VESTRY MEETING MINUTES

St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church

February 12, 2007

 

Prior to the business meeting a picture for the Pictorial Directory was taken of the Vestry and Clergy.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM.  An opening prayer was said by Fr. Andrew.

The newly elected Vestry members were welcomed.

 

Present were:  Clergy:  Fr. Andrew, Fr. Penland, Mother Debbie,  Dr. Wissink;  Vestry members:  David Gury, Rimmie Mac Laren, George Giosmas, Mark Angstrom, Bill Unger, Vicki Klemke, Howard McCall, Sandy Laman, Joyce Dawson, Terrie Noland, Jon Baker, Pryse Elam, and Youth Representative:  Alex Mattfolk;  Clerk:  Leslie Ross and Guest:  Michele Bellasari. 

 

Not present was The Rev. Anita Fortino-Thorstad.

 

BIBLE STUDY

The Gospel reading for Sunday, Feb. 18, Luke 9:28-36 telling of  the Transfiguration was read and discussed.

 

MINUTES

The Minutes from the January 8th Vestry Meeting were approved as printed.

 

VESTRY ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

The following elections and appointments took place:

 

Pryse Elam was appointed  Sr. Warden.

Mark Angstrom was elected  Jr. Warden.

Bill Unger was elected Treasurer.

Leslie Ross was elected Clerk.

 

2007 Vestry Committees were appointed as follows:

Membership – Terrie Noland and Joyce Dawson

Facilities – Mark Angstrom, Howard McCall and Rimmie Mac Laren

Pre-School – Sandy Laman  and Jon Baker

Outreach -  Vicki Klemke

Finance – Pryse Elam, Bill Unger, David Gury

Stewardship – George Giosmas.

 

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

 

Report from Michele Bellasari, newly elected member of the Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee.

Fr. Andrew noted that at the Parish Leader/Vestry Retreat it was agreed that it would be beneficial to our interests to have a member of St. Gregory’s on the Downtown Boca Advisory Committee.  Michele, a member of St. Gregory’s was elected to the Advisory Committee in their recent election  and spoke briefly about her background and what she thinks is important in the downtown redevelopment, noting that the Committee is trying to develop a “brand” for Boca Raton.  Michele encouraged Vestry Members to contact her via e mail with their thoughts and ideas concerning downtown redevelopment.  She will bring these ideas to the Advisory

Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee (cont’d)                                                      Page 2            

Committee.   Fr. Andrew reported that he had asked David Gury, Long Range Planning Chairman, to converse with Michele concerning St. Gregory’s plans for expansion.  Contact information for Michele was given: E mail:homesolutionspb@aol.com.

 

SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT 

Pryse Elam thanked Vestry members for their participation in the Retreat held on January 19th and 20 stating that we had come out of there with a common purpose and vision.  The presentation at the Annual Meeting showed that this is a church in motion and it is evident by the record attendance we have been experiencing recently.  Pryse gave an update on the progress made on the building of a new rectory.   An architect has been chosen by the name of,  John  “Jack”  Conway, and the planning process is moving forward.

 

JUNIOR WARDEN’S REPORT

Mark Angstrom reported that he had emailed his report to the Vestry members (ATT. A)

Mark commented on several items in the report, noting that the kitchen had been cleaned professionally prior to the Brothers’ Mardi Gras Breakfast.  Property is putting together a list of systems such as air conditioning which should be included in the list of  items to be covered by the Capital Campaign.  Progress is being made with the repair of  the  Bollard Lights.  Some of them have been fixed and are now lighted and work.  Another electrical problem needing to be addressed is the nonworking fixtures in the exterior hallway between the parking lot and the courtyard, as well as some floodlights in the choir loft which are out and at a height that they require a professional to fix.  Mark advised the Vestry that the Brothers were requesting locked storage for their supplies. No action has been taken on this request.

 

In response to the question of  when  the new house can be used by the Youth  or for any other purpose such as storage. Fr. Andrew reported that this had been discussed at length.  At present the house is in very bad disrepair and the water has been turned off  for over a year.  It was the consensus of opinion that as the repairs would be costly that it would be a waste of money as the house will be torn down.  The question was raised why we could not demolish the house and use the empty lot for parking prior to the beginning of construction. Fr Andrew reported that this would start problems with the neighbors.

 

 

TREASURER’S   REPORT

As the Treasurer’s Report had been e mailed to the Vestry prior to the meeting , Bill Unger stated that he would not spend a lot of time reviewing the individual line items.  Mr. Unger stated that the Financial Commentary  prepared by Ron Knowlton  explained our finances very well, noting that in the first quarter we have some of the same issues as last year.  He noted that it is very hard to judge expenses in just one month and as it high season expenses will be higher than they are in low season.  Income will be lower in off season, so things will average out.  Mr. Unger pointed out that we had started 2007 with a $16,500. surplus in our operating account which as allowed us to run the parish fiscally well without taking any of our allowed annual allotment from the Endowment Fund.  We have been notified of a pledge which will be received in the 3rd quarter, which will enable us to be solvent.  It was noted that at present finances are very tight and that every effort should be made to curtail unnecessary expenses.

 

 

 

 

Treasurer’s Report  (cont’d)                                                                                                  Page 3

Mr. Unger stated that most of the auxiliary accounts have been moved into one bank, Paradise Bank, which funded the purchase of the house at 245 N.E. 2nd Street.  For the benefit of the new Vestry Members, Fr. Andrew explained the allotment from the Endowment Fund is monies generated from income earned by the investments in the Endowment Fund not principle.  

 

Fr. Andrew stated that we are trying to have a financial report that is clear and transparent to everyone.  We are “tweaking” the present report  to achieve this goal.  Ron Knowlton and Bill Unger are open to any suggestions to make the report better.

 

RECTOR’S REPORT

Endorsement of Valerie Miller for Ordination to the Diaconate  - Fr. Andrew reported that our Seminarian, Valerie Miller, is nearing the end of her seminary education and that  one of the steps required is Vestry Endorsement for her Ordination to the Diaconate.   The qualities and attributes on which the Vestry would be endorsing were read.   Discussion followed,  and Mr. Gury  pointed out that the Vestry members had no first hand experience with Valerie, and would be endorsing her on Fr. Andrew’s recommendation..   It was decided that  a special Vestry Meeting should be called when Valerie visits here in March, to allow the Vestry to meet and question Valerie.  The Endorsement would be signed following this meeting providing that following this procedure would not cause her to miss any deadlines for the Endorsement.

 

Fr. Andrew reported that the church is blossoming and the presence of the Holy Spirit is evident.  He noted  that with the growth comes growing pains such as schedule conflicts, and communication mishaps.  Vestry members were asked not to get entangled in the negativity of these growing pains, but to celebrate the joy of  living into our identity.

 

The issue of Ruth Crist  Parking was discussed.  Fr. Andrew reported that they are paid up and we now send them a monthly bill for the use of the parking lot resulting in easy tracking of the payments.  Bringing parking fees up to prevailing rates will be dealt with.  Mr. MacLaren was asked to review the terms of our present contract, and report back to the Vestry at the March Meeting  what can or can’t be done to modify the contract.

 

Fr. Andrew reported on special Lenten events:  1)  Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper sponsored by the Youth Group following by the burning of the palms to create the ashes for the next day;   2) Ash Wednesday services:  7 AM and 12 Noon, 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM.  The 5:30 service is for families with children and will be an instructed Eucharist, so the children know the explanation of why we do what we do; 3) opportunities for bible  study  and prayer;  4)  trip to Fort Lauderdale to the Museum to view the exhibit, The Cradle of Christianity.

 

 

 SPACE FOR GRACE

Following a 5 minute “stretch” period,   Vestry members were given the opportunity to remember those needing  prayers and to offer thanksgiving to God for blessings received. In  particular, thanks were given to the Brothers for all their hard work over the past weekend and for those working on the pictorial directory.  Our Presiding Bishop was lifted up in prayer as she travels to Tanzania.

 

 

 

 

 

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REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES

 

Fr. Penland reported that the Youth Group has an average attendance of  17 young people. This seems to be consistent.  Fr. Michael reported that he had asked the Brothers for sufficient funds to underwrite the cost of our parish youth to attend three benchmark events:  Kanuga Winter Light, Kanuga Youth , and Night of Joy pretty much free of charge to our youth.

 

Alex Mattfolk reported that the youth are looking in to some service projects and  fundraising events.

 

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Debbie Self presented a Power Point Program concerning Christian Formation reflecting that a person’s spiritual journey is over a lifetime, where one hears and understands at a deeper and deeper level, assimilates the principles and takes on the value system of the Gospel. 

 

The growth and transformation of the church school and youth group was noted. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Goals and Objectives of the Vestry/Leader’s Retreat -   Pryse Elam reviewed the goals and objectives that had been decided at the Vestry/Leader’s Retreat and emphasized the importance of  being knowledgeable of the goals to answer questions from parishioners.  The goals had been e mailed  to Vestry Members prior to the meeting  but additional copies were available.  (ATT.C )  In order to create a structure of Vestry leadership that was tightly focused on achieving and implementing the goals decided upon at the recent retreat  committees of Vestry Liaisons have been established to aid in the implementation of these goals as follows:

1.         Membership – Terrie Noland and Joyce Dawson

2.         Facilities -  Mark Angstrom, Howard Mc Call

3.         Pre School -  Sandy Laman and Jon Baker

                        a. Committee Chair is Lisa Wheeler

                             The Clerk was requested to e mail contact info for Lisa

4          Outreach – Vicki Klemke

5.         Finance – Pryse Elam, Bill Unger and David Gury

      6.         Stewardship – George Giosmas

 

Capital Campaign -  Pryse Elam reported that Jim Wheeler had agreed to Chair our Capital Campaign and to maximize the campaign’s effectiveness and success.   recommended the services of James Klote and Associates, Consulting Firm at a cost of $115,500. Copies of the Agreement to hire this consulting firm were distributed. (ATT D) and the terms and costs explained.  It was noted that we have already received two gifts to help “seed” the Capital Campaign. Remaining costs to retain the consulting firm will be taken from the $2,000,000.00 line of credit recently obtained through Paradise Bank to purchase the new rectory site and to provide monies to engage a consulting firm for a Capital Campaign. Following discussion, a motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to hire James Klote and Associates at a cost of $115,500. to organize, “market” and implement the upcoming Capital Campaign.  

 

 

 

 

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Parochial Report - Fr. Andrew  distributed  copies of the Parochial Report (ATT. E) giving membership and financial figures for the year 2006.  Fr. Andrew  reported that the average Sunday attendance figure was not a true figure.  New average attendance figures have emerged beginning with the third quarter (October 2006) with the regeneration of the Church School and Youth Group. From October thru the end of December (22 Sundays)  average attendance jumped to 424.  Beginning in January to the present (7 Sundays) the average attendance is 435. Fr. Andrew reported that this was a huge affirmation of the potential that we realized in the  “family ministries” area.    Using the white board, Fr. Andrew  drew a graph showing significant gains in stewardship in 2006.

 

The financial section was also reviewed and Fr. Andrew reported that from these figures, our Diocesan assessment is calculated. Following  discussion a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to endorse  the 2006 Parochial Report as printed.

 

The question arose as to whether there was better attendance on the Second  Sunday when the Brothers had their  breakfasts.   Fr. Andrew stated that he would research this, and commented that “Breakfast Sunday” is a great evangelistic tool and encouraged

all to bring friends  to church  particularly on the second Sunday.   The Brothers were commended for all they do so graciously on the second Sunday of every month.

 

OPEN FORUM

Endowed Parish Consortium - Fr. Andrew reported that the Endowed Parish Consortium’s convocation will take place over the first weekend in March. St. Gregory’s belongs to this, and Fr. Andrew and Bill Unger plan to attend.  An invitation to attend was given to members of the Vestry.

 

Meet Me at Royal Palm Place -  Fr. Andrew reported that what was formerly Meet Me Downtown – this year is called  Meet Me at Royal Palm Place which will take place the first weekend in March.  St. Gregory’s has taken a booth in this event and Terrie Noland and Ron Knowlton are working on the presentation at the booth.  Vestry members will be asked to help man the booth for short blocks of time over the weekend.

 

Newcomer  Dinner -  Terrie Noland reported that the next Newcomer Dinner will take place on March 4th in Harris Hall.  Vestry members have received an invitation and were asked to make every effort to attend.

 

Vestry Greeter Schedule -   The Vestry Greeter was passed around for volunteers.  Joyce Dawson reported that she had greeted at the Chapel Door last Sunday  as there were so many people at the Narthex door. All thought this was a good idea so in the future, we will have a greeter at both doors. 

 

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 9:25 PM.

 

 

Leslie C. Ross

Clerk