MINUTES - APRIL VESTRY MEETING
St. Peter’s Church - April 7, 2008

Fr George Young opened the meeting at 6pm. Present: The Rev. Kimberly Still, Mary Lynn Torchia, Dolores Lord, Lena Watson, Neil Blalock, Ed Grissom, Norma Norris, Jon Lasserre, Asa Gillette, Absent: Dave Lott, Francis Flood, Bob White, Neil Frink

Next Meeting : May 12, 2008 @ 6 pm ; Devotional: Dolores Lord

Vestry Thank You’s:

1) Bob White, Ed Grissom, Ben Stephens & Brian Moody, for their dogged, thorough, and compelling research and recommendation leading to the acquisition of our new Parish Bus.

2) Children’s Choir, their parents, and Jan Smith for the wonderful contribution of joyful music and heavenly voices to our Easter celebrations.

3) The Men’s Celebration Breakfast Team and their indefatigible leader, Darrell Powell.

4) The ECW and their wonderful contribution of food and program to our first after-Easter Wednesdays for All.

5) Bo LeClaire for invaluable assistance with the Wednesday night children’s program and her help with the choir.

Rector’s Report:

O Update on efforts to enliven the liturgical/worship experience for the entire Parish community: 1) members of the Youth Group will assist and become more actively involved at our Family service on the 2nd Sunday of each month; 2) at the 2nd service Memorial Weekend (5/25) (when we will switch to our two-service summer schedule), we will celebrate the Eucharistic with the 18th century liturgy used at the time of St. Peter’s founding.

O George shared the Wellness Report for Clergy & Lay Leaders, required annually by the Diocese, in which the Parish’s pastoral care of/for its Clergy is evaluated. Categories of Prayer (ie retreat & renewal), Study (Sabbatical), Physical Exercise, and Recreation (days off and vacation) are to be reported on individually. It is fortunate that the Bishop keeps tabs on such matters and that St. Peter’s is well regarded in this area.

O On this point, however, Neil Blalock mentioned that there is a financial obligation (a “stewardship” matter) associated with Clergy sabbaticals which are not ordinarily budgeted; and that we ought to begin including it in our annual budget discussions.

There was no Report from the Assistanct Rector nor from the Senior Warden

Junior Warden’s Report:

Ed reviewed several of the repair efforts underway, each of which is on track.

Bob Grant has announced that he will retire effective June 15.

Minutes of the March 10th meeting and those of the Special Meeting (March 13th) were approved with minor correction.

Vestry Initiatives:

Outreach: In Dave Lott’s absence, a memo (dated 3/20 and attached hereto) on Outreach Grants was discussed. Recognizing that some of the items recommended by the Committee were time-sensitive, a motion was made and seconded to accept the recommendations set forth in the Memo with the exception of #1, ($20K set aside for Habitat house). The Motion passed without opposition. Item #1 will be taken up when Mr. Lott is present.

There was consensus that a comprehensive report covering the various forms of “outreach” supported by different Parish groups would better inform the Vestry in its deliberations on this topic.

Young Adults (Lena Watson): A small group will meet at Camp Weed 4/12 to assess plans for the coming months.

MDGs (ML Torchia): DINING FOR MDG’S
A series of potluck suppers (approx monthly) are being scheduled at parishioner homes each with one of the MDGs as its theme (Mary Lynn, poverty; Carolyn Phanstiel, empowerment; Bob White, environment). At these dinners, a list of ten or so charities that are particularly devoted to that goal will be shared and discussed; attendees are encouraged to consider donating the money they would have spent at a restaurant to one or more of the charities supporting that goal. .

Stewardship (Dolores Lord): Work is continuing on a Parish presentation which will encourage larger participation in the panoply of tasks which go into the various services/activities of the Parish on a typical Sunday.

Radical Hospitality (Jon Lasserre): The St. Bart’s annual composium on this topic has been scratched for ‘08. Thought is being given to what St. Peter’s might devise as an alternative. A Newcomers Social is planned for May.

Jon also reports that St. Peter’s kitchen will become greener and much more efficient in its use of water and energy; we will begin using recyclable materials wherever possible, reducing reliance on styrofoam & plastics. We hope to set a new standard for other community groups to emulate.

Conclusion: Fr George gave a closing prayer and the meeting adjourned at 8 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

John C. Train, Clerk