Those present
were: the Rector, Joe Pace, Anna Pearson, the Assistant Rector; Lyn Walker,
Warden; Stephan Christiansen, Treasurer; John Amamoo, John Earnhardt, Jim
Miller, Ellen Flynn, Lori Noyes, Bill Palifka, Mark Proft, Masha Ringquist,
Susan Thomas, Jeff Verney, Brooke Whittemore and Richard Burt, Clerk.
The meeting was held in the Parish Hall. The Rector called the meeting to order at
7:05 p.m.
John opened the meeting with a reading from
Matthew.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted
with corrections.
Financial
Report: Stephan was delayed in arriving at the meeting and
Paul Glover was out of town. The Rector
read the Financial Report. Income is
ahead of projections. Two new pledges
were received. Operating expenses are
significantly higher partly because of a gas bill that reflected months in
which the gas meter was not read properly.
The endowment decreased 5% in value in tandem with a softening market.
Wardens’
Report: Lyn stated that she and Ross believe Vestry
meetings should be open unless a truly extraordinary matter required
discussion. Open Vestry meetings are in
harmony with the greater transparency of decision making in the parish called
for by the Strategic Plan.
Newcomers Committee: Anna read the
report for Sherri Sparks who could not be present. The Newcomers Committee met with the PR Committee. The meeting was characterized by
enthusiastic discussions of the retrospective duties of each committee. The card to be mailed to newcomers looks
great and can be used in a number of ways.
It can be mailed, or handed out to people. Brooke suggested that people in the Parish be aligned with
newcomers who share similar circumstances. An interest survey is being compiled
to find people who are willing to call newcomers.
Vestry
Retreat: Lyn reminded us of the Vestry retreat scheduled for
April 26, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. until noon.
The retreat leader will be Joanne Neel Richard. Vestry members planning to attend the
retreat should contact the office.
Mothers’
Day Celebration at Hughes Home: Margaret Smith suggested
that the patients would appreciate bringing children to Hughes Home on Mothers’
Day.
Planning
for a greener Parish: Lynn Brooks will be coordinating efforts to
find ways of making the Parish greener.
A “reducing green to meaning “session is planned for the Fall. Lynn welcomes your suggestions for greater
sensitivity to the ecology in St. John’s operations.
Centennial celebrations: The Vestry
decided to mark the July 12 centennial with a special homecoming service
emphasizing the consecration of the sanctuary.
Appeal
for St. Savior School in Les Cayes, Haiti Charles and Bette
Jane Hardersen urged the Vestry to support a feeding program at St. Savior
School in Les Cayes. Currently, St.
John’s does not support a feeding program.
Support for this activity was suggested to the Vestry last year, but it
never got off the ground. Charles and Bette Jane noted adequate food is
necessary for vitamin supplements and medications to be effective. Charles and
Bette Jane also mentioned the Haitian art show scheduled for April 11-12 to
raise money for our mission in Haiti and to be a public relations project. The
Vestry approved spending for the feeding program and allowing Charles and Bette
Jean to offer an appeal for funding directly to the Parish in May.
New
Business: Brooke would like to find a more rapid way of
dispatching the Vestry packet. Joe reminded us of the Bishop’s 5K run on May 17
and of the pasta dinner the night before. Susan Thomas will be staging a talent
show on May 3. Susan is looking for
more youth to participate
The meeting closed at 8:45 p.m.
The
next Vestry meeting will be on April 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
in
the parish hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Burt
Clerk to the Vestry