Vestry Meeting Minutes

December 2020 Vestry Minutes

By December 15, 2020 December 30th, 2020 No Comments

St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church | Vestry Meeting Minutes | December 15, 2020

Vestry Members Present
Joe DeuPree, Rector’s Warden
Michael Legacy, Vestry’s Warden
Andrew Besterman
Kathy Carson
Todd Frary
Steven Lee
Pamala Gilliland
John Van Buskirk
Randy Hering, 2021 Vestry
Lisa Pearson, 2021 Vestry
Ruth Woodward, 2021 Vestry

Staff Present
Fr. Christopher Thomas, Rector
Allen Junek, Seminarian-in-Residence

Officers Present
Mike Gsell, Treasurer
Paul McCright, Clerk
Rusty Rippamonti, Vice Chancellor

Summary
These minutes contain the following Vestry actions:

  1. Motion to accept the financial report for October.
  2. Motion to the transfer of $5000 from the General Fund to the Capital Maintenance Fund.
  3. Motion to set the Church’s annual meeting for January 17, 2021 following the worship service.
  4. Motion to accept the 2021 Budget as presented.
  5. Motion to accept the proposal from the Outreach Committee for the allocation of 2020 St. Thomas Outreach funds.
  6. Motion to fill by Vestry appointment the final year of Vestry term due to a resignation.
  7. Motions to extend the Vestry’s thanks to several Ex-Officio Members of the Vestry for their years of service to the Vestry and the Church.

Note: We are unable to meet in person due to the Covid-19 common sense physical distancing restrictions placed by authorities of the government and church.

Narrative
1. CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER – Rector
The Vestry meeting was called to order on Zoom at 7:05 p.m. with prayer by Fr. Christopher. The following agenda was covered during the meeting.

2. RESOURCE PERSON FOR MEETING NAMED – John Van Buskirk

3. SHARED THOUGHTS
Each person had the opportunity to offer up details concerning their lives. Stephen mentioned that Covid vaccines had been received at Parkland today. A positive general discussion indicated widespread hope that the pandemic would be mitigated with the vaccines. Everyone reported doing well personally.

4. FINANCIAL REPORTS – Treasurer
The October financial reports were distributed to Vestry members via email. Mike Gsell gave the following report:
For the month of October we had a net gain of $7,716 across all funds. This decreases the YTD loss to $28,104. The General Fund YTD loss for the 10 months YTD was $27,257 which compares to an anticipated budget shortfall of $79,102 for the YTD period.

  • Pledge income was above budget by $6,914 for the month. Pledge income is now $3,418 above budget YTD.
  • The deficit in Building Use Donations now stands at $10,793 YTD
  • The value of the Endowment Fund fell slightly – down $1,820 for the month but remains positive for the year – up $6,754.
  • Maint – Grounds + Water (GL 5148) was higher than budget due mainly to a Gonzo Sprinkler Repair bill in the amount of $1,180

The last of the November statements should be arriving shortly and I will have the November report out ASAP.
Motion to accept the Financial Report for October.
Moved by Michael Legacy
Seconded by Todd Frary
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

5. CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FUND TRANSFER – Legacy

We transfer money each year into this fund to pay for improvement projects that are beyond normal maintenance.

Motion to the transfer of $5000 from the General Fund to the Capital Maintenance Fund.
Moved by Michael Legacy
Seconded by Pamala Gilliland
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

6. RECTOR’S REPORT – Fr. Christopher

  • We’ve had discussions concerning the understanding between the rector, the church, and the seminarian about the seminarian-in-residence program.
  • Fr. Christopher noted that we need to begin planning the annual meeting. He suggesting setting the meeting for Jan. 17, the third Sunday in January. This would be primarily a celebration of all we have accomplished during 2020 in spite of the Covid pandemic. He wants us to have a celebration together. Rusty Rippamonti explained the regulations regarding the annual meeting. Joe DeuPree noted that in the past each guild head shares a report of the year’s activities along with the annual budget. Joe mentioned the rector and wardens present reports and the budget is presented for information only. Rusty can send out the requirements for the particular reports. The meeting will follow that Sunday worship service.
  • The investiture of the new Vestry members and Church officers can be held within the meeting or at a different time.

Motion to set the Church’s annual meeting for January 17, 2021 following the worship service.
Moved by Joe DeuPree
Seconded by Kathy Carson
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

  • A short executive session was held.

7. BUDGET PRESENTATION – Legacy
The proposed budget was presented by Michael Legacy. He discussed the points of the budget in some detail and answered all questions. No objections were made.

Fr. Christopher thanked Michael and the entire Budget Committee (Joe DeuPree, Michael Legacy, Ruth Woodward, Martha Blair, Mike Gsell, David Hess, Randy Hering, and Fr. Christopher), for their hard work.

Motion to accept the 2021 Budget as presented.
Moved by Joe DeuPree
Seconded by Stephen Lee
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

8. JUNIOR WARDEN’S REPORT – Legacy

  • The trees in front of the building will be trimmed before Christmas and the dying tree will be removed.
  • We are talking with the insurance company to cover the repair of the organ. The adjustor will determine the reimbursement amount and we will proceed with the repairs.

9. SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT – DeuPree

  • Lambda AA will remove all their furniture from the South Room on Saturday morning.
  • The representative of a much smaller AA group has contacted Joe regarding using the South Room for holding AA meetings. This group has a once weekly meeting from 8:30 to 9:30 on Saturday mornings. The payment would be $25 per week. Joe is negotiating with the representative. Consensus was for Joe to proceed.
  • With the departure of the Treasurer, we will need to pay for the service. Joe has a lead on a person with many years of experience in church accounting. She would be contract labor to provide 6-10 hours per month at the rate of $50 per hour. This is a next logical step in the growth of the Church. She will be meeting with Mike, who will help with the transition if she takes this position. If this happens, Joe will present an agreement to the Vestry for a vote.
  • The minutes of the Endowment Fund Committee’s December meeting have been sent to the Vestry.

10. REPORT FROM OUTREACH COMMITTEE – DeuPree
The Outreach Committee consists of Pamala Gilliland, Kathy Carson, Michael Legacy, Joe DeuPree, Keith Carney, Stephen Toon, and Fr. Christopher. This year the Church has allocated $10,000 for distribution in outreach to the community.
The Committee sent letters solicitating proposals to organizations that need support. Based on requests for support, the Committee recommends distribution of the 2020 Outreach Fund as follows:

  • $3,000 to support food box preparation by the EDOD and the Greater Dallas Coalition.
  • $1,000 to support the annual Christmas toys program of Dallas Children in Need, another partnership between EDOD and the Greater Dallas Coalition.
  • $3,500 plus the old commercial range from the Church’s kitchen to the Inspired Vision and Compassion Center, which provides food, clothing, medical supplies, etc. to families in need. St. Thomas’ contribution will support programming needs and help to feed the 50-75 volunteers who help daily.
  • $2,500 to Promise House, which serves LGBTQ youth, especially the homeless, and has a residential program. Promise House is planning to add a second residence.

Motion to accept these proposals for the allocation of 2020 St. Thomas Outreach funds.
Moved by Joe DeuPree
Seconded by John Van Buskirk
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

11. REPLACEMENT FOR RESIGNED VESTRY MEMBER – DeuPree & Rippamonti
Jack McCroskey has resigned from the Vestry and we need a replacement. His term runs until the end of 2021, so the term will be a one-year appointment.

Motion to appoint Murray Followill to fulfill the remainder of the one-year term. If Murray declines, the position will be offered to David Hess.
Moved by Stephen Lee
Seconded by Kathy Carson
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

12. THANKS TO EX-OFFICIO VESTRY OFFICERS – DeuPree

Be it resolved, that the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle wishes to take this opportunity to express its utmost gratitude to our wonderful Treasurer Mike Gsell for his three years of service to the parish and its members.

Motion to approve this resolution.
Moved by Michael Legacy
Seconded by Pamala Gilliland
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

Be it resolved, that the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle wishes to take this opportunity to express its utmost gratitude to our wonderful Chancellor Denise Webb Glass for her many years of service to the parish and its members.

Motion to adopt this resolution.
Moved by John Van Buskirk
Seconded by Stephen Lee
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

Be it resolved, that the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle wishes to take this opportunity to express its utmost gratitude to our wonderful Assistant Treasurer Wynne Voorhees for his years of service as both Treasurer and currently Assistant Treasurer for the parish and its members.

Motion to adopt this resolution.
Moved by Joe DeuPree
Seconded by Kathy Carson
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

Be it resolved, that the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle wishes to take this opportunity to express its utmost gratitude to our wonderful Assistant Chancellor Russell Rippamonti for his many years of service as both Chancellor and currently Assistant Chancellor for the parish and its members.

Motion to adopt this resolution.
Moved by Andrew Besterman
Seconded by John Van Buskirk
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

Be it resolved, that the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle wishes to take this opportunity to express its utmost gratitude to our wonderful Vestry Clerk Paul McCright for his two years of service to the parish and its members.

Motion to adopt this resolution.
Moved by Kathy Carson
Seconded by Stephen Lee
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.

13. RESOURCE PERSON FOR JANUARY MEETING
Andrew Besterman was appointed Resource Person for the January Vestry Meeting.

14. CLOSING PRAYER
Fr. Christopher closed the meeting with a prayer and blessing.

15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Respectfully submitted,
Paul McCright, Clerk