Vestry Minutes
Minutes of the Vestry of St. Mark’s Church
December 20, 2011
Present: Steve Boschen (Senior Warden), Becky Adams (Junior Warden), Mary Clark (Register), Laura Cramer (Treasurer), Malinda Collier (Director of Lay Ministry and Christian Formation), Associate (Acting) Rector Reverend Buck Aiken, Gaye Frugard, Mike Franklin, Annette Spanel, Ralph Stanley, Ed Street, Frosty Owen, David Lenz
The Associate Rector provided the vestry with pizza prior to the opening of the meeting.
Opening Prayer was led by Rev. Aiken at 6:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The 11/15/11 minutes were approved with mirror corrections.
Treasurer
· Laura Cramer presented the budget report (please see attached). As of 12/18/2011, pledges stand at 57 units for $137,211.
-
The Finance Committee has not yet prepared a budget for 2012. They are waiting for more solid financial figures.
-
Laura reported that our hired bookkeeping firm is not working, and that they have recently made costly mistakes, which have been rectified. Ralph Stanley moved that we terminate our current contract with the bookkeeping firm, and that Laura Cramer perform those functions currently managed by the firm for the immediate future. This work will be performed on a volunteer basis. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Senior Warden
Acting Rector Report
· Consultant’s Report: The report of the consultant had been shared with the vestry prior to the meeting. The Associate Rector had received the bill for $1000, as was agreed. The entire report will be shared with the congregation between the first of the year and the annual meeting. Rev. Aiken and Malinda Collier will compose a detailed cover letter. Some next steps include a healing service the first Wednesday in February and scheduling an opportunity for a small group to meet to discuss the report and any other concerns. Some ideas from the Consultant’s Report are currently being pursued. Frosty Owen will report in January on the possibility of neighborhood dinners. Foyer Groups will also be revived. A vestry retreat was recommended, and will be planned after the new members of the vestry are elected at the annual meeting January 22, 2012.
-
Vestry Nominations: David Lentz, Ralph Stanley and Mary Clark reported on the slate of candidates for election to vestry at the annual meeting. Penny Adams, Steven Payne, Beth Wentworth, Laura Kramer, Mary Clark, Sanford Eberly, and Larry McCarty have signed agreements to stand for election. It was noted that Steve Payne has not yet been confirmed but will be by the annual meeting. The vestry and Associate Rector reviewed Cannon 11, and following those requirements, set the rules for voting:
-
At least 10% of the congregation must participate
-
Voting must occur in person
-
Ballots will have a maximum of three candidates selected
-
Ballots with more than three selections will be disqualified
-
The three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected
-
Judges will be Steve Boschen, Ralph Stanley and David Lentz
-
-
Management of Profiles: The vestry agreed that the Executive Committee will screen Ministry Profiles and conduct initial interviews with any candidates for Priest-in-Charge. The vestry will conduct second interviews and arrange any next steps following such an interview. The need for privacy of the candidates was emphasized.
-
Annual Council: Will occur January 26-28, 2012. Bill Crowder is the lay representative from St. Mark’s. Steve Boschen is the alternate. Bill and Rev. Aiken will pay their own way, less the registration. The vestry discussed the appropriateness of Bill Crowder representing St. Mark’s following his resignation from the vestry. It was agreed that he was duly elected and that it is right and proper for him to continue in that role.
Property
· Ralph Stanley asked for permission to get a hanging light repaired, estimated cost less than $300. The vestry consented.
-
St. Mark’s received a check from the insurance company for $1700 for the lightning strike damage.
-
Several long-standing electrical issues were recently addressed. A new thermostat was installed in the Nave, and an old one removed from the Parish Hall. New outlets were installed in the nave. The charges for these services greatly exceeded the original estimate. Ralph is asking the electrician to review his charges, and recommended we use the firm Davis and Green for future electrical work.
-
Ralph is once again going to contact the Richmond Choral Society requesting an annual donation of $1500 for the use of the music storage room and rehearsal and performance space. The Choral Society is not a ministry of St. Mark’s, and requires a great deal of administrative time from Steve Barnes. Rev. Aiken had recently written the Society requesting the same donation.
Christian Development
· Malinda Collier presented the newcomers list. Several recent visitors have returned. She reminded us to use the list to keep an eye out for returning visitors.
-
Christmas service invitation created by David Wheeler for the Friends of St. Mark’s Music was mailed to all parishioners.
-
January 8, Epiphany, will be Newcomer’s Day.
-
The potluck dinner on December 18 was a big success. The group photo will be placed in the hall outside the office, and other photos will be placed around the church and possibly used in the directory.
-
There are two signed contracts for non-member weddings and a third expected. This will generate nearly $6000, less expenses.
-
Lion’s Tale will be mailed December 28.
Stewardship
Worship
· Ash Wednesday is February 22.
-
A joint Lenten education series is planned with Grace and Holy Trinity, to take place at St. Mark’s over three Sunday evenings. Bible Babel, by Kristen Swenson will be the subject. Ms. Swenson will lead the first meeting, and Malinda and her counterpart from Grace and Holy Trinity will lead the next two sessions. There will be a catered dinner (fee will be charged.).
Old Business
New Business
· Christmas offering: Rev. Aiken opened the discussion suggesting that the St. Mark’s food pantry or the National Cathedral Earthquake Repair Fund be considered for the Christmas loose offering. The Treasurer stated that the food pantry has sufficient funds at this time. Steve Boschen moved that the offering go to the National Cathedral, the motion was seconded at approved unanimously.
-
The office would like to upgrade its Windows software package for $285. Ralph Stanley moved that the vestry approve the expenditure of funds for this purpose; the motion was seconded and approved.
