St. Andrew’s Vestry Meeting

January 15, 2008, 7:15 PM

Peabody Room

 

Present:  Jeanne Cassin, Dick Dabrowski, John Ferrillo, Dwight Harshbarger, Sue Hildreth, Linda Kaferle, Fr. Alan MacKillop, Mary Medeiros, Yvette Nasworthy, Marianne Welton

 

I.                   Opening Devotions and Prayer

 

II.                Priest-in-Residence Report (Fr. Alan)

A.     Reported on a wonderful celebration of Jack Andrew’s life with over 200 people in attendance at his funeral service on Saturday

B.     Relayed facts from the 1989 Parish Profile

1.      The number of parishioners attending services was very similar to the number that are attending now

2.      This relates to the idea of mission within our community and how we can think of ways to increase those numbers by reaching out to the neighborhood

C.     Reported that Bishop Cederholm will be visiting St. Andrew’s, St. David’s and Trinity Chapel on February 10th and would like to meet with the three vestries

1.      More details to follow

2.      The Bishop suggested that the vestry members read the diocesan covenant titled:  Vitality, Viability and Mutuality prior to the meeting

D.    Reported that there will be two Confirmation services in the Spring

1.      Not sure if there will be any candidates from Parish

2.      Possibility that some adults may want to be Received into the Episcopal Church

E.     Updated the Vestry on Korean Congregation

1.      Verified references (all positive)

2.      Our insurance company will be satisfied with a letter from us confirming that we consider this Outreach and that the number in attendance will be small.

3.      ACTION ITEM:  Jeanne and Dick to work on a Facilities Usage Agreement to be signed by both parties

4.      Motion made by Dwight, seconded by Sue and approved unanimously to direct Fr. Alan to extend an invitation to the Korean Congregation to use our building rent free for 6 months after which time rental charge to be reassessed.

 

III.             Mission (Fr. Alan)

A.     Some ways we have tried to increase ownership of mission by our congregation

1.      Pray for mission groups on Sunday

2.      Held Mission Fair last June and invited all groups to attend

B.     We need to find ways to make Christ known in our own neighborhood

1.      Would like to go forward with a Vacation Bible School

2.      John suggested finding out from the city government what  the needs are of the people living in Ayer

 

IV.              Meeting Minutes Approval

A.     Motion passed unanimously to amend the 10/10/07 minutes

1.      Removed the statement that the Catholic churches in Ayer and Groton were near to closing which was incorrect

B.     Motion passed unanimously to accept 12/12/07 and 12/18/07 minutes as written

 

V.                 Wardens’ Report (Dick Dabrowski & Linda Kaferle)

A.     Dick reported that Alan Rogers is working with Wilson Bros. Heating on the church furnaces

B.     Linda reported that Nicola Barlow would like approval from the Vestry on the Expectations of a Vestry Member for insertion into candidate folders

1.      Approval given

C.     Dick requested that the Family & Friends Church Directory be used to extend invitations, etc. and not to disperse information that may be construed as hurtful to the priest or congregation

D.    Linda reported that the Vestry Retreat will take place on Friday night, April 4th and all day Saturday, April 5th at St. Margaret’s Convent in Roxbury.

1.      $60/person (Linda paid $300 reservation deposit)

2.      ACTION ITEM:  Linda to provide detailed info and directions at the next meeting

 

VI.              Treasurer’s Report (Sue Hildreth)

      A. Proposed 2008 budget e-mailed prior to meeting

         1. Sue has separated Outreach budget ($12,500) from the

              Operating budget ($133,012)

a.      $1500 shortfall against Outreach budget

b.      $13,000 shortfall against Operating budget

c.       $7,000 additional funds needed to fulfill past diocesan assessment

d.      No salary increases in the budget

 

B.     Budget does not represent going forward with a full time priest

1.      We need to institute some creative fundraising

2.      We need to increase membership

3.      Sue suggested looking at the budget in 6 months and revising it, if necessary

C.     Motion made by Dwight, seconded by Dick and unanimously voted by the Vestry to approve budget as submitted and to revisit in 6 months

D.    Sue included a report outlining the costs of the ramp ($13,468) and the new door ($2,790)

1.      $5,000 donated by Belle Choate

a.      Many thanks to Belle

2.      $550 donated by both the Westerns and the Ferrillos

a.      Many thanks to the Westerns and Ferrillos

3.      $10,500 came out of Investments

VII.           Commission Reports

A.     Linda asked if a replacement should be appointed to be Vestry liaison to Parish Life in lieu of Marilyn Guest’s December resignation from the Vestry

1.      Dick suggested we wait until the new Vestry is on board after Annual Meeting

VIII.        Special Reports

A.     Nominating Committee (Linda Kaferle)

1.      There are four candidates (Dick Dabrowski, Mark Louttit, Mary Medeiros and Don Ulsch) for four positions

2.      Committee is continuing to look for Commission Chairs and Co-Chairs

 

IX.              Unfinished Business

A.     Insulation

1.      Linda distributed a fact sheet regarding the insulation installation to take place in the Rectory next month

B.     Safe Church and Safety at Church Policy (Jeanne Cassin)

1.      Marsha Hoecker has asked the Diocese to bring training out this way to make it more convenient for people in the Nashoba Valley to attend

a.      Fr. Alan suggested we put together some materials that can be used by our parishioners at home, as well

2.      Dwight suggested that we put the associated costs of this policy on the back page and ask for donations

3.      Our thanks to Jeanne for writing the policy

4.      A motion was unanimously approved to accept policy as written

X.                 New Business

A.     Phil Welton is looking at a call to the ministry and is beginning the discernment process

1.      Congratulations and good luck to Phil and his family

2.      The Vestry is here to support them

B.     Thanks to John Ferrillo for all his work during his 3-year term on the Vestry which will end at Annual Meeting (1/27/08)

 

XI.              Next Meeting – Sunday, Feb. 17th at 11:30 AM

 

XII.           Closing Prayer

 

XIII.        Adjournment – 9:07 PM

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Linda Kaferle