Peabody Room
Present: Marilyn Guest, Russ Harris, Dwight Harshbarger, Sue Hildreth, Linda Kaferle, Fr. Alan MacKillop,
Yvette Nasworthy, Michael Smith, Jim Western
Absent: Jeanne Cassin, Dick
Dabrowski, John Ferrillo,
Marianne Welton
I.
Opening
Devotions and Prayer
II.
Motion
Approved to Accept
III.
Priest-in-Residence
Report
A.
Very
successful Outreach Fair
1.
Hoping to
make it an annual event
2.
Sermon by
Gail White, our missionary in Spain
B.
Inspiring
film about the Sisters of St. Mary shown last night
1.
Questions answered
by Mother Superior, Sister Miriam
a.
Many were
amazed at the number of advanced degrees held by the nuns
C.
Sunday
School Recognition this coming Sunday
D.
Institution
of Marsha Hoecker as new rector of Trinity Chapel
took place last Sunday
E.
Summer
schedule to begin
IV.
A.
ACTION
ITEM: Fr. Alan to follow-up with Eric S.
of Young Life regarding the idea of a Spanish service to reach out to the
Hispanic community
B.
As discussed
at a recent tri-parish meeting, demographics show that 70% of the people of
Ayer are not connected to a church
1.
Therefore
there is work to be done in our own backyard
V.
Warden’s
Report
A.
In Dick’s
absence, Russ reported that it is unclear what the true cost of the church
signage will be (possibly upwards of $6000)
1.
While
waiting for a definitive price, other options could be explored
a.
Brighten up
the old sign by replacing the glass and installing a light either inside the
sign case or as a floodlight on the lawn
B.
Rectory
ideas being explored
1.
Making it
more rentable by:
a.
Splitting the house into a one or two bedroom apartment
b.
Using the additional space for church offices,
function area, a small “apartment” for Fr. Alan to use rather than staying in a
hotel
i.
Opening up
the potential for renting the Parish Hall during the week for daycare, cooking
classes, etc.
c.
Investigating
the cost to insulate the walls of both the Rectory and the Parish Hall to bring
heating costs down
i.
Russ
distributed a proposal he received from All Weather Green Insulation
ii.
Motion was
passed to establish the insulation of the Parish Hall as a priority; get at
least one more quote from another insulation installer and meet after the
service on 6/24/07 to start moving on a plan for the rectory
d.
Discussed
other potential energy saving ideas
i.
ACTION
ITEM: Russ to investigate the Interfaith
Power and Light website
ii.
ACTION
ITEM: Linda to contact Keyspan regarding a potential switchover from oil to gas in
the Rectory
2.
Dwight
distributed info from two organizations (Seven Hills Clinical Associates in
Worcester and The Institute of Professional Practice in Fitchburg) that may be
interested in the Rectory as a group home for mentally disabled adults
(possible Outreach potential)
a.
ACTION ITEM: Dwight to contact these organizations
regarding their interest
3.
Another
Outreach possibility of making the parking lot available at a small fee to
those taking the train – Ayer is in need of parking
VI.
May ’07 Treasurer’s
Report
A.
Income and
expenses very close to budget
B.
2008
diocesan assessment has been reduced by approximately $5,000 due to the change
from assessing income to assessing expenses and a change to the formula
C.
Audit team
consisting of George Miller, Phil Welton and Yvette Nasworthy to meet to review the outline of what the diocese
wants to see in an audit
D.
Motion
passed to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented
VII.
Old Business
A.
Access Ramp
1.
Jim Western
distributed Manny’s sketches for the ramp and asked for the Vestry’s input on
its aesthetics
a. ACTION ITEM:
Russ to show Jim a finished ramp “in the neighborhood” he thinks would
be aesthetically appealing
2.
Jim reported
that the contractor would like to supply the materials
a.
ACTION
ITEM: Jim to draw up a list of materials
to be given to Mary Medieros so she can talk to
3.
ACTION
ITEM: Jim and Russ to meet with
contractor at
B.
Vestry
Retreat
1.
ACTION
ITEM: Linda to put a balloon at the
entrance of the
2.
Motion
passed to pay Marsha Hoeker an honorarium of $200 for
facilitating the retreat
VIII.
Commission
Reports
A.
Christian
Formation – Yvette
1.
Sunday
School in need of more teachers and a nursery overseer
2.
ACTION
ITEM: Yvette to investigate arrangements
that can be made for the children of choir members to be supervised at the
conclusion of Sunday School
B.
Communications
– Linda
1.
The commission
has met to discuss possible advertising possibilities and inquired about the
availability of funds
a.
Sue reported
there is approximately $100 per quarter available currently in the budget along
with money at the post office available for postage
2.
The
commission would like to send a postcard to the congregation prior to Sunday
School registration and “Sunday Homecoming” in September
a.
ACTION
ITEM: Yvette to let Linda know the
registration date
C.
Outreach –
Fr. Alan
1.
The
commission has voted to support The Esperanza School
a.
Three
enthusiastic students from the school attended the Outreach Fair
D.
Parish Life
- Marilyn
1.
Need to
improve communication between the other commissions and Parish Life when
planning an event (such as the Outreach Fair)
a.
Dwight
suggested a checklist be devised showing the different responsibilities for the
function and who is assigned to each
2.
Need for men
to help set up and collapse tables for each function
a.
Men are
encouraged to volunteer
3.
Need for
people who use the kitchen appliances in the Parish Hall (coffee pots, in
particular) to clean and return all parts to their proper place
E.
Stewardship
1.
Working on
the calendar
F.
Tri-Parish
Committee
1.
$284 raised
at the Tri-Parish Ascension Thursday Service given to Harris Camp
2.
Four or five
canoe groups signed up for Friday’s canoeing trip
3.
Common
Cathedral on
a.
Need a
coordinator from each of the three churches to keep track of who is going from
the parish and what food will be brought
4.
Planning a
book study group
5.
Investigating
the possibility of a U2 Eucharist next spring
IX.
New Business
1.
Request from
Michael Smith to approve the purchase of 20 chairs and kneelers to be used by
the choir at a total cost of $5,190
a.
Would like
to formally dedicate them on All Saints Sunday
i.
There is a
four month leadtime
ii.
Motion
passed to authorize the purchase of the chairs using money upfront from the
investment fund but then offering parishioners the ability to donate a chair
($250/ea). Any additional money needed
up and above the fundraiser would come from Bertha Doran’s bequest
X.
Next Meeting
–
XI.
Closing
Prayer
XII.
Adjournment
–
Respectfully
submitted,
Linda Kaferle