Vestry
Meeting Minutes for June
St. James’ Episcopal Church
(Preliminary -- to be approved at July meeting)
Monday, June 9, 2008, 5:00 pm
Present: Sr. Warden David Vanselow, Jr. Warden Bill Pugh, Mary
Springer, Suzanne Tourtelot, Kay Wayman, the Rev. Edie Bird, the Rev.
John Burton, the Rev. Betsy Porter, and Clerk Susan Walter
David Vanselow called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm. Edie opened with prayer.
Minutes: After review of the May minutes, Kay moved to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded and all voted aye.
Treasurer's Reports:
The May treasurer's reports were reviewed; John noticed the report was
labeled as April when in fact, it was for May. After Susan made
that correction, Suzanne moved to accept the treasurer's reports.
The motion was seconded and all voted aye.
Old Business:
1.
Organ Update – Edie reported that the organ is more playable and
sounding better than it was at last month's meeting but there is still
work to finish. She advised that our organ builder needs
reminders to keep making progress. She will tell him that after
she leaves, Bill Hill and David Vanselow will be his contacts.
She recommended that Bill or Dave contact him weekly and keep him on
track to finish the installation, wiring, and cabinet. Suzanne
pointed out that one rank of antique pipes not yet installed belongs to
St. James’ and we need to be sure to get those as part of the completed
project.
2.
Property insurance premium increase – Dave discovered that increasing
our deductible wouldn't make much difference in the premium. He
is still trying to get an answer of exactly what the diocesan blanket
and umbrella policies cover. Once we have a clear understanding
of this coverage, we can decide whether or not to increase the current
stated value of the St. James’ House. We also need to decide
whether or not to increase the coverage at the church once the organ is
complete. We may already have adequate coverage that was included
with the previous organ. Although our renewal premium begins
August 1, we can make these changes at any time.
3.
Discussion of 125th anniversary plans – Vestry is planning an event on
Sunday afternoon, July 27, to celebrate St. James’ 125th
anniversary. The event will be in the garden, weather
permitting. Mary will talk to Vernon Tucker, editor of the local
paper, about publicity for the event. Interested community
members are invited to attend. The cross will be unveiled and
blessed. Punch and cookies will be served. Mary is in
charge of the punch; Suzanne is in charge of the cookies.
The Celtic cross has arrived
and is ready to be placed in the garden. To offset the cost of
the cross, St. James’ medals will be sold by donation. The medal
packet will be assembled at a working party on June 11 and continued on
June 15, if necessary. The packet will contain the medal and card
with St. James’ history printed on it. Dave will write an article
about the party on July 27 and the medals for the St. James’ July
newsletter.
A future event for the 125th will be an organ concert in September.
4. Update
on lighting – Bill reported he has replaced light bulbs in the
sanctuary and undercroft with fluorescent bulbs and will install new
dimmer switches for the lights behind the altar. He also has
repaired the church front door latch. Vestry acknowledged a job
well done.
New Business:
Priest
Transition Process – Dave has spoken to Dennis Campbell about the
transition process and discovered that we have more of a say in the
choice of a new vicar than he had first thought. Dave will chair
a transition committee consisting of himself and interested individuals
to define what we need. Those interested in serving on the
committee should submit their names to Dave. Edie suggested this
should be a diverse group and a good person to include would be Jessica
Guillory. The search for a new vicar will begin in July, after
Edie’s last day. John & Betsy have services planned through
July and August and our transition should go very well.
The next Vestry meeting will be Wednesday, July 9, at 5.00 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Submitted by Susan Walter, Clerk
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