St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church | Vestry Meeting Minutes | February 15, 2020
Vestry Members Present
Andrew Besterman
Kathy Carson
Joe DeuPree
Todd Frary
Steven Lee
Michael Legacy
Jack McCroskey
Dianna Rooney
Absent
Dale Lee
Officers Present
Fr. Christopher Thomas, Rector
Michael Gsell, Treasurer
Pam Liles, Church Administrator
Paul McCright, Clerk
Guests Present
Randall White, Chair, 24HourDallas
Lee Corbin, Choirmaster
Summary
These minutes contain the following Vestry actions:
- Appointment of 2020 Senior Warden.
- Election of 2020 Junior Warden.
- Election of other Church officers.
- Appointment of Guild Liaisons.
- Scheduling of 2020 Vestry Retreat.
Narrative
The vestry meeting was called to order by Interim Senior Warden Steven Lee at 11:15 a.m. with prayer by Fr. Christopher Thomas. Joe DeuPree was appointed resource person for this meeting.
Welcome
Steven Lee welcomed the new members of the Vestry.
Report from 24HourDallas
At Fr. Christopher’s invitation, Mr. Randall White, Chair of 24HourDallas presented a report about this new organization.
The purpose of 24HourDallas is to be an economic incentive within the community to promote economic justice and fairness for all by focusing attention to the nighttime economy in the city. The organization was established after local legislation that intended to force the closure of businesses at midnight was proposed. Since many people work shifts outside a normal day-shift, such a move would limit their ability to conduct normal economic business outside their working hours. This prohibition of business activity after midnight would also have disastrous impact on the livelihood of many business owners and would hurt the city’s overall economy.
24HourDallas is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association. Its efforts focus on nighttime safety, inclusion of all people, respect for neighbors as well as businesses and the mediation of issues arising between them, and communications.
Mr. White invited St. Thomas to become an Alliance member and to be the organization’s first faith-based member. There is no cost to join. He highlighted their Street Pastor program and indicated he would welcome St. Thomas’ participation. Fr. Christopher noted that he is already becoming involved personally.
Minutes of the January Vestry Meeting
The minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on January 18, 2020 were approved in online voting.
Treasurer’s Report
Mike Gsell, Treasurer, noted that he could not provide a written report since he has just received the bank statement. He said the Report will be mailed out during the coming week. The Annual Report, due to the Diocese on March 1, will also be mailed out next week.
Appointment of the Senior Warden
Fr. Christopher pointed out that the Senior Warden is considered the Rector’s Warden while the Junior Warden is considered the Vestry’s Warden. The Rector’s Warden works closely with the Rector to establish an open communication that will allow helpful feedback to come to the Rector.
Fr. Christopher appointed Joe DeuPree to serve as Rector’s Warden for 2020.
Vestry Elections
The Vestry members elected the following Parishioners to serve in the noted offices during 2020.
- Junior Warden – Vestry’s Warden: Michael Legacy
- Clerk – Paul McCright
- Treasurer – Mike Gsell
- Assistant Treasurer – Wynne Vorhees
- Chancellor – Denise Webb Glass
- Vice Chancellor – Rusty Rippamonti
Signatory Designations
Designated to have signing authority on Church bank accounts were Rector’s Warden Joe DeuPree and Vestry’s Warden Michael Legacy. Stephen Lee will retain signatory authority as the transition is made.
Vestry Meeting Dates and Times
After a short discussion, the Vestry agreed to hold regular monthly meetings on the Fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the North Room.
Motion to hold Vestry meetings on the Fourth Tuesday of each month.
Moved by: Steven Lee
Seconded by: Joe DeuPree
Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Motion to hold monthly Vestry meetings to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Moved by: Kathy Carson
Seconded by: Dianna Rooney
Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Vestry Retreat
Fr. Christopher asked the Vestry to hold its Retreat as soon as practical in order to do team building and socializing. A general discussion resulted in the following plan for the 2020 Vestry Retreat.
- Dates: Friday March 27 and Saturday March 28
- Times: Friday: 7 – 10 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m.
- Venue: A meeting room at Fr. Christopher’s condominium building, 1200 Main Street.
- Fr. Christopher will invite a guest speaker.
2020 Guild Liaisons
Vestry members were appointed to serve as liaisons with the various Church guilds, as follows:
Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, and Lectors – Michael Legacy
- Altar – Joe DeuPree
- Stewardship – Joe DeuPree with Kathy Carson assisting
- Kitchen – Kathy Carson
- Choir – Jack McCroskey
- Outreach – Dale Lee and Andrew Besterman
- Daughters of the King – Dianna Rooney
- Ushers and Greeters – Dianna Rooney
- Children’s Formation – Steven Lee
- Community Garden – Steven Lee
Community Garden
Steven Lee reported that there have been a lot of thefts of produce and also equipment at the Garden. The Community Garden has organized a Board consisting of the Vestry Liaison, the Guild Head, and a member-at-large from the Community Garden. The Board wishes to consider using funds available in the Church budget for the Garden to construct a chain-link fence to work to solve the theft problem. Vestry members requested more information about the Garden be provided before this money is allocated.
Endowment Fund
Joe DeuPree noted that a sitting Vestry member is not permitted to serve on the Endowment Fund Committee. Due to his election to the Vestry, he tendered his written resignation from the Committee. The Committee, which meets quarterly and reports to the Vestry, now has 2 vacancies. Members were asked to give thought to who should be on this Committee. A vote for new Endowment Fund Committee members will be held at a Vestry meeting in the near future.
The Rector’s Report
Fr. Christopher expressed thanks for his warm reception at St. Thomas. He shared his own passions with the Vestry, noting his overarching passion is Social Justice Issues. He wants to think of the Church as an urban ministry which is different from a suburban ministry. He wants the Church to be a full member church of the Diocese. He has a collaborative style of ministry, considering all to be ministers, not volunteers.
He wants an advisory team from the Vestry to serve as the Personnel Committee, composed of the Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, Treasurer, and Chancellor. He asked members to think about their dreams for the future at St. Thomas.
Fr. Christopher’s immediate goals are:
- Shore up pastoral care for parishioners over 50 years of age;
- Bring a seminarian in to look at the 20-30-something age group and how best for us to minister to them;
- Develop Christian Education at all levels to support our work in social justice.
Fr. Christopher noted many people’s comfort zone will be pushed by his emphasis on social media. He believes we need a foundation in place for the social change, particularly for the Vestry to shift thinking from a small church mentality to think like a bigger church. We need to be more proactive than reactive. First, we must celebrate where this church has been. How will we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Church, which is this year? He will introduce some deep-thinking theologians to us.
Fr. Christopher noted his vision for his home – “the rectory” – views his home differently than most rectors. As a “social introvert”, he wants to invite this Church into his space, a space we can use for many things.
Ashes To Go
Ash Wednesday is February 19. St. Thomas will offer “Ashes To Go” in the north parking lot from 7:00 a.m. to 9 a.m. We will also have a eucharistic service at noon and another at 7:00 p.m.
Closing Prayer
There being no other business, the meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the North Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul McCright, Clerk
