St. John’s Episcopal Church

Bangor, Maine

September 12, 2006

Joint Meeting/Scheduled September Vestry Meeting

Preceding the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Vestry, a joint meeting of the Vestry with the Discernment Committee, Bishop Knudsen, Canon Studdiford, Committee Advisor Vicki Wiederkehr, and the Rev. Mary Ann Taylor was held commencing at 6 p.m.  At that time, Discernment Committee Chairman Bruce Mallonee distributed copies of the Parish Profile as had been prepared by his Committee to the assembled group.  A line-by-line review of the document was undertaken with comments and suggestions made by Bishop Knudsen and others present.  Recommendations ranged from emphasizing our Christian commitment to Jesus Christ to discussion of punctuation.  Suggestions for these revisions are designed to make even better an very masterful piece of work by the Discernment Committee and that Committee will meet next Monday to implement suggestions made by the group.  Thanks were given to John Pickering for his creation of the logo on the front of the Profile which represents the three viewpoints present in our parish united around the Eucharist.  This meeting concluded at 7:50 p.m.

Monthly Vestry Meeting

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.  Excused:  S. Hunt; J. Wilson.

Fr. John opened the meeting with prayer.  Because of the late start to the meeting and the scope of the agenda, no scripture reading was given.

Minutes

The minutes of the August 8th meeting were accepted as presented with a correction being made that Heather Souweine's absence from that meeting was an excused absence.

Treasurer’s Report

            The Treasurer's report had been covered in a joint meeting with Vestry members held on September 5th.

Wardens’ Reports

            Senior Warden R. Borok reported that an initial presentation of issues addressed at the National Convention in Columbus will be made to Vestry members by Fr. John prior to further planning for a facilitator to come to St. John's to present information to the parish.  Again, emphasis was placed on the idea that both sides need to be adequately represented.  Discussion was held on when to hold the initial meeting and it was decided that Fr. John will address Vestry members after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, September 17th - scheduled to begin as closely as possible to 11:45 a.m.  At that time the "green sheets" will be distributed which summarize all the actions taken at the convention.

Interim Rector’s Report

            Fr. John presented an abbreviated report and advised that he would be on vacation for the week of October 22.  He also advised that the inquirers' class was successful with seven to nine participants and he will be planning another series of these classes.

Committee/Commission Reports

            Finance Committee:  Ken Huhn has completed an Investment Policy and requests were put out to eight firms for proposals to implement that policy.  Four firms gave live presentations to a committee consisting of Ken, Roger George and Don Lewis.  A decision was made to move investments to UBS (United Bank of Switzerland) and the funds will be invested in a combination of equities, bonds, and cash with an objective of maintaining a minimum of a 5% return  - hopefully in the 7%-8% range.  UBS will act as our investment advisor; our investments will be fairly conservative, and we will be able to get information as needed on a regular basis.  The costs for this service will be in the range of $5,000/year which is considerably lower that the combined costs of managing the current investments.  A motion was made, seconded, and approved to move these investments to USB.  A thank you letter will be sent to Ken Huhn for his expert advice and assistance in this matter. 

            A request was received from Travis LaCombe for funds for his travel along with half the cost of travel for Grant Batchelder and Colby Civiello to participate in the Michaelmas Choir Festival and Conference at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco the end of this month.  This is a great honor for Travis and these two young men from our choir as participation is by invitation only and is limited to about 24 carefully selected boys from various parts of the country and their choirmasters.  It was voted to pay up to $1200 from the Choir Fund to defray travel costs.

            Communication Committee:  Steve reports that advertising will be done for the Les Petites Chanteurs visit and presentation on 9/27-28 along with press releases.  Information has also been directed to Blue Hill and Camden parishes.

            Property Committee:  Jeff expects that the continuing work will be completed by the end of this month.  It was voted to expend $400 for a portable aluminum ramp for use in assisting handicapped persons out of their vehicle and into the Church.  It is lightweight and can be stored in the narthex..  

            Education Committee:  Carolyn reported that a meeting had been held at her home and that there were 15 children in attendance last Sunday.  Significant enthusiasm is being shown by the three teachers and three teenage helpers and a number of adults will assist as "guests" which will take some burden of the full-time instructors.  The books arrived this past Monday.

            Worship Committee:   Report deferred until next month.

            Stewardship Committee:  Jim reports the stewardship "kickoff" will start with an all-parish Loyalty Dinner to be held on October 8th after the 10 o'clock service.  Pledge cards will be passed out at that time to those present and other pledge cards will be mailed.  The menu will be macaroni and cheese, shepard's pie and coleslaw.  Preparations for the meal will take place at one p.m. on Saturday.  Pledge cards will be given to Vestry members at the next meeting on October 10th with emphasis that the Vestry members need to be the leaders of the parish in this stewardship drive.  Commitment Sunday is tentatively set for October 29th as most pledge cards should be in by then with follow-up calls being made to those who have not returned their cards.

            The tower dedication will be held at a special Evensong at a date to be determined sometime in November.  We will confer with Travis re: plans and his suggestions.

Old Business

            Plans are nearing completion for the Les Petites Chanteurs visit on September 27-28.  Jen Wilson will head up the work force for lunch on the 27th and Brother Donald will be designing a menu for the evening meal (5 p.m.) prior to their performance at 7 p.m.  Vestry members should be available to help with the supper and there is still a need for additional overnight accommodations for some of the visitors.

            The Ministry Fair was successful and suggestions were made to pursue that type of thing by having different ministry groups/committees head up the coffee hours in the future.

            Don requested that each committee chairman write a "want ad" for placement in the bulletin to augment participation in his/her committee.

            Carolyn requested that the agenda of future Vestry meetings be sent to the members prior to the meeting which will require a deadline for submission of items.

New Business

            Suggestions are being sought as to how we can help Steve Gatchell with his current situation.

            Carolyn reported that a workshop will be held in Massachusetts for teachers, parents and entire families sometime in October or November.  She is hoping some of the funds received from the Joseph productions could be used to facilitate attendance by several families in the parish.  A suggestion was made that perhaps a bus could be rented for transport.  Carolyn will bring in more specific information to the next meeting.  If funds from Joseph are used, the youth group should be consulted.

An Executive Session lasting approximately an hour was held.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Olsen

Clerk