Vestry Minutes
September 13th, 2006
The scheduled meeting of the Vestry of the Parish of the Epiphany was held in Hadley Hall on September 13th 2006 at 7:30 PM.
Present were: Rev. Bob Trache, Rector; David Damassa, Warden: Pam Chester, Warden; Peggy Roll, Associate Treasurer. Vestry Members: Nancy Solomon, Pat Hitchcock, John Cuozzo, Jennifer Shire, Deb Christel, Priscilla Burns, Fred Spencer, Bob Delaney, Ken Weber, Ken Csaplar Jr, Mike Coltman, and Gabrielle Stott. Guests included Ted Kellogg, Chair of the Investment Committee and John Lees of the Parish Growth Committee.
In the absence of the clerk, Bob Delaney graciously accepted the Vestry’s appointment as Clerk pro tempore for this meeting.
Absent: Cindy Seferian, Connie McGrane, Caroline Giese, Emma Spencer and Kevin Cronan
Meeting called to order by David Damassa at 7:35 PM
Reverend Bob Trache led the opening prayer
Minutes from the July meeting were not ready for distribution and will be approved at a subsequent meeting.
Report of Treasurer
For what is usually a slow summer month, August pledges were strong at $43,460. Year to date, total revenues are $5,486 over budget. Expenses to date are $14,269 lower so there is a $19,755 excess. Fred Spencer reported that air conditioning was installed in two locations in the parish offices. Reminders on pledging status will be sent out this month. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Peggy Roll, seconded by John Cuozzo and passed unanimously.
Discussion of Committee Organizational Policy and Procedures
David Damassa led a discussion of a draft policy on committee chairs. A “co-chair” will assist the chair of committees to take some of the pressure off the chair, provide for backup if the chair is not available and to provide a line of succession. After discussion, there was a consensus that chairs would rotate and that members of committee would not necessarily rotate. A number of revisions to the draft were discussed. The draft policy will be reviewed by committee chairs and be brought back for a vote at a future meeting.
Report of Investment Committee
Ted Kellogg swept into the meeting and explained our low cost, diversification strategy with 70% invested in equity indexed funds and 30% in fixed income indexed funds. Ted is very happy with the talent on the investment committee (in particular Sandy Urie of Cambridge Associates). They meet quarterly and try to think long term. This is the only committee whose membership is voted by vestry. To that end, a motion to the committee to elect Anne Neilson and Susan Kincaid to new 3 year terms and for Scott Jones to fill the remaining 2 years of Solomon Owayda’s term was seconded and unanimously approved.
Report of Parish Growth Committee
Jennifer Shire and John Lees led a discussion of the Community Development Minister Position, a pilot/part-time position to develop strategies for member engagement and parish growth. This is a 20 hour/week position deemed essential to strengthening the connections within the parish. This is an unbudgeted position and a motion to expend up to $6000 in this fiscal year to fund this position was moved, seconded and approved. The position will be posted in the 3 Crowns and diocesan publications. The annual cost of this position is $25,000, with no benefits, and will be included in the budget process for FY07.
Report of Stewardship Committee
Deb Christel described the concept for October 21st 6 PM to 9 PM Stewardship Event, entitled “Spirits to Spirituals”. Deb indicated that the goal for this year’s campaign is $725,000, a $75,000 increase over the current year. The program consists of an abbreviated evening prayer with song, a wine tasting/hors d’oeuvres spread in the Parish Hall, a concise presentation on this year’s stewardship campaign and a dedication of the baby grand piano in the Old Parish Hall in memory of Steve Lewis. Stewardship packages will be given to those attending. As a wine tasting is part of the program, Priscilla Burns asked that non-alcoholic beverages be available and advertised for those who prefer not to imbibe. The event will cost approximately $3500 more than budgeted which the vestry was apprised of. A formal motion to approve extra funding for Stewardship will be presented when the total expense projection is available.
Report of Wardens
Pam Chester reported that the worship schedule survey will be distributed shortly to members of the parish. It will be available after services in the church and in Hadley hall and also on the Parish Web site.
David Damassa distributed a written policy on electronic voting which was moved, seconded and approved. The policy is consistent with regular voting policy in terms of requirements for a quorum and voting majorities. John Cuozzo suggested that not all votes are conducive to electronic voting and require discussion. Everyone agreed and, as has been done in the past, this type of voting will be used for routine business matters that need to be conducted between meetings. Kevin Cronan will be cc’d by David Damassa on any voting results.
Pam Chester reported that the staff will have new health insurance options as of January 1, 2007. HMO coverage is paid in full. If a point of service plan is elected, the HMO rate is paid and the employee pays the excess amount.
As previously described in Gifts & Memorials, funds donated to the Steve Lewis Memorial Fund were used for the acquisition of the baby grand piano in the Old Parish Hall.
Report of the Rector
Bob Trache reported that Rally Day was a resounding success with 4 new families appearing as a result of the sign in downtown Winchester. Several formerly active parishioners reappeared.
A series of Adult Education sessions is planned for the fall centering around the relationships among Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Dennis Sullivan, Merlin Schwartz, Ian Douglass, and Anne Meirowitz (SP?) will be visiting us to speak on these topics.
There will be a Shrimp Boil at POE on October 1, 2006, a diocesan-hosted function to raise funds for shrimpers from the Gulf area to get back on their feet. Individuals are encouraged to attend and support the event.
Vacation Bible School netted $1700. In next year’s budgeting process, this “profit” will be taken into account in allocating funds for education.
As previously mentioned, the Service Schedule Questionnaire will go out this Sunday and the results will be discussed at the November Vestry meeting.
Kathleen Kenney is the new Director of Christian Education (DCE). She is here Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. She is responsible for Sunday School through the fifth grade and children’s chapel.
Natasha Stewart reported that Disciple of Christ in Community training will take place at the Parish of the Epiphany. Natasha plans to evaluate this 18 week long program for our parish.
As the fifth year anniversary took place this week, John Cuozzo acknowledged the passing of Anna Allison, wife of Blake Allison, who died in the September 11th events.
Fred Spencer noted that our neighbor on Church Street, Mrs. Fernald, passed away. Fred learned of this from her husband.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM after a closing prayer by Reverend Trache.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob DeLaney, clerk pro tempore