We shared dinner and Godly Moments before opening the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Charles Hall was absent, all the newly elected vestry members were present.
Lynn reviewed the January budget which is healthy. Lori explained some of the Special Interest accounts and clergy discretionary accounts. We accepted the financial reports and the minutes from the January meeting. We recorded two vestry email votes. Lori explained the new topic for the vestry articles for The Window: How Has Jesus Changed My Life through Saint James. Each Vestry member will write an article during the year.
Lori gave out a calendar of important events for the year. Some of the events are required for Vestry members. We agreed to change the April Vestry meeting from Maundy Thursday (April 13th) to April 6th.
We then discussed the individual vestry projects; Scott and Bruce will handle the Endowment session, Penny will organize the St James’ Celebration, New Member Epiphany party will be organized by Charles and Josephine, Evelyn and Ashley will plan Volunteer Appreciation Sunday, John and Katie will handle the ingathering celebration, Kimberly and Jill will highlight Earth Day and Vivienne will work on creating a Welcome team.
The McCutcheon Concert Team requested that $1,000 of the proceeds go to Abode Services, $500 go to the Centerville Free Dining Room and $1,000 be set aside for the future purchase of wireless microphones for our parish. Bruce explained more about the Centerville Free Dining Room and also about the need for the wireless system in 2020. The Vestry approved the motions.
Jill presented about AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator) on behalf of the Disaster Preparedness team. The cost is about $1,500.
Lori presented ideas about a banner: In this house we love our neighbors: all religions, beliefs, orientations, identities, genders, backgrounds and ethnicities. This was discussed in depth. Lori then presented the characteristics of success we discussed at the Vestry Retreat. Additionally, the wishes that vestry members expressed were reviewed. We will use the wishes to develop the vestry projects for this year. Vestry Members will consider this before the next meeting.
Lori read a proclamation from FUSD regarding the donation to the lunch program for unresolved student debts. We accepted the ministry and vestry reports.
We adjourned the meeting and celebrated compline together in the little church.
~ Vivienne Paratore