Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - February 15, 2016

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: the rector Kristin Orr; the senior warden Anne Edwards, the junior warden Steve Hofer; vestry members Bob Burgwald, Rob Carrier, Alice Creason, Randy Oyster, Ted Stone, and Zoltan Sziky; the treasurer Debbi Huggett, and the clerk Susan Marquis Absent: Cynthia Turnquest, Nichole Dailor, and Hans Zigmund

Parish Stewardship

Minutes
Anne Edwards moved to accept the minutes from the December meeting. Rob Carrier seconded, four people who were not at the meeting abstained, and the motion was approved. Bob Burgwald moved to accept the January budget meeting minutes, Rob Carrier seconded, four people who were not at the meeting abstained, and the motion was approved.

Treasurer’s Report
At the end of the year 2015, Debbi Huggett expected a $5,000 deficit, but instead there was a $7,000 surplus thanks to savings from lower utility bills from mild weather, fewer repairs than expected, and unspent youth and family ministry funds. Even though the revenues came in $2,600 below budget, the savings in other areas made up for it. The church did well in collecting 98% of pledges from last year. Rob Carrier moved to accept the December treasurer’s report. Bob Burgwald seconded, and the motion passed.

Revisit of 2016 Budget
The prior vestry approved a budget in January, but the vestry unknowingly did not have all of the correct numbers available at that meeting. The total amount budgeted for salaries that was approved in January was mistakenly too low. Pastor Orr reviewed the budget that had been approved. The numbers in question were for paid support staff, that is, the office manager, music director, sexton, and nursery director. Referring to the correct numbers, Debbi Huggett presented three options for salaries with effective dates of March 2016. The options were for across-the-board increases of 0%, 1%, and 2%, all of which would result in deficit budgeting. At this point, it is traditional for the rector to leave the room whenever the vestry considers the rector’s salary, so Pastor Orr left, and Anne Edwards led the discussion that included the information that this year’s estimated cost-of-living increase is 0% and that the support staff receive a higher salary than they would receive in other similar positions elsewhere. That information, coupled with a deficit budget, led Alice Creason to make a motion to keep all salaries and benefits at the 2015 level for March through December 2016. Rob Carrier seconded the motion that then unanimously was approved by vote. Pastor Orr re- joined the group. Approval of the January treasurer’s report was deferred because it must be re-worked.

Rector’s Discretionary Account Report
Pastor Orr distributed the Rector’s Discretionary Account Report for the fourth quarter of 2015. An error was noted: the disbursements should have been $150 rather than $0. Steve Hofer moved to accept the report as corrected. Rob Carrier seconded, and the motion passed.

Signers for Church Accounts
With the new vestry in place, we need a new set of authorized people to sign checks from the two church bank accounts. Rob Carrier moved to authorize Anne Edwards (senior warden) as the primary signer, Steve Hofer (junior warden) as the secondary signer, and Kristin Orr (rector) as the emergency signer. Alice Creason seconded the motion, which then passed on a vote. 

Information

Rector’s Report
-Pastor Orr asked the vestry, and especially new members, to submit short autobiographies to her by Thursday of this week. These will be collected and made available as a document that helps parishioners better know their vestry members.
-Pastor Orr distributed copies of the diocese’s policies on alcohol and gambling.
-Pastor Orr distributed guidelines for leadership and board functioning, and the vestry read aloud the lists of positive and negative actions.
-The door from the parking lot to the guild room hallway has been replaced, although it is not yet keyed to match existing church keys. When the door is unlocked it remains unlocked and needs to be re-locked with a key. The door can be fitted with an automatic opener in the future.

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

Upcoming Parish Events
This year’s Lenten Study Series begins this Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The topic is the psalms and their use throughout history.

Discussion and Decisions

Columbarium Project
Pastor Orr is working on acquiring additional funding for the project. The vestry will explore this more at the next meeting.

Church History Project
Steve Hofer has volunteered to spearhead the writing of an extensive church history. He will post information in the undercroft meeting room about the project and about what information is being sought.

Vestry Retreat
All vestry members present are able to meet for the annual vestry retreat on Saturday, April 2nd from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Pastor Orr will contact absent members about this date.

Closing

Following prayer, the meeting ended at 9:17 PM. The next meeting will be held on March 21st.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry

Approved by the vestry:  March 21, 2016

Announcements for March 27

Easter Services
Easter Services follow the regular Sunday Schedule with services at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.  All are welcome!

Easter Egg Hunt
Weather permitting an Easter egg hunt will be held on the front lawn for the children of the parish following the 10:00 AM service this Sunday, Easter Sunday. Please bring your own collection basket. If the weather is bad, the hunt will be held indoors in the education wing.

Sunday School Classes on Vacation
Sunday School classes are on vacation this Sunday, March 27. They will resume April 3.

Easter Flowers
It’s not too late to contribute to the beautiful lilies and flowers that adorn the church for Easter. Easter flower envelopes are in the pews. Contributions may be in memory of a loved one, in thanksgiving, or purely to the Glory of God.

Reflection for March 27, Easter Sunday

Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see. O death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen! (John Chrysostom, Easter Sermon, circa 400 A.D.).

Holy Week and Easter Services

Palm Sunday, March 20           

                             7:55 a.m.         Blessing of the Palms; Outdoor Altar

                             8:00 a.m.       The Holy Eucharist; Church

                                    Christian Formation classes will not meet.

                             9:40 a.m.       Blessing of the Palms; Outdoor Altar and procession around Flossmoor

                             10:00 a.m.       The Holy Eucharist; Church

Monday in Holy Week, March 21

                             7:00 p.m.       The Holy Eucharist

Tuesday in Holy Week, March 22

                             7:00 p.m.       The Holy Eucharist

Wednesday in Holy Week, March 23

                             9:00 a.m.       The Holy Eucharist with Healing

                             7:00 p.m.       The Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday, March 24

                             6:30 p.m.       The Holy Eucharist (with foot washing for those who wish), followed by the agape meal and stripping of the altar

                             8:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Friday)  

                                    Prayer Vigil and Watch at the altar of repose

Good Friday, March 25

                             12:00 p.m.       The Proper Liturgy for Good Friday

                                    (For those who wish to participate in the Proper Liturgy for Good Friday, but prefer an evening service, it will be offered at 7:00 p.m. at Church of the Holy Family in Park Forest.)

                             7:00 p.m.       Good Friday vespers

Easter Eve, Saturday, March 26

                             8:00 p.m.       The Great Vigil of Easter

Easter Day, March 27

            8:00 a.m.            The Holy Eucharist

                        Christian Formation classes will not meet.

            10:00 a.m.            The Holy Eucharist

                        Followed by an Easter egg hunt for children on the front lawn.

Announcements for March 20

Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets this Monday, March 21, following the 7:00 PM celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Palm Sunday is This Sunday – Come Early for the Blessing of the Palms 
The Liturgy (Blessing) of the Palms precedes each service. Weather permitting, we will gather at the outdoor altar for the blessing of the palms, then process to the church. For the early service, the Liturgy of the Palms begins at 7:55; for the later service, the Liturgy of the Palms begins at 9:40.

Sign up for the Watch
In commemoration of Jesus’ final night in the Garden of Gethsemane, it is our custom to keep watch over the Reserved Sacrament throughout the night following the Maundy Thursday evening service until noon on Good Friday. Shifts are for one hour. A sign up sheet is located in the back of the church.

Holy Week Services
We worship as a faithful community every day during Holy Week. A schedule was mailed with the Easter letter. Print copies are available on the information tables.

Youth Group Meets This Sunday at 4:00 PM
Create something beautiful! Bring a friend to the undercroft and wear clothes you don’t care about. Sometimes things have to get messy to arrive at the beautiful (sort of like the whole Lenten season). Call/text Dee McManamy with your t-shirt size (and your friend’s) if you haven’t already.

Help Prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt
Parishioners of all ages are asked to help fill Easter eggs during coffee hour this Sunday. Stop by the Conference Room to help out, so we can prepare for a fabulous Easter egg hunt.

Sunday School Classes on Vacation
Sunday School classes are on vacation this Sunday, March 20, and Easter Sunday, March 27. They will resume April 3.

Reflection for March 20

As Jesus road along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him. “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out” (Luke 19:36-40).

Announcements for March 13

Daylight Saving Time Begins THIS Sunday, March 13
Please remember to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

Fish Fry Reservations Due by Tuesday
The 8th annual Lenten Fish Fry is coming March 18. Blues musician Smiley Tillmon will provide entertainment. Dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Tickets are $12/adults; $5/children 12 and under, payable at the door. Please call the parish office by this Tuesday, March 15, to make your reservations.

Palm Sunday is Next Sunday – Come Early for the Blessing of the Palms
The Liturgy (Blessing) of the Palms precedes each service. Weather permitting, we will gather at the outdoor altar for the blessing of the palms, then process to the church. For the early service, the Liturgy of the Palms begins at 7:55; for the later service, the Liturgy of the Palms begins at 9:40.

Help Write the History of St. John’s 
Junior Warden Steve Hofer is working on compiling a history of St. John’s. Many of you have information and stories to contribute. Look for the display in the Conference Room in the Undercroft and let Steve know how you can help.

Lent Study Series: Guest Speaker Rabbi Harari
This year the Rector’s study series for Lent is looking at the Psalms used as prayers in worship. Classes are Wednesday evenings, beginning at 7:00 PM in the church. This Wednesday we’re excited to welcome Rabbi Carmit Harari to discuss the use of the psalms in Jewish worship.

Grande Prairie Singers Concert This Sunday
Grande Prairie Singers say “Vive la France!” with their next concert at 4 PM, Sunday, March 13, at Flossmoor Community Church. The concert includes Faure's “Requiem” and organ selections by our own Michael Soto. For tickets, see Bob or Betsy Burgwald.

Reflection for March 13

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book Creation and Fall, probes why both the tree of life and the tree of forbidden fruit are placed in the center of the Garden of Eden. The reason, he concludes, is that the center is where God belongs in our lives. Like Adam, we may end up treating God as if God were at the periphery. But where there is no center, or where we become the center, the circumference of life disappears. Emptiness of purpose and shallowness of faith, which lend only vague and fuzzy feelings about God, are signs that something is wrong at the center (Peter W. Marty, “Point of reference,” Christian Century, March 2, 2016).

Announcements for March 6

Make Your Reservations for the Fish Fry
The 8th annual Lenten Fish Fry is coming March 18. Blues musician Smiley Tillmon will provide entertainment. Service is from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Tickets are $12/adults; $5/children 12 and under, payable at the door. Please call the parish office by March 15 to make your reservations.

Help Write the History of St. John’s
Junior Warden Steve Hofer is working on compiling a history of St. John’s. Many of you have information and stories to contribute. Look for the display in the Conference Room in the Undercroft and let Steve know how you can help.

Lent Study Series
This year the Rector’s study series for Lent is looking at the Psalms used as prayers in worship. Classes are Wednesday evenings, beginning February at 7:00 PM in the church. This Wednesday the class will explore different ways that the Psalms are utilized in worship in the Book of Common Prayer.

Loaves & Fishes
This Sunday Loaves and Fishes will offer brunch this Sunday, March 6, following the 10:00 AM service. Pot-luck sides and desserts are always welcome. The main dish will be provided. All are welcome!

Grande Prairie Singers Concert
Grande Prairie Singers say “Vive la France!” with their next concert at 4 PM, Sunday, March 13, at Flossmoor Community Church. The concert includes Faure's “Requiem” and organ selections by our own Michael Soto. For tickets, see Bob or Betsy Burgwald.

Yarn Ministry
The knitting/crocheting group will meet Monday, March 7, at 7:00 PM in the Guild Room.

Reflection for March 6

This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also as time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265).