 3-4, and handed out materials relating to the Saturday workshops. St. Peter’s formally participated last year and intends to do so next year; this year is “voluntary” but any Vestry member wishing to do so is encouraged to attend.
Mentioning Bishop Howard, Fr George remarked how grateful the Bishop was to receive the gift the Parish gave him on his Jan 22 visitation and how much he and Mrs Howard (Marie) enjoyed the visit.
Vestry Person of the Day - Each Vestry person who is not the VOD is asked to wear name tags with Vestry pins affixed. Any Vestry member who doesn’t have a Vestry pin should contact the Office. Pat Burns should be informed without fail of any VOD (as well as any other Server assignment) changes, so that the Service Bulletins can accurately reflect who is responsible and who can be contacted in any type of emergency.
Capital Campaign - needs and resources was a topic which arose throughout the meeting. While there is almost no opposition to considering a capital campaign, consensus on how to advance the agenda is still developing. “Needs” include the building “maintenance” projects which are scheduled to commence this spring and the subject of our State grant applications. Neil Blalock spoke of his past Vestry experience as it related to grants and the “lobbying” that was done to win over the Legislators who might help secure the grants we were seeking.
Recognizing that capital campaigns are not necessarily the best ways to raise funds for repairs, maintenance, or debt retirement, Neil suggested that we might be able to get pledges of support from individuals (or families) for different projects, much as we were able to do with the restoration of the Rose Window. Undoubtedly, however, these different initiatives will need coordination with the possible sale of the Broome St property and the launch of the St. Peter’s Foundation.
Fr George concluded this discussion by saying he would convene another meeting with sitting and former Senior Wardens and have a further report at the March Vestry meeting.
Finally, Fr. George mentioned that there is a notebook in the Library with job descriptions of all Staff Members. He requests that each “new” Vestry member read and become familiar with the material.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
Lisa referred to the summary she provided in the Annual Report:
Acolytes - to accord more recognition to this dedicated and loyal segment of our youth, Lisa is focusing on training and recognizing the contribution of this important liturgical service. Recruitment has led to 3 new candidates; training sessions will be held more regularly. At both of the later Services on Feb 26, those serving as acolytes will be formally commissioned and receive crosses to recognize the value of their service.
Theology on Tap: Intended for younger adults (in their 20’s and 30’s), this highly informal program offers the opportunity for fellowship and sharing to members of the larger community as well as those active in the life of the Parish. Initial response has been very encouraging.
Outreach/Social Justice: St. Peter’s will actively participate with Habitat for Humanity on construction of 2 new Fernandina houses this spring. A Katrina Mission trip is scheduled for April 20-25; and we have partnered with St. Paul’s New Orleans in providing assistance to hurricane victims.
And finally, information was distributed on an initiative known as For Whom the Bells Toll, which opposes capital punishment/acts of violence and whose positions in many respects are consistent with resolutions passed at prior General Conventions of the Episcopal Church, USA. Lisa is working with St. Peter’s Outreach Committee in exploring whether St. Peter’s might join the initiative and support its opposition to capital punishment/violence. A fair amount of discussion followed; several suggestions were made as to how the St. Peter’s community might be engaged to consider this matter constructively. The only consensus that emerged was that the matter needed careful consideration, and that therefore the matter would be tabled.
Vestry Initiatives:
2. Adult education (Lynn Grant): considering expanded offerings possibly to include issues such as medicine, ethics, law and theology.
3. Young People - “Under the Hill Gang” (Ginger Mock) - Wine tasting is scheduled for Fri, March 3; Trey Warren is organizing an outing for hockey enthusiasts Saturday March 4.
4. Year-round Stewardship…(Ben Stephens): will meet with Pente March 7
5. Enhance music program …(Early McCall): will meet with Pente April 4; hoping to develop 3-year plan.
7. Spiritual formation…(Toby Atkinson): working with John Dyal on developing a spritual formation model.
8. Pastoral Care… (Cathy Kaltenbach): working on development of a caring advocacy model similar to one implemented by Christ Church Ponte Vedra, to facilitate more effective involvement/communication; a system of “shepherds” to expand the care offered and received by people in the Parish. Intended to be more pro active, more outreaching.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Broome St. Property update: The Invitation for Bids was sent to Jan 26 to 27 investors/developers; responses are due by Feb 28; a summary will be available at the March Vestry meeting.
The Property Committee has meet twice recently, to assess needs and priorities around the Parish grounds. Next step is to meet with Jim Carpenter to discuss finances, then to force-rank priorities.
Conclusion:
Fr George led us in closing prayer and we adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
