Formation
Following evening prayer, the vestry assembled in the undercroft meeting room. Those present were Pastor Kristin Orr, senior warden Cyndie Knoll; junior warden Frank So; vestry members Candice Barrera, Mary Jean Bond, Anne Edwards, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, R.J. Van Swol, and Jack Zielinski; treasurer Clay Denton; and clerk Susan Marquis. Vestry member Carolyn Oyster was absent.
Parish Stewardship
Minutes
Warden Frank So suggested that, in the wardens’ report section on page two of the September minutes, the wording be changed from “the building entranceway plans may have to be re-figured” to “the building entrance plans may be adaptable.”
Pastor Orr noted that in her report on page one, the class that Cynthia Turnquest and Mark Moxley are teaching should have been described as for children in grades 4-6 rather than grades 3-6.
Frank So moved that the minutes of the September vestry meeting be accepted, and John Huntoon seconded. The motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Clay Denton reported that September’s income was by far the lowest it has been in the last five years. We have, though, remained ahead of budget as a result of salary savings due to paid staff vacancies.
Cyndie Knoll made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. R.J. Van Swol seconded, and the motion passed.
Information
Rector’s Report
Pastor Orr presented a report on the rector’s discretionary account for the third quarter of 2011. Jack Zielinski moved to acknowledge receipt of the report, and Bev Keene seconded. The motion was approved.
Pastor Orr has phoned the bank a couple of times regarding the fees for this account, but the bank has not yet returned her calls.
The roof work was finished last week. The roofers had to replace some of the deck and wooden boards that frame the deck. The old leaks were repaired, however a new leak has sprung. The roofers are working to repair that new leak.
Little Hands Ministry met yesterday for a project on water as a valuable resource and the importance of conserving at home. After learning about people who do not have access to fresh water, the children constructed a wishing/prayer well out of blocks to collect funds for the Bishop’s Challenge for wells.
Over the past month Pastor Orr conducted conversations with each vestry member about the issue of same-sex unions and the blessing of such unions at St. John’s. Most felt that the blessing of these unions was a good thing, although a few felt some discomfort. All, however, expressed support of gay and lesbian people in their lives. Pastor Orr said that she would write guidelines for blessings of unions of any sort. One part of this will be the necessity for those being blessed to have some connection with this parish. Something will appear in writing in “The Evangelist” and The Weekly e-vangelist.” She further stated that vestry members can be sources of healthy communication with the parish and should encourage people who need to talk to the rector to do so.
St. John’s will host an Advent Taize service at a date to be determined. This will be in collaboration with IJP, which has been doing Taizes intermittently.
Reports from Wardens and/or Other Parish Organizations
Senior warden Cyndie Knoll stated that the vestry could be proud of the roof repair.
The annual feast is coming up on January 7th, and the time has come to start planning. Cyndie asked for volunteers to form a feast-planning subcommittee to meet this Sunday after church. Cyndie, Frank, Bev, Candice, M.J. and Anne volunteered.
Upcoming Parish Events
The annual rector’s open house will be held on the afternoon of November 6th at the rectory. Also on that day, there will be a baptism at the 11:00 AM worship service. There will be a fall landscaping day on a Sunday in November at a date to be announced. Parishioners will be encouraged to come to church in casual clothes and stay after the 11:00 AM service to do some church yard work.
Discussion and Decisions
The vestry made final plans for this year’s stewardship campaign in preparation for Pledge Sunday on November 20th. In the past few years the church has mailed to parish households copies of financial data, pledge cards, and a letter from the senior warden. This will be done this year as well. There will be inserts in the bulletin during the month of November asking parishioners to submit a prayer for the parish. These prayers will be collected to be posted in the church and/or used in the Prayers of the People during worship. A vestry member will present stewardship reflections in the weeks leading up to Pledge Sunday. Speakers at both Sunday worship services will be Frank So on October 23, Cyndie Knoll on October 30th, and R.J. Van Swol on November 13th. Anne Edwards will submit written reflections for November 6th.
Closing
The meeting closed at 9:35 with prayer. The next vestry meeting will be held on November 21st.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Approved: November 21, 2011
