MINUTES - August VESTRY MEETING
St. Peter’s Church - August 13, 2007
Fr George Young opened the meeting at 6pm. Present: The Rev. Kimberly Still, Neil Blalock, Francis Flood, Cathy Kaltenbach, Mary Lynn Torchia, Norma Norris, Ben Stephens, David Lott, Neil Frink and guest Joe Crim. Absent: Ed Grissom, Cheryl Smith, Early McCall and Trey Warren.
NEXT MEETING: Sept 10, 2007 @ 6 pm; Devotional: Ben Stephens
Vestry “Thank You’s”:
1) Trey Warren, for his indefatigible and enthusiastic dedication as Giving Campaign Co-chair. Senior Warden Neil Blalock says that this was the smoothest and least stressful Capital Campaign he has ever been associated with, and it could not have gone that way without Trey.
2) Retiring Shepherds: Toby Atkinson, Ben Buck, Debbie Cotner, Bobbi Fowle, Bill Grant, Ed Grissom, Joanne & Rick Highfield, Cathy Kaltenbach, Emelie Liebendorfer, Debbie & Dave Lott, Joanne Roach, & Trey Warren. The early successes of The St. Peter’s Cares Program has been due in large part to these courageous pioneers. Well done good & faithful servants!
3) The Lightning Response Team: Darrell Powell, Dan & Joanne Roach, Aaron Morgan - who stepped up and put out to clean up after lightning struck the Church belltower, shattering the cross and part of the superstructure. Needless to say, the coordination of Joe Crim was a critical part of this effort.
4) Tommy Purvis & Bert Jenkins for coordinating and hosting the St. Peter’s golf outings and fellowship meals.
Minutes of the June 18 Meeting were approved (one addition).
Kristina Smith - Christian Formation Director:
A hand-out with upcoming events and activities was reviewed and discussed - an impressive list without question. Of particular note, the 3 curricula: Rite 13 (for 6, 7 & 8th graders); Journey to Adulthood (J2A, for 9th & 10th graders); and Efm (Education for ministry) a four-year, in-depth adult study program. In addition, there is a host of intergenerational events and class offerings, both at the Sunday “formation” hour and as part of the Wednesdays-for-All (WFA) program, that will build on (and hopefully maintain) the momentum developed prior to the summer break.
Themes being emphasized include “Season of Creation” - caring for God’s creation (Sunday formation hour Oct 7-Nov 28); and further inquiry and study of the Millennium Development Goals during the WFA fall program. The latter kicks off Sept 12 with an Intergenerational dinner and several program offerings following.
Kristina urged Vestry members to show support and leadership by participating in as many of these offerings as possible.
Financial Report:
Our year-to-date revenues are a bit behind budget, but our expenses are lagging by an almost equal amount. We anticipated when preparing the ‘07 Budget the need to make transfers from our reserve account to meet a modest operating shortfall; this has been put off until absolutely necessary. Bottom line, we are in sound financial condition, with lots of liquidity, and about where we thought we would be at this point in the year.
Rector’s Report:
O George expressed his how pleased he is that we have two Efm groups beginning this fall. This level of interest and commitment from the parish is almost without precedent.
O Clergy Housing Allowance: At its February meeting, the Vestry unanimously approved resolutions to allocate (for tax purposes only) a portion of the salary of the Rector and the Assistant Rector (at that time, Lisa Flores), a procedure required for IRS purposes. In light of the fact that we now have a different Assistant Rector (Kimberly) and that Fr George is making substantial renovations to his residence, the Vestry voted to update its earlier resolutions by passing (without exception) new resolutions, the text of which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof.
O Lastly, Fr George mentioned Kristina Smith’s report (summarized above) and how blessed we are to have her. Her tireless effort, her energy, and her leadership are truly inspirations for us all; and all benefit from participating in the activities and programs for which she is (chiefly) responsible.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
0 Kimberly shared a memo regarding nominations that will be considered at the ‘08 Diocesan Convention, including lay and clergy positions to the (Bishop’s) Standing Committee, the Diocesan Council (like the Vestry for the Diocese), the Ecclesiastical Court, and delegates to the ‘09 General Convention. Any suggestions should be sent either to Fr. George or to Kimberly.
0 The Fall Shepherds’ Retreat will be at Camp Weed, Sept 7-8. Topics include clarifying the roles Shepherds play as distinct from (not in substitution for) the work that Fr George, Kimberly, and other participating Clergy do. With more folks reaching out to address needs as they arise, we’re able to address more needs more effectively.
Senior Warden’s Report:
A Vestry Nominating Committee is being formed, with the charge to develop a slate of candidates (by 9/17) for presentation at the Fall (Oct) Parish Meeting. Names may be submitted (with the candidates’ approval) to any Vestry person or staff member.
Junior Warden’s Report:
In Ed’s absence, Joe Crim reported on several repair/replacement projects presently underway, including the Church belltower and roof; the amplification system; and the Great West doors.
Vestry Initiatives:
Neil Frink (Diversity) is working with a number of other faith groups in the community, to organize 3 to 4 Study Circles of 8 to 12 people each. Topics will be developed by each group but will explore ethnic history and identity in addition to contemporary challenges. The topic will be introduced Sept 16 at the Formation hour; kickoff will be Sept 23.
Mary Lynn Torchia (Millennium Development Goals): Our further study of the MDGs will move to the WFA this Fall and a significant part of the thrust will be an appeal for community participation.
Norma Norris (New Member Assimilation): A significant effort will be made to link each newcomer to at least one longer-term Parish member.
Ben Stephens (Year-round Stewardship): An Event/Dinner is planned for Wednesday, Nov 7 to explain and explore Legacy Giving and the role of the St. Peter’s Foundation.
Dave Lott (Community Outreach): In addition to the work already being done on Relay for Life as a Team Leader for cancer survivors, Dave is organizing a beach clean-up (Oct 21) and is involved in promoting a more stewardship-based policy regarding the Fernandina Beach waterfront area.
Cathy Kaltenbach (St. Peter’s Cares) complimented Kimberly Still on the speed with which she has stepped into and assisted with the Shepherds program.
Other Initiative Coordinators are in various stages of developing and implementing programs for the Fall.
There being no Other Business, Fr George led Closing Prayers; the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
ANNEX To MINUTES of Vestry Meeting of August 13, 2007: Resolutions regarding the allocation of a portion of salary for the Rector and for the Assistant Rector toward housing allowance
The following resolutions were duly adopted by the Vestry of St. Peter’s Church at its regularly scheduled meeting on August 13, 2007, a quorum being present:
Whereas section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code specifies that the amount of ministers’ compensation that is designated in advance by their employing church as a housing allowance is not taxable in computing federal income taxes to the extent that it is used to pay for actual expenses incurred in owning or renting a home or apartment, and in the case of ministers who own their home, does not exceed the fair rental value of the home; and
Whereas Rev. George D. Young, III is compensated by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida, exclusively for services as a minister; and
Whereas St. Peter’s does not provide a parsonage for him; therefore, it is
Resolved, that of the total compensation paid to Rev. George D. Young, III for calendar year 2007, $36,000 is hereby designated as a housing allowance pursuant to section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code.
And, whereas Rev. Kimberly L. Still is compensated by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida, exclusively for services as a minister; and
Whereas St. Peter’s does not a provide a parsonage for her; therefore, it is
Resolved, that of the total compensation paid to Rev. Kimberly L. Sill for calendar year 2007, $20,000 is hereby designated as a housing allowance pursuant to section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code.
