Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving & Prayer Requests
The vestry assembled in the church for evening prayer at 7:00 PM. The group then gathered in the undercroft meeting room and offered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
Attendance
Present at the meeting were the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and R.J. VanSwol; the treasurer Clay Denton; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Vestry member John Huntoon was absent.
Parish Stewardship
Approval of Minutes from September Meeting
Gale Michael moved that the minutes from the September meeting be approved. Mark Moxley seconded, and the motion was carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Clay Denton reported that there have been extra expenses for funerals, but those expenses have been reimbursed. Our retired office manager was paid for three weeks after she left because those weeks were her paid vacation time. Pledge payments are a little behind but still pretty good. The actual amount that the church has spent this year to date is several thousand dollars less than the projected amount. This is largely due to having no Christian education director’s salary. The projected expense amount through September is either about $184,000 or $191,000. Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report will be delayed until that amount is checked. St. John’s was the designated recipient of memorial funds for a couple of recent funerals, and some donations are still coming in.
Rector’s Discretionary Account
Pastor Orr distributed a report on the third quarter of the Rector’s Discretionary Account. Greg Lawrence moved that the report be accepted. Frank So seconded, and the motion passed.
Parish Bank Accounts
Gale Michael made a motion to approve updating the list of signers on parish bank accounts to include Kristin, Audrey, and Frank. There was a second from R.J. VanSwol, and the motion passed.
Information
Rector’s Report
Seventeen units of blood were collected yesterday at the annual parish blood drive. That is down a bit from past years. Thanks to Donna Blackburn for coordinating the event. The rector will host her annual All Saints open house at the rectory on November 4th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
Alison Deniston is taking the lead on the annual Cookie Walk, which will take place on December 1st.
We are blessed by Michael Soto’s presence as music director. Thanks to the committee and choir for the extra work they put in during the search process.
Tracie Moxley, who has been functioning as the interim office manager, has been a huge asset in the office.
Youth worship is getting underway next Sunday. One Sunday per month there will be no separate youth worship, and families will worship together.
Little Hands children’s ministry is re-starting. Pastor Orr would like the children to spearhead the advertising and sign-up process for the Christmas basket program.
Clay is interested in easing into retirement from his position as parish treasurer. He expects to continue on until the spring.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
There were no reports.
Upcoming Parish Events
The Rev. Jim Steen, Director of Ministries for the diocese, will visit St. John’s on November 4th to meet with parishioners and deliver the sermon. Diocesan convention is coming up on November 16th and 17th.
Discussion and Decisions
Planning for the October 21st Town Hall Meeting
Pastor Orr reminded the vestry that the primary goal of the meeting is to promote good communication regarding the access project.Susan Marquis will take notes to remind the vestry of the ideas discussed.
Following a discussion about what to include and how to present the information, Pastor Orr suggested an agenda:
- She and two or three vestry members will speak briefly about why we are excited and motivated about the project. Gale, Candice, R.J., Mark, Greg, and Audrey volunteered.
- Frank will do a presentation/summary of the fact sheet. An enlarged copy of the architectural drawings will be on display.
- Anne will present specific questions about why the project would be important to parishioners.
- A period for parishioners to ask questions about what they don’t understand and to make comments.
- Summary
Discussion of 2012 Pledge Campaign
The rector stated that the type of pledge campaign that we have done in the last two years has worked pretty well. She said, further, that we could ask people to share in writing, on a board, things that they are grateful for. Mark Moxley said that the children would like to share what they are grateful for, too. The rector asked if the vestry wants to have stewardship speakers on Sundays. The speakers remind people that giving is a spiritual discipline for individuals as well as a financial need for the parish.
Pastor Orr suggested that Pledge Sunday be scheduled for November 18th. Mailings will go out as soon as the pledge cards can be printed.
Several people volunteered to speak on Sundays:
October 28th – Greg Lawrence – both services
November 4th – Mark Moxley at 8:00 AM and R.J. VanSwol at 10:00 AM
November 11th – Audrey Ongman – at both services
Closing
Following prayer, the meeting ended at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis, clerk
Approved: November 19, 2012
