VESTRY MEETING MINUTES

SAINT GREGORY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

JANUARY 8, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. with prayer led by Fr. Andrew.

 

Present were:  Fr. Andrew, The Rev. Debbie Self,  Father Penland; Vestry persons: Pryse Elam, Jon Baker,  Vicki Klemke, Terrie Noland, Mark Angstrom, Bill Unger, Joyce Dawson, Jim Welzien, Howard Mc Call; and Clerk, Leslie Ross.

 

Not present were:  The Rev. Anita Thorstad; Joani  Bogus, Allen McGee,  Rick Schell and Youth Representative: Alex Mattfolk.

 

Prior to the business meeting, the group participated in a short reflection on the Gospel of John 2:1-11  which will be read on the upcoming Sunday.

 

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

 A Vestry Greeter sheet  for 2007 was passed and it was noted that there was not a Greeter at the services yesterday.   Fr. Andrew emphasized the importance of  having Vestry Greeters and asked that the slots be filled.

 

MINUTES

The Minutes from the December 11th Vestry Meeting were amended on Page 3, under Assistant’s Report – last sentence  to:  105  total  people attended which includes both  adults and children.. The minutes were approved as amended.

 

SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT

Update on the purchase of  245 N.E. 2nd St.  House - Pryse Elam reported on December 27th we closed on the site where the new rectory will be built.  He reflected that it is a huge step forward  and a milestone in our church’s history. We are now in the planning stages for the design of the new rectory. Three architects were interviewed before Christmas with follow-up interviews scheduled in the next two weeks, at which point an architect will be selected to begin the design of the new rectory. Once the selection is made,it is hoped that at the February Vestry meeting the plan can be approved.  It was noted that a financing plan is now firmly in place.

 

Upcoming Vestry/Leaders Retreat -  Pryse reviewed the objectives that  had been set at last year’s Vestry Retreat.  Some of these objectives have been developed  as short  term goals: 1) to increase Outreach: 2) and focusing on a great youth program. Longer term plans were also developed:  1)  Pre school;  2) Rectory;  3) Family Life Center; and

4) Deferred Maintenance.  Pryse reported that at the 2007 Retreat, we will take the plan developed last year, narrow down objectives, refine and prioritize  these objectives, and be able to articulate them to the congregation.

 

 

 

Senior Warden’s Report (cont’d)

 

A Capital Campaign will also be discussed. Jim Wheeler has agreed to be the chairman of the Capital Campaign.  Jim has suggested that we engage professionals to help us with the capital campaign and he is now interviewing two companies who specialize in church fund raising campaigns. He will make this recommendation at our next meeting to hire one of these funding specialists.

 

David Gury and the Long Range Planning Committee are working with a RLC Architects to develop a “bubble plan” for the block on which we currently own properties, to show what can be fit on this land.  Mr. Elam requested that the Vestry  pass a resolution   to authorize Long Range Planning to enter into a contract  for $!0,000. with  RLC  to develop a long range plan for the entire block  to include  properties presently owned as well as future acquisitions on the block when they become available.  A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed authorizing Long Range Planning to enter into a contract for $10,000. with RLC Architects to develop the above site plan.

 

Stewardship Followup -  Mr. Elam reported that the Special Meeting held yesterday to address the shortfall of $100,000. in outstanding pledges, was poorly attended by Vestry and Parish Leaders.  It was noted that many line items for  running the church are “fixed costs”, and that the Pledges received are adequate to cover these expenses, however if the outstanding pledges are not received, it is the ministries that will suffer.  Vestry and Parish Leaders were encouraged to make every effort to contact people on the lists they were given.   It was noted that the idea of putting the cards in the people’s hands by bulletin inserts and also in the Newsletter  was a good idea and should be done again next year.

 

JUNIOR WARDEN – Mark Angstrom gave a brief verbal outline of the projects currently being handled by Property.  Mark reported that we are on tract with the maintenance program. Completed and ongoing projects were reviewed. Through a mix-up with the e mail, the written report (ATT. B) was not available at the meeting.  The clerk was instructed to e mail this report with the minutes.   The necessity of the Property Commission evaluating the air conditioning systems we currently have to estimate how much life is still left and the cost of replacement prior to the kick off of the Capital Campaign was noted, so that this figure can be part of the Capital Campaign.

 

TREASURER’S  REPORT – Bill Unger distributed the quarterly detailed Financial Report (ATT. A) with month to date and yearly figures.  Bill noted that this year we ended with a $16,000. positive figure.  It was the consensus of opinion that we should review our agreement with Ruth Crist in two areas: their payment record and the amount they pay weekly/monthly to use our parking lot.  It was noted that they are not paying us “market value”.   Bill Unger and Ron Knowlton were asked to review the present contract with Ruth Crist  and  come back to the Vestry with a proposal.   Variations and fluctuations in the budget were reviewed.   The improvements made in our accounting system with Quick Books,  the policy of  financial transparency as well as the Vestry promoting financial accountability  all have contributed. to the financial success realized in 2006.

 

 

RECTOR’S REPORT - 

Fr. Andrew commented on the Christmas season and the many compliments he received about the services.  The early service on Christmas Eve at  4 PM  worked well and it was agreed that it was much better than having the service at 4:30 as was done last year.  The differences between the 3 Christmas Eve Services was noted  - each special in their own way.  Attendance was good at all services with the counts at the 4  PM and Midnight  the highest.

 

Fr. Andrew spoke of the Community Lecture season which begins Wednesday evening.  This is the opening lecture, entitled Children of Abraham – The Search for Common Ground.  Fr. Andrew, a Rabbi and an Imam will speak. It has been publicized in area papers and we have received many calls wanting to know more information.

 

The Ecumenical Family Promise Ministry Committee introduced by Fr. Andrew  has met several times and there is quite a bit of interest from area churches.

 

Fr. Andrew gave an update on the Haiti Ministry which is moving forward.

 

Fr. Andrew reported that he was overwhelmed by the generosity of St. Gregory’s this Christmas.  30 boxes of shoes  and underwear were given , as well as 300-400 presents for the Angel Tree and Nursing Home.

 

Fr. Michael’s presence on the staff  with the positive impact was noted.  He is adding to a growing ministry already  in place. We have seen a greater interest in the Youth Ministry through higher attendance figures since he came.

 

Fr. Andrew  reminded all that the deadline for Annual Reports is this week as he wants to have the Annual Report available on Sunday, January 21st, to give the parishioners the opportunity to read it before coming to the meeting.   Fr. Andrew announced that Priscilla Miller has agreed to be a candidate, so we now have six candidates running for the 4 open positions.  The Youth Group will be responsible for the luncheon again this year and it was agreed that  those attending will be asked to give a $5.00 donation.

 

SPACE FOR GRACE  -  Vestry members were given the opportunity to request prayers

for individuals who are in some kind of need, as well as being given the opportunity to offer thanksgivings for blessing which have been received..

 

MINISTRY REPORTS

 

Adult Education

Debbie Self encouraged Vestry Members to attend her Adult Study held in the Conference Room after the 10 AM Service on Sundays. Participants are studying the origins of Christianity and can come any time and take part in the discussion.

 

 

Youth

Fr, Penland reported on recent youth activities, noting that he now has 18 regulars who participate in the regular Jr. High  Meetings and in the Sr.High Youth, about 10.  The Senior High Youth are focusing on the trip to England  during the last day of July and first week in August.  This trip will be a tour of the Cathedrals in England  and adults are more than welcome to attend.  There are presently 8 youth presently signed up.

 

Finance Commission

 

Bill Unger reported that we are still $l00,000. short, but the good news is that the “hard cost” are covered.   Bill Unger will make one last plea at Sunday Services 1/14, and on Monday, January 15th,  the finance commission will then  present a final budget for 2007 to be approved by the Vestry via e mail and subsequently will be printed in the Annual Report.

 

Fr Andrew stated that he would like to have a Standing Committee for  Stewardship which will always have a Vestry  liaison as a committee member.

 

It was also suggested that we consider moving the date of the  Stewardship Campaign earlier so that the final push did not fall around the holidays.

 

OPEN FORUM

 

Fr. Andrew thanked the outgoing Vestry members for serving and for their help on specific commissions.

 

The meeting was adjour4ned with prayer at 8:15 P.M.

 

 

Leslie Ross

Clerk