Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - December 19, 2011

Formation

The vestry assembled for evening prayer at 7:00 P.M. and then participated in Bible Study of Hebrews1: 1-4.

Those present were the rector Kristin Orr; senior warden Cyndie Knoll; junior warden Frank So; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Carolyn Oyster, R.J. VanSwol, and Jack Zielinski; treasurer Clay Denton; and clerk Susan Marquis. Vestry member Mary Jean Bond was absent.

Parish Stewardship

Minutes

Candice Barrera moved that the minutes from the November 21st meeting be approved. R.J. VanSwol seconded, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Clay Denton reported that November was a comparatively inexpensive month. We probably will finish the year dead even or slightly in the black. We have received a lot of miscellaneous income from contributions that came from parishioners and others. Pastor Orr suggested that, moving forward, those contributions be recorded as non-pledge payments.

Anne Edwards moved to approve the treasurer’s report, and Bev Keene seconded. The motion passed.

Cyndie Knoll made the following motion:

Whereas the Rev. Kristin Orr is employed as a minister of the Gospel by the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor, IL, which, although providing a residence does not provide the full cost of maintaining and furnishing such a residence, the Vestry resolves that of the total compensation to be paid to the Rev. Orr during 2012, that $3,000.00 be designated a parsonage allowance within the meaning of that term as used in Section 107 of the IRS Code of 1986. This housing allowance will apply to year 2012 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Anne Edwards seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

Cyndie Knoll made the following motion:

Whereas the Rev. Peter Irvine is compensated by St. John’s Episcopal Church exclusively for the services as minister of the Gospel, and whereas St. John’s does not provide the Rev. Peter Irvine with a rectory, therefore it is hereby resolved that the total compensation paid to the Rev. Peter Irvine for the calendar year 2012 is hereby designated to be a housing allowance; and it is further resolved that the designation of this total compensation as a housing allowance shall apply to the calendar year 2012 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Anne Edwards seconded the motion. After a discussion about the relationship of ordination to the position of Director of Music, a vote was taken. The motion was passed with one abstention.

Information

Rector’s Report

The parish took part in several annual activities associated with Christmas outreach. The Cookie Walk netted about $3,600, much of which will be donated to local charities. The Daughters of the King collected $1,200 for Lawrence Hall Christmas gifts, and the parish donated many Cathedral Shelter Christmas baskets.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations

Cyndie Knoll reported that the patronal feast invitations will be mailed tomorrow. She asked that as many vestry members as possible come to church at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 6th to decorate and cook for the feast. On Saturday the 7th everyone on the vestry should come at 10:00 A.M. to finish preparations. All should again be here at 4:00 P.M. (with appetizers to donate) and stay through clean-up.

Upcoming Parish Events

The Christmas schedule of services will be the same as in past years with the children’s pageant at 4:00 P.M. on the 24th followed by the late service starting with music at 10:00 P.M. and the Eucharist at 10:30. There will be one service at 10:00 A.M. on Christmas Day. The annual parish meeting will be held on January 22nd.

Discussion and Decisions

2011 Budget

The 2011 budget was balanced due to several unanticipated occurrences. Our sexton was hired for only six months, our director of Christian education was hired for only six months, and the office manager had reduced hours. At the end of the year we received $6,000 in unexpected donations. We also are continuing to realize some savings in postage and printing since more parish communications are being sent out electronically.

2012 Budget

Pastor Orr reported that 77 pledges have come in for a total of $202,644. She believes that a few thousand dollars at most may still be pledged.

The church has been earning approximately $40 per month from our Money Market investment, while the CD interest rate is only 6/10 of one percent. Clay Denton forecasts an interest total for 2012 of approximately $712.

As things presently stand, the ECW and Altar Guild have separate accounts, which makes a future audit difficult. Pastor Orr will talk with the treasurer of these accounts and request monthly financial reports.

Pastor Orr distributed copies of the 2012 Congregational Support Pledge from the diocese and asked the vestry to consider how much to pledge for the coming year. The vestry also was charged with thinking about cost of living increases for the staff, the size of the Christian education position, how to raise money for the parish, and how to nurture the life and vitality of the parish.

The vestry agreed to schedule a budget meeting on Sunday, January 8th at 11:30 AM.

Closing

After prayer, the meeting closed at 9:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved: February 20, 2012