St. John’s Episcopal Church

Bangor, Maine

January 9, 2007

Present: Fr. Wingert, D. Lewis, J. Perry, J. Allen, J. Blanchette, S. Brakey, E. Hikel, J. Pickering, C Leick

Excused:  R. Borok, J. Olsen, S. Hunt, H. Souweine, J. Wilson..

            Fr. John opened the meeting with prayer and a reading.

            The agenda was approved as presented to the members.

Minutes

            The minutes of the December’s meeting were accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s Report

            Don reported the good news that St. John’s ended the year in a good position with over $6,000 income over expenses.  Everything is almost finalized, but he will need to rearrange some funds for better investments.  The Treasurer's report was accepted.

            Don also submitted a balanced budget.  The pledges have been conservatively budgeted, based on stewardship pledges.  The rector’s salary is estimated at a partial year.  The budget was accepted.

Wardens’ Reports

            Senior Warden R. Borok was unable to attend so her notes were included with the agenda.  Fr. John reminded us that January 14th after the 10 o'clock service there will be a gathering of the Vestry members and Finance Committee to discuss current issues in the Episcopal Church with the focus being on the Episcopal viewpoints of the resurrection.  Robin, Father John, John Pickering and E.J. will present.  The summary white paper will be finalized and distributed in a day or so. Everyone is asked to bring their own lunch. 

            For the annual meeting, Jan 28th, St. John’s will provide main dish and vestry members will bring dessert.

Interim Rector’s Report

            Father John will contact Detective Small and request that he come in some week after the 10 o'clock service in January or February to talk about the sex offender registry.  A new set of inquirers' classes will be held during Epiphany-tide starting Jan 17.  Five individuals will be confirmed or received from the last group and Fr. John anticipates seven to eight people will participate at the Bishop's visit on March 25th (this will be confirmed).  Attendance has been up recently with more than 200 during the past couple Sundays in December and 178 last Sunday.  Christmas Services totaled 353 and Advent 4 was 248.

 Committee/Commission Reports

            Finance Committee:  Presented during Treasurer Report

            Stewardship Committee:  Jim reported he has received 122 pledges to date totaling $252,152.  37 pledges have increased, 53 stayed the same, 11 decreased and 21 were new pledges totaling $16,000.  Jim also distributed time/talent pledges.  The vestry congratulated Jim for a job well done.

Communication Committee:  Steve reported newspaper and radio ads for Christmas were implemented.   Steve knows of a couple that attends Calvary Chapel but  went to Christmas Eve service at St. John’s after seeing/hearing the ads.

Property Committee:  Jeff reports things have been quiet.  Our budget looks good on the snow removal and oil side thanks to a mild winter.  The elevator is now in operations.  Jeff mentioned that he believes Jenn Bailey is working on procuring table and chair stands.  Jenn is also research bins for the nursery.  The Mitchell’s would like to have cabinets for tea sets.  If you know or have suggestions please contact Jeff.  John Pickering mentioned the undercroft water damage (not recent damage) to Jeff.  Jeff will research solutions.

Education Committee:  Carolyn reported that we are averaging 16-20 students per week.  Many positive comments came to her from people who enjoyed the pageant and celebration of the Birth of Christ tradition.  The vestry thanks Stephanie and Sam and Carolyn will write a special Thank you note.

Worship Committee:  Plans for Lent will be starting soon.

Discernment Committee:  Bruce reported the MDC had their first interview yesterday Jan 8th.

Old Business

            John P. reported that the Nominating Committee has a full ballet  Father John suggested amending the By-Laws regarding the following:  limit the Treasurer's term to three years; create a position of Assistant Treasurer appointed by treasurer; and create a position of Assistant Junior Warden appointed by the Junior Warden.  

New Business:

            Carolyn asked that we review all past open decisions presented at the end of the agenda.  Fr. John had shared the registered sex offender’s information to neighborhood clergy.  All open decisions will now be summarized at the end of the each minute.

            Jim shared the new St. John’s logo used on two options for the letterhead.  The vestry accepted the letterhead with the address on the bottom of the page.

            Special thanks were given to Judy Allan for all her fine work over the past three years.

Summary of Votes:

The Treasurer's report was accepted.

The budget was accepted.

Letter head with address on bottom was accepted.

To do:

• Everyone                    Prepare desserts for Annual meeting Jan 28th
• Carolyn Leick            Write Thank you note to Stephanie Lanham
• Fr. John                      Amend Bi-Laws for limit term and assistant roles
• Fr. John                      Contact Det. Small
• Fr. John                      Distribute white paper for Jan 14th Open Forum
• Heather Souweine    Helping coordinate Annual meeting Jan 28th

Open Items:

• Carolyn Leick            Furniture for Classrooms
• Fr. John                      Assistance for S Getchell
• Fr. John                      Portable pedestrian crossing signage
• Hal Wheeler               Sounds System for the Undercroft

• Jeff Perry                    Cabinet for Tea Sets
• Jeff Perry                    Research solution for past water damage in

• Jeff Perry                    Tower Leak

• Jenn Bailey                Research storage bins for families using nursery
• Jenn Bailey                Table and Chair Stands

• Jenn Bailey                Web Site Calendar
• Robin Borok              Create a booklet for Senior Warden (from Dec

Minutes)

.The meeting was adjourned circa 7:30.

Respectfully submitted,

EJ Hikel