St. John’s Episcopal Church

Bangor, Maine

April 11, 2006

Present: Fr. Wingert, R. Borok, D. Lewis, J. Olsen, J. Allen, J. Blanchette, S. Brakey, C. Leick,  J. Pickering, H. Souweine, and Jen Wilson.  Excused were J. Perry, E. J. Hikel, and S. Hunt..

Fr. John opened the meeting with prayer and the Gospel for Tuesday in Holy Week from the 11th Chapter of Mark.

Minutes

Minutes from the March 14th meeting were accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s Report

            D. Lewis presented the Treasurer’s Report indicating that we were about where he expected - down about $14,000.  Some items went over budget, i.e., the installation of the new stove required fire-proofing and insulation and was outfitted with a stainless steel surround.  Also required was a valve to close off the gas line.  Flagg suggests turning gas off when not in use thus requiring lighting of eleven pilots for use. Training and limited access will be necessities.  The selected printer was no longer on sale and we had no trade-in so it was over budget at $3,423 with $3,000 having been approved.  To stay within the budget, the purchase of 100 chairs was reduced to 90; being a stock item more can be purchased at a future time.  The Capital Campaign is doing okay and $9,000 has been sent to the diocese - about half of the assessed amount.  $15,000 has been put in the Money Market account paying 4.33%.  The light project will be completed this week in time for Easter.  The lights were a donation but the electrician's bill for this work has not yet been received.  Trumbull will be back this month; scaffolding will go up after Easter; thus spring plantings are on hold.  The retaining wall on the driveway side of the church has caved in and people are being contacted with suggestions for repair/replacement.  Discussion was held regarding feasibility of  owning a rectory vs. a housing allowance (currently $16,000/yr) and it was decided to remain with the housing allowance.  Hal Wheeler is looking into a podium with microphone and speakers for $700.  Don will bring a Finance Committee recommendation to the Vestry at next month's meeting for this.

            The Treasurer’s report was accepted. 

Wardens’ Reports

            Senior Warden R. Borok expressed her thanks to Father John for his education series on Lenten studies.

            In Junior Warden J. Perry's absence, she also reported that the cleaning of the undercroft had gone very well.

Interim Rector’s Report

            Father John distributed a letter from Travis concerning his music plans.

            Regarding Lent:  The three classes started out with good attendance - about 12-15; each session declined down to about 9 and the last class only had 4 people.  He discussed a program put out by a parish in Arizona entitled "What on Earth is Happening to the Episcopal Church"  which delineates changes since WWII and is non-biased.  He believes it could be presented in three sessions, to follow both 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services sometime after Easter, before Pentecost and Columbus.  The Discernment Committee hopes to go over its information with parish members and Father John suggested a parish meeting with a luncheon before Columbus.  Sunday attendance is down from an average of 215 last year to 165 this year.  Attendance at weekly services has been disappointing and after his vacation (the week after Easter), the Tuesday service will be discontinued.  A lengthy discussion ensued regarding dwindling attendance figures with several suggestions being offered, i.e., better communications; advertising; and personal telephone calls to missing attendees.  Child care availability needs to be stressed and children need to be welcomed and encouraged.  He indicated 130 families give to the church so attendance should be much higher.  Many people contribute to the church and do not attend at all.       

            The second Diocesan meeting on Christian Education was held and another meeting with the representative (Liz Ring) will be held after we have answered these two questions:  (1) What are we trying to accomplish? and (2) Is there real honest to God support for religious education in this parish?  The Christian Education Committee will have its next meeting on May 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to discuss these and other issues.

            The subject of Honoraria was discussed - under his contract Father John agreed not to accept honoraria. He is perfectly willing to pass such donations through to the rector's discretionary fund.  The matter will be reviewed at the next meeting as such a restriction could prove a problem for a new rector.  The discretionary fund needs to be balanced and Fr John will get checkbook to Don.  All funds are subject to an annual audit; however, the last audit was done in 2000.  The question came up as to whether an outside audit may be due the year of a change of rectors.      

Committee/Commission Reports

            Finance Committee already covered in Treasurer's Report.

            Property Committee - Don, commenting on the poor condition of the pews, suggested getting several people together once a month; removing a few of the pews at a time, cleaning the floor, sanding and putting a new coat of dark shellac on pews.  The entire project could be completed in a year.

            Communications Committee - Steve needs help and Carolyn volunteered to work with him along with Patty Counihan.  The Finance Committee will come up with an advertising budget and they will look at the various areas including newspaper advertising; news items, posters for evensong, etc.  Jenn will take care of the regular weekly church functions.

Old Business

            Jim presented a plan for the portable stage requested by  Stephanie Lanham for the production of Joseph and for other uses within the church.  The last production netted St. John's $10,000.  Jim has received a down payment from Stephanie and requested an additional $300.  It was voted to authorize up to $500 for this project with one member opposed.

            The web site is up and running and Jenn will receive some training from Sutherland Weston on how to update the various web pages.

            Fr. John continues to work on the policies and fees and submitted his suggestion of a $500 fee for the use of the church by non-members with additional fees for sexton ($35), candles (tbd), organist ($100) to be paid by members and non-members alike.   

New Business

            The choir from the Haiti Cathedral in Port au Prince has offered to visit in September and will be looking for us to furnish overnight accommodations and airport transport  This should be no problem and should offer a good opportunity for some free newsworthy advertising.

            The Parochial Report is ready to send in and Fr. John is reducing the number of communicants from 674 to 400 which will save $150 on the yearly assessment.  That reduction was approved and the report will be submitted.

            Kristen Wagner, who has worked for the church school (although not a member of St. John's) will work as a missionary in Nicuargra and is looking for a grant to help with transportation costs.  John suggested she might give a chancel talk and/or send a monthly update to the parish in return for this support.  The Executive Committee consisting of the wardens, treasurer and Father John will make a call on this request..

            Robin is having no luck on signing up the required 25 persons to hold a blood drive on April 20th and if she is not successful after Easter, the idea will be abandoned.

            A letter will be prepared for publication in the bulletin and newsletter welcoming children in the church.

            John Pickering suggested the men are doing a great job on the coffee hour but perhaps the vestry, choir, and other groups would take their turn.  He asked that 4 or 5 people bring something to share on April 23rd.

The meeting was  adjourned at 8:35  p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Olsen

Clerk