Vestry Meeting Minutes

May 2021 Vestry Minutes

By June 1, 2021 July 22nd, 2021 No Comments

St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church | Vestry Meeting Minutes |  May 18, 2021

Vestry Members Present

Joe DeuPree, Senior Warden

Michael Legacy, Junior Warden

Andrew Besterman

Kathy Carson

Murray Followill

Randy Hering

David Hess

Lisa Pearson

Staff Present

Officers Present

Paul McCright, Clerk

Rusty Rippamonti, Chancellor

Absent

Ruth Woodward

Father Christopher Thomas, Rector

Allen Junek, Seminarian-in-Residence

Summary

These minutes contain the following Vestry actions:

  • Motion to permit CODA to use the North Room on Wednesday evenings.

Narrative

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER Michael Legacy 

The first face-to-face Vestry meeting since March 2020 was called to order at 6:58 p.m. by Jr. Warden Michael Legacy, who opened the meeting with a prayer.  The following agenda was covered during the meeting.

  1. RESOURCE PERSON FOR MEETING NAMED – Lisa Pearson
  2. SHARED THOUGHTS

Each person had the opportunity to say anything that is on their mind. A range of topics was discussed, including:

< Experiences with meeting back in person.  It was noted that things are still in flux at this time.

< Responsibilities of the Resource Person were briefly reviewed.

< Possibility of having an in-person retreat being held later this year.  Suggestion to return to the previous pattern of a Friday night social and full retreat on Saturday.

< The impact of the pandemic on each of us, especially the social isolation involved.

< Desire to reinstitute the Foyer Groups soon; Michael Legacy to continue as facilitator.  < Suggestion to feature significant church communications separate from the Doubter in order to gain more attention.

< Suggestion to revisit the Church budget to see how well it is being met as we come out of the pandemic.  This is the normal practice at mid-year.

  1. FINANCIAL REPORTS           Treasurer

There are continuing issues with availability of monthly financial reports at this time.  The inclusion of money from the Endowment Fund is not normally included in the income for General Fund.  Removing that leaves the 1st Quarter balance to be in the red relative to the Pledges for the year.  No action taken on the partial financial report.

  1. RECTOR’S REPORT Rector

Fr. Christopher is on vacation.  No report this month.

  1. THOUGHTS ON VESTRY RETREAT All

< A member shared that the second day was very packed with information.

< The general feeling was that it was a good start at bringing hidden situations out into the open.

< It was very positive.

< It felt very rushed to cover so much in the short time provided.

< Request to add an additional meeting time to continue the process.

  1. JUNIOR WARDEN’S REPORT

< Despite the rain, all the planned plantings have been done.

< There are several lights burned out and will be replaced soon.

< A large set of handbells has arrived, but we have no place to properly store them.  The set includes stands and other accessories.  They will be temporarily stored in the North Room, but this is not terribly secure.  General discussion concerning the benefit of having a handbell choir in the Church.

  1. SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT DeuPree

< CODA’s return: CODA had met on Wednesday evenings in the North Room for many, many years prior to the pandemic.  They now wish to meet again on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 weekly.  This is a very small group that could offer an offering in lieu of rent.  Rusty noted we will need a simple agreement; he will draft one.  All key-holders must take the Safe Church training.

Motion to permit CODA to have a contract to meet on Wednesdays in the North Room.

Moved by Michael Legacy

Seconded by Andrew Besterman

Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

< Background checks will be performed for Vestry members.  Rusty will follow up.

< Bishop Smith’s Reception will be this Saturday.  Some discussion regarding plans and refreshments ensued.

  1. GUILD LIAISON REPORTS

We may want to have a drive for new Guild Heads soon.

< Acolytes – With Todd Frary’s resignation, we need a new liaison. David Hess volunteered to fill this vacancy.

< Altar Guild – Murray Followill – Expected to be reactivated June 1 and have regular rotations.  Scheduling via the Liturgical Schedule process.  Murray has polled the previous members and has generally received positive responses.

< Community Garden – Randy Hering – Returning Guild Head is Ben Day.

< Greeters/Ushers – Andrew Besterman – No problems.  The return to the Nave will smooth out the operations.

< Kitchen/Social – Randy Hering – A celebration will probably be included when we return to the Nave.  Once we begin using the kitchen again, we will need to clean it up and get it in working order.  Some discussion about the need for a new stove(s).

< LEMS – Lisa Pearson – LEMS will go back into action soon.  The External LEM could begin serving soon.

< Readers – Ruth Woodward – No report.

< Mission/Outreach – Kathy Carson – Committee of 9 has been constituted.  One meeting held already and will meet monthly.  Individuals or small groups will take ownership of individual projects with this committee.  The Committee discussed projects such as collecting for a food bank, backpack school supplies, and Angel trees during 2021 with expansion in 2022.  The food bank project would be accomplished through support of an existing food bank.  Members are researching schools that may need volunteers for reading programs.  The Pillow Case group will meet in June in order to make pillow cases.

< Audit Committee –

< Stewardship Committee – Need a chair.  Two people have volunteered to serve on the Committee, but not to chair it.

  1. RESOURCE PERSON FOR JUNE MEETING – DAVID HESS
  2. CLOSING PRAYER

The meeting was closed with reciting of the Lord’s Prayer. 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on June 15 in person in the North Room.

Respectfully Submitted,

Paul McCright

Paul McCright, Clerk