MINUTES - SEPTEMBER VESTRY MEETING
St. Peter’s Church - September 11, 2006
Fr. George Young opened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Present: The Rev. Lisa Flores, Toby Atkinson, Ginger Mock, Cathy Kaltenbach, Lynn Grant, Bill Dickson, Neil Frink, Francis Flood, Early McCall, and Ben Stephens. Neil Blalock, Cheryl Smith, and John Dyal were absent.
Following Toby Atkinson’s “centering” meditation, Ben Stephens shared spriritual reflections.
NEXT MEETING: October 16, 2006 @ 6 pm; Devotional: Lynn Grant
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Lorraine Corbett, Pat Burns, Liz & Early McCall, Rich Smith AND all the many who participated in making the RE-GIFTING DINNER so very successful.
2) All who have agreed to serve as SHEPHERDS and help get the new ST. PETER’S CARES effort organized and soon launched.
3) Kristina Smith and Brian Moody for their energetic enthusiasm in helping launch the new Christian formation schedule and its many, varied activities.
4) Paul Smith (Kristina’s husband) for stepping in (with short notice) when Martha Skirven’s injury precluded her serving at the organ.
5) Bert Way (and others) for serving as chaperone at the Rock the Universe week end festivities.
Minutes from the meeting of August 14 Meeting were approved without exception.
Rector’s Report:
The Parish’s 2006 Diocesan Pledge has been requested by Oct 1; Fr. George and Treasurer Carpenter have reviewed the Parochial Report filed last year, for the 2004 fiscal year; and recommend a pledge of $64,595.90 (or 10% of the gross revenues in the ‘04 report). A motion approving that recommendation was made, seconded and passed without dissent.
Later in the meeting, a motion was made and similarly approved to continue stipulating that some amount (ie 15%) of the amount of next year’s pledge which would normally go to the National church, be allocated instead to “mission outside the Diocese,” in respect to those to whom the conduct of the National church remains an issue.
Fr George has discussed the prospects of and for a capital campaign with Peter Rockenstein of the firm RCG Funding Corp. The early list of possible “needs” and “wants” includes: 1) the various Church restoration projects (the Great West Doors, clerestory windows, exterior and interior church walls), most of which are included in the grant application currently pending in Tallahassee (the grant, if approved, would only cover about 50% of the total expected cost which exceeds $100,000); 2) the BUB debt (approximately $400,000); 3) the Camp Weed Pledge (approximately $100,000); 4) possible “facelift/refurbishing” of the Parlor; 5) a new Parish van; 6) a cemetery facelift. Initial thoughts are that we would plan the campaign for the first quarter of ‘07.
The ‘07 Diocesan Vestry Conference, which Fr George feels we should attend every other year, is scheduled for March 2 & 3; all Vestry members are urged to save those days.
Fr George will be attending a repeat of a clergy conference he participated in 6 years ago entitled CREDO (clergy reflection, education and discerment opportunity), which will take him away from the Parish for 8 days in Oct, including the 16th, our next Vestry meeting.
Lastly, Fr George announced that Pat Burns will be leaving her post as Parish Administrator to take up an exciting new opportunity with Ben Stephens Mortgage. Her 10th anniversary in the position is Oct 1; her last day as Parish Administrator will be Oct 13.
The effort to develop a strategy to fill the several critical functions (including Administrative/record keeping; communication/clerical; property manager/coordinator) is in its early stages.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
Lisa provided a hand-out with the 2006 grants made by the Outreach Committee (C. Phanstiel, A. Benner, J. Buatti, D. Roach, J. Corbett): Of the total budget ($24K), 18 groups/institutions have been awarded amounts ranging from $4,500 (Barnabas) to $200. Lisa plans to become more involved with procedures for evaluating criteria and recipient organizations in the 2007 process. $1,700 remains uncommitted for 2006.
Senior Warden’s Report:
BY-LAWS - St. Peter’s Foundation: Further tweaking has delayed asking for Vestry approval. The hope is to have a final document approved and submitted to the IRS before year-end.
New Usher responsibilities have been set forth in memo dated Sept 6 and need to be well digested by the Vestry Person of the Day. They have to do principally with procedures to involve the congregation (and the children at the family service) in the presentation of the offerings (collection plates and communion elements), and coordinating the children’s return from their Chapel during the recitation of the Creed.
Vestry Nominations: The Nominating Committee met immediately prior to the Vestry meeting. A list of 8 potential candidates (for 4 positions) has been developed; selection will be made at the Fall Parish Meeting (October 8).
The motion to modify the Parish By-Laws with respect to the number of nominees required was not pursued.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Bill Dickson gave the report in Neil Blalock’s abesence.
A survey of all the air conditioning units has been conducted; all units are in good working order and none in imminent need of overhaul or replacement. An annual reserve of approximately $2,000 should be sufficient to cover replacements as required.
The final phase of pressure washing/cleaning is about to be completed. This effort has postponed the need for painting by 2 to 3 years.
A new lawn mower/tractor needs to be purchased. A recommendation will be made at the next meeting.
Vestry Initiatives:
1. Parish diversity/inclusiveness (Cheryl Smith/Neil Frink): music fest (Sleepy & the Gang) August 25th, was very successful and nearly broke even; the August 27th gospel music offering by Jessie Lee was well-received. “Gospel music explosion” will be the Oct 29, 3:30-5pm (reception to follow).
3. Young Adults…(Ginger Mock): Development of mentoring program is in process; “Cheeseburger in Paradise” is scheduled for October 15.
4. Year-round congregational development…(Ben Stephens): Regifting Dinner (Aug 31) was hugely successful (though there were 30 no-shows). Ben is working to see that the information developed is cataloged and more easily accessible. Nov 12 is Celebration (Pledge) Sunday.
5. Enhancing Music Program…(Early McCall): A job description of the position of Music Director is being developed.
6. Membership issues - inactives…(Francis Flood): A list of folks to contact, reach out to or stay in touch with is being developed.
7. Spiritual formation…(Toby Atkinson/John Dyal): brochure describing model for formation is nearly complete.
8. Pastoral Care… (Cathy Kaltenbach/Toby Atkinson): The Retreat/orientation at Epworth was very successful and the 20 “shepherds” are very enthusiastic. Program will be launched Oct 8.
Other Business:
Ben Stephens reported that the review of condition of the church bus is not favorable: with over 300,000 miles, it seems to have issues with the transmission, steering, air conditioning, and no one can be sure how much it would take to “fix” these problems.
There is consensus that the Parish needs some type of transport vehicle; an ad hoc committee consisting of Brian Moody, Trey Warren, Rich Smith is being formed; further discussions and recommendations will be forthcoming.
Fr George briefly reviewed the Financial Report (8 months thru August): bottom line, while expenses are increasing, our revenue is growing more quickly, so our “margin” is preserved (positive by nearly $20,000 through August). September’s revenue appears to support this.
Conclusion:
The meeting adjourned with closing prayer at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
