Minutes of Vestry Meeting - August 19, 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; the junior warden, Bill Bestow; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and Jim Whitfield; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Vestry members Greg Lawrence, Patti Pohrte and Bob Berner were absent.

Parish Stewardship

Approval of Minutes from the June Meeting
Anne Edwards moved that the June minutes be approved. A vote was taken after a second from Gale Michael, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report for June and July
Debbi Huggett reported that collections always slow down in the summer, and this summer is no exception. They will be picking up again. There was a large office expense for toner. We made money on the Ice Cream Social in spite of buying two new tents. Nothing in the financial report is particularly out of line. Gale Michael made a motion to accept the report. Jim Whitfield seconded, and the motion passed.
The rector distributed copies of the second quarter Rector’s Discretionary Fund Report. There have been more contributions since Pastor Orr’s explanation of/appeal for funds. Audrey Ongman moved to accept the report and Mark Moxley seconded. The motion passed.

Information

Rector’s Report
Nursery Director Marilyn Enright has not been well, but her strength seems to be returning. It is unclear at present whether or not she will be returning to her position at St. John’s. 
Pastor Orr continues in leadership positions for the Joliet Deanery and the South Suburban Ministerial Association.
Both independent diocesan conventions approved the reunion of the dioceses of Quincy and Chicago.
A diocesan block party is scheduled on Sunday afternoon, September 15th to celebrate the newly renovated diocesan center. Pastor Orr will put out sign-up sheets for those interested in attending and car-pooling.
The rector has ramped up ads in the diocesan website for our Christian Education Director position. She also has sent ads to seminaries.
Pastor Orr is tentatively scheduling her fourth week of vacation near Thanksgiving. She thanked everyone who helped keep St. John’s running during her summer vacation.

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

Upcoming Parish Events
The annual back-to-school blessing of the backpacks will be held during the 10:00 AM service on August 25th.
The Jubilation and Ministry Fair is planned for coffee hour on September 8th.
 Bishop Lee will visit St. John’s on September 29th and will hold a forum at 9:00 AM. There will be a vestry event after the 10:00 AM service.

Discussion and Decisions 

Trees 
Pastor Orr received an estimate from Care of Trees to remove a dead spruce, a dying apple tree, and an infected ash from church property and to prune a sugar maple and a Norway maple at a total cost of $1,520. Steve Hofer moved that the proposal be accepted. Mark Moxley seconded, and the motion carried.

Preliminary Stewardship Conversation 
Pastor Orr reminded members of the vestry that they are stewards of the parish.

Update on Outreach Conversations with Parishioners
Two suggestions were reported:
We should be giving more to the Rich Township food pantry, and We could contact a woman from Trinity Wall Street who runs a program that helps parishes connect with schools in need.

Review of Parish Calendar
The vestry received draft copies of the parish calendar. Pastor Orr drew attention to St. John’s Feast on January 4th and reminded everyone that this is a vestry-hosted event, and all should plan to help.

Update on Columbarium Expansion and Accessibility Work
There is no news on architectural plans. Steve Hofer has done some research on a simple vertical lift system to provide access to all three levels of the church. The cost is a fraction of what an elevator would cost. The system itself is less than $30,000. Another $40,000 to $50,000 would be needed for construction, electric, and plumbing work. Steve will attend the next Accessibility Sub-Committee meeting.

Closing 

Following prayer, the meeting ended at 8:25 PM.
The next meeting will be held on September 16th.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  September 16, 2013