Trinity News

October 01, 2005

August Vestry Meeting Highlights

Trinity Vestry Meeting minutes – Tuesday August 23rd 2005

From the Clergy: Father Fred Heard (part)
From the Vestry: Elaine Hammond, Howard Smith, Debbie Eastburn, Peter Bostock, Anne Murghia, Margie Stehle, Harry Hagey, David Arscott, Nancy Grove, Frances Nuelle. Absent: Jeff Cunningham, Jess Love.
Guests: Jennifer Fitzmorris (part) Mary Menacho (part), Ann Latta (part)

Vestry meeting summary Tuesday 23rd August 2005
• Trinity School - Mary Menacho and Ann Latta provided the Vestry with an update on Trinity School and the important bonds that link Trinity Parish St. Bede’s and Trinity School.
• Financials - Jennifer Fitzmorris gave an update on July financials showing YTD income at $440k, 98% of plan, and YTD expenses at $376k, 87% of plan. Income is typically skewed to the first half of the year and thus we are still budgeting a yearend deficit of $36k. Operating reserves stand at around $300k representing 4.9 months. A provisional pledge growth goal for Stewardship is anticipated by October 10th.
• Consent Agenda - The Vestry approved the expenditure of up to $10k for various much needed repairs and improvements to the rectory and Montgomery House.
• Youth Task Force - An update was provided on the activities of the youth task force. There will be a meeting this coming Sunday September 4th targeting 6th to 8th graders for the middle school group to help put a program together with an objective of starting by end September. We are looking for a qualified person to provide 8-12 hours per week to help run the program. The budget for this activity is approximately $13k on an annualized basis.
• Third Sunday suppers – The Vestry was reminded that Third Sunday Suppers start up again after the summer recess on Sunday September 18th. It was agreed that the September presentation slot will be for Outreach while October would be for Stewardship.
• Connectedness – While the committee’s general task was to increase the feeling of community in the parish, the practical near term objective was to provide a functioning email database. Collecting names, emails etc to provide a “21st Century means of communication in our parish. Thus far of the 400 family members we have about 150-200 emails addresses. It was noted that the database will be secure and will be used only for Trinity communications. Parishioners will be able to opt out at any time.
• Stewardship – The stewardship committee has proposed Sunday November 13th as pledge Sunday, with October 16th and 30th set for stewardship sermons. Newsletter articles were proposed for the coming months together with comments for the various services. The budget proposal and a letter from the rector on the spiritual aspects of stewardship should be distributed by October 10th. The Vestry should be able to view a preliminary budget for 2006 at the next Vestry meeting.
• Nominating Committee – We have 6 candidates for the upcoming general election to the Vestry. The candidates are John Crevelt, Jay Dean, Jeannie Thomas, Lamar Van Gunten, Lucy Stranberg and Carl Ditmore. Candidate responses will be published in the October newsletter. Election day will be October 23rd service by service.
• R4J – The R4J committee has been busy working on preparations for Bishop Swing’s visit on September 11th and the dedication of the new building. After the 10.30 a.m. service Bishop Swing will dedicate the building. The dedication will be followed by a light lunch. Commission groups will be set up all over Angus Hall together with desserts.

Full minutes are available in the Church office.