MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
December 17, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Gary Edwards, Linda Eggbeer, Nancy Fassett, Mike Grace, Troy Hanford, John Longstreth, Cathie Morton, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall.
Opening Prayer: The Rector opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with a General Thanksgiving from the Book of Common Prayer, found on page 836.
Rector’s Report. Reverend MacKnight announced that he and the wardens had met earlier to discuss the mission of the Church and the priorities the Vestry might wish to consider at this Budget Meeting. The Mission of the Church is stated in the Book of Common Prayer, on page 855 in the Catechism, as follows. “The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”
Michael Parrish, the interim music director, has resigned, effective after Christmas, stating as his reason that St. Dunstan’s is “not a good fit” for him. Senior Warden Mike Grace will follow up with Michael to see if he can learn what the problem was. St. Dunstan’s will need a new interim music director to serve as organist and director of senior choir and bell ringers.
Leslie MacKnight has been directing the junior choir with great success. Sandra Woodall moved that Leslie continue officially as Junior Choir Director. Her motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The Rector asked Vestry members to keep in mind the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to outsiders, and the vision of what St. Dunstan’s will look like while we fulfill our mission, as we attempt to create a budget for the coming year.
As part of our mission/vision, we can allocate staff positions and re-examine worship and music programs. Mike Grace urged Vestry members to try to remain positive and upbeat even though we are looking at a tight budget.
Treasurer's Report: Cliff White handed out Year-to-Date reports through November, 2007 , and reported that at this point church income is off about $19,000 from the budget. Pledges for 2008 are down about $10,000 from 2007, although there are still twenty-five previous pledgers to be heard from.
Cliff then distributed a 2008 Draft Budget which presented a pledge income of approximately $370,000, a total operating income of $459,000 and a projected deficit of over $14,000. Some features of the draft budget are a salary increase of 3%, a Diocesan Pledge at the same level as last year, the same amount as 2007 for Outreach, and a necessary increase, due to rate increases, for utilities.
Operating expenses have been pared wherever possible but not sufficiently to balance the budget, which is our present goal.
After a perusal of the draft budget, a lengthy discussion ensued, during which Vestry members offered suggestions which might raise more revenue and ideas about specific line items where they thought expenses might be cut.
Reverend MacKnight suggested the elimination of the 3% salary increases.
Other possibilities suggested were as follows:
Reduction in paid choir
Reduced maintenance
Reduced Christian Formation expenditures
Reduced Diocesan pledge
Reduced local outreach
Add another fund raiser to increase income
After further deliberation, during which no additional suggestions were offered, it was agreed that a parish-wide budget meeting should be held. The date decided upon was January 6, 2008, at 11:30 a.m.
Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 9:30 p.m.
The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on January 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
November 26, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Gary Edwards, Linda Eggbeer, Nancy Fassett, Mike Grace, John Longstreth, Cathie Morton, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and opened with a prayer. The Agenda for tonight’s meeting and the minutes of the last meeting were accepted.
The Rector led the Vestry members in a discussion of the chapter Practicing What We Preach in From Nomads to Pilgrims. The essay discusses a collaborative method of arriving at sermon topics by using small groups of parishioners to discuss ideas or themes.
2. Rector’s Report. The Rector spoke of a clergy meeting he had attended where a Bishop from Texas spoke of our mission to bring non-churchgoers in to the church. One idea was to hang cards on doorknobs in the church neighborhood with messages detailing the schedule and types of services.
The Nominating Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. Linda Eggbeer, Bob Boyd and Carl Adams, outgoing Vestry members, will serve. It was suggested that each of them ask another person from the congregation to complete the committee formation.
After the first of the year, the vestry and the congregation will need to start thinking about a new Music Director for St. Dunstan’s. Asking members of the old Music Committee for their input might be a good place to start.
3. Vestry Retreat. The Vestry Retreat will take place March 7-9, 2008, and it is time for some planning to be done. Vestry members need to think about what their priorities are and what they wish to accomplish. Volunteers for retreat planning are Mike Grace, Cathie Morton and Sandra Woodall. Plans for the retreat should include a determination as to whether a facilitator is needed and what objectives are to be accomplished during the retreat.
4. Renovation Update – Mike Grace. Mike is looking for a willing contractor. Two or three have so far refused the offer of the job. One of them suggested that Mike be the Project Manager, but he is resisting this idea. The Rector suggested that Mike call Robert Tomlinson at the Diocese. Another suggestion was offered that Mike consult Mark McInturff, the architect employed for the renovation, for ideas.
Mike would like the windows and doors to go in next, and the Rector replied that the Pella Representative would be here tomorrow, November 27, at 10 a.m. (His name, hopefully prophetic, is Christian True!)
5. Fall Annual Giving Campaign: Consecration Sunday – John Longstreth. Pledge Cards went out on Monday the 19th to all those who did not attend Consecration Sunday. The present pledge total is as follows:
$257,000 from those who attended
$122,000 imputed from those who gave last year
$379,000 total
6. Treasurer’s Report – Cliff White. Cliff reported that the payment of 2007 pledges is presently below the budget, and that he expects the church to finish the year with a $20,000 deficit. Cliff handed out a draft budget for 2008 with color coding to indicate various clues to understanding the budget. For example, areas shaded in orange are the only areas where amounts may possibly be shaved. Green highlights indicate line item amounts lower in this budget than in the previous one.
One possible way to cut the deficit is the use of our facility by other groups. Another one, which Gary Edwards is pursuing, is the application to various foundations for revenue grants.
It would be helpful for the church to find some building tenants and to plan a fund raiser before the Annual Meeting on February 24, 2008.
A Budget Hearing will be scheduled one Sunday after church early in the New Year.
7. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a benediction at 8:30 p.m. The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on January 21, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
October 22, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Linda Eggbeer, Nancy Fassett, Mike Grace, John Longstreth, Cathie Morton, Josette Skilling, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order and opened with a prayer. The agenda was accepted with the addition of an announcement of the Christmas party, and the minutes of the last meeting were accepted.
The Rector led the Vestry in a discussion of "From Message to Incarnation," the sixth chapter of From Nomads to Pilgrims. Vestry members reflected on some experiences similar to those mentioned by the pastor of the Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ. The Vestry was asked to read the next chapter before the November meeting.
2. Rector’s Report. A nominating Committee is needed in order to prepare a slate for the Annual Meeting in January. The committee must be composed of five qualified voters and include two outgoing Vestry members. Bob Boyd and Linda Eggbeer volunteered to serve.
A new Diocesan Convention Delegate is needed since Patricia Snowden has withdrawn her membership and joined The Church of the Redeemer in Glen Echo. It was moved, seconded and passed that Alternate Delegate Joan Henley be seated as a Delegate if she agrees.
The Music Program appears to be shaping up well as the choir continues to make the transition to the new interim organist and choir director. There are a few new members and more men are needed. Michael Parrish, the new director, is looking for a tenor soloist.
At the next meeting the Vestry will need to discuss plans for the Vestry Retreat, March 7-9, 2008. After Consecration Sunday, members will be better able to determine mission priorities and think about some budget cuts – possibly paid choir soloists.
3. Renovations Update – Mike Grace. The parking lot is finally and beautifully paved! A. B. Veirs did the work, including the handicap cut-through at the curb, for $59,000, well under the budgeted $75,000.
Francis Gibbons has disappeared and cannot be located. Mike has requested bids from three general contractors and has had one returned. The boiler is installed and running. A final inspection will be done before the final payment is made.
4. Christmas Party. Nancy Fassett invited the Vestry members and their families to a Christmas Party on Saturday, December 8. More information will be forthcoming at a later date.
5. Fall Annual Giving Campaign: Consecration Sunday -- John Longstreth. November 18th is Consecration Sunday. Posters are up everywhere advertising the date. A planning dinner will be held at Positano’s on Monday, November 12, which all Vestry members are requested to attend. Announcements will be made in church for the next three Sundays: October 28, November 4 and November 11. Letters will go out from Senior Warden Mike Grace on October 29, November 5, and a final one later. The letters will appear in Sparks, the Bulletins, and St. Dunstan’s Details. On November 18, Consecration Sunday, there will be three worship services with pledging followed by a catered luncheon, arranged by Carolyn Montrose. It is very important that members of the Vestry be present on that date and ready to pledge.
6. Treasurer’s Report – Cliff White. Cliff handed out the Treasurer’s Report and walked the Vestry through it. This same report will appear in Sparks with the explanations of the three tables shown. So far the deficit in Plate and Undesignated Gifts is lower by $25,000 than the budgeted amount in that category and is $34,000 lower than Plate and Undesignated Gifts received in 2006. Consequently, the church may finish this year with a loss of $20,000 or more.
7. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a benediction at 9:00 p.m. The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on Monday, November 26, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
September 24, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Nancy Fassett, Troy Hanford, John Longstreth, Cathie Morton, Josette Skilling, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order and opened with a prayer. The Rector led the Vestry in reflections on Forming Faith, the fifth chapter of From Nomads to Pilgrims, discussing the catechumenate approach used by the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church of Seattle. The Vestry was asked to read the sixth chapter, From Message to Incarnation for their next meeting.
The evening’s agenda and the minutes of the last meeting were approved.
2. Rector’s Report. Cathie Morton, John Longstreth and Josette Skilling are working as a transition team to find an interim organist to replace Julie Evans until a new organist and choirmaster can be hired. In the meantime, Susan Burkhalter, a parishioner, is filling in, and Jeff and Leslie MacKnight are rehearsing the Children’s Choir. Anne Ruskowsky is the new acolyte coordinator.
3. Anniversary Committee Report. Bob Boyd presented the committee report for Anne Boyd, who has serious back problems and was unable to attend the meeting. Anne needs operating funds this year to use in planning a number of activities that are part of next year’s celebration. Treasurer Cliff White will coordinate with Anne to help work this out.
The Kickoff Service and Brunch will take place on October 28, 2007. Bob pointed out a display he had posted on the bulletin board with many pictures from some of the early days of the church with related information about St. Dunstan’s.
The Kickoff Service and Brunch will take place on October 28, 2007. Bob pointed out a display he had posted on the bulletin board with many pictures from some of the early days of the church with related information about St. Dunstan’s.
4. Renovations Update. Mike Grace, Senior Warden and Building Renovations Chairman, is away. Reverend MacKnight reported for him. The new boiler has been installed. Mike has talked with Francis Gibbons regarding needed permits and will be back in touch with him later.
The parking lot is to be paved with standard asphalt and a gravel trench as drainage catchment. The job is projected to cost $60,000 to $65,000, which is less than the budgeted amount.
The new windows, doors and lighting are expected to be done before cold weather arrives. A total of approximately $265,000 will complete the improvements to the church. It is possible that more may be done than was promised. For example, it may be possible to refinish the pews or the floor of the nave, or to improve the sound system.
The elevator will be a small one, holding a wheel chair and one additional person. It will travel between the first floor and downstairs only. The cost of it may also be under budget.
5. Fall Annual Giving Campaign: Consecration Sunday. John Longstreth reported that the first announcement about Consecration Sunday will take place on October 28. Succeeding announcements will occur on November 4th and 11th. There will be a dinner for leaders on November 12, and a catered all-parish luncheon on Consecration Sunday, November 18. Mary Solerud, from the Diocese, will help coordinate the campaign as Guest Leader/Speaker, for which she will receive an honorarium.
6. Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Cliff White went through his report with the Vestry. He added that Pledges are coming in as they should, but plate collections and unpledged regular donations are less than expected. St. Dunstan’s will probably finish the year with a deficit of approximately $20,000.
There was a discussion of the Vestry’s decision, at the January meeting, to borrow money from the Capital Campaign in order to save payment of interest expense on the line of credit. Cliff clarified that funds borrowed will never exceeded the amount of our unused line of credit. That way borrowed funds can always be replenished immediately. Furthermore, the funds are just temporarily being borrowed and will be repaid and used for the capital improvements as noted above in item 4.
7. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a benediction at 9:00 p.m. The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on Monday, October 20, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
July 23, 2007
Present: The Rev. Jeffrey Macknight, Gary Edwards, Linda Eggbeer, Sandra Woodall, Carl Adams, Josette Skilling, John Longstreth, Robert Boyd
Opening Prayer and Reflection: Jeff led a discussion on the chapter, Where Are the Children, from the book, From Nomads to Pilgrims.
Rector’s Report: Jeff reported on the status of the Capital Campaign improvements, including the nave, a new altar rail, lights for the church and the parish hall, windows and a small elevator. Work on the new boiler will start about August 15. Bids for these projects are running within the expected range. A permit will be required for the resurfacing of the parking lot. Mike Grace is handling these matters.
Jeff outlined the schedule for the fall Capital Campaign. It will begin on Sunday, Oct. 28, and culminate on Consecration Sunday, Nov. 18. The theme will be ANSWER THE CALL. There will be a parish restaurant dinner on Nov. 12, and a catered, all-parish luncheon on Nov. 18, when pledge cards will be distributed and collected. The 2008 budget will not be developed until the amount pledged is known. A series of open meetings may be held to gather congregational input.
Outreach: An Outreach town hall is proposed for Oct. 14, to discuss what we are doing and seek suggestions for the future.
Worship and Fellowship: A series of Tuesday evening picnics and worship services will be held during the slow period of summer.
Christian Formation: Camp St. Dunstan’s attracted 28 children and went very well.
Strategic Planning: Gary Edwards reported that he has had little time to pursue sources of outside funding, and has had no response to his request for volunteer help. Josette suggested that a part-time intern, or seminarian, might be able to help with funding research.
Parish Surveys: The Vestry discussed the possibility of conducting a set of parish surveys this fall, asking the congregation their views on the Outreach, Music and Christian Formation programs. No decision was made.
Anglican Covenant: John Longstreth led a discussion of a proposed Vestry Resolution on the Draft Anglican Covenant. The Covenant would, in effect, give Anglican primates in Africa the power to impose their views on controversial matters, like same-sex marriages and gay ordinations, on the Episcopal Church of the United States.
The resolution would recommend that the Episcopal Diocese of Washington convey its opposition to the Draft Covenant to the Office of the General Convention in New York. The Vestry unanimously approved the resolution.
The next vestry meeting was set for 7 pm on Monday, August 27, 2007.
Respectfully submitted:
Robert Boyd (for Nancy Fassett)
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
May 21, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Gary Edwards, Linda Eggbeer, Nancy Fassett, Mike Grace, Cathie Morton, Josette Skilling, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall, Bob Zdenek.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order and opened with a prayer at 7:30 pm. The Rector asked that the agenda be reorganized to allow Bob Zdenek to go first with his report on Outreach. The Vestry agreed to this change.
2. Report to Vestry on Outreach. Outreach Chair Bob Zdenek handed out a report, Outreach Committee Strategy Discussion.
As background, he reported that a mission-centered approach to outreach was gradually developed over the past two or three years by the Rector, Kevin Schuyler and Bob Zdenek. It was transitioned by the end of last year to a strictly mission-centered approach for the Outreach Program. Annually, $20,000 is budgeted for outreach, to be used for special events and projects. Last year, Bella Noche, an Italian fundraiser, netted $13,000. This year a goal of $15,000 has been set for A Passage to India, another special fundraiser. Last year, outreach helped the Heifer Project raise $3,000, matched funds raised by the youth program for their outreach projects, and paid for instruments in the summer music camp. The current plan is to do an outreach project every month.
3. Rector’s Report. The Agenda was approved as changed, and the Minutes of the last Meeting were approved. The Rector led members of the Vestry in reflections on "Becoming God‘s Church", by Roy Terry of Naples, Florida, the first chapter in the book, From Nomads to Pilgrims.
Reverend MacKnight proposed that a parish telephone survey be implemented, allowing church leadership to keep in touch better with parishioners. As part of the Fellowship Program, a team of 25 to 30 callers would contact St. Dunstan’s approximately 200 households twice a year with one or two questions, finding out how they are and gathering data on various concerns. Josette Skilling and Mike Grace volunteered to work on this and will contact Troy Hanford as well, as this was his idea originally.
4. Capital Campaign End of Service Report. Linda Eggbeer reported that she has met with Andi Tilmann about the continuing work to be done. Lois Spear will be responsible for managing campaign pledges and will send reminders when necessary. Parishioners will be kept informed as to where we stand currently as work progresses, and there will be an annual Campaign Sunday. Mike Grace reported that he is about to sign a contract with MECCO for just under $30,000 for the replacement and maintenance of the new boiler. Mike has also been in touch with Francis Gibbons, who is expected to send his proposal for project management soon.
5. Annual Giving Campaign, Fall 2007. Reverend MacKnight proposed that we use the “New Consecration Sunday” program this fall in our Annual Giving Campaign. This program focuses on what will be done rather than on the need for money.
6. Strategic Planning Process. Gary Edwards discussed the strategic planning teams for each of the three areas of focus: Christian Formation, Worship/Fellowship and Outreach/Stewardship.
Each of the three planning teams should be down to three to five action items, having listed for each item the people responsible, impacts on budget and timeline for completion.
Financing the mission should not be dealt with. Volunteers will be needed to go beyond parishioners for sources of financing. Gary, Cliff and Mike will ask Bob Zdenek to join them in working on these sources.
Each team will need to reach out for volunteers to help them in fulfilling their responsibilities.
The Town Hall Meeting for Outreach will be held on Sunday, June 3, at 11:30 am.
7. Treasurer’s Report. Cliff White likened the treasurer’s report for April to the first quarterly report. Pledges are on track, but the plate, non-designated gifts and non-pledged contributions are off by about $15,000. Cliff reported that the church has collected approximately $350,000 of the pledged campaign total of $833,000. He discussed the possibility of drawing on collected funds when necessary rather than using the line of credit. The Vestry agreed to this.
8. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 9:00 pm. The next Vestry meeting will be held on Monday, June 25, at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
(A Special Meeting for Reports from Planning Teams Formed at the Vestry Retreat)
May 7, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Nancy Fassett, Troy Hanford, John Longstreth, Cathie Morton, Josette Skilling.
The meeting began with a prayer at 7:10 pm.
The Rector has placed in every member’s file folder a booklet, New Consecration Sunday, which details plans for a new method of annual giving. He asked that all Vestry members read the booklet before the next meeting on May 21.
During the Vestry Retreat, held March 17–18, the following three strategic planning teams were formed:
• Worship and Fellowship
• Sunday School and Christian Formation
• Outreach and Stewardship
Each of the three teams was asked to develop three to five goals in each mission area, create a time line for the accomplishment of these goals, and designate the member(s) responsible for each goal. In addition, budget impact and staff impact of the goals needed to be considered. A Town Meeting will be held by each of the teams on a Sunday morning after the 10:15 service, where members of the congregation may participate in a question/answer forum regarding goals and procedures.
The Town Meeting for Christian Formation will be held on May 20. Dates for the other two meetings will be determined.
The Worship and Fellowship Team of Bob Boyd, Troy Hanford, Mimi Betz and Jeff MacKnight, and the Christian Formation Team of Mike Grace, Josette Skilling and John Longstreth presented draft reports of their strategic planning sessions.
Vestry members Bob, Mimi and Troy presented their goals from the Worship and Fellowship Team, and a lengthy discussion ensued.
The meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 9:00 pm. The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on Monday, May 21, at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
April 23, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Mimi Betz, Bob Boyd, Gary Edwards, Linda Eggbeer, Nancy Fassett, Mike Grace, Troy Hanford, John Longstreth, Cathie Morton, Josette Skilling, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm and opened with a prayer.
The agenda was accepted with the addition of some salary business after the Wardens’ Report. The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
Some liaisons to parish committees were added, as follows: Troy Hanford will serve with Hospitality, John Longstreth with Stewardship and Sandra Woodall with both Inreach and Pastoral Care. In addition, Rosi Sweeney will take the leadership of the Pastoral Care Committee, and Kim Parker will chair the Adult Christian Formation Team.
The Rector asked the Vestry’s prayers for Stan Brown, Barbara Larrabee and Diana Lawry.
He spoke briefly of Diana Butler Bass and Joseph Stewart-Sicking, the authors of From Nomads to Pilgrims, which the Vestry will be reading for future meetings. At the next meeting we will discuss the book’s first chapter, “(Re)Discovering Tradition”.
2. Vestry-Staff Discussion on Youth Ministries with Robert Hundley. Youth Minister Robert Hundley gave Vestry members two handouts: one entitled “Youth Group Schedule”, the other “Workcamp with Youthworks, June 17th – June 22nd”. He discussed the number of events currently on the Youth Group schedule from April 28 through June 22 and described how popular the youth work camp has become.
Robert explained that several of the youth activities have become traditions at St. Dunstan’s, among them Youth Sunday, Confirmation classes held on alternate years, and the pre-Christmas shopping done as part of Outreach.
The Vestry thanked Robert for his contributions and applauded his presentation.
3. Rector’s Report. Reverend MacKnight reported that Holy Week services had been beautiful. Attendance was light throughout the week, better on Palm Sunday, and outstanding on Easter, with 262 at the 10:15 service and a total of 335 at all three services.
4. Capital Campaign Report. Linda Eggbeer presented to the Vestry a letter from Campaign Co-Chairs Bill and Linda Eggbeer, Advance Gifts Division Chair Cliff White and Congregational Gift Division Co-Chairs Chris and Helene Hemus. The letter recommends that the total Campaign funds pledged, in the amount of $833,000, be divided proportionally among the three components of the Campaign as follows:
• $694,000 for Facility Improvements
• $ 93,000 for Outreach Fund
• $ 46,000 for Bishop John T. Walker School
It was moved and seconded that the funds be so allocated. The motion passed unanimously. Copies of the letter will be included in Sparks.
Linda reported that a total of 109 pledges were made and that 167 individuals were involved in the pledges. She suggested, and the Vestry agreed, that it would be a good idea to keep sending letters to the congregation regarding the Campaign. She also reminded the Vestry that Andi Tilmann will be assisting St. Dunstan’s with the annual Stewardship Campaign.
Mike Grace, Building and Grounds Chair, has one bid for a new boiler and will have another soon, after which this matter can be decided upon. Mike is hoping that Francis Gibbons will be available to act as the general contractor or project manager for the facility improvements.
5. Wardens’ Report. Junior Warden Gary Edwards reported on the planning progress being made and open forums being set for the following three mission statement committees:
• Worship and Fellowship. A Town Hall Meeting was held on Sunday, April 22, at 11:30 am.
• Sunday School and Christian Formation. A Town Hall Meeting is proposed for Sunday, May 20, at 11:30, am.
• Outreach and Stewardship. A date will be set for this meeting.
Gary asked for volunteers to assist him in seeking grant possibilities to come up with additional financing.
6. Salary Business – Music. On March 26, 2007, a letter was sent by Senior Warden Mike Grace to Julie Vidrick Evans, Director of Music, regarding her salary. As of this date, April 23, 2007, he has not received a reply. The Rector reported that he has a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, April 24, to discuss the business in question. At this point there is nothing further to report.
7. Treasurer’s Report. Cliff White handed out the Treasurer’s report for the first quarter of 2007, summarizing the results in two tables on the first page and containing more detail in six additional pages. He answered questions from the membership and explained the budget differences from the previous year.
8. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, a motion for adjournment was made and passed. The meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 9:20 pm. The next meeting of the Vestry, an additional one, will be held on Monday, May 7, at 7:00 pm. Please note the earlier time. The regular May meeting will be held on Monday, May 21, at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
February 26, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight; Carl Adams; Mimi Betz; Bob Boyd; Gary Edwards; Linda Eggbeer; Nancy Fassett; Mike Grace; Troy Hanford; John Longstreth; Cathie Morton; Cliff White; Sandra Woodall.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm and opened with a prayer.
The Agenda was revised as follows: The Vestry-Staff discussion on children and youth with Bettianne and Robert was postponed, and the Vestry Retreat was cancelled. It will be rescheduled.
The minutes of the January meeting were approved.
The Rector handed every Vestry member a book entitled From Nomads to Pilgrims, a collection of stories about practicing congregations. He requested that Vestry members read the introduction and first chapter before the next meeting or the rescheduled Vestry Retreat, whichever comes first.
New Vestry members were welcomed. Reverend MacKnight informed them that meetings of the Vestry were open to parishioners unless a sensitive issue was to be discussed. If a parishioner has an issue to be discussed, he or she should ask to be heard early enough for that issue to be made a part of the agenda.
Suggestions were made that the Vestry Agenda be placed on the website or in St. Dunstan’s Details.
Vestry members have been assigned file folders in the office where notices or mail for them will be directed. These should be checked regularly.
A Vestry Handbook will be forthcoming.
2. Rector’s Report. The Vestry Retreat in Rehoboth, Delaware, has been cancelled because only seven of the fourteen members were able to attend. St. Dunstan’s will lose a $500.00 deposit and possibly an additional sum. In lieu of the cancelled retreat, a shorter, closer-to-home gathering will be scheduled.
The Rector proposed that staff salaries be open to parishioners. The staff, when polled earlier, agreed. Individual salaries were formerly shown in the line item budget, but this procedure was changed when privacy laws were enacted several years ago.
It was moved and seconded that salaries be available to parishioners in a line item budget at the Annual meeting and/or upon request. The motion was passed unanimously.
There was a question about the process of allocating staff salaries. Reverend MacKnight replied that in the Episcopal Church the Vestry is in charge of the parish’s temporal resources. It elects a Rector who employs and supervises the staff but does not control the money to pay them.
A lengthy discussion ensued about the allocation of funds for budget items and the meeting on Sunday, February 25th, regarding staff salaries.
Senior Warden Mike Grace and Junior Warden Gary Edwards resolved to study the situation in an attempt to find a solution that is respectful and acceptable to all concerned.
The new Vestry Retreat will take place at The Woods in West Virginia on March 16 and 17, beginning at 5:00 pm on Friday the 16th.
3. Treasurer’s Report. Cliff White handed out two reports.
• Report for 2006, January through December, a summary of the previous year.
• Report for January, 2007.
Cliff walked the Vestry through both reports, explaining the numbers and final differences. He also said that he has been entertaining the possibility of sending out quarterly Treasurer’s Reports to the congregation, as is done in some parishes.
4. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 10:00 pm. The next Vestry Meeting will be held on Monday, March 23, at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
January 22, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Bob Boyd, Linda Eggbeer, Nancy Fassett, Marilyn Harper, Josette Skilling, Lois Spear, Rosi Sweeney, Sandra Woodall, Paul Tellier, John Wyss.
1. Opening Prayer and Reflection. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. and opened with a prayer.
Linda Eggbeer asked that an appraisal of the 2006 Vestry Goals be added to the Agenda. This request was approved. The minutes of the meetings of December 18th and January 8th were accepted.
2. Rector’s Report. The Rector reported that Pam Mellor had had knee replacement surgery today. He asked that we keep her in our prayers.
The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 11, after the 10:15 Service. Retiring Vestry members are Senior Warden Rosi Sweeney, Junior Warden John Wyss, Lois Spear, Paul Tellier and Beatrice Hamilton. The slate of nominees to fill the open Vestry slots are Mike Grace, already elected to fill the position of Senior Warden for the next two years, Gary Edwards for Junior Warden, John Longstreth and Cathie Morton. The Rector is waiting to hear from Mimi Betz whether she will accept nomination to the Vestry.
The “quiet stage” of the 50th Anniversary Campaign is presently underway with advance giving, and the Kick-Off date for the regular campaign is Sunday, February 25.
3. Women of St. Dunstan’s. Marilyn Harper, Chair of the Women of St. Dunstan’s, reported as follows:
• The Spring Bazaar is presently being planned by co-chairs Margaret Harris and Kiska Williams. The date for the bazaar is Saturday, April 28.
• The proceeds of last year’s bazaar were approximately the same as the previous year’s but with fewer adults in attendance and very few children.
• Marilyn would like to see groups within the church participate in the planning. She cited the Youth Group and Sunday School as examples, and suggested a video game exchange as a possible activity.
• She thought Manor Montessori School might wish to participate, and could be asked to help advertise the event.
• Marilyn is interested in planning an intergenerational event some time later this year, such as a mother-daughter or whole family discussion group. Peggy Treadwell was suggested as a facilitator for such an occasion.
The Rector commented that the women’s organization is certainly not dying but is a viable, active group which consistently attracts 40 to 50 women for its monthly luncheons.
4. Vestry-Staff Discussion on Music and Youth – with Julie and Tina.
Tina described her work, which consists mainly of multi-tasking all day and all week, with phone calls, visitors and service people in and out. She assists Jeff in every way she can. Her week is programmed much as follows:
• Mondays -- Tellers are counting. Staff Meetings take place.
• Tuesdays – Special projects, mailings, statements go out.
• Wednesdays – Activity filled. Bulletin, Altar Guild.
• Thursdays – Treasurer Cliff White comes in to work.
• Fridays – A “mad-house”, with Sunday Bulletin completed and much more going on.
Tina said that she enjoyed meeting with the Vestry and asked that they keep her in the loop.
Julie began by saying she felt that she and the rest of the staff had been asked to “grow” the church, a major responsibility, after increasing attendance was adopted as one of last year’s Vestry Goals.
She described her Music Ministry as a global one, starting at the center with St. Dunstan’s, then moving outward to increasingly larger concentric circles, which are:
• Local community
• Montgomery County
• State level
• National level
• International level
Julie would like to see more Vestry members at concerts. She said that the summer music camp needs more funding, and St. Dunstan’s concert series needs more publicity. She thanked us for inviting her to the meeting.
5. Wardens’ Reports. Senior Warden Rosi Sweeney reported that the Capital Campaign was scheduled for Kick-Off on February 25.
Linda Eggbeer asked Vestry members to state what they would do to engage in the campaign. The Rector suggested that all try to create some buzz about it. John Wyss thought all members should look for opportunities to bring it up in conversation in a positive way, and Rosi added that members need to generate energy in conversations with parishioners.
Rosi asked for a volunteer to be at the Information Table on Sunday, the 29th, and Linda Eggbeer volunteered.
6. Treasurer’s Report. Reverend MacKnight handed out the Treasurer’s Report in Cliff White’s absence.
7. Appraisal of Vestry Goals for 2006.
• Goal 1. Sabbatical time: survive and thrive. Consensus is that the Vestry did better than pretty well! Rather, it was Extremely well! Special thanks were expressed to Rosi and John for this.
• Goal 2. Attendance: move toward goal of an average attendance of 250 on Sundays. It was agreed that this is really tough, but we have done it, then fallen back. We are moving in the right direction.
• Goal 3. Outreach: Send 15 parishioners to Biloxi; maintain AIM momentum; fund new outreach initiatives. Six went to Biloxi; AIM needs energy; mission funding went well.
• Goal 4. Fiftieth Anniversary: Plan for celebrations; set Jubilee mission project at 50K. Planning is underway; 50K mission goal set for Episcopal school in Anacostia.
• Goal 5. Facilities Project: Continue with Feasibility Study/Capital Campaign to achieve improved facilities in our 50th year. Capital Campaign is underway now through March 25, 2007.
8. Benediction and Adjournment. There being no further business for the good of the parish, the meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 9:00 p.m. The next Vestry meeting will be held on Monday, February 26, at 7:30, p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY
(Special Budget Meeting)
January 8, 2007
Present: The Reverend Jeffrey MacKnight, Carl Adams, Bob Boyd, Nancy Fassett, Josette Skilling, Lois Spear, Rosi Sweeney, Paul Tellier, Cliff White, Sandra Woodall, John Wyss.
Senior Warden Rosi Sweeney chaired the meeting and opened it with a prayer. Following this, she reminded the Vestry that they were here to focus on a budget for St. Dunstan’s, an issue of grave concern to everyone present.
Treasurer Cliff White handed out copies of the budget similar to those used at the last meeting (2006 Budget, 2006 Year End Estimate and 2007 Budget). Cuts made at that meeting were highlighted in orange beside the line item and reflected in budget amounts.
Rosi opened the floor for discussion, and the following suggestions were made:
· Cliff thought it would be hard to find room for any cuts in building maintenance.
· Josette Skilling suggested there be only one fund raiser this year because of the Capital Campaign. Vestry members approved this idea.
· Bob Boyd offered to take charge of asking for volunteers to provide hospitality items, allowing a $500 cut there. This was approved with thanks to Bob.
· A suggestion was made that ads could be sold for Sparks. This was rejected on the grounds that it would be too involved and not produce enough revenue.
· It was suggested and agreed to that the Nursery Care salary could be cut $500.
· It was suggested and agreed to that Adult Education and Youth Education allotments each be lowered by $250.
· Cliff thought that Finance Charges and Line of Credit Interest could be lowered by $250 each.
· The Rector suggested that income accruing to the church from the Capital Campaign might be used to pay for the expense of school renovations we are sharing with Manor Montessori. This would increase the Rental Income by $10,000 -- $4,000 for September through December of 2006 and $6,000 for January through June of 2007. This idea was accepted gratefully and agreed to enthusiastically.
· It was decided that we keep the $2,000 in cuts made above in the budget, put $2,500 back in Outreach and add $2,500 to the Choir.
Rosi asked that Vestry members be publicly supportive of the cuts made and the budget work done during this meeting and the last.
The new 2007 BALANCED BUDGET will be handed out on Sunday, January 21, for perusal by church members. It will be presented to the congregation at a meeting after church on January 28.
Reverend MacKnight announced that the church staff would like very much to meet with the Vestry before their annual retreat. He will invite some staff members to attend the meeting on January 22, and others will be asked to come to the meeting on February 26.
There being no further business for the good of the parish, Vestry members stood and sang the Doxology in thanks to God for our many blessings. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on Monday, January 22, 2007, at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fassett
Registrar
