Vestry Meeting Minutes for May
St. James’ Episcopal Church
(Preliminary -- to be approved at June meeting)

Monday, May 12, 2008, 5:00 pm
 
Present: Sr. Warden David Vanselow, Jr. Warden Bill Pugh, Bob Rennels, 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 5:10 pm.  Edie opened with prayer.
 
Minutes: After review of the April minutes, Bob moved to accept the minutes as written.  The motion was seconded and all voted aye.
 
Treasurer’s Reports: The April treasurer’s reports were reviewed and approved. Susan Walter reported that our 9-month CD matured May 10 with a value of $76,810.29.  The CD was renewed at the Bank of Eureka Springs for a period of 12 months at 3.15 APY, a special rate authorized by Charlie Cross.  Suzanne moved to accept the treasurer’s reports.  The motion was seconded and all voted aye.
 
Old Business:

1. Organ Update – Edie reported that minor steps have been completed on the organ since the last meeting. One additional rank of pipes needs to be installed, more wiring needs to be done, and the woodwork needs to be finished. The organ builder, Josh Peden, said he has hired someone to finish the woodwork and he continues to work on the organ itself.
 
Edie feels that if Josh does not complete the contracted work, the project is far enough along that we can hire someone else. If that were necessary, the 10% withheld for final payment to Mr. Peden would be used to pay the person who could finish the job.
 
2. Review of insurance coverage for the church and SJH – Pending changes to our policy (increasing coverage for the St. James’ House from $130,000 to $250,000 and adding the new organ) will increase our policy $1631 per year making the total yearly premium $5057. Dave is looking into how much lower the premium would be if we increase the deductible, currently at $500. He is also checking on the diocesan umbrella and blanket coverages.
 
 3. Review of current Use policy for church and SJH - A committee, consisting of Suzanne, Bob, and Dave, was appointed to review these documents and recommend changes.
 
4. Discussion of 125th anniversary plans. Bob suggested a 56” high stone Celtic cross to consider as a remembrance of the church’s 125th anniversary. The cross would be mounted on a pedestal and placed in the garden. Donations would be made toward the purchase of the cross from the sale of St. James’ medals. The anniversary committee will work on the medal packaging and ask for volunteers to help assemble them. The cross would be unveiled at a party on Sunday afternoon, July 27, the Sunday closest to St. James’ Day. Suzanne moved to authorize purchase of the cross and medals. The motion was seconded and all voted aye.

New Business:

1. Changes – Edie gave her notice of resignation as vicar and Priest-in-charge at St. James’ effective June 29, 2008. Her letter of resignation is attached to the minutes.
 
2. Outreach funds were approved for two projects: $500 for scholarships for children for ESSA (Eureka Springs School of the Arts) classes and $1500 to once again support mothers and infants at the hospitalito in Santiago Atitlan. Outreach funds will cover the scholarships. The money for the mother/infant program will be $878 from MDG funds and $622 from outreach.
 
3. Plans for Curb area – Our gardener has asked for funds to put flagstone on the strip of land between the street and the sidewalk as nothing grows easily in that area and it is a muddy mess when it rains. Vestry approved funds up to $300 for this project.

The next Vestry meeting will be Monday, June 9, at 5.00 pm.  
 
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.
 
Submitted by Susan Walter, Clerk

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