May 15, 2007
Vestry Meeting
As Amended and Approved
Present: John Frye, Tom Litras, Fr. Tommy, Dan Lajewski, Judy Haines, John Aulls, Fr. Philip, Waymon Wright, Bill Gibb, Jennifer Mariano, Michelle Leveque, Jim Cox, Dunbar Ashbury, Rick Hirschman.
Absent: Chuck Hedges, Hunt Hendrickson, Chelsea Cox, Jonathan Weber
Guests: Nancy Hennessey, Jack Anderson, Scarlett Gibb, Susie Beard, Eric Percy and Mark Gibson
Call to Order at 7:05 pm
Michelle Leveque led the Devotions.
In the absence of Gary Crump, Judy Haines was appointed Acting Registrar.
Approval of minutes-The minutes of the March meeting were reviewed electronically prior to the meeting. Jen Mariano asked that the minutes show that she is on the Building & Grounds committee but not the Parish Council. A motion was made to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded and approved.
Treasurer’s Report-Tom and Michelle are to make deposits in June. After the deposit is made the keys should be left on the receptionist’s desk so they are available for the counters Monday morning. Dunbar reminded everyone that cash that is collected during the week should be put in the drop safe. In the written finance report Dunbar noted that year to date pledge payments are close to budget and ahead of last year. Ministries are over budget by $136. Liturgy is over budget due to music ordered for Nave and Great Hall choirs. Building and Grounds is over budget due to snow removal. Dunbar also presented a report on the Capital Campaign and Building Fund through March 31, 2007. The cash on hand is $237,621. The total debt as of the same date is $1,678,224. The cash on hand is sufficient to pay all required principal payments through August 2010.
Interim Rector’s Report
Philip asked for volunteers to do the announcements at the 8 AM service since Dan Lajewski is the only one currently doing them at that service. Philip gave a lengthy report on the Credo conference to the Rector’s Advisory committee. He gave highlights to the Vestry. In the area of finances, he and Linda have made an appointment with a financial planner. In his vocational life, Philip said he had to set tight boundaries for his first 6 months at All Saints’. Now that critical areas are going well he hopes to be more available to people. He plans to limit the work week to 50-55 hours. In health he plans to loose 50 lbs. In his Spiritual Life he wants to be more disciplined about prayer life, see his spiritual director more often, and go on retreat, possibly to Taize.
Philip also reported on the Conference of Endowed Parishes. This is an organization that we should join even though it is expensive. Philip learned some new ideas about Newcomers and Communications. Denise Parker learned about new computer software for church finances. Mary Holmes will present what she learned to a joint meeting of the Planned Giving and Investment committees. Fr. Tommy said it was very helpful to him to hear about best practices. Philip reported that the Communications committee will be re-instated soon. They will be responsible for all types of communications. They will work on the content of our web site but a redesign will not be done until the new rector is on board. For next year’s Conference of Endowed Parishes, Philip hopes the new rector, Parish Administrator and someone from Stewardship will attend.
Connie Devilbiss did not get the grant to be our director of Christian Formation for Adults. Rixey Hoult will continue in Christian Formation for Children and Ashley Miller will join the staff as Youth Minister starting July 1. Fr. Tommy will be on vacation June 11-29. Fr. Philip will be on vacation for the first 4 Sundays of July. Philip distributed a chart of changes in the liturgies for the 4 services for the rest of the year.
Senior Warden’s Report
John Aulls said that he had received a thank you note from JoEllen Nutter for allowing her to make her presentations about her work in Panama. He was glad that Philip attended the Credo conference. John thanked Tom Litras for making the presentation to the Diocesan Standing Committee about our request to sell the rectory. Hunt, Dunbar and John Aulls also attended. John thanked Nancy Hennessey and Jack Anderson for their leadership on the Search Committee and welcomed the members of the Strategic Planning Committee to the meeting.
Junior Warden
Dan Lajewski reported that Parish Administrator, Rick Hirschman discussed the approval of the fire alarm system in the undercroft of the Nave with the City of Frederick Fire Inspector. As a result of this discussion, Dan Lajewski, Rick Hirschman and John Aulls will meet with Howard Salen, sales representative for Baltimore Fire Protection &
Equipment (BFPE). This meeting will discuss unresolved issues related to the
installation of the fire alarm system in the organ loft and undercroft of the
Nave. No church funds have been expended and will not be expended
until the pending issues are resolved. The two trees in front of Court St. entrance were removed without any problems. An arborist will make suggestions for new trees. Dan is working on a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan.
Rick Hirschman presented a written report on the possible savings of purchasing electricity from a supplier other than Allegheny Power. It was moved and seconded that the Vestry authorize the Parish Administrator and Junior Warden to secure a contract for up to 58 months with an alternate electricity provider at a rate not to exceed 9.8 cents per KW hour. Motion passed.
Search Committee Report
Jack Anderson first reported on Education for Ministry (EFM). Ten students have completed the 34 week program. Some have completed 3 years, some have completed 2 years and 2 have completed the first year. In Sept. All Saints’ will have students in all 4 years of this intensive study. Fr. Tommy will be taking the EFM Mentor training later this month and will be a co-mentor with Jack. Nancy and Jack reported on the progress of the rector search. The committee has looked at over 60 candidates. They have worked through a list of Associate Rectors at the 100 largest parishes in the country and are contacting seminaries with Doctor of Ministry programs. Philip has trained the committee in conducting phone interviews. Jack, Nancy, Ian McGreevy and Tawnya McKee will chair the 4 teams for the interviews. The next step is to ask candidates to send sermons and to respond to a set of written questions.
Rectory Options Committee
Tom reported that he has heard that our request to sell the rectory has been approved by the Bishop and the Standing Committee but he has not received a letter. Pending receipt of the formal written approval from the Diocese to proceed with the process of selling the Rectory, it was moved that the Vestry authorize the Options Committee to proceed with selecting a realtor and to initiate action for the subdividing of the Rectory from the rest of the Church property. No contracts or commitments shall be made without Vestry approval. The motion was seconded and passed.
Strategic Planning Committee
Mark Gibson made the presentation of the Strategic Planning Committee. They have been meeting since last July and their report was very comprehensive. They have drafted a new vision statement: By the grace of God, we are nurtured by the Spirit in our quest to be united in the Body of Christ through worship, study and service. They also presented a written draft of their plan. There will be a joint meeting of the Vestry and the Strategic Planning Committee on Saturday, June 9 from 10 AM to 1 PM to discuss the plan. The Vestry thanked the Strategic Planning Committee for all the time and hard work that they have devoted to this process.
Following evaluation, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Haines, Acting-Registrar |
