Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - October 20, 2014

Formation

Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving & 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 junior warden, Diane Walsh-Madden; vestry members Nichole Dailor, Bob DeOliveira, Steve Hofer, Gale Michael, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, and Jim Whitfield; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Senior warden Bill Bestow, and vestry members Mark Moxley and Hans Zigmund were absent.

Stewardship

Minutes
Gale Michael moved to accept the minutes from the September meeting. Nichole Dailor seconded, and the motion was passed.

Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett had nothing to add to the information and report that she sent out by e-mail. Bob DeOliveira moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, and Gale Michael seconded. The motion was approved. 

Rector’s Discretionary Fund Report
Before the meeting, Pastor Orr distributed the third quarter Rector’s Discretionary Fund Report by e-mail. Steve Hofer moved to accept the report, and Diane Walsh-Madden seconded. The motion passed.

Information

Rector’s Report
The church web page is almost ready to go online publicly, and the vestry should look at it. Its primary audience is expected to be visitors, although there is information for parishioners as well. Pastor Orr expressed thanks to Jordan Ramsland for his huge investment of time and commitment in re-doing the website.  Following a discussion about the best way to keep acolyte parents updated on the acolyte schedule and frequent changes to that schedule, the vestry agreed that sending e-mails would be most preferable for both the office and the parents.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
Diane Walsh-Madden thanked the acolyte moms for their flexibility in changing the serving schedule when commitment conflicts arise. She also thanked Jim Whitfield for all of the work he has been doing on the lift project.

Upcoming Parish Events
November 2nd - Baptism of Sarah Skorupa during the 10:00 AM service
November 2nd -Blue Jeans Sunday. After the 10:00 AM service, parishioners are asked to work on raking the church property.
November 2nd – Rectory open house from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM
November 3rd – All Soul’s Day service at 7:00 PM to remember the faithful departed in our own lives. A table will be set up in front of the altar where people can put objects that are unique to the spirit of those they are remembering.
November 9th – Loaves and Fishes potluck after the 10:00 AM service

Discussion and Decisions

Lift Project Update
Pastor Orr asked the vestry to think about a way to formally launch the new lift. She also reminded the vestry that they approved doing the painting in order to save money that otherwise would go to hired painters. The dates for painting are as yet unknown. Overall, the project is moving along on schedule.
Steve Hofer moved that handicapped access signs be placed in the outdoor bulletin board on Park Avenue and on the entrances to the church. Gale Michael seconded the motion, and it was approved. Steve will research signage.

Annual Pledge Campaign
The discussion included the following ideas regarding the importance of pledging: We should invite people to be generous. Pastor Orr remembered a parishioner in a former church who said, “Lights and salaries don’t have anything to do with it. This is what I need to do because of who I am.” All kinds of ministries exist because this parish exists. Ministry is God’s work. Pledging is not the same as giving to charity. The church is different because we are living the ministry we are called to do in taking care of one another. We validate each other through ministry.
The discussion then moved to deciding how to communicate these ideas to the parish, and how to cherish and celebrate the spiritual value of St. John’s. The vestry decided on a slogan, “Count your blessings. Share your blessings,” with perhaps another to-be-determined line added at the end. Vestry members will witness the importance of pledging by speaking for two-to-three minutes during the Sunday services and by submitting a brief written paragraph to be published in the “e-vangelist.” The rector will prepare a mailing that includes a cover letter along with an information sheet and pledge card.
The speaker schedule is as follows:
October 23rd – Patti Pohrte
November 9th – Jim Whitfield
November 16th – Steve Hofer at 8:00 AM and Bob DeOliveira at 10:00 AM.
The written paragraphs will appear in the “e-vangelist” on the following dates:
For October 26th – Nichole Dailor, Patti Pohrte, and Diane Walsh-Madden
For November 9th – Bill Bestow, Steve Hofer, Ted Stone, and Jim Whitfield
For November 16th – Bob DeOliveira, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and Hans Zigmund
Pledge Sunday is November 23rd.

Closing
The meeting ended with prayer at 9:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  November 17, 2014