Calvary Episcopal
Church
Vestry Minutes
February 18 &
19, 2005
Wooded Glen
Conference Center
Friday, February 18, 2005
Participants
Present: Nancy
Anderson, H. Nicholas Baker, James Barnes, Sandra Cherry, Downey Gray, James
Hendon, Elyse Hensley, Jerrold Lyndrup, Andrea Morris, Sara Reisz, Mary Sachs,
Margaret Scharre, Jonathan Smith; The Rev. J. Edward Morris.
Absent: Laina
Brown, David Stewart.
Opening Prayer
The
meeting was called to order at 7: 25 p.m. Fr. Morris led the vestry in the
Lord’s Prayer.
Special Orders of the Day
Fr.
Morris reviewed the retreat schedule and led a discussion of the vestry
members’ expectations for the retreat.
Minutes of January
meeting
Sally
Reisz moved the approval of the January 18, 2005 minutes of the vestry;
seconded by Corky Sachs. Meg Scharre noted that the Marketing and Public
Relations Committee had not met as reported in the January minutes; but rather,
only she and Fr. Morris had met. Motion to approve with emendation carried.
Committee Reports
Finance:
Andrea presented the financial statements
through January, 2005. Downey Gray moved that the 2005 draft budget, that had
been tabled at the January meeting, be considered at this time; Corky Sachs,
who had seconded the motion to table, agreed. After much discussion regarding
approving a negative budget and ways to increase the revenue line item amounts,
Jim Barnes moved that the draft budget be tabled and be referred to Andrea
Morris, Sally Reisz and Jamie Hendon for further analysis to the end that a
balanced budget may be proposed for vestry consideration at the morning retreat
session; seconded by Corky Sachs. Motion carried.
Sally Reisz reported that an
attorney had been contacted regarding the questions involving the distribution
of the Zilpha Stovall estate. He has opined that it would not be worth pursuing
the issue as we would have at best a 25% shot at success. The Executive
Committee decided not to pursue the matter and the check has been deposited.
This $27,000 check and the earlier $18,000 distribution are the sum total of Calvary’s
benefit from the estate.
Stewardship:
Sally
reported that 75% of the possible pledging units have pledged for 2005. She
also reported that a meeting of the Stewardship Committee is forthcoming.
Worship:
Jim Barnes drew
the vestry’s attention to the February written staff report for Music pointing
out particularly the Lenten Recital Series. He also reported that the Worship
Committee had met on February 1 and will meet again on March 8 (Palm Sunday,
Holy Week and Easter Services being on the agenda). He also noted that a
children’s communion class, a brief instruction and explanation of the
sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, has been scheduled for March 13 at 9:30 am.
Christian
Formation:
Elyse Hensley drew the vestry’s
attention to the February written staff report for Christian Formation pointing
out especially that the Calvary Camp at All Saints is scheduled for May 20-21
and that confirmation classes for youth are scheduled to begin April 17 and for
adults on April 21. She also reported that the Christian Formation Committee
and subcommittees have met and will meet again soon. Vestry members expressed
praise for the Godly Play lesson, the children’s strings and the children’s
choir that took part in Sunday services recently.
Building, House
and Grounds:
Jerry
Lyndrup reported that the tuck-pointing is half completed and a bill for work
completed thus far will be forthcoming. He also reported that the kitchen is
the current focus following the resignation of Carla McCarty. March 26th
has been set as a Spring Calvary clean-up day.
Outreach:
Jim
Barnes drew the vestry’s attention to the February written staff report for
Outreach. He also reported that most of the outreach grant recipients have now
responded with letters of thanks and appreciation. Jerry Lyndrup reported that
construction of this year’s Habitat for Humanities house is scheduled for early
September. This house will be paid for by the estate of Ginger Grizzle.
Communication:
Meg Scharre drew the vestry’s
attention to the February written staff report for Communication. She
especially noted the March 13 deadline for submitting articles to be included
in the next issue of the Calvary Connection. She also reported that a
letterhead logo is in the works. She noted that several press releases have
been issued and several have appeared in the press, particularly those
announcing the Thursday Midday Eucharist, the Lenten Recital Series, the story
about Margaret Dickinson and the coverage of the diocesan youth meeting and
Trolley Hop. The vestry thanked Meg for her work.
Parish Life:
Sandra Cherry announced that the
softball league entry fee would be $400 this year if the Calvary team joined
that league. She also reported that the Foyer Groups have begun and that a
Pictorial Directory will be forthcoming in the Fall. The vestry thanked Sandra
for her work with the Foyer Group.
By-Laws:
There was no report from the
By-Laws Committee at this time. Jamie Hendon asked that the committee review
the past vestry minutes for “policies if the vestry” that were not made a part
of the By-Laws but that are nonetheless operational. The review has been
assigned to the 2005 Audit Committee.
Junior Warden:
Downey Grey reported on his article
in the recent Connection issue. A suggestion box may be reinstituted for
congregational input on issues facing the vestry and the church.
Senior Warden:
Sally reported that the Thursday
Eucharist and Anointing and Healing service is a wonderful addition. She has
heard only good comments. Having reported on other items earlier in the
meeting, there was nothing to add.
Rector:
Fr. Morris reminded the vestry that
March 5 has been scheduled as a Lenten Quiet Morning, that the Diocesan
convention is scheduled for February 25 and 26, and that a Memorial Service
with interment of the ashes of John Dillehay will be Sunday, February 20 at
2:00pm at Calvary. He also noted that a Calvary art exhibit has been scheduled
for Sunday, April 17. The Committee for the art exhibit will meet February 27.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
None
The vestry will
reconvene at 9:00 in the morning to revisit the 2005 Budget and to make other
plans for 2005.
The next regularly
scheduled meeting of the vestry is March 15, 5:15, at Calvary Church with Jim
Barnes officiating Compline.
There being no
further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15p.m. with an instructed Compline
officiated by Fr. Morris.
Respectfully
submitted,
James M. Barnes
Secretary
Special Session/Vestry Retreat
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Participants
Present: Nancy Anderson, H. Nicholas Baker, James
Barnes, Sandra Cherry, Downey Gray, James Hendon, Elyse Hensley, Jerrold Lyndrup,
Andrea Morris, Sara Reisz, Mary Sachs, Margaret Scharre, Jonathan Smith; The
Rev. J. Edward Morris and Rhonda Lee.
Absent: Laina Brown, David Stewart
Opening Prayer
The meeting was called to order
at: 9:00 a.m and Fr. Morris opened with a Collect for Ministry (Ember Days).
Special Orders of the Day:
Jim Barnes, who had moved to
table the draft 2005 budget at the last meeting, moved that the draft be
considered at this time; Corky Sachs, who had seconded the motion to table,
agreed. Andrea Morris presented a proposed budget which included two new
revenue accounts (4015 - New and Increased Pledges and 4055 – Fund Raiding
Projects) and an increase in the revenue projection for 4060 – Unrestricted
Gifts. Adjustments in the projected expenditures for 5270 – Fixtures and
Equipment, 5290 – Major Maintenance and 5561 – Audit Expenses were also made.
Downey Gray moved that the draft 2005 budget be approved as amended; seconded
by Corky Sachs. Motion carried.
Jamie Hendon moved that the vestry unanimously commit to
increase their own 2005 pledges by a minimum of 20%; seconded by Sally Reisz.
Motion carried.
Meet the Future of Calvary:
Fr. Morris opened this session
with a discussion of the results of the Meet the Rector series. The vestry was
focused on two issues: From the results, what are the top 5 responses to the
questions “What do you treasure the most about Calvary?” and “What is something
you think Calvary could do better? How can we make God’s love even more known
to others?”
Top 5: What do you treasure the most about Calvary?
Tradition of excellence in liturgy, preaching and
music>Worship
The people – warmth, acceptance, community, dignity,
welcoming.
Opportunities for challenging, intellectual inquiry.
Our history and our inspirational building architecture that
enhances the worship experience of adoration and glorification of God.
Our location as it affects the outreach program.
A nurturing congregation that takes care of each other.
Welcoming to children>focus on including them and
nurturing them, seeing them as vital members of the congregation; purposeful
efforts to keep them meaningfully involved.
God’s presence- the greatest impact on Calvary; manifested
in Ministry and Mission.
Add ons not in the meeting summaries:
A blend of generations.
Located where the need is apparent and makes us realize our
blessings and our duty to serve others.
Top 5: What do you think Calvary could do better to make God’s love
more known to others?
More things for families – 9:15 or other services.
Reaching out to college-age individuals and young
families> a new generation.
Bringing new people in and former members back—integrating
them into the life of the church.
More organized follow-ups with visitors besides initial
note.
More things for families to do together.
Better long-range plant maintenance planning.
Take more of a role in the Diocese>improve relations with
Diocese.
More opportunities for Christian Formation for
everyone—bible study, current issues discussions, etc—at times available to
more people.
Add ons:
Worship experiences that would appeal to and be welcoming to
our neighbors.
Music that goes all the way to the back wall of the
church—to include and interest everyone.
Concerted efforts to ask people to become involved and to
participate.
Fund raising—Stewardship.
Grow the children’s orchestra.
Sponsor workshops on liturgical music and hymns—offer music
lessons (to children and adults.
Music sung during communion that the congregation knows and
can participate in.
Visitors to the home or hospital bound—elderly and others.
God’s presence - manifested in Ministry and Mission. Radical
hospitality (the hospitality of Jesus). RISK (it is a risk to be hospitable but
God’s presence is predominant). Spread the “Good News”.
The vestry recessed at 12:15pm for Holy Eucharist followed
by lunch.
Following lunch, Fr. Ned opened the afternoon session at
1:10pm with a vestry orientation. The duty of Vestries is to provide for and
regulate the temporal affairs of the parish and to cooperate with the Rector
for the promotion of the spiritual welfare of the Cure (Diocesan Canon 23) and
any included in the national canons. The duties of the Rector include control
of and responsibility for the public worship in the church, the music, and the
furniture and appointments in the Chancel; and, keeping and submitting accurate
and complete records as required by the diocese and the national church (Diocesan
Canon 28). Fr. Morris noted that, therefore, there is an overlap in many of the
duties of both vestries and rectors. He also noted that the clergy are not the
only ministers of the Church. The Outline of the Faith (the Catechism) in the
Book of Common Prayer defines ministers of the Church as lay persons, bishops,
priests, and deacons (p.855) and further spells out the duties of each such
ministry.
The vestry next revised the committee/vestry liaison list so
as to accommodate the newly elected vestry members and make any other necessary
or desired changes. The vestry liaisons are to convene the committees for which
they have a vestry reporting responsibility and assure that a chairperson is
elected from among the membership (exceptions are those advisory committees in
areas for which the Rector is canonically responsible and automatically the
chairperson).
With the previous discussions regarding duties of the
ministers of the Church and the results of the Meet the Rector sessions in
mind, Fr. Morris led a discussion of how each committee can meet the needs
pointed out in the morning session. Each committee received special attention
during this discussion.
Some suggestions presented were:
More fund raising events including more service projects by
the youth.
Revisiting/reopening the stewardship campaign.
More involvement of children in worship services and more
children’s sermons.
Services offered other than on Sunday mornings (it was noted
that this is already underway).
Adult forum topics on the role of women in the church, the
role of Judas in biblical history, ways in which faith play a role in art.
Pamphlets explaining the Episcopal services, when to
kneel-stand-sit, etc.
Follow-up on visitors in addition to notes already
sent—personal contacts, newcomers dinners, etc.
Ways in which the physical plant can be made more inviting
at night (lighting, a sexton, etc.)
A different sign at the west entrance – more easily read by
persons in passing vehicles; seasonal signs, etc.
The retreat was adjourned at 3:50p.m. with prayer led by Fr.
Morris.
Respectfully submitted,
James M. Barnes, Secretary
Staff Reports
2005 OUTREACH,
MUSIC, and COMMUNICATIONS – February
Outreach:
1. Food Donations: This report covers the period from January 1 to February 9. During
this time, we received donations of food worth $2,844. Highlight (or low point,
depending on your viewpoint and gourmet feelings) was the donation of 1,080
White Castle Cheeseburgers! Buehler’s also sent their first donations via
Kentucky Harvest and Walt Morris – a mostly fine donation except for 25 dented
cans of sauerkraut!
2. Food
Distribution: During January, we gave out 117 food bags that
fed 206 people.
3. Clothes Shops
for Women and Kids: Thanks
to clothing contributed exclusively by Calvary people, and thanks to the
intense interest given to this project by our weekday volunteers, the number of
people clothed at Calvary given out from January 1 to February 9 was 65. Thanks
to all who contributed and gave out!
4. Breads: Bill Garnar will again make bread for the Lenten
Series!
5. Book Aid: Books continue to come in, and are well cared for
by David Webb, with advice from Timmons Owens.
6. Crisis Care (Outreach of sorts!) Jean Dietz has been making calls to the church some
Wednesdays and then following up on those who are sick or in crisis. We are
very much in need of people to make hot meals, for some in crisis have not
received them. Please volunteer to help Nancy Anderson and Jean Dietz with this
most valuable ministry of Calvary. Lois O’Hara continues to write welcoming
notes to those who sign the guest book.
7. The Refugees: An attempt to reach Lilamani Perera’s niece
recently has not brought results as yet.
MUSIC:
1.
The
“Christmas Eve Rehearsal Dinner” was held on JANUARY 23 after the 11:00
service! Laina Brown cooked a beautiful dinner attended by 56 choristers and
their families. Thanks!
2.
The Young
String Ensemble played at the February 6 Baptismal service of Nathaniel Koppen,
and the children’s choir sang. Thanks as always to Judy Wilson and Elyse
Hensley for directing our budding musicians, and to Cassandra Brosvik assisting.
3.
Next up:
LENTEN RECITAL SERIES, beginning February 16! The soloists are all lined up
(Lynn Thompson, Katherine Alberts, Mike Tunnell and his 12 trumpets, Julia
Richardson, Melvin Dickinson, and Margaret Dickinson). So far we have about a
dozen volunteers to help with the food preparation, serving, and cleanup. If
any vestry people can help, it is a most interesting and gratifying time! We do
hope, even if you can’t help, that you will support this traditional series
with your presence. That’s important!
Communications:
1. THE CALVARY CONNECTION deadline is March 13. The
new Junior Warden must especially be complimented – he had only been elected
three hours before I had his Junionr Wardenwords!!
2. Publicity for the Lenten Series and for the new
Thursday Eucharist has been sent by e-mail to everybody we can possibly think
of at the news medias, and Lenten Series posters have been made and posted.
3. Webmaster Jim Barnes continues to do a fantastic
job of updating and adding to the Calvary website. To date, 9,826 visitors have
logged in to our website since March 31, 2003.
4. I am pleased to note that a copier committee has
met and will have (or does have) material to submit to the vestry regarding a
new copier. When a funeral bulletin has little black specks on it that look
like dust, and the Christmas bulletins have black lines across the pages, it’s
time to consider a new product that would even make photos of people
recognizable!
Margaret Dickinson
Christian Formation Report to the
Vestry
February 2005
This Sunday, February 13, all
classes will be combined for an intergenerational event, the annual Lenten
Event, beginning with the Godly Play story of The Cross, and continuing on with
various learning centers, including decorating a Paschal Candle, preparing
Lenten Calendars, etc. Throughout Lent,
youth will be learning “to shape and transform lives and communities through
shared experiences of the Sunday readings” as we follow the Lectionary for
Sundays, looking at the Old Testament, the Gospels, Acts and Revelation. Children in the Godly Play class
will be hearing stories and wondering about Jesus and his “journey toward the
cross and resurrection.” The
Intermediate class is presently studying the general organization of the
Episcopal church, from the Anglican Archdiocese to the individual parish.
The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner,
hosted by Calvary’s youth and many generous-hearted adults, was a success. There were approximately 65 people at the
event, with the proceeds exceeding $200.
In addition to burying the Alleluia Banner, decorating jester hats,
crowning Franklin Starks, King; Tessa Long, Queen; Harvey Fulton, Prince; and
Elizabeth Walton, Princess, we had a lovely service burning the palms for the
Ash Wednesday service.
The Calvary Youth Group is hosting
an Ice Skating Party at Alpine Skating Rink for Diocesan youth on Sunday,
February 27, 2005, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Trolley Hop was also a great success with approximately 125 youth
and some adult chaperones. We look
forward to many joint youth events in the future.
Upcoming events:
Calvary’s Art Exhibit and “Gallery
Talk” April 17th
Calvary Camp at All Saints, May
20-21
Confirmation Classes for youth
beginning 4-17 and for adults 4-21
Callie A. Hausman
Director of Christian Formation
calliehausman@calvaryepiscopal.org
