Vestry Minutes
July 16, 2007 – 6:00 p.m.
Present: Father Gary Gilbertson; Sara Welch, Sr. Warden; Jack Britton, Jr. Warden; Bev Wharton;
Brian Gloe; David Laverick; Jim O’Hara; Gaile Varnum; Dan Bednarczyk; Dave MacKay; Lindsay
Mohn; Swede Beckstrom, Treasurer; Ann Bingham, Vestry Clerk
Absent: Cal Cormack; Debbie Hall; Todd Jacobs
Father Gary called the meeting to order and led the group in the Collect for this coming Sunday, July
22.
Report of the Search Committee: Margie Burton distributed the newly published Parish Profile to
members of the Vestry. She informed them that the Profile will be available for members of the
congregation in printed form as well as being on the Parish Web Site. A video featuring interviews with
various members of the church will also be on the Web Site. The committee is now accepting
nominations for the position of rector. A secured box for receiving the nominations has been placed in
the hallway outside of the church office. Forty matches have been received from the Church’s national
office based on the CDO profile. In addition, Profiles will be sent to all Diocesan offices who might
have clergy with 8 – 10 years in a corporate-sized parish. An ad is being designed to be placed in two
church publications: “Living Church” and “Episcopal Life”.
Minutes of the June meeting were approved as printed.
Treasurer’s Report: Swede Beckstrom reported that year to date, pledge payments are below budget
by $63,655. They are $11,790 under budget for the month of June. Fortunately, the expenses are also
below budget year to date by $16,161. The church has spent $10,022 more in June that income, but year
to date, only $3,227 total has been spent over the income. The current cash in the operating fund is
$224,893. Cash in restricted or designated funds is $315,489. As of June 12, 2007 the bank loan
balance was $621,072.
Finance Committee Report: Chairman, Steve Adams reported that the church is currently collecting
some interest (2 ½%) on the cash in the operating fund. Currently, CD’s are earning 5%. The
committee is recommending that the Vestry approve the transfer of 3 payments of $25,000 into this form
of investment.
Brian Gloe moved that $25,000 be taken out of unrestricted funds in three payments totaling $75,000
and placed in CD’s in order to earn more interest. Motion was seconded. Following discussion, Brian
amended his motion to recommend that the Finance Committee investigate the payment of the
mortgage, which is currently at 8 ¼ - 8 ½%. Motion as amended passed.
Stewardship: Gaile Varnum, stewardship chairman, shared news and vision that she had learned at a
recent stewardship conference she had attended in Omaha, Nebraska. The theme she will follow this
year is “Why Pledge?” She emphasized that this time of transition at St. Michael’s is the perfect time to
throw ourselves into stewardship. She asked that the members of the Vestry prayerfully consider the
following statement and make a decision about it in August: “During this time of search for our new
rector, we continue to witness such opportunities to enjoy God’s continuing work through us and in us.
We are eager about the coming year and are ready to harvest more than a “bare minimum” ministry
together. That is why, we Vestry and Clergy, have unanimously and enthusiastically stepped up our
pledge for the coming year.”
Special Order of Business – The Charge to the Search Committee
Father Gary led a training session for the Vestry before considering the charge based on information
from materials he had gathered from Voyle & Voyle Consulting, Holy Trinity Episcopal Parish in
Clemson, S.C., The Diocese of Washington D.C., the Diocese of Ohio, and Marietta College office of
human resources.
Jim O’Hara moved that the following charge be adopted: “Using the information contained in the Parish
Profile and the Church Deployment Office Profile, the Vestry charges the Search Committee with
proactively recruiting four clergypersons who have the necessary skills and abilities to be our Rector.
The goal for this committee is to present the candidates to the Vestry by November 1, 2007. It is our
request that the candidates be presented to us in alphabetical order.” Motion was seconded. Following
discussion, Brian Gloe requested that the charge include that the new Rector lead the liturgy with
integrity. There was no second, so motion died. The original charge, as stated above, was passed.
The Charge will be shared with the Search Committee at a joint meeting of Vestry and Search
Committee members. Eucharist will be a part of that meeting. The senior warden will notify the Vestry
when the date has been agreed upon with the Search Committee.
Commission Reports: In the absence of Cal Cormack, Father Gary reported that the Welcomers
Commission is preparing to contact each member of the current listing of the Parish to check on
membership status, collect feedback, etc.
Senior Warden’s Report: Sara led the group in wishing Father Gary a happy birthday this week and
presented a gift from the Vestry.
Junior Warden’s Report: Jack Britton advised the Vestry that yellow lines have been repainted in the
church parking lot by Tom Byron & Bill Porter. They also have given the doors of the church a fresh
coat of red paint. Both of the oldest air handlers for Spencer Hall were replaced last week along with
one outside compressor. This was an unexpected expense of $10,500. There was a lot of water on the
floor of the vestibule last Saturday morning due to a clogged drain line in the air conditioning unit in the
choir loft. Also, one of the air conditioning units in the front of the Sanctuary and a unit in the office
froze up due to the thermostat being set too low. Jim Albrecht is working with Anthony, Inc. to resolve
these issues as rapidly as possible. Preliminary plans have been made for a disability family restroom.
Interim Rector Report: Father Gary reported that the summer session of Bigger Bible school is in
session this week. The adult formation plans have been made for the Parish through Easter.
Meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer led by Father Gary.
Ann Bingham,
Vestry Clerk