Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - February 20, 2012

Formation

The vestry assembled in the church at 7:00 PM for evening prayer, which included a lesson on Martin Luther.

Pastor Orr initiated a new form of worship at the outset of the meeting. Rather than Bible study, the vestry offered prayers of intercession and thanksgiving.

Present for the meeting were the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Anne Edwards, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, and Mark Moxley; treasurer, Clay Denton; and clerk, Susan Marquis. Candice Barrera, Stephen Hofer, and R.J. VanSwol were absent.


Parish Stewardship

Minutes

Frank So proposed, and Anne Edwards seconded a motion that the minutes from the December 19, 2011 meeting be approved. The motion passed. John Huntoon moved, and Bev Keene seconded a motion that the minutes from the January 8, 2012 budget meeting be approved. The motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Clay Denton announced that the parish has now been using ADP for payroll services since the beginning of the year.
On the one hand, we have had several unanticipated costs involving building maintenance and payment of our web host. On the other hand, we have received one overpayment of a pledge for the year; and we have saved on natural gas and snow removal as a result of the mild winter. Overall, our revenues are pretty good.
Audrey Ongman made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, and Anne Edwards seconded the motion. The report was accepted as presented.
Clay reminded vestry members that he had sent to all, via e-mail, a document titled, “When I Give $10 to St. John’s Where Does it Go?” This is a quick review of the accounting system that is used in the church, and it is meant especially for new vestry members.

Information

Rector’s Report

The rector distributed a fourth quarter report from 2011 of the Rector’s Discretionary Account. Greg Lawrence moved to accept the report. Anne Edwards seconded, and the motion carried.
Pastor Orr traditionally has distributed three-ring binders containing past treasurer’s reports, vestry minutes, and policy guidelines. This year she distributed them on disks.
We have a new permanent sexton, Ken Shells, who was recommended by vestry member Greg Lawrence.
Tracie Moxley and Patti Pohrte recently finished painting a mural in the youth worship room. It is a copy of the stained glass window in the Mary corner. This year there is an emphasis on youth worship as truly worship time as distinct from Sunday school.
Pastor Orr will present her annual Lenten classes on Wednesday evenings February 29th, and March 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, with the topic this year being the Ten Commandments.
Pastor Orr spoke a bit to all vestry members, but especially to new members, about the importance of being exemplary parishioners, which includes coming to church regularly, pledging/giving of themselves, being friendly and welcoming, attending church events, and generally keeping the interest of the parish at heart. She distributed copies of “Behavioral Covenant Example – For a Governing Board,” “Guidelines for Our Work Together,” and “Examples of Unhealthy Congregational Norms” from a book Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences. The vestry read these excerpts aloud and discussed them.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations

There were no reports.

Upcoming Parish Events

February 21st Pancake Supper
February 22nd Ash Wednesday with three services
March 23rd Fish Fry
Five Wednesdays in Lent – Ten Commandments class

Discussion and Decisions

Frank So quickly reviewed the work that has been done on St. John’s accessibility project. We hired an architectural firm and have plans and suggestions for the project. Now we need to look at internal fund-raising and grants.
Mark Moxley offered to research internal funding and try to get a sense of what our fundraising potential is within the parish and what the value is of engineering parts of the project from parish connections.
Anne Edwards volunteered to research grant potential.
Frank also noted that we need to investigate columbarium relocation or replacement.

After discussion, the vestry decided to meet for its annual retreat on Saturday, April 14th.

Closing

The vestry meeting concluded at 9:15 PM following prayer.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved: March 19, 2012