The vestry met on January 14, 2016. We started our evening with a shared meal at 6:30, with the meeting starting at 7pm. We welcomed as guests our deacon the Rev. Ken Parris, and the Rev. Karen Swanson, who is our supply clergy for the month of January while Rev. Lori is away on sabbatical for the month.
While it was the first meeting of 2016, it was the last monthly meeting of the 2015-2016 Vestry Year.
Much of the meeting was spent around issues of finance. We reviewed the year-end financial statements for 2015, as well as the budget for 2016. The result of this discussion was the passing of the 2016 budget. This budget reflects much work by the vestry as a whole, in addition to thoughtful input from various ministries and groups. Special thanks to:
- Our Treasurer, Lynn Locher, for her endless data collection, numerous spreadsheets, and clear presentation, full of the information we need to prepare a sound budget for the coming year.
- The Stewardship Committee led by Gail Blalock, who worked steadily throughout the year, culminating in the fall pledge drive.
- To all who pledge their financial commitment to St. James’. These commitments allow the vestry to consciously and prudently prepare the new year’s budget, which allows St. James’ to be God’s hands in our communities.
The meeting continued with reminders about upcoming events, including the budget presentation to the parish on Jan. 24 (9:15am), the Annual Meeting on Jan. 31 (following a single 10am service), the Vestry Retreat on Feb. 5/6, and Shrove Tuesday pancake supper on Feb. 9. We also gave the go-ahead to the McCutcheon Team to proceed with scheduling and planning of the next concert on Jan. 16, 2017.
Recent email votes were recorded: approval for the purchase of a new furnace for office area (held on Dec. 27), and approval of the transferring of funds from Operating to Special Interest accounts (held on Dec. 31). An ex post facto vote to repair a leak in the water main (occurring on Jan. 2) was also held, and passed.
This was the last meeting for four of our vestry members, whose terms are ending this month. We are very grateful for the service of outgoing vestry members Al Casas, Sr. Warden Dave Nelsen, Alison Saichek, and Ralph Locher. On behalf of the vestry and all of St. James’, we thank them for their time and efforts over their past three years on vestry.
We ended our meeting with Compline in the Little Church.
~ Meg Amouroux, Jr. Warden