Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - June 17, 2013

Formation

Evening Prayer and Thanksgivings & Prayer Requests
The vestry assembled in the church for evening prayer at 7:00 PM followed by offered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.

Attendance
Present at the meeting were: the rector, Kristin Orr; the senior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Bob Berner, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, Mark Moxley, Patti Pohrte, and Jim Whitfield; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. The junior warden, Bill Bestow, and vestry members Greg Lawrence and Gale Michael were absent.

Parish Stewardship

Approval of Minutes from the May Meeting
Pastor Orr noticed two errors in the minutes. First, the vestry met in the undercroft for evening prayer rather than in the church. Second, The treasurer’s report showed a budget shortfall rather than debt. Audrey Ongman moved that the minutes be approved as corrected, and Steve Hofer seconded that motion. The motion passed. [The clerk submitted a corrected copy of the minutes to the rector.]

Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that revenues are pacing ahead of expectations; although a drop-off is expected, as usual, during summer vacations. We have caught up with recent repair expenses. The insurance increase this year was due to a billing procedure rather than a significant yearly increase. That is, the insurance company bills 35% of the total in the first quarter. The bills for the remaining quarters will be lower. 

Information

Rector’s Report
Pastor Orr reminded the vestry that she will be on vacation for three weeks from July 16 th through August 6th. . During that time the wardens and the office manager will be in charge. Chuck Hensel will serve as supply priest for all three Sundays.
The rector expressed gratitude to our Diocesan Convention delegates for their recent work on reunification with the Diocese of Quincy.
Work has begun on a new acolyte composite photo.
As of the first Sunday in July, the 7:40 AM Sunday Morning Prayer service will be cancelled.
There are two trees on the church property that need to be removed: an apple tree in the back yard of the rectory and an evergreen outside of the education wing on the street side. The rector will get estimates for the work.
Pastor Orr expressed thanks for the work of Audrey Ongman and Mary Agnes Long who lead the Wednesday morning bible study class. The class has been suspended for the summer but will resume in September.

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

Upcoming Parish Events
The annual Community Ice Cream Social will be held on St. John’s south lawn on July 4th after the Flossmoor parade.
The annual Fall Jubilation and Ministry Fair will be held on September 8th.

Discussion and Decisions

Meeting with Barry Berg
On June 15th, Pastor Orr, Patti Pohrte, and Cyndie Knoll met with former parishioners Barry Berg and his sister, Patty Berg. They discussed repairs and changes to the outdoor altar area, which involves projects such as replacing stones that have degraded and possibly making plans to triple the columbarium space. The Bergs were involved in the original work and were grateful that we asked for their opinions just as we are grateful for their interest and input. Barry, who is an architect, will do some sketching and get back to us.

Accessibility
The Accessibility Sub-Committee has not met in the past month, although members have done some work independently. They hope to put together some information for the August vestry meeting. Steve Hofer noted that recently he had been in a church with nicer and newer chair lifts, which seemed to work better than what we have.

Outreach
Pastor Orr asked for reports from the vestry on what ideas about new outreach projects have emerged from vestry conversations with parishioners. No one had any input. This issue will be discussed again at the August meeting.

Closing
As ever, there will be no July vestry meeting. The treasurer will send out the June financial report by e-mail. The next meeting is on August 19th.
After prayer, the meeting ended at 8:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  August 19, 2013