Our Activities

Listed below are the news articles for the month of October.

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.

October 19, 2005

September Vestry Meeting Highlights

Vestry meeting summary Tuesday 25th September 2005

• Interim Rector’s Report – Rev Anne reported on her first weeks at Trinity getting to know people, with meetings back to back, and many exciting and important events in the life of the parish. Staff meetings will run 9.30 to 10.00 for clergy and other staff 10.00 to 12.00. Liturgy matters are addressed at 9.00 on Wednesdays. Anne has also had the opportunity to visit Trinity School and CFI. Anne was happy to report the hiring of Alex Hardt to be Trinity’s youth minister and first responses were very positive. On the topic of worship at Trinity of course Anne’s first few weeks have been very eventful with first her first Sunday and then Bishop Swing’s visit and the dedication of Angus Hall on 9/11. Anne commented that attendance this last Sunday was rather poor at all services and this was a pity as lots of good things were happening at Trinity. Anne pointed out that both the 9.10 and 5.00 services are in need of host families. Anne said that Larry had put in a request for Joe to be made music director of the 5.00 service with the responsibility for the music planning in addition to his piano playing. The Vestry supported this suggestion, which is possible within the existing music budget. Finally Anne said that the Reverend Frannie Hall-Kieschnik will be offered the position of non-stipendiary priest of Trinity giving her a parish home. Anne would like to see a rotation of Fred, Frannie and herself participating in the preaching at all the various services of the week.
• Financials – Jeannie Thomas gave an update on August financials showing YTD income at $465k, 97% of plan, and YTD expenses at $457k, 97% of plan. Expenses exceeded income for the month by $57k. Total reserves stand at around $243k representing about 4 months. On the upcoming budgeting process, Jeannie said that there had been two meeting so far. Jeff said that the finance committee is looking for general guidance from the Vestry for different income scenarios and feedback is sought by 10/7 on such issues as a) funding for social ministries b) balanced or deficit funded budgets c) funding staff positions d) funding/replenish reserves e) endowments draw allocations
• Vestry Candidates and Deanery Delegates – Margie reported that the 6 candidates would have their information bulletins published on notice board and also on the parish website. A search committee will be formed for the Deanery Delegates with election set for October 23rd. Trinity is eligible for up to seven Delegates. Delegates need to be able to listen to concerns of the congregation, be up on the issues facing the church, and be prepared to communicate on issues to the congregation. Delegates will also participate in the election of the new Bishop in May ’06.
• Family Ministries – Debbie broke the news, sad for Trinity but happy for the Dolan family, that Pamela and her family will be moving to St. Louis most likely around Thanksgiving. A search committee will be formed and Debbie mentioned that Sally Mancini has kindly offered to help with this process. Debbie asked for suggestions as to who would be interested to help on the search committee.
• Stewardship – Harry outlined the upcoming Stewardship program, including inserts in service notes covering thoughts on Stewardship on one side, and budget and program information on the other. A more detailed communication would be included in the October newsletter and homilies would be directed to Stewardship through October into early November. A letter from Rev Anne centered on the spiritual part of Stewardship will be mailed October 31st. The Stewardship committee will make a presentation at the October 16th 3rd Sunday supper.
• Rector search Process – Rev Anne said that the search committee needed to be formed in late October and there would be a solicitation in the October newsletter seeking people who would be prepared to serve on this committee. Anne stressed the need to get broad involvement in this process. The deadline for names in October 18th in time for review at the Executive Committee meeting of October 19th.

Full meeting minutes are available in the church office.

October 30, 2005

Looking for new Acolytes

We are looking to train a few acolytes: boys or
girls in 4th grade and up (some third graders might be
ready). These children would help out in the 10
o'clock service from time to time, or at combined
services (like the All Saints' service on Nov. 6th).

We might even get them vested for the 9:10 service on
occasion. It is a great way to get your kids more
involved in the liturgy (a word that literally means
"the work of the people"--and remember, you ARE the
people of God!).

Please contact Mother Anne or Pamela Dolan if
you think this ministry would appeal to your child.

Maluwabesi bridge update

To all the Maluwabesi bridge supporters,

Finally the bridge is a success. I want to thank each of you who contributed your money and your time to raise funds for this wonderful bridge, and the many unknown and unnamed people whose collective efforts make this happen. It is a sign of hope that despite the political deadlock and the hardships of the people, we can make significant constructive progress.

Attached you will find a note of thanks:

Congratulations and many thanks to each of you. The 100 metre WireBridge you helped to finance is alive and well, and running in Kavre.

The village User Group worked very hard to secure access to the site, and to ensure that there would be safe working conditions for the EcoSystems staff and local workers. In the end everyone agreed with the plan, the work proceeded without any incidents, and the bridge was opened on October 19.

Our team had a small camera and took a few photos, the best of which are attached. To get more photos we will have to wait until the insurgency is past.
Meanwhile, your WireBridge will shorten the route to the Bolde health post and to a local school, and brighten the lives of countless villagers who live on the left bank of the Sun Kosi river.

Thank you again for your generosity and patience.
David & Haydi & the EcoSystems team