St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church | Vestry Meeting Minutes | June 15, 2021
Vestry Members Present
Joe DeuPree, Senior Warden
Michael Legacy, Junior Warden
Andrew Besterman
Kathy Carson (via ZOOM)
Murray Followill
Randy Hering
David Hess
Lisa Pearson
Ruth Woodward
Staff Present
Father Christopher Thomas, Rector
Officers Present
Rusty Rippamonti, Chancellor
Also Present
Steven Lee (via ZOOM)
Absent
Paul McCright, Clerk
Summary
These minutes contain the following Vestry actions:
1) Approval of purchase of new range for the kitchen.
2) Approval of the use of the North Room by the Crochet Guilds
3) Approval of motion rescheduling a decision of some security features for the Community Garden
Narrative
- CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER Rector
The Vestry meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Father Christopher, who opened the meeting with a prayer. The following agenda was covered during the meeting.
- RESOURCE PERSON FOR MEETING NAMED – David Hess
- SHARED THOUGHTS
Everyone was given the opportunity to share what was on their mind. Andrew mentioned his involvement with a Diversity Group at his workplace. Lisa told of her preparations for teaching a class at Texas Tech in late July. Michael told of his summer teaching schedule, mostly via ZOOM, but with one in-person opportunity in Lubbock in late July.
- FINANCIAL REPORTS
There was no financial report available. Joe told the membership that we were trying to find replacements for our Controller as soon as possible. She has made herself available, in the meantime, to at least handle accounts payable.
- RECTOR’S REPORT Rector
<Fr. Christopher thanked us for the opportunity to have spent two weeks in Hawaii in May and how much he enjoyed it.
<He announced that, after meeting on Sunday with the Regathering Committee, in-person worship will continue this coming Sunday by meeting again in the Nave. Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks. Reservations are no longer required but temperature checks will still occur and there will be a sign-in sheet for everyone in the unlikely event we would need to do contact tracing.
<He also let us know that a Dallas Pride flag was going to be made available by our new City Council representative, Jesse Moreno. He expressed an interest in having a flagpole or some means of showing our pride plus the possibilities of showing the American, Texas, and/or Episcopal flags.
<The Rector also told us he would like to have some space at the church where individuals unable or unwilling to come to the campus for meetings, etc. could be connected remotely.
- OLD BUSINESS DeuPree
< Stewardship Chair – No one has volunteered to chair, but two have volunteered to be on the committee. Joe again asked for everyone to think about who could serve as chair.
<The two Crochet Guilds that used the north portion of the North Room have requested that they be allowed to return to that space on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 11:30 until 3:00.
Motion to allow the Crochet Guilds to meet at their requested days/times be granted with the understanding that any guild members with keys must complete the Safeguarding the Church courses, sign the standard room use agreement, and not use the space for storage of their crochet supplies.
Moved by Joe DeuPree
Seconded by David Hess
Motion approved unanimously
<Steven Lee was invited to present the Community Garden Guild’s request for a fence for the community garden since only four members of the Vestry from last year’s discussions are still on the Vestry.
Motion that the decision regarding building a garden fence be postponed for six months to allow the Rector and Vestry to clarify ministry and outreach goals for the parish. This will include determination of how current ministries will fit with and further the parish’s progress on those goals. In the meantime, the Community Garden Committee is asked to prepare and submit information about various options for securing the garden, such as cameras, locks, etc. at the August 2021 Vestry meeting.
Moved by Randy Hering
Seconded by Lisa Pearson
Approved with seven affirmative votes, one opposed, and one abstaining.
- JUNIOR WARDEN’S REPORT Legacy
<The exterior lights that had burned out have been replaced. Some interior lights need to be replaced when it is determined what types of bulbs are required.
<The gentleman whose company has been taking care of our grounds for many years has received a dire diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Michael has not spoken to him yet but plans to later in the week.
- SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT DeuPree
<As more normalized activities are returning to the campus, the need to have a range in the kitchen was discussed since our old commercial range was donated at the end of 2020.
Motion to authorize the purchase of an induction range with double ovens at an approximate cost of $3,000 using funds from the Memorial Fund.
Moved by Randy Hering
Seconded by Kathy Carson
Motion approved unanimously by show of hands.
- GUILD LIAISON REPORTS
< Acolytes – David Hess – We have individuals who are willing to begin serving as crucifers and torch bearers.
< Altar Guild – Murray Followill – Altar Guild has been performing since return to in-person services.
< Community Garden – Randy Hering – Discussed earlier in the meeting
< Greeters/Ushers – Andrew Besterman – Ushers will be notified of new procedures as we move into the Nave
< Kitchen/Social – Randy Hering – No report
< LEMS – Lisa Pearson — No report
< Readers – Ruth Woodward – A slight “glitch” from last week has been corrected.
< Outreach – Kathy Carson – Two meetings of this group have been held. Progress is being made on identifying some opportunities.
RESOURCE PERSON FOR MAY MEETING – Randy Hering
- CLOSING PRAYER
The meeting was closed with a blessing and prayer by Father Christopher.
- ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on July 20.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joe DeuPree
Senior Warden, in lieu of Clerk Paul McCright
