Vestry Minutes
June 18, 2007 – 6:00 p.m.
Present: Father Gary Gilbertson, Sara Welch, Sr. Warden; Jack Britton, Jr. Warden; Cal Cormack; Todd Jacobs; Brian Gloe; James O’Hara; Swede Beckstrom, Treasurer; Dan Bednarczyk; Dave MacKay; Lindsay Mohn
Absent: Debbie Hall; Bev Wharton; David Laverick; Gail Varnum; Ann Bingham, Clerk of the Vestry
Guests: Mother Lisa Senuta; Steve Adams, N.E. Convocation; Debbie Kremers, Search Committee; Gene Paris, Search Committee
Father Gary called the meeting to order, read the Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost and opened with prayer. He asked that we agree upon a meeting time of 90 minutes.
Report of the Search Committee: Debbie Kremers and Gene Paris, representing the Search Committee, were present to present the Parish Profile as corrected. The Search Committee received and discussed suggested corrections that came from a special Vestry meeting held on June 6, 2007. Not all suggestions resulted in changes, but they were discussed. Debbie reported positive remarks on the Search Committee’s meeting with the Bishop last week. The Bishop thought the Parish Profile was good and he thinks we may receive as many as 200 applicants for the position.
Minutes The minutes of the May 21, 2007 meeting and the special meeting June 6, 2007 were approved.
Treasurer’s Report:Swede Beckstrom reported current year to date May 31, 2007 pledge payments are short of the
budgeted amount by about $46,500, but are about $16,500 more than what was received for the
same period in 2006. Total year to date May 31, 2007 expenses are about $7,800 less than
budgeted. The net result for actual year to date May 31, 2007 is about $36,200 short of the net
budget. The good news is for the five months ended May 31, 2007, we have actually spent about
$5,800 less than we have taken in.
Swede reported that $10,000 from the Outreach budget category will be paid out to the Rector’s
Discretionary Fund in June, 2007. This is to repay the Rector’s Discretionary Fund for the
$10,000 sent to St. David’s in December, 2006. This transfer had previously been approved by
the vestry.
Parish Profile Search Committee, with only typographical errors and the picture of the Bishop to be changed. The motion was seconded by Cal Cormack. During the discussion, a motion to amend was made by Brian Gloe and seconded by Jim O’Hara to retain the following sentence as presented in the original version of the Parish Profile: “Words often used to describe us are “inclusive,” “tolerant,” and “accepting.” The amendment to the motion failed to pass. The motion to accept the 2nd version was approved. Sara Welch is to notify the chair of the Search Committee, Fritz Edmunds, JR, of the vestry’s approval.
Position Profile/Search Request (CDO) The CDO, as prepared by the Search Committee, was presented to the vestry for its approval. Cal Cormack made a motion to accept the CDO as presented. The motion was seconded by Jim O’Hara. During the discussion, a motion to amend was made by Brian Gloe to add the following: “Words often used to describe us are “inclusive,” “tolerant,” and “accepting.” Brian’s motion to amend died from a lack of a second. Cal Cormack then made a motion to amend his motion to accept the CDO with the following change under ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Change “Five years experience minimum” to “Five years as rector in a corporate parish, preferred.” This motion was seconded by Dan Bednarczyk. The motion to accept the CDO as amended was approved.
Charge to the Search Committee Discussions regarding the charge to the search committee had taken place at a prior vestry meeting. It was determined at that time that a facilitator should be used during the vestry’s discussion of the charge to the search committee; especially in discussing National Church Issues such as the Windsor Report. Sara Welch, SR Warden, made some contacts, but decided on asking The Very Reverend Steve Lipscomb, Dean of Grace Cathedral in Topeka, to facilitate the meeting. He agreed to do one or two sessions at no charge to St. Michael’s. Brian Gloe brought up the point that we needed to be independent of the Diocese of Kansas and the Bishop. He suggested we talk to Father John Coil a priest in the diocese of Western Missouri. Brian then made a motion to change the facilitator to someone not from our diocese. The motion died for lack of a second. It was agreed that Sara Welch would coordinate acceptable dates with vestry members and Father Lipscomb.
Welcomer’s Commission Cal Cormack reported the commission is moving ahead. They are planning a calling campaign in mid-August with at least two thoughts in mind. One task is to gather information to improve the church’s records regarding membership status. Another task of the calling campaign will be to extend fellowship and pastoral care to those contacted.
Report of the Northeast Convocation:
Steve Adams reported that at the June 30th meeting of the Northeast Convocation, they will be
voting on the Council of Trustee's lay representative from the NE Convocation. Bob Skaggs is
the current representative and is ineligible for re-election. Steve mentioned possible candidates
from St Michael's that were discussed at last week's Finance Committee meeting.
Steve also said that the Convocation is taking names for candidates for deputies for the 2009
General Convention. These positions will be voted on at this fall's diocesan convention in
October. Larry Bingham was one of the deputies at the 2006 General Convention and wishes to
be considered for the 2009 General Convention. Mother Lisa Senuta has indicated that she
would also be interested in being considered as a deputy.
Senior Warden: Sara Welch presented a thank you note from Dick Norman for the retirement gifts from the vestry and the parish.
Junior Warden: Jack Britton reported that he had received preliminary plans for the St. Michael’s family restroom from Junk Architects. The plans were e-mailed to him on Thursday June 14th. He will get together with Rob Junk to go over the plans and discuss all the options. Jack plans on making a detailed presentation to the finance committee and the vestry at their July meetings.
Mother Lisa Senuta: Mother Lisa reported on the upcoming Bigger Bible School for adults and children. It will take place June 16, 2007 through June 20, 2007 form 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM each evening.
Interim Rector Report:
Father Gary reported Deacon Monte Giddings will preach at the 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM services
on July 15, 2007. Deacon Suzi Drury is scheduled to preach the same services on August 21,
2007. The Rev. Ruth McAleer and Rev. Dean Stone will also preach at these services on dates
yet to be determined.
Two way radios have been purchased so the sextons can keep in contact with personnel in the
office.
Wedding guidelines have been updated and some wedding training will take place in the future.
Swede Beckstrom
Pro-Tem for the Clerk