May '99 Vestry Meeting
Episcopal Church in Almaden
Vestry Meeting: May 11, 1999
Attendees: Kimberly Axtell, Doug Dunham , Kathy Dunham, Susie Ferguson, Terry Francis,
Terry Gooding, Ron Howie, Brenda McHenry, Jo Jones, Diocesan Council Representative,
Natalie Mena, Ed Mueller, Russ Petruzzelli, Nolan Redman, Joan Wagner, Warren Willard,
Maryke Williams
Absent: Roberta Verderico
Old Business:
Minutes of the April 13, 1999 were read and approved as corrected.
Jo Jones: Diocesan Council Representative.(Saint Edwards) visited Vestry Meeting.
Convention endorsed proportional giving – 25% to Outreach.
St. Edwards’s proposal to change the 60K base through pro rating was tabled.
Diocesan Statement on mission: In the power of the Holy Spirit, making Christ
known…..to bring the good news.
Feedback on 3 questions requested
- Comment on your understanding of mission in our diocese. There are 51 missions
within ECA in and out of the Diocese. Deeds, gifts what you can give. We don’t see
mission at the level of the Diocese. Hands on within our church. Dissatisfaction with the
move of a Spanish speaking priest out of a mission and placing a non-Spanish speaking
priest in the mission. Proclaiming the word of Christ in word and deeds are seen at the
local level. Our church community looks at need and focus on that need without looking
outside to a larger community.
- Comments on your locally supported mission. We are into missions and would want the
money to stay within the ECA community. A woman’s house is being built within
Africa through money raised within our local church.
- What do you feel should be the priority of the mission of the Diocese? Stay within
the local area of the Diocese. Diocese motivates the individual parishes to become more
active in mission. Freedom to do mission within the area. Clearing house for people in
need and give information to the local parish. Accountability for what the Diocese is
doing with funds. Process: Enable a process for missions. Culture in valley enabling
at the lowest level possible to make mission happen. Empowerment of the individual parish
happens.
Vestry Meeting Information Focus:
Focus on YouthFocus on Youth:
A proposal for a JV Youth Ministry Team was presented. An 8-10 member organization
would be formed.
Similar structure to the Christian Education program.
Need somebody else beside Nolan and Julianne to act as facilitators in the long term.
Team building events, youth involvement.
Needs strong communication for support of this team to reach the kids.
Goal is to form this committee right away so activities can go through the summer.
Move to vote on support of the proposal was seconded and vote carried.
Computer for youth group to use for WEB. Nolan willing to be present on a designated
afternoon while in use. Would vestry be willing to fund a computer? Request to be refined.
Youth to present a proposal and justification for what are their needs. Requirements, cost
etc.
Financial Report: Financial Report: Nolan Redmond
No Red Flags reported. ECA is doing very well financially.
The Vestry approved this report.
Investment Committee Report: Ed Mueller
The committee needs to have one member replaced.
Action Item : Ed will discuss with Dave Handorf to research a new member.
Propose that we stay in cash position.
Account down 1K from last month.
Joint venture has taken over the advertising effort.
Joint Venture Report:
Joint Venture Meeting was short. No financial report issues.
A Joint Venture secretary position is open for 20 hours per week. Interviews in progress.
Phone system is working very well.
Building expansion committee meeting will be set to explore possibilities. ( A
pre-committee).
Cleanliness of the kitchen is a concern. Policy to be set out for all to follow.
Julianne has a new computer.
Three bids for the termite infestation are being reviewed. Droppings found on altar.
Rectory Report: No report
Worship Committee Report:
- Kathy Dunham has 11 out of 12 measurements for Lay reader robes. Robes in flax
material, with zippers. Cinctures are also included. $125-$139 price range. $1238.06
total cost with tax included. Would the vestry see the use of the memorial money for
the lay reader robes as appropriate. Funds do not have any designated use. A motion
was made to use the undesignated memorial monies for lay reader robes. Motion was carried.
- Transfiguration Church is open for a homeless family during the month of June.
Warren given information on how ECA can assist.
- Judy Warren and her mother donated a new gospel book to the church.
- Calendar up through September has been completed.
- People want palm crosses not frond!
- Sunrise service to be held at sunrise. Actually before sunrise in the dark was
requested.
- Organ fund was discussed. Fund raising is external to ECA budget. Memorial monies will
be used or solicited from outside the church.
- Taize services are an incredible experience.
- August services will be covered during Nolan’s vacation.
Senior Warden Report:
- Brenda attended Julianne’s installation.
- Pat Fox and Brenda went down to Salinas and discussed the revision process and how they
felt about it.
- Charitable contributions committee was formed last year to deal with the Shaddinger fund
proceeds.
- A screening committee consisting of Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Outreach chairman,
Charitable Contribution Chairman will be discussed in June.
Communications:
- The white board for special announcements has been place in narthex for several weeks.
- Web site has been very handy. Hits are up to 26/day.
- Hike scheduled for Sat, May 15th at 10:30 am. Three-mile walk.
Charitable contributions: No report
Stewardship: No report
In Reach Pastoral Care:
Welcoming Sunday this Sunday. A large crowd is expected.
Fellowship:
Dinner in the hats program going out this month. One adult hat and Picnic in the Park
is the second Hat. Second Hat is a Family hat. Fellowship and fun for as many people want
to come. Three parks have been selected. All who put their names in, will go to the park.
Joint fellowship event was suggested by Joint Venture perhaps in September. In the
past, ECA has not attended these events. 17 piece Forties jazz band in UCC and perhaps a
dance would be held.
Activities planned are on the WEB site. Go to the calendar.
Christian EducationChristian Education:
Is vestry interested in Covenant Groups program. A St. Timothy’s representative is
willing to come to June vestry to present program to vestry. Vestry consensus is to not
have this discussion at this time.
Christmas in April: Program for Outreach to be reviewed. Shared with vestry. (Community
involvement for youth)
Outreach Sub Committee Meeting Report
Transfiguration request may be addressed with young people. Every other Friday, make up
another casserole. Warren to call Transfiguration.
Outreach. A sub committee met and discussed course
of action. Brenda, Suzie, Warren and Roberta met and the following items were raised:
1. Christmas in April program.
2. Communicate to members of the parish all outreach opportunities. Christian Education
could be used as a forum to introduce the various programs.
3. Members of vestry to poll members re what the members would like to see for Outreach.
4. Provide opportunities for all church members to have an opportunity to participate in
an outreach program.
5. Two types of outreach available in ECA: Hands on outreach as well as contribution
opportunity.
Nolan’s Report:
- Continuing Ed : Nolan will work on preparing meditative material for the parish. Take
photos and apply scripture to them. People can then be reflective. Photos /scripture
placed on CD for computer screen .
- Can use as slide show or screen saver. Ed willing to explore sound on CD. Will be
available after the summer is over. Doug is helping as well.
Respectfully submitted:
Joan R. Wagner
Clerk
