St. John’s Episcopal Church

Bangor, Maine

October 10, 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. Wilson..  Excused:  J. Pickering; H. Souweine.

            Fr. John opened the meeting with prayer and a scripture reading from the 18th Chapter of Matthew's Gospel.. 

            Initially, a presentation was made by Hal Wheeler regarding the problems with the current sound system and possible solutions.  During the performance  by Les Petites Chanteurs, Hal moved around the nave and checked the sound in various locations.  He became aware that in the rear third and center sections there were dead spots where the sound lacks clarity.  Something needs to be acoustically corrected.  He requested permission to contact Neal Wetmore to come in and try to fix the problem and tell us whether a couple of additional speakers would resolve the situation.  The lavalieres also need to be checked out.  Discussion was held on a system for the undercroft and Hal feels we should be able to get what we need for under $1,000.  He will talk to Neal on this and also check out catalogs for possible solutions. 

Minutes

            The minutes of the September 12th meeting were accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s Report

            Don reported that we are down a lot this year so far.  Notices have been mailed out to those behind on pledges as we are currently $70,000 behind last year on payments.  However, we have been able to survive because costs are down.  Capital Campaign pledges continue to come in and we are paying $50,000 every three months on that debt.  We must understand that costs will increase with a new rector and this year's stewardship campaign is very important.  Don advised us that he is hoping someone else will step forward and volunteer to replace him as Treasurer next year.  The Treasurer's Report was approved.

Wardens’ Reports

            Senior Warden R. Borok reported her committee with John and E.J. will try to find a facilitator to update the parish on current issues in the Episcopal Church.  That suggestion will be brought to the Vestry at the next meeting on November 14th.  Should further discussion requiring a special meeting be needed, email will be used for contacting members.

Interim Rector’s Report

            Fr. John will be taking his final vacation days off beginning October 18th and will return Thursday of the following week (the 26th).  Charlene will be here to cover on Sunday the 22nd.

            The Inquirers' Class was successful with five people either to be confirmed or received.  Two additional people have expressed an interest in attending such classes and Fr. John will be scheduling another series.

            Gary Creaser will be out of town for the Second Saturday meal this month and Fr. John and E.J. have volunteered to do what they can to help with the shopping, preparation, etc.

            It was decided to table the planned meeting to explain Congregational Functioning based on size and canonical law to the Vestry.  It will take approximately one and one-half hours to cover both issues and can be done on a Saturday a.m., Sunday after the 10 a.m. service or any evening at a later date.  It tentatively will be held later when new Vestry members are in place.

            The celebration of the completion of our construction project is tentatively scheduled to be held on November 19th in conjunction with a Choral Evensong and the Bishop's office has been notified although no answer has yet been received. 

 Committee/Commission Reports

            Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee met last week.  There are no new issues to report.

            Stewardship Committee:  Jim reported on the kickoff last Sunday for this year's campaign.  He gave the first of the three chancel talks and gave out or mailed 285 envelopes this week.  E.J. has agreed to give the second chancel talk and Heather the third.  The Loyalty Lunch was very successful with 65-70 people participating.  Commitment Sunday is scheduled for October 20th when pledge cards are due to be turned in.  Interest in volunteerism appears good and several people have already expressed interest in various committees.  Stewardship envelopes were distributed to Vestry members and they are being counted on to be leaders in attaining this year's goals.  Suggestion was made to have a "thermometer" giving a visual showing of the progress of the campaign and Jim and Claudia will take care of this.

            Communication Committee:  Advertising and press coverage were good for Les Petites Chanteurs performance with something in excess of 200 people in attendance.  Donations amounted to $1253 and Vestry members voted to add $247 to this to make it an even $1500.  A check for this amount will be sent to Les Petites Chanteurs.

            Property Committee:  Jeff reported we are just about at the end of the construction.  The small building was taken away by Alan Marks from Orono.  The fence went up today and a gate will be put up.  Pavers should be here; the neighbor's house will be pressure washed and hopefully all will be finished in two weeks.  Now that the major construction project is nearly completed, routine maintenance work will be given more attention including repairs to the loose railing to the undercroft and doors to the chapel.  A roof leak also caused wall damage in the undercroft which needs repair.  Saturday November 4th will be a cleanup day for the undercroft.  There seemed to be some confusion as to whether the elevator had a current valid inspection.  After repairs totaling $2800, we should have been issued a new inspection sticker and Jenn will check into this.  Steve plans to pick up the portable ramp this week.

            Education Committee:  Carolyn had additional information to present to the Vestry concerning Convocation 2006 in Westborough, Massachusetts on November 17-18 for teachers, parents, and children.  Room reservations are $70 provided they are reserved no later than a week from today, i.e., October 18th.  Convocation fees are $125 for one adult; $200 for a couple; children attend at no charge.  Those fees include dinner, breakfast and lunch.  Meals in transit would be additional.  There is also the question of travel  - if just two or three attend, travel could be by car with mileage paid; if more either a van or a bus would need to be rented.  Not knowing how many persons would be interested in attending, it was impossible to come up with a budget and there was some concern that costs could run excessively high if a large number of people want to attend.  Those involved are not saying the money raised with Joseph cannot be used but they would rather see those funds spent for something of a more permanent nature such as furniture for a classroom or books.  Carolyn suggested maybe funds could be taken from the money budgeted but not used for a Christian Education Director.  Decisions will have to be made in a week when the number of attendees has been determined.  

Old Business

            The renewal of Father John's contract was on the agenda and resulted in a long discussion about concerns of some parishioners.  Father John stated unequivocally he would meet with anyone, anytime, anywhere for a face-to-face discussion of concerns.  The obligation of the Vestry members is to support members with issues and perhaps accompany them to discuss their concerns with Father John; it is not the obligation of a Vestry member to become an intermediary carrying those concerns to Fr. John.  It was voted to renew the contract unanimously with both Fr. John and the Vestry having the option of a thirty-day  notice to cancel the contact at any time prior to the arrival of the new rector.

.The meeting was  adjourned at 8:10  p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Olsen

Clerk