MINUTES - NOVEMBER VESTRY MEETING St. Peter’s Church - November 13, 2006
Fr George Young opened the meeting. Present: The Rev. Lisa Flores, Treasurer Jim Carpenter, Bill Dickson, Neil Blalock, Ben Stephens, Cheryl Smith, Francis Flood, Early McCall, Trey Warren. Absent: Toby Atkinson, Ginger Mock, Lynn Grant, Cathy Kaltenbach, Neil Frink. Visitors (incoming Vestry Persons): Mary Lynn Torchia, Norma Norris, Ed Grissom, David Lott.
NEXT MEETING: Dec 4, 2006 @ 6 pm, followed by Advent Observances (7 pm) at the home of Bill & Betty Dickson; Devotional: Toby Atkinson
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Jim Carpenter reviewed the Oct and year-to-date financials, which continue to reflect income ahead of budget by nearly 4% and effective expense management despite the personnel additions of two full-time professionals (Christian Formation and Youth Director).
He then moved to a presentation of the 2007 Budget Process (which is nearing its final phase). Using the procedure adopted several years ago of budgeting income no greater for the year ahead than achieved in the year past, Jim is making reasoned estimates of what our income for Nov and Dec (and thus for the full year’06) will be based on our year-to-date results. This leads to an estimated rise in Operating Revenue for 2007 of 14% over that budgeted for ‘06. This added revenue will be necessary to cover the added personnel costs mentioned above plus additions recommended or required by Diocesan guidelines.
Still, total Personnel Expense budgeted for next year remains well below the 60% “maximum” recommended for a parish our size.
Other significant expense increases are forecast for Buildings & Grounds and include the addition of $2,000 per month interest on the BUB loan (currently about $360,000); and added cemetery maintenance expense.
Following his thorough and candid presentation, Jim requested and received unanimous approval of the preliminary budget presented. Incorporating the December revenue numbers and any other necessary adjustments, the final budget will be submitted for Vestry approval at its January 8th meeting.
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Jerry Torchia and Kristin Roach, for their assistance with the design and publication of the Stewardship package.
2) Early McCall and Rob Hicks, for helping with the Stewardship DVD (”What’s Right with Our World”) shown at all services Nov 12.
3) Johnny Robinson and those participants from Church of God and Elm St. Church of God’s Deliverance, who helped make our Sunday of gospel music so soundly successful.
4) Rich Smith and his team of merry builders who participated in handicap ramp construction at various locations around the County.
Minutes from the meeting of the October 16 Meeting were approved without exception.
Rector’s Report:
1) CREDO - Fr George gave a synopsis of his six days away and some of the ideas/inspirations he brought back with him, as to how one stays revitalized and energized after years in more or less the same position. He may be asked to consider becoming part of the faculty for future attendees.
2) Sesquicentennial - plans are being developed for our ‘08 “150th” celebration. The needlework project is well underway; a committee co-chaired by Joanne Roach and Lorraine Corbett are working with Rich Smith on a series of monthly events.
3) Christmas services - Christmas being this year on Monday (and thus Christmas eve being Sunday) presents a few scheduling challenges. We will have “normal” 9:15 breakfast on Sunday the 24th (the 4th Sunday in Advent) followed by a single service (10 am); and the 3 Christmas eve services at 5, 8, and 11 pm. Christmas morning’s service will be at 10 am.
4) Capital Campaign - After discussing the matter further with Pete Rauchenstein (RCG Funding) and Gail Rowland (advisor on our last such effort), the recommendation has emerged that we develop preliminary plans during December; conduct a feasibility study in early Jan; launch in Feb and conclude by mid-April. A motion to proceed with that schedule was made by Neil Blalock and approved without dissent.
5) Katrina assistance - The Diocese has pledged to assist with rebuilding St. Patrick’s Church in Long Beach, MS by offering financial assistance of $250,000 if matched by other parishes in our diocese. Since St. Peter’s has already agreed to assist with the rebuilding of St. Paul’s New Orleans (Lisa’s home parish), we might make our pledge to the Diocesan Katrina effort by splitting our contribution equally between these two efforts.
We will observe Katrina Relief efforts in our services on December 17th.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
See above
Senior Warden’s Report:
The St. Peter’s Charitable Foundation By-Laws are now in the hands of Daryl Holcomb who is guiding our application for tax-exempt status through the IRS. While the initial mission of the Foundation will be to oversee the Parish’s investments, it is expected that the Trustees will soon become involved with endowment/estate planning strategies. Headed by Fr George, initial trustees will be: Pam Brown, Jim Carpenter, Tom Glynn, and John Train.
The new (Atlantic Ave) sign will be installed in the next two weeks. The Torchias have agreed to coordinate with the sign maker in assisting with the final details/installation.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Neil mentioned that work on cemetery improvements was continuing, with assistance from John Cotner (expansion) and Joe Crim (maintenance and repairs). A review of the future funding of the cemetery expense requirements needs to be undertaken.
Neil is still hopeful that our application for historic preservation grant money (with the right “urgency” conveyed to state legistators), might still have a shot at being approved.
Vestry Initiatives:
The first iteration of ‘07 Vestry Initiatives has been circulated to all non-retiring Vestry with request that each identify the three areas of greatest interest. The results of this survey will be compiled and initial assignments made by the December meeting. Updates on the existing initiatives are as follows:
1. Parish diversity/inclusiveness (Cheryl Smith/Neil Frink): “Gospel music explosion” (Oct 29) was highly successful and enthusiastically received by the 100 or so folks who attended. Interest is being expressed in trying to do something similar during Black History month in early Spring
4. Stewardship (Ben Stephens): Feedback on the video (What’s Right with our World) has been extremely positive…anyone that didn’t see it should make arrangements to do so. Celebration Sunday (11/19) will be followed by a number of follow-ups, not to dun people but to ensure every pledging unit understands the Parish’s commitment to inclusiveness.
5. Enhancing Music Program…(Early McCall): Different ideas that emerged from the survey continue being examined, but there isn’t money at the moment to launch anything significant.
Other Business:
VESTRY RETREAT - March 2 & 3, conducted in ‘07 as part of the larger Diocesan Vestry Conference hosted by Bishop Howard @ Camp Weed. All are urged to save those dates.
The “ad hoc” Bus Committee (Trey Warren, Brian Moody, Rich Smith, and Ben Stephens) is developing a short list of alternatives to repairing the existing bus; a prentation will be given at the December meeting.
Finding a worthy recipient for the existing bus is a priority in need of ideas.
Conclusion:
Fr George led us in closing prayer and we adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
