St. Andrew’s Vestry Meeting

10/21/08, 7:15 PM

Peabody Room

 

Present:  Jeanne Cassin, Dick Dabrowski, Linda Kaferle, Fr. Alan MacKillop, Mary Medeiros, Marianne Welton

Absent:  Sue Hildreth, Mark Louttit, Yvette Nasworthy, Don Ulsch

 

I.                   Opening Devotions and Prayer

 

II.                Cluster Proposal Introduced (Marcia Hoecker)

A.     Marcia Hoecker, Missioner to Nashoba Valley Partnership reported that her position will no longer be funded by the diocese next year

1.      Partnership consists of St. Andrews, Trinity (Shirley), St. David’s (Pepperell), St. Mark’s (Westford)

B.     Given that St. Andrew’s and St. Mark’s are in transition and Trinity will be going into transition if Marcia is unable to stay due to her salary being cut, Marcia wanted to introduce the model of the “cluster” to the Vestry

1.      This would NOT be a merger -each parish would remain independent

2.      This would be a partnership between 2, 3 or 4 churches in which there would be sharing of resources, clergy, ideas and possible ministries

3.      The Missioner (Marcia) would be responsible for:

a.      Program Development

b.      Formation and Training

c.       Pastoral Care in some situations

d.      Pastoral liturgies (weddings and funerals)

4.      Each participating church would have a permanent Sunday supply priest who would rotate along with the missioner every church season to the churches in the cluster

5.      The advantages would include:

a.      Financial

i.                    Cheaper than a ½ time priest

b.      Networking with other parishes for ideas and resources

C.     Marcia asked that the Vestry get back to her if there is interest in continuing to talk – no decision is needed at this time

1.      ACTION ITEM:  To be discussed among the Vestry members at the next meeting

 

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

A.     Stewardship Dinner scheduled for this Friday night

1.      Hoping that more people will sign up

B.     Emerging Church Class being held on Tuesday nights at 7:15 in Parish Hall

1.      Using the book, Transforming Congregational Culture by Anthony B. Robinson

a.      Books are available at the office

2.      All are welcome to participate

C.     This Sunday’s Eucharist will focus on the children of the parish

1.      Hoping to make this a monthly event

D.    After some discussion, it was decided to change the Vestry meeting time from 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM

 

IV.              9/14/08 Meeting Minutes Tabled Till Next Meeting

A.     Need some clarification on vote on investment withdrawal

 

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

A.     Korean Contract

1.      Dick and Fr. Alan met separately with Pastor Kim for the 6-month contract review

a.      Pastor Kim requested another 6 months before his congregation begins to pay any compensation to St. Andrew’s

b.      Pastor Kim said his congregation would agree to take over some definitive responsibility in the church

c.       Pastor Kim had two additional requests:

i.                    Could he hold a bible study in his office sometime during the week

ii.                  Could he hold a weekly Friday night service in the Sanctuary

2.      After some discussion, it was decided that Dick would get back to Pastor Kim with the following points:

a.                  Request that Pastor Kim make a $50/mth contribution to the church for the next six months

b.                  Request that he do some work in kind

i.                    ACTION ITEM:  Dick to ask Sue how much money we spend on lawn care

ii.                  ACTION ITEM:  Dick to ask Pastor Kim what skill sets exist in his congregation (Plumber, electrician, lawn care, snow removal equipment)

c.                   Give Pastor Kim the OK to use his office for bible study during the week

d.                  Propose that he use one of the classrooms downstairs in the Parish Hall for a Friday night service rather than the Sanctuary

B.     Building Usage Application for after-school care

1.      Father Alan and Linda met with Thelma Williams to discuss her need for space to provide after-school care to children in Ayer

a.      The upstairs of the Parish Hall would work well for her needs

b.      She would be willing to pay for the usage as well as for any code compliance issues that would be needed

i.                    ACTION ITEM:  Thelma to make an appointment with the building inspector to do a walk-thru of the space

c.       ACTION ITEM:  Thelma to look into obtaining the necessary insurance

                                                                                                                                                                          i.      St. Andrew’s insurance company would be willing to add on a rider for a minimal amount given that she have her own insurance

C.     Audit Update

1.      Dick reported that Phil Welton has done a terrific job and will be working with Yvette Nasworthy on Clean-Up Day this Sunday to try to finish it by the end of the month

D.    Search Committee Update

1.      Mary (Vestry representative on the Search Committee) contacted the people the Vestry had named as potential members and was very pleased to announce the following people have accepted:

a.      Nancy Barringer, Jeanne Cassin, John Ferrillo, Manny Lindo, Lydia McClure, Faith Salter, Carolyn Smith, Bill Veno, Phil Welton (as well as Mary, herself, and the two wardens)

i.                    Motion to appoint the Search Committee as presented unanimously passed

 

VI.              Treasurer’s Report (distributed via e-mail to members prior to meeting – Sue absent)

A.     Dick pointed out that our year-to-date deficit was basically equal to our unpaid pledges

1.      If people could be persuaded to fulfill their pledge we could possibly finish “in the black” by the end of the year

B.     Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented unanimously passed

 

 

VII.           Commission Reports

A.     Communications (Erica MacKillop)

1.      Good work being done by Sue Ulsch as editor of the X-Press and the “girls” who get it ready for you to receive it in your mailboxes as well as Carolyn Smith for all her post card mailings

2.      Time and Talent Fair held on Sept. 14th reminded everyone of all the work being done in the parish

3.      The Korean sign has been added to our standing lawn sign

4.      A year long calendar has been set up in the Peabody Room for keeping track of church events

a.      Please update it as far in advance as possible since we need four weeks notification to get a press release out

5.      Dick Dabrowski continues to spend much time updating the church’s website – don’t forget to take a look, it’s always changing

B.     Parish Life (Erica Scattergood)

1.      Only official function was the extended coffee hour served to the joint service on September 9th (Parish Meeting)

2.      Members of the Foyer Groups met at the Haynes-Scattergood’s home on Oct. 12

a.      New groups have been formed and will meet on their own over the next three months

C.     Facilities (Alan Rogers and Linda Kaferle)

1.      Peter Andrews has been working with Alan and Louise Rogers (who are generously sponsoring the work) to update the western vestibule of the church

2.      Many thanks to Manny Lindo for replacing window trim boards of the Rectory

3.      Clean-up Day is this Sunday – please come ready to work

4.      Prior to the bottom dropping out of the economy, Al Colburn gave a bid to paint the rectory exterior which was an extremely generous quote.  We’re hoping that the spring will bring a healthier economy that will allow us to take him up on it – Thanks, Al

5.      Alan Rogers will be looking into what work should be done to prevent leaks in the Snuggery ceiling due to ice dams on the roof

 

VIII.        Old Business

A.     Fundraiser Results

1.      John Ferrillo Concert

a.      Still waiting for some outstanding invoices to be received before we know how much money was made

2.      Grotonfest

a.  No figures available at the meeting

3.      Harvard Flea Market

a.      Raised $225 from selling baked goods

 

IX.              New Business

A.     Coffee Hour Donations

1.      After some discussion it was decided that a basket be put out for people to make donations if they’d like

2.      ACTION ITEM:  Marianne Welton to put an article in the X-Press asking for “coffee angels” to donate to a fund that would be used to buy many of the staples thereby allowing people who like to “do coffee hour” as their ministry to continue to do so

B.     Nominating Committee

1.      To be appointed at the next meeting (so come with some names)

C.     Replacement for Dwight Harshbarger’s Vestry position

1.      Discussion tabled till next month

 

X.                 Next Meeting – November 18, 2008 at 7:30 PM

 

XI.              Closing Prayer

 

XII.           Adjourn Meeting – 9:45 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Kaferle