Calvary Episcopal
Church
Vestry Minutes
April 19, 2005
Parker Hall
Participants
Present: Nancy Anderson, H. Nicholas Baker, James
Barnes, Downey Gray, James Hendon, Elyse Hensley, Jerrold Lyndrup, Andrea
Morris, Sara Reisz, Mary Sachs, Jonathan Smith, David Stewart; The Rev. J.
Edward Morris, Rhonda Lee.
Absent: Laina Brown, Sandra Cherry, Margaret
Scharre.
Opening Prayer
The meeting was called to order at 5:20 p.m.; Fr. Morris offered a
meditation and prayer.
Minutes of March meeting
Downey Gray moved the approval of the March 15, 2005 minutes of the
vestry; seconded by Sally Reisz. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Finance:
Andrea Morris presented the
financial statements through March 31, 2005. Jamie Hendon moved that the report
be accepted; Corky Sachs seconded. Motion carried. Andrea further reported that
the New and Increased Pledges now have reached $37,186.
By consensus, the Vestry
instructed the Treasurer to allow the Elliott-Baker Fund CD and the Wells
Theological Education Fund CD to roll over.
Downey Gray moved that the
Vestry support the purchase of a new copier with specifications established by
the copier committee but that it not include color capabilities; Jerry Lyndrup
seconded. Motion carried.
Corky Sachs moved that the
Whitney Hankins insurance policy be cashed in and the proceeds placed in the
undesignated funds account 4060; Jamie Hendon seconded. Motion carried.
Jerry Lyndrup moved that
the $18,000 received from the Zipha Stovall annuity, that was previously placed
in the Endowment Fund as a holding place, be moved into the general fund for
use in paying the tuck-pointing bill; Corky Sachs seconded. Motion carried.
Downey Gray moved that the
Burial Grounds fee be increased to $500 including the cost of the optional
plaque, with the proviso that no parishioner would be denied the use of the
burial ground because of the lack of funds; Corky Sachs seconded. Motion
carried.
Stewardship:
Jamie Hendon reported that the follow-up of
the 2004-2005 stewardship campaign would begin soon. Sally Reisz reported that
John Bugbee has agreed to be chair the 2005-2006 campaign.
Worship:
Jonathan Smith drew the
vestry’s attention to the April written staff report for Music. He also
reported that the Worship Committee met April 5 to review Holy Week and Easter
services. Jonathan also asked Fr. Morris to explain, perhaps in a bulletin, the
theological purposes for the use of incense in worship services. Fr. Morris
said that such an article would be a good idea, perhaps in the next Connection.
Fr. Morris reminded the Vestry that the Day of Pentecost/Whitsunday is May 15
and that red balloons would again be used. Fr. Morris further thanked the Rev.
Richard H. Humke for filling in for him while he was otherwise occupied with
the birth of Lillian Stewart Morris.
Christian Formation:
Elyse Hensley drew the
vestry’s attention to the April written staff report for Christian Formation.
She pointed out that the children’s choir will sing at the primary service on
May 22. That date is also the last day of the 2004-2005 regular session of
Christian Formation. Fr. Morris reported that confirmation classes started
Sunday, April 17 for youth and that the adult inquirers class would begin
Thursday, April 21 (6-8pm). The program, entitled Via Media, is not just for confirmands, but rather, everyone
wishing to learn more about our faith is invited.
Building, House and Grounds:
Jerry Lyndrup and Nancy Anderson presented
their report in writing. Special thanks were given to those participating in
the spring clean up day.
Outreach:
Jim Barnes drew the vestry’s attention to
the April written staff report for Outreach pointing out especially the item
regarding “Choices”, a group helping homeless women and children, that is
seeking a representative from Calvary to serve on their board.
Communication:
The vestry’s attention was
drawn to the April written staff report for Communication particularly pointing
out that May 15 is the Connection deadline. Sally Reisz reported for Meg
Scharre that the Art Exhibit has been well advertised and that the logo is in
progress.
Parish Life:
Sally Reisz reported for Sandra Cherry that
the Foyer Groups have all had at least two rounds, that softball meetings are
underway and that the date for taking pictures for the Pictorial Directory is
scheduled for September 26-28.
By-Laws:
Nick Baker noted that he had no report at
this time regarding by-laws. However, he did report that his research into
insurance on Calvary’s fine arts revealed that Calvary has no separate policy
for its fine arts but that the broader diocesan policy has a general fine arts
coverage for all churches in the Diocese. Any separate policy will require a
valuation of the fine arts to be covered.
Junior
Warden:
Downey Gray reported that Rhonda Lee will be ordained as Deacon at
the Cathedral at 1pm on June 4. He also reported that a committee has been
established to review her performance at Calvary.
Senior
Warden:
Sally Reisz reported that she had tried to
get a cash flow statement that would reflect the principal portion of Calvary’s
loan payments but the current financial software could not produce such a
report without the purchase of an expensive addendum. The report will continue
to be done by hand at present. She also reported that committee chairs have
been finalized and that these persons will constitute a program council. Sally
further reported on the status of the Stovall bequest. Nick Baker moved that
the release not be signed until we receive the entire ¼ of the proceeds of the
sale of the Stovall real estate and documentation of the settlement of the
estate; Nancy Anderson seconded. Motion carried.
Sally then presented to the Rector a silver
julep cup from the Vestry in honor of the birth of Lillian Stewart Morris.
Rector:
Fr. Morris thanked Rhonda for her assistance
in services and Christian Formation during the past weeks. He indicated that
May 15 is Rhonda’s last Sunday here as an intern, but that she will be serving
here as Deacon in a part-time situation beginning in June while she finishes
her doctorate. He thanked Jean Dietz for all her help during this time as well
as the Rev. Humke and Margaret Dickinson.
Old
Business:
Covered elsewhere in these minutes.
New Business:
None
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the vestry is May 17, 2005,
5:15, Calvary Church with David Stewart officiating Compline.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
7:10p.m. with Compline officiated by Jonathan Smith.
Respectfully submitted,
James M. Barnes
Secretary
Staff Reports
2005 OUTREACH,
MUSIC, and COMMUNICATIONS – April
Outreach:
1. Food Donations: This report covers the period from March10 to April 11. During this
time, we received donations of food worth $1984.00!The BIG donation this
time was from Kentucky Harvest – chocolate Easter bunnies, eggs, and Reese
Peanut Butter Cups. Not exactly healthy, but received enthusiastically!
2. Food
Distribution: During March, we gave out 127 food bags that fed
218 people. That’s a lot more than last month.
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 March 9 to April 11 was 52. Thanks to
all who contributed and gave out!
4. Breads: Bill Garnar made bread for the Lenten Series!
Although his health does not permit weekly baking, his bread recipes are in the
new Calvary cookbook.
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!) 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: The Sherifis hosted hospitality hour last month,
and this month we celebrate the birthdays of Tuti and Dita. They are doing
well, and we continue to be grateful to Louisa Henson and Ted Mussler for their
kind and ongoing interest, now well into the sixth year!
8. CHOICES: We have received a request from the Board of
“Choices” for Calvary to have a representative added to their Board. CHOICES is
a group whose purpose is to help homeless women and children. Presently, they
own two houses on Marshall Street and have been given a third. Five women live
in one; two families in the other at present. If anyone is interested in
serving on the board (contributing fundraising and marketing skills), please
call Patricia Nightengale at 339-9901, or the executive director, Beth Hedges,
at 585-3780.
MUSIC:
1.
The 2005
Lenten Recital Series attracted 417 people and generated $1,592. Of that
amount, $1,092 was donated towards the work of the Help Ministries of Central
Louisville. The remaining amount will go for our own food closet purchase and
to cover incidental expenses for the CD that is being created. This CD is 80
minutes long, and features highlights of all five recitals. A cookbook has also
been finished (52 recipes on 32 pages) with recipes from Lenten lunches dating
all the way back to 1987! The sale of these items ($19 for both; $6 for
cookbook alone; $13 for CD alone) will hopefully generate seed funds for the
copier that is so much needed. (See note under Communications).
2.
The Young
String Ensemble played on Easter and the Adult Choir was assisted by strings,
flute, and harp. The Children’s Choir sang on Palm Sunday. As always, thanks to
Judy Wilson and Elyse Hensley for directing our budding musicians, and to
Cassandra Brosvik for assisting.
3.
We thank
Lynn Thompson, not only for his recording and creation of the CD, but also are
grateful to him in advance for assisting me during the month of May when Melvin
Dickinson will be out of commission due to surgery.
Communications:
1. THE
CALVARY CONNECTION deadline is MAY 15
2. Between Meg Scharre and me bombarding the e-mail
system, the publicity for the Lenten Series has been great! Publicity for the
Lenten Series and for the new Thursday Eucharist has been sent to everybody we could
possibly think of at the news medias, and Lenten Series posters were made and
posted everywhere. And it worked! We set both attendance and donation records
for the Lenten Series, and Thursday Eucharistic services have been very well
attended.
3. Webmaster Jim Barnes continues to do a fantastic
job of updating and adding to the Calvary website. As of April 13, 10,928 visitors
have logged in to our website since March 31, 2003.
4. The copier committee has met once, and there are
bids from three companies to consider. As the one who will use the new copier
more than anyone else, I would like to offer a couple of suggestions (requests,
pleas!!). It is crucial that the new machine be able to fold, staple, and
reproduce pictures in sharp likeness. Since we so seldom replace outdated
equipment, it would be highly desirable to have color capability as well, used
with fiscal restraint! As we look to a bright future for Calvary, it is
mandatory that the equipment be ready to handle the growth and produce
materials that represent the excellence for which Calvary stands. It is also
crucial that the machine be computer friendly. That is, it should be able to
accept input directly from the Calvary computers (they are networked). Being a
firm believer in not ever getting something you don’t have the money for, or
throwing away money on a monthly lease, I also strongly suggest that the copier
be bought on a 24 month purchase plan (Duplicator Sales, a wonderful company to
work with, has such a plan, interest free). The Louisville Bach Society has
recently redirected a gift of $500 to Calvary as the beginning seed money for
the copier, and all proceeds for the CD and Cookbook will go towards the
copier. Further, since the music department must use the copier also, I propose
that part of the $13,846.46 balance now in the restricted Warner-Snyder account
be used to assist with the purchase. Therefore,
the parish would NOT be asked to contribute anything for a first class machine,
nor would anything have to come out of the budget.
Margaret Dickinson
Christian Formation Report to the Vestry
April 2005
John Bugbee and I will be attending
training for Via Media this Saturday, April 16, in Nashville, TN, then
presenting the first Adult Inquirer's Class next Thursday, April 21, 2005. This is an exciting program that we look
forward to introducing this spring.
Please sign-up to join us as it will be an informative and faith-filled
experience.
The Adult Forum Christian Formation
Committee met on April 10, 2005 where they discussed and prepared a Mission Statement,
agreed to assist with publicizing the Inquirer's Class, and made plans for
future “educational” opportunities beyond just Sunday mornings.
The Children and Youth Christian
Formation Committee will be meeting this Sunday, April 17, 2005 to create a
Mission Statement as well as plan ahead for the following year, and in the
shorter term, plan for Earth Day, Pentecost, Awards, Calvary Camp, etc.
This Sunday Calvary will be hosting
the Calvary Art Exhibit and lecture by Dr. John Hale. We hope everyone from the vestry will be able to participate in
this special event.
Easter Sunday the children and
youth participated in what I hope will become a new tradition: processing and decorating the Paschal Candle
and cross with flowers. It was wonderful
to have their participation in this very special service! Also, the Youth String Ensemble performed,
which was lovely. During the Christian
Formation hour, the children hunted and collected eggs, retrieved the Alleluia
Banner, and enjoyed the Easter story told in the Godly Play classroom. The Youth have been finishing some of the
paintings they started so that they can be displayed in the art exhibit.
This Sunday the first Youth
Confirmation Class will begin classes which will continue through June 5, when
the Bishop will be at Calvary. The
Adult Inquirer's Class will begin next Thursday, April 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Callie A. Hausman
Director of Christian Formation
