Vestry Minutes
April 16, 2007 – 6:00 p.m.
Present: Father Gary Gilbertson; Sara Welch, Sr. Warden; Jack Britton, Jr. Warden; Cal Cormack, Debbie Hall, Todd Jacobs; Bev Wharton; Brian Gloe; David Laverick; Jim O’Hara; Lindsay Mohn; Ann Bingham, Clerk
Absent: Gaile Varnum; Dan Bednarczyk; Dave MacKay; Swede Beckstrom, Treasurer
Father Gary Gilbertson, Interim Rector, called the meeting to order with a group reading of the Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter. He reminded Vestry members to review the five tasks of transition as included in the agenda packet.
Minutes of the March meeting were approved as printed.
TREASURER’S REPORT/FINANCE COMMITTEE: In the absence of the treasurer, Brian Gloe made the report. Brian reported that the current financial position of the parish is good. Money is coming in faster than we are spending it. The Pledge income is greater than total expenditures for the month and for the year. The only item of note is that receipt of payment on pledges is slower than budgeted by approximately $56,000. Possible adjustments to the budget will be reviewed this summer if needed.
Father Gary reviewed some theologies of stewardship that have been used by many parishes: guilt, numbers, pity/nostalgia, and gratitude. He encouraged the Vestry to consider carefully the number of special collections, appeals and fundraisers that occur within the church in addition to the pledging opportunities. He noted that Outreach is a high visibility item according to the Search Committee report from the survey. However, no compiling of total outreach expenditures is provided to the parish. The parish is currently giving towards Outreach causes through Diocesan assessment, Outreach committee/ church budget, Parish Foundation, special collections, Penny’s Place, Daughters of the King, Men in Ministry, Discretionary fund, and Parish staff detailed to Diocesan activities, to name a few.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Father Gary requested Vestry members to express reactions to the meeting with the Search Committee on April 14. By consensus, the Vestry requested that national church issues be listed as one of our challenges in the parish profile.
Future steps were reviewed for the Vestry in the search process. Brian Gloe moved that as the Search Committee goes forward in the process, they be cognizant of the possibility of subjective data being weighted more heavily than the information supported quantitatively in the questionnaire. Motion was seconded by Jim O’Hara and passed. The Senior Warden will communicate this motion and the additional challenge for the profile to the Search Committee.
Printed material regarding the Corporate Church was noted, with emphasis on the following: “As a rule of thumb, if you desire to staff for growth, you need one full-time program person on your staff for every one hundred active members. (This does not include support staff such as janitors or secretaries.) Active members refer to how many are attending worship on the average year around. You are staffing for maintenance if you are just slightly under that figure. You are staffing for decline if you are seriously under that figure.”
COMMISSION REPORTS:
WELCOME AND NEW MEMBER COMMISSION – Cal Cormack reported that this group will aid in the updating of the data on parish membership.
FAMILY LIFE COMMISSION – Debbie Hall announced an all parish family picnic will be held on the church grounds on Sunday, April 29.
SENIOR WARDEN: Sara Welch reported that one of the two burglars arrested has pled guilty to the charges of church theft. He has also agreed to pay restitution for the cash that was stolen. He has no previous record, and will testify against the other defendant, who does have a police record.
There will be two forums presented by the Search Committee on Sunday, April 29, following the 8:45 and 10:45 services. Those attending Saturday evening and early Sunday are being asked to return to participate in one of the forums.
JUNIOR WARDEN: Jack Britton reported that a new liner has been installed in the Kirk Fountain. Damon Matthew completed the work before the Easter weekend. Anthony, Inc., our new HVAC service provider, has been working to solve the heating and air conditioning concerns for Spencer Hall, the kitchen, nursery, south hallway, and other parts of the south wing of the church that were affected by the new construction six years ago. We should realize some significant savings in our utility bills when the work is completed. Jack also reported that Dixie and Rob Junk are working on the plans for the new handicapped unisex bathroom. He hopes to have a preliminary plan to share with the Vestry at the May meeting.
INTERIM RECTOR: Father Gary reported that Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter services had great participation, with attendance of 2,741. He has had a follow-up session with the staff for evaluation.
Meeting was closed with prayer at 7:45 p.m. Next regular meeting will be on May 21, 2007.
Ann Bingham,
Vestry Clerk