Vestry Meeting Minutes: November 18, 2009

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St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church
Vestry Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2009

Attendees: Jennifer Huff, Janine Hepner, Kirsten Collins, Stephanie Price, Rich Waugh, Bob McClure, Burt Tiffany, Anne Campbell, Frank Wise, Sam McGill, Father Joseph Whitehurst

Opening Prayer and Spiritual Reflection
Anne Campbell led us in a spiritual reflection and prayer.

Previous Minutes
Minutes from the October 21, 2009 Vestry Meeting were approved (moved by Anne Campbell, seconded by Janine Hepner).

Curate Report – Father Joseph Whitehurst
• Newcomers: We have had many newcomers. The revamped Newcomers Committee is up and running in its “pilot program” phase. Three points of contact are needed to bring new people into a community. There are now people set up at each service to greet newcomers and lead them to the next point of contact. Vestry members need to be prepared to meet new people as well. The quarterly Newcomers’ Brunch is being brought back. The next brunch is scheduled for December 13th at the Meyer household. Catherine Beadles has agreed to organize the brunches.
• Stewardship: Stewardship is off to a good start. A number of new pledges and increased pledges have been received.
• Think about the long term Capital Campaign for the future.
• The next Vestry Retreat is planned for January at Hickory Knob.

Senior Warden Report – Frank Wise
• The Annual Meeting will be held after the 11:00 service on Sunday, December 6, 2009. The outgoing Vestry members are Sam McGill, Greg MacDougall, Rich Waugh, Stephanie Price, and Frank Wise. The nominees for election are Catherine Beadles, Mike Collver, Louis Emmett, Cam Guthrie and Jim Hanna. These names are appearing in the bulletin for three weeks as required by our by-laws. Additional nominees can be nominated from the floor. Requirements are to be a member in good standing and to support the church financially.
• Committee Reports are due to Ellie for the Annual Report. These need to be in by Thanksgiving for inclusion.
• Stephanie Price and Greg MacDougall have served as Vestry members on the Mead Hall Board. As they are outgoing Vestry members, this will leave two vacancies that will be filled at the next Vestry meeting. One opening is for two years, the other is a three year term. Kirsten Collins has volunteered for the two year term.
• The next Senior and Junior Wardens will also be elected at the next Vestry meeting.

Finance Report – Rich Waugh
• We have received a letter from the Bishop regarding our 2010 Diocesan Pledge. There are two options: $102,511.04 (16% of 2008 Subtotal Normal Operating Income (SNOI) as reported in the parochial report) or 16% of the three-year SNOI average which is $105,320.43. The Senior Warden needs to sign this and return it by December 11, 2009. We have put $105,000 in our proposed Statement of Mission.
• We have reverted to the 2008 Accounting Principles. The article in the magazine has an explanation. We are trying to educate the parish that from an administrative budget point of view, there is a real need to make a pledge.
• The Proposed Statement of Mission will be presented at the Annual Meeting. At the Vestry retreat the Vestry will then vote on the Statement of Mission.
• For an item that is both in the Budget and has designated funds, the designated funds will be used first, with Statement of Mission (SOM) funds used once the designated funds are expended. In the past we have spent SOM funds first and then spent designated funds as needed. This sometimes led to designated funds not being spent. Designated funds are also being looked at in an effort to consolidate funds that have similar interests. If a designated fund stands inactive for a period of time (to be determined by the Vestry), the money in the fund can move to the general account.
• The auditor is pleased with the accounts. Two things need to be dealt with. The first is to decide what to do with the bookstore. The Vestry will need to decide whether to run it as a business or a pass-through. The second is the one remaining account that is still not being reconciled within the church procedures.
• Based on recent problems, it is time to look at new proposals for the office internet and possibly phone provider.

New Business
• Stephanie Price reported from the Mead Hall board that a tuition increase of approximately 3% was approved. Tuition for Kindergarten classes will go to $4675 and tuition will go to $6650 for elementary and middle school students. The Mead Hall Board has not decided on an increase for after school care.
• Frank Wise reported that the Bishop has sent out a letter that James Blanton has resigned from the Episcopal Church. Joseph Whitehurst explained that it was a voluntary renunciation.

Closing Prayer
Father Joseph closed the meeting with prayer.