St. Peter’s Church - May 8, 2006
Fr. George Young opened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Present: The Rev. Lisa Flores, Toby Atkinson, Cheryl Smith, Cathy Kaltenbach, Ginger Mock, Lynn Grant, Bill Dickson, Neil Frink, Francis Flood. Neil Blalock, Early McCall, John Dyal and Ben Stephens were absent.
Following Toby Atkinson’s “centering” meditation, Cathy Kaltenbach shared spriritual reflections.
NEXT MEETING: June 5, 2006 @ 6 pm; Devotional: Neil Frink
Note: Fr George distributed copies of some Discussion Questions which followed certain sections of the publication “Vestry Guides”(currently being circulated) which he feels might be a useful resource for those preparing their “Devotional”. That handout will be made a part of thse Minutes.
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Illona Preliou and ALL those who volunteered as Hosts during last week end’s Shrimp Festival
2) Those who helped prepare and serve the Shrimp Festival Saturday breakfast, during which over 300 people were served and revenues exceeded $1,700.
3) Jo Ann Roach and ALL who participated in the EARLY CHRISTAN MEAL on Good Friday.
4) The Altar Guild and those who assisted with Maunday Thursday footwashing observances.
Minutes from the meeting of April 10th were approved without exception.
Rector’s Report:
The effort to fill the two open Staff positions (Christian Ed and Youth Director) has been gratifying; several viable candidates for each position have emerged. With luck, the choice for each position could be announced in the month or so.
General Convention: The first in a series of inserts into our Sunday Service Leaflet appeared May 7, this in an effort to improve the general understanding of what General convention is all about and what we can expect from this year’s gathering. This reflects a commitment from the Presiding Bishop as well as Bishop Howard to keep people informed of what is likely to come before the Convention and thereby avoid the surprises which occured last time. All are thus urged to read messages received either directly from the Bishop’s office or circulated by Fr George/the Parish Office.
The website episcopalchurch.org\ens has enormous amount of info as to what’s going on, including currently interviews with each of the candidates for Presiding Bishop; and (once Convention begins, a summary of each day’s proceedings).
Diocesan Convention: This year’s convention was “routine” and noncontroversial. The Resolution “On Congregational Support of the Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida” sponsored by St. Peter’s and the parish of St. John’s Cathedral, was presented and subsequently withdrawn due to lack of consensus support. However, the effort did result in giving visibility to a matter which some feel is important and which will likely be raised again in the future.
Changes in Summer Worship Schedule: The proposed adjustments in the summer worship schedule have been greeted with little opposition. Accordingly, the new schedule will begin May 28 and well publicized ahead of that.
Financial/BUB: The financial report remains quite favorable (we continue operating in the black at the rate of approx $5,000 per month) and thus Jim Carpenter was not present. However, he did send along a memo about “The Bub Fund” (copy attached to these Minutes), summarized as follows:
The BUB Fund was created at the time of the (last) 1998 Capital Campaign, in part to fund interest on the loan taken out to rehab the Parish campus (including the Church building). That construction loan currently has a balance owing of $360,000, which requires interest of $2,100 per month; the Fund has slightly more than $6,000 or less than 3 months of interest “cover” remaining.
Thus, beginning in August, St. Peter’s will be obligated to pay $2,100 monthly in interest (currently not budgeted). It has always been thought that this matter will be delt with by “the next” capital campaign.
Jim (writing for the finance committee) concludes that because of the favorable operating results the Parish achieved in ‘05 and is currently experiencing, it is timely that the Vestry acknowledge the upcoming expense and consider the options.
Fr George has scheduled Vestry discussions on this subject for early Fall.
Broome St. Property Sale Proceeds: While we are still (possibly) a few months away from a closing, it could happen sooner; and Jim Carpenter would like guidance as to how the proceeds will be handled. A motion was made and unanimously approved that when the closing occurs, the proceeds should be invested in a 6-month CD, pending further direction of the Vestry.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
– Nine volunteers (six from St. Peter’s) went along on the highly successful and memorable Katrina Mission trip to Long Beach, MS (4/20-25). A presentation to the Parish withstories and slides is in process. A second trip will be planned for the Fall.
– Lisa has “taken on” raising Parish consciousness about the the UN Millenium Development goals and the 2 cents per meal fundraising tactic as a “project”. She has already ignited interest and will be making additional presentations.
Vestry Initiatives:
1. Parish diversity/inclusiveness (Cheryl Smith/Neil Frink): plans are progressing for an August music fest and an autumn “Gospel music explosion” - more specific details to follow.
3. Young adults…(Ginger Mock): Liz & Mat Usry agreed to host the brunch for graduating seniors; Cheezeburger in Paradise is being scheduled for August.
7. Spiritual formation…(Toby Atkinson): Jerry Torchia is assisting with editing the brochure describing our model for formation and listing Parish resources that might help in that process, including a list of books that have helped other groups with such undertakings. A Christian formation conference is scheduled at Kanuga June 11-16 which anyone interested is encouraged to consider.
8. Pastoral Care… (Cathy Kaltenbach): A September “overnight” orientation session is being planned at Epworth on St. Simons.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Walkways and steps around the campus were being pressure-washed as the meeting was going on. Bill has engaged a firm which is using a product to retard future milldewing.
Bids received so far for worked required on Church walls seem quite favorable and less expensive than previously thought.
Conclusion:
The meeting adjourned with closing prayer at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
