Your vestry met for its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 12.
Our meeting opened with our financial status update. We are very pleased to see a positive financial status (see the Financial Summary in the Window). All are encouraged to contribute their pledges on a regular basis, to maintain our cash flow and allow us to continue our ministries and mission. Continued thanks to Lynn Locher, for her time and contributions as our parish treasurer.
The vestry was pleased to welcome Marnie Hartmann to the meeting, representing the Endowment Board. After explaining the Board’s background and set-up, she introduced the names of the newest prospective Board members, Jeanne Morris and Bruce Roberts, with the vestry giving them full approval. Jeanne and Bruce will replace retiring Board members Sylvia Ma and Marnie Hartmann. On behalf of the vestry and all the parish, we thank Sylvia and Marnie for their time, energy, and commitment to the Endowment Board.
The vestry then proceeded to allocated the 2014 Endowment distribution ($3404) to the Building Fund, to help finance upcoming capital needs.
After beginning an examination last year involving the possible addition of solar power to the campus, the vestry received recommendations from the team of parishioners who have worked with both solar and roofing contractors. Their update is included in the April edition of The Window. A vote was passed to proceed with recommended maintenance, along with their suggestion to develop a plan for future roof replacement, and a review of solar installation at that time.
Rev. Lori shared background about Collaborative for Church Vitality (CCV), a program of insight, tools and programs geared to congregational growth and development. She had attended an initial presentation about the program with four other members of the parish in 2013. The vestry fully supports her attending the program’s sessions over two weekends, one in April and one in October of this year, with continuing sessions in 2016. We look forward to energizing and exciting new programs and ideas!
The meeting continued with a review of the 2015 events calendar, an update of the St. James’ Cares ministry program, as well as conversation about the children’s ministry.
The vestry’s major ministry projects for 2015 continue, as we focus on improving ways to welcome, invite and integrate visitors and new members of St. James’, and growing the participation and impact from the many ministries already in place.
~Meg Amouroux, Jr. Warden