Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - December 15

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

Stewardship

Minutes
Bill Bestow moved to accept the minutes from the November meeting. Nichole Dailor seconded, and the motion was passed.

Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that approximately $94,000 has been paid toward the lift so far with about $17,000 in outstanding bills. Pastor Orr said that the only outside work left to do on the lift project is staining the doors, and that work will start tomorrow. The parish needs to do a little more painting and moving things around.
Ms. Huggett noted that the favorable funds in her report largely are due to the unused Youth and Family Ministry payroll.
Gale Michael made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, and Diane Walsh-Madden seconded. The motion was approved.

Information

Rector’s Report
Pledges have been coming in well, and a significant number of people raised their pledge amount this year. A few more pledges are likely to be coming in soon. About a week ago printed reminder cards were sent out to those who have not yet turned in their pledge cards. 
For the upcoming budget meeting, Pastor Orr reminded the vestry that most budget items cannot be cut any further. The discretionary items include Christian education/youth programming, potential cost-of-living salary increases, and the diocesan pledge. We will have to pay for an annual lift inspection after the first year as well as about $40.00 per month for an emergency phone in the lift. Regular phone charges will be increasing as well.
Pastor Orr expressed thanks for the work of the diocesan convention delegates as well as to everyone who participated in the Cookie Walk, and especially the coordinator, Alison Deniston.
After having completed many hours of coursework through the diocese, Debbi Huggett is now a Certified Church Treasurer.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Other Parish Organizations
Diane Walsh-Madden wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Upcoming Events
December 24th:Christmas Eve service with pageant at 4:00 PM, and Christmas Eve service at 10:30 PM (with music starting at 10:00 PM)
December 25th: Christmas Day service at 10:00 AM
January 3rd: The Feast hosted by the vestry
January 4th: vestry budget meeting during coffee hour
January 18th: annual parish meeting

Discussions and Decisions

Gale Michael reminded vestry members to commit to work on The Feast by signing up for specific hours and tasks. In preparation for the next meeting, Pastor Orr asked the vestry to think about things that need to be done around the church building, such as addressing the need for columbarium space.
The nominating committee decided to meet at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 17th.

Closing

The meeting closed with prayer at 8:45 PM. The next regular vestry meeting will be held on February 16th.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis,
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved:  February 16, 2015