St. John’s Episcopal Church

Bangor, Maine

November 14, 2006

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

            The agenda for the meeting which had been previously distributed by email was reviewed and a couple of items added.

            Fr. John opened the meeting with prayer and a reading of a modern version of the 121st Psalm.   

Minutes

            The minutes of the October meeting should have indicated that there was one abstention in the vote for renewal of Fr. John's contract.  The minutes were then accepted as amended.

Treasurer’s Report

            Don reported that as of October 31st, the pledge amount received stood at $144,095 compared to receipts of $209,965 at the same time last year. He feels confident that the last couple months of the year will see a large increase.  Some progress was made as a result of the recent letter that went out indicating pledge status.  A rather lengthy discussion was held concerning ways to reduce maintenance costs at 234 French Street, particularly with regard to heating costs.  Work will start on next year's budget soon and suggestions for reducing the budget included making a minimal charge to groups using the building and closing the building, and therefore the parish office, on Mondays.  Jim Blanchette will check to ascertain if a current insurance certificate is on file to protect the church from liability should any group member suffer an injury on the property.   The possibility of using the facility for a daycare or preschool was discussed to bring in funds; however, it will need to be determined if costs to meet governmental guidelines would outweigh any funds realized from the project.  Heather has information on requirements for daycare and preschool (which differ) and she and Fr. John will meet to review that information.  The Treasurer's report was approved.

Wardens’ Reports

            Senior Warden R. Borok reported the sub-committee concerning the current issues in the Episcopal Church met on November 1st and a handout was given the members regarding the meeting, conclusions, and recommendations.  A "white" paper will be prepared by Fr. John and distributed prior to each of the meetings which will begin early next year.  A discussion was held concerning protocols and guidelines to be followed.  The Vestry will meet on one of the issues to see how differing opinions are handled in a Vestry discussion of issues.  That meeting is scheduled for January 14th after church with members bringing their own lunch.  The annual meeting will be held on January 28th.

            The Christmas House Tour is scheduled for December 2nd from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and includes four houses.  This will be the last year for this fundraiser.  Vestry members will each be given ten tickets to try to sell to help this project.

Interim Rector’s Report

            Vestry members E.J., Jim, and Carolyn, along with Bruce Mallonee were the only four that attended the recent Diocesan convention even though we were allowed six delegates.  E.J. gave a brief report on the activities saying that votes were held for officers, resolutions, and the Diocesan budget.  Ten resolutions were passed, five of which were financial.  It was voted to increase the minimum wage of employees to $8.50 per hour which is higher than the state mandated amount and the assessment for each registered communicant has been increased from $.75 to $1.25.   E.J. is on the Diocesan Council which will meet four times per year; he will give the Vestry an update after each meeting.  He is the first one from St. John's to be on that Council in many years and was given the congratulations of the group. 

            It has come to light that there are four registered sex offenders living near 234 French Street.   Detective Jeff Small of the Bangor Police Department would be willing to visit to explain the sex offender registry.  Carolyn has sent a letter to parents of Sunday School children alerting them to this situation and outlining the many precautions which are being taken to protect our children. A set of green vestments similar to the blue ones will be purchased thanks to the Mackintosh family as a memorial to Helen.  There will be a service as 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  MANNA will be hosting the Thanksgiving dinner and Fr. John will look at ways to expand our relationship with them.  We will probably offer an Easter Dinner again this year; Fr. John will see if Gary Creaser will chair that event. 

            The Christmas Holy Day/Holiday will be a busy time for Fr. John with the following services scheduled:  Sunday, 12/24 - 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.; Monday 12/25 - 10 a.m.

            The Bishop is unavailable to join us for a celebration of the completion of the construction project but has scheduled a visit for March 25th for confirmation.  Fr. John will run one more inquirers' class; there are currently five people to be confirmed or received from the Roman church; there have been 14 baptisms this year.  Fr. John suggests the Advent Tea might be a good time to have a celebration of thanksgiving for the successful completion of the construction.  

 Committee/Commission Reports

            Stewardship Committee:  Jim reported he has received $185,920 in pledges from ninety families; 32 increased their pledge; 35 were the same; 8 decreased; and there were 15 new pledges.  There are 44 families who pledged a total of $78,000 last year and have not responded as yet to this year's campaign.  Three or four of those were substantial pledges and he is hoping to receive those additional pledges before year's end.  The Vestry as a group pledged $34,810, an average of $2900.  A list was distributed of church members and whether they have pledged or not over the past three years.  Vestry members were asked to get back to Jim advising who they would call to remind them of our need for pledges this year.

            Communication Committee:  Steve reports that the turnout for the recent Evensong was poor even though additional advertising had been done.  Weekly ad remains at double the size it was previously.  Heather will be doing some advertising on the house tour.

            Property Committee:  Jeff reports a balance of $27,000 is still due Trumbull and that will not be paid until everything is finished.  Mitchell has agreed to hold its prices this year for snow removal with $48 for a partial trip and $88 for a full sanding, salting trip.  Last year's budget of $1500 was not all used because of it being a mild winter.  The neighbors seem to be satisfied with the completion of the work and will pave their driveway in the spring.  Bangor Hydro may need a key to the gate to read the meter or may be able to read it from their office. 

            Education Committee:  Carolyn reported that attendance at Sunday School has been at 24 (sporadically) with two additional children now giving a total of 26.  She is tickled with the support that is given new families with children by the other young families.  She reports that her research indicates sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church has typically happened in quiet places. It is a policy now that no child will be left alone anywhere in the church.  Carolyn recently took the Safe Church Training and reports that two of the four teachers still have not taken it.             

            Worship Committee:  Fr. John wants to work up something for Lent this year.  John spoke of Travis' efforts and feels some kind of recognition should be given.  A thank you will be put into the Bulletin expressing our appreciation for all  that Travis does to enhance our worship.  A discussion was held about expressing our thanks to the Sunday School teachers for their efforts by perhaps presenting them with a gift certificate at Christmas.  This will be discussed again at the December meeting.

Old Business

            As the Bishop's calendar does not allow for her to attend a service of thanksgiving for completion of construction, Fr. John will work with John Pickering to look into combining such a service with the Advent Tea.

            Two people have expressed an interest in a Columbarium which can be either indoors or outdoors although an outside location might be a source of vandalism.  It is not an inexpensive proposition and costs will be looked into by Fr. John.

New Business:

            The matter of closing the office on Mondays was discussed with Jenn splitting her hours over the next four days; such a schedule will work for Jenn.  This will save heat in the building one days week and make the building unavailable to groups as well on Mondays.

            Discussion was held on replacing the old refrigerator which needs to be manually defrosted.  Jen Wilson offered to switch her refrigerator she uses for extra storage when she has company (which is self-defrosting) with the old one in our kitchen if someone will physically make the switch.  The Rizzo machine situation has been settled for $215 and has to be returned.  Two new Acolyte albs are needed as the ones we have now are too short for a couple of our six-foot plus acolytes.  It was voted to approve the purchase at about $70 each as soon as possible.

            Heather urged us to practice Christian values and practice respect with each other.  Email, while it can be helpful, can also lead to problems as anything put out there on the Internet can be forwarded from anyone to anyone else - it is, according to Fr. John, the work of the devil.  We were all cautioned not to communicate anything on email we would not want our whole address list to receive.

            A request was made for furniture for the Church School consisting of a locker for kids' stuff ($319); storage for wigglers' room ($159) and a bookcase ($75).  This amount (approximately $550) will be addressed by the Finance Committee.  A suggestion was made that these funds from be taken from the Joseph earnings if the young people are first consulted and approve.  Perhaps a plaque could be put on these items to thank these young parishioners for their donation.    The choir wants to replace the seating (currently metal folding chairs) on the ends of the rows with eight padded wooden chairs at a cost of about $800.  This will be addressed at December meeting.

            Fr. John reported he has had a request for a weighted sandwich sign for Second Saturday meals at a cost of $150.  A suggestion  was made to look into the cost of a sign with interchangeable letters and we will look for a definite recommendation for such a sign.

            The outgoing members of the Vestry will form the Nominating Committee for members and officers for next year.  Judy, John, and Jim will gather names of interested persons.  Robin asks that a notice be put in the Bulletin and Newsletter and that the Committee bring the list of names to the December meeting.

            Beth Bohnet addressed the members expressing her thanks for their willingness to take ten tickets each to sell or buy for the Christmas House Tour.

            Discussion was held on the new logo for the church and this will be decided at the December meeting.

            Discussion also held on the Christmas boxes and toys for the children.  The outreach budget last year was $1000 and it was voted to set aside $1200 this year.  Requests for donations will be put into the Bulletin and the Newsletter.

.The meeting was  adjourned at 8:15  p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Olsen

Clerk