Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - March 19, 2012

Formation

Evening Prayer
At 7:00 PM the vestry met for evening prayer, which included a lesson on St. Joseph. Present at the meeting were: the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Stephen Hofer, Bev Keene, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and R.J. VanSwol; treasurer, Clay Denton; and clerk, Susan Marquis. John Huntoon and Greg Lawrence were absent.

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests
Worship time was devoted to prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.

Parish Stewardship

Approval of Minutes from February Meeting
Mark Moxley made a motion to approve the minutes from February 20th. Anne Edwards seconded, and the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report
Clay Denton reported that the balance in the checking account looks large because he has moved money into that account in anticipation of a bill from the architects. The copier machine fee has been renegotiated downward, and the savings should be reflected in next month’s bills. We have saved a lot this year on snow removal due to the mild winter. R.J. VanSwol moved that the treasurer’s report be accepted as presented. Gale Michael seconded, and the motion passed.

Review and Approve 2011 Parochial Report
The national church requires all parishes to file a parochial report annually. The highlights of this year’s report include a steady parish membership and the fact that St. John’s collected and gave away over $11,000 to charitable causes. Anne Edwards moved, and Bev Keene seconded the motion that the parochial report be approved as presented. The motion passed.

Information

Rector’s Report
The rector noted that two new families have joined the parish.
 Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has announced his retirement. The weekly Lent class on the Ten Commandments has been going well. Pastor Orr just returned from Wisconsin where she attended a mandatory, multi-day, EfM mentor recertification event.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
There were no reports.

Upcoming Parish Events
Bill Bestow is in charge of the annual fish fry to be held on Friday, March 25th. The profits will be donated to PADS. Holy Week is approaching, and there will be worship services every day. Tyler Matula will be baptized at the Easter Vigil.

Discussion and Decisions
Accessibility Project Updates Anne Edwards reported on the work she has done since the last vestry meeting on identifying grant sources. Partners for Sacred Places does not give grants but does do training on how to use an old building. Accessible Faith Program is part of the Retirement Research Foundation and gives grants up to $30,000. Pathways to Worship gives smaller grants of $1,000. Almost every major company has a foundation that gives grants to various organizations. The United Thank Offering of the Episcopal Church allows each diocese to ask for one grant per year.
 Mark Moxley reported on his research about running a capital campaign. Mark contacted the Diocese of Chicago and spoke with Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, who emphasized the importance of the capital campaign process and said that every ten to fifteen years a capital campaign is a part of a healthy parish. She also suggested that we look into working with the Episcopal Church Foundation, which provides leadership in capital campaigns. Mark found, according to the website of the Episcopal Church Foundation, that with a good campaign, a church can raise three to five times its annual giving amount.

Vestry Retreat Scheduling
Pastor Orr suggested that the vestry retreat be rescheduled to June 2nd, which would allow the diocesan Director of Ministry, Jim Steen, to serve as leader. This time seemed workable for most vestry members.

Closing
The meeting closed with prayer.
The next vestry meeting will be held on Monday, April 16th.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Marquis Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  April 16, 2012