SAINT JAMES’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH
VESTRY MINUTES
JULY 18, 2006
Present: Michele Collins, Ross Speer, Jennifer Schley, David Cameron, Mardi Moran, Tom Tufts, Sylvia Weston, Susan Harris, Steve Cox, Mark Agard, Peter Merrell
Absent: Jacquelyn Ross, David Hall, Trish Morck
Worship
Sylvia led the vestry in worship with the attached document.
Minutes
May minutes passed Mardi made motion, David Cameron seconded and it passed
June minutes passed Steve made motion, Mark seconded and it passed
Old Business
Website
Tim Lindgren visited and discussed our needs and issues related to the website.
Tim indicated need for some oversight regarding information placed on website. Motion made by Michele to have any information sent first to Seng Tufts and have her review it and forward it to Mark Agard as the commissioner of administration for final review. Syliva Weston to oversee Mark in this endeavor. Motion seconded by Sylvia and passed.
The following suggestions/requests were discussed:
1. Post weekly worship service readings and lector schedule on website. Steve Cox to speak with Tim about the service readings.
2. Have information regarding Capital Campaign remain on website for another 2 years until all pledges have been collected.
3. Place a schedule for reserving space in the building on the site. Tim Lindgren to follow up with Peter Merrell regarding this.
4. Create site for search process, have it include church profile/questionnaire.
5. Sylvia requests an overall upgrade of quality of website.
Agappe
They are no longer renting. They were paying 2 thousand dollars a month in rent. David Cameron will meet with finance committee next week to discuss what to do about this change in budget.
Outreach Commitments
Outdoor Church
We have a standing commitment to the Outdoor Church which we made 3 years ago. It is for 3 years at 2 thousand dollars a year. For the past 2 years we have supported this commitment by applying for and receiving a grant from the Diocese and giving the money to the Outdoor Church. This grant can only be used for this purpose for 2 years. In the coming Spring (April 2007) we may apply for a sending/serving grant from the Episcopal Diocese in order to have funds to honor our 3 year commitment to the Outdoor Church.
Partakers
Our involvement with Partakers (prison ministry) is on hold. This is a long term commitment that we make to each participant to support the prisoner for as long as it takes them to reach their degree. The amount of time committed is very uncertain and may be very long term. There are 5 people at Saint James ready to commit. Jennifer Schley is going to email Maureen Capillo regarding our financial commitment to Partakers.
GBIO – Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.
Tom Tufts visited in regard to this. He brought a fact sheet about GBIO to the meeting (see attached). He made a motion (see attached) that the question of parish membership in GBIO be placed on the vestry’s agenda for August and that the Senionr Warden be authorized to negotiate a tentative fee schedule with GBIO before that meeting so that full membership can be voted on in August and St. James can be represented at the September 17 forum for gubernatorial candidates as a full fledged member of GBIO. This motion was seconded and passed. Membership entails a yearly payment of 1% of operating costs of Parish. Jennifer Schley reports that the Mission Committee supports a vote to join. People commented on their knowledge of the group and activities with GBIO. Many Saint James members have been involved with GBIO over the years. Sylvia plans to speak with GBIO regarding membership dues options so that we can vote at the August 15, 2006 vestry meeting.
Property Report
Peter Merrell reported that the contractor has been notified and that construction is delayed until Feb. or March of 2007. In the interim we can consider interior projects. There was a discussion of whether to upgrade the second floor.
Susan Fisher is reviewing our insurance policy issues which were reviewed in the June minutes.
Regarding the loss of Agappe renters- the Agassiz pre-school and Kesher can not share the same space. Peter has spoken with both of them and their needs are not compatable.
Capital Campaign – 218 thousand dollars have been collected. There was the withdrawal of one pledge in response to issues related to Bishop Shaw’s protest against Israel.
Follow up will continue over the next 2 years as we continue to collect pledges. David Hall is still chairing the Capital Campaign committee. Susan Harris will call David Hall to review process for collecting pledges over next 2 years. Plan is that when letters are sent out to people concerning their giving in regards to general pledges, that we include information on the capital campaign.
Warden’s Report – Supply & Interim
Sylvia has spoken with Ian who recommended Shari the potential interim very highly. Sylvia requested that we meet next week to interview her. We will meet Wednesday 7/26/06 at 6p in the rector’s office. Sylvia will provide a small dinner. Peter made a motion that all who are able to attend should be given the power to vote on whether to offer her the position. Michele seconded the motion.
We then brain stormed and made a list of those whom the vestry would like to invite to join the search committee. Sylvia will type out the list and attempt to categorize those in it, so we can decide whom to approach in what order.
On September 30, 2006 Bishop Shaw is visiting and he will meet with the vestry on Saturday September 29, 2006.
Next meeting is Tuesday August 15, 2006.