MINUTES - MAY VESTRY MEETING
St. Peter’s Church - May 12, 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, Jon Lasserre, Asa Gillette, Dave Lott, Neil Frink, Francis Flood. Absent: Bob White, Norma Norris
Next Meeting : June 9, 2008 @ 6 pm ; Devotional: Jon Lasserre
Vestry Thank You’s:
1) THE TROPHY WINNING SHRIMP FESTIVAL FLOAT, and all who painstakingly gave hours of dedicated, creative and inspired attention to making St. Peter’s the 2008 stand-out entry.
2) Caroline & Thomas Morrison, Pat Burns, Shelly Wilson, Lorraine & Jim Corbett, and Brian Moody, who in the wee small hours of Pentecost, meticulously attended to decorating and preparing the Church for that special day we affectionately refer to as “the Church’s birthday” (and which serendipitously coincided with Mother’s Day).
3) Harrison Neal, Bert Way, and all who participated in the car parking effort on Saturday and Sunday of Shrimp festival.
4) All who served as Shrimp festival “hosts” and “greeters” in the Church, offering nourishing welcome and refreshing hospitality.
5) The Bereavement Luncheon Committee and all who have played so comforting a role in our most recent funeral observances (notably that for Paul Burns and Don Neal).
6) Bonnie Johnson, for her extraordinary energy and leadership as head of ECW for the last 2 years.
7) Frank Paolillo, who will be “retiring” as a regular participant in the acolyte program, for all the leadership and guidance he has given to that ministry the last several years.
8) Karen Miller, for her extraordinary contributions to our Wednesdays-4-All program by sharing so consistently her culinary talents and love for St. Peter’s.
9) Margaret Tassey, for her dedication to the Lay Eucharistic Ministry, and thus keeping it so well organized, and inspired.
Rector’s Report:
O Burns Hall: Fr George gave a bit of the background leading up to the announcement/dedication of the Parish Hall’s being renamed Burns Hall at Paul’s funeral. New signage is presently underway.
O Clint Weinberg will begin his period of overlap with Caroline Morrison on 5/19; he will be invited to the June Vestry meeting but all are encouraged to stop by the office to meet Clint. In that he will continue his current Sunday responsibilities in Orange Park, he will not be at St. Peter’s for Sunday services for the forseeable future.
O Parish Bus: Bob white is coordinating adding new markings (with shield) to the current identification on the exterior of the bus.
O The Rev John Rodgers, who has assisted at St Peter’s in various clerical and pastoral capacities, will begin a 10-month interim assignment at St. Mark’s Brunswick and thus will be less seen in Fernandina.
O Giving Campaign: As we approach the 1st anniversary of the highly successful capital campaign, plans are to publish a summary of projects completed, underway, and scheduled in the year ahead. It’s a good thing to remind everyone periodically of the important, ongoing effort emanating from this wonderful expression of community stewardship.
O St. George’s: Fr. George read a letter of gratitude from clergy and people of St. George’s for the contribution of our previously-used kneelers and for the historic ties of affection and cooperation between the two parishes.
O Fr. George drew from a survey he had recently been asked to complete, by extracting one of the questions and asking for Vestry input: the most important issue facing the St. Peter’s community. The ensuing discussion was thoughtful, constructive and revealing, and will undoubtedly be pursued on future occasions in a number of different forums.
Assistant Rector’s Report:
Kimberly summarized the work the work she is doing with the young adults on the community meal project (being called “Heart of Hospitality”), an outward looking ecumenical community initiative coordinated at St. Peter’s by Lena Watson and Inga Warren. The target audience is the working poor and families in need of a nutritional meal offered in a dignified environment. Downtown location/funding being sought.
She is also working with Jon Lasserre and other parish members in examining some of the challenges facing our elderly members including issues relating to transportation to/from church; parking/handicap access; and hearing devices to complement the Church pa system.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Neil mentioned a call he had received about the grant mentioned in last month’s ESP made to Rotary International and how the parish had made that decision. The answer: that grant decision was related to the Millenium Development Goals (and the fact that a number of St. Peter’s members are involved with Rotary and supported our pursuing that opportunity).
Junior Warden’s Report:
Ed reviewed several of the repair efforts underway, each of which is on track.
The search continues for a successor to Bob Grant who will retire effective June 15.
Minutes of the April 7th meeting were approved with minor correction.
Vestry Initiatives:
Outreach: Dave Lott gave further background on that Habitat for Humanity outreach grant that was tabled at the April meeting. A suggestion was made that parishioner Billy Mock who is on the Habitat board may be able to clarify the current “need” and how St. Peter’s can best assist.
Subsequent to the meeting, Mr. Lott sent a “time sesitive” email to all, as follows.The Outreach committee had met May 18 and recommended:
1) with respect to HFH given the reservations expressed by the Vestry over the financial commitment for a HFH house, the Outreach Committee has recommended that St. Peters work with HFH to find another church to co-sponsor a HFH house in Fernandina. Such a move will cut our financial commitment from $50 - $60,000 at least in half. If a third church / organization can be found, it would cut the commitment to a third. We ask for your support to move in this direction to allow us to support HFH, but free up monies to assist in other needed areas.
2. Request for financial assistance from Promised Land Church (PLC), an Hispanic ministry located downtown Fernandina, to assist with the completion of their new building. Other churches and community organizations are being asked for assistance as well. The Outreach Committee recommended an immediate grant of $5,000 to be made to Promised Land Church.
3. With the tragedy in Myanmar (Burma) from the cyclone and the ability of Episcopal Relief & Development to work with local agencies to provide immediate assistance bypassing the political complexities of the country, the Outreach Committee recommends an immediate grant of $1,000 to be made to ERD’s “Myanmar & Cyclone Response” fund.
Responses to Mr. Lott’s email were nearly unanimous in favor of Proposals 1 & 3, but favoring more information about PLC and the recommendation of support (#2).
Subsequent to that, Fr George wrote, clarifying a number of issues, and eliciting further affirmative votes.
Young Adults (Lena Watson): Wine Tasting with the Rector (in addition to work she is doing on thecommunity meal project - see above).
Radical Hospitality (Jon Lasserre): developing a DVD of St. Peter’s facilities and activities, abbreviated version of which will be on the web site. Also working on a survey of folks moving out of the Parish, to get feedback as to things they liked, improvements they might suggest.
Congregational Development/Stewardship (Delores Lord): an article will appear in the June ESP on stewardship among children.
MDGs (ML Torchia): DINING FOR MDG’S
All potluck suppers (approx monthly) are spoken for and the schedule is being published in Sunday bulletins as well as the ESP. The 1st one (Goal #5 Improve Maternal health) was quite successful (several hundred $s raised) and very enjoyable (thanks to Lena Watson). Next will be June 27 @ the Washburns (Goal #6 Combat Hiv/Aids, other diseases).
Conclusion: Fr George gave a closing prayer and the meeting adjourned at 8 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
John C. Train, Clerk
