Trinity News

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May 02, 2006

Vestry News - May

Notes from the March Vestry Meeting (3/28/06)

CFI: The March Vestry meeting began with a light supper shared with Kris Goodrich,
Josetta Walsh, and others of the board and staff of the Child & Family Institute, which is

celebrating its 20th anniversary year.

Stewardship: We then addressed Trinity’s Stewardship program. Diocesan Stewardship
Officer David Abernathy-Deppe led a Bible study of “the feeding of the four thousand”

from the Gospel of Mark, focusing on what the words spoke to us in the context of

Trinity Parish. He pointed out that the feeding of the four thousand was only a chapter

and one half after “the feeding of the five thousand,” yet Jesus’ disciples still had to ask

Jesus where the food was coming from. Stewardship, he said, is not simply about money.

It’s about witness and the centrality and importance of our church family. Stewardship is

integral with membership, and there are messages in pledging to which Clergy and

Vestry must pay attention. As a Parish we are well below the Diocesan average of pledge

amount per family income level, although we are one of the wealthiest Parishes in the

Diocese.

We reviewed stewardship at Trinity, the level of turnover within the Stewardship
Commission, and steps to address the currently projected shortfall in our 2006 budget.

The Vestry will hold an additional separate meeting (date to be announced) to plan

specific steps in revitalizing Stewardship as a year-round ministry. As always, members

of the Trinity community are invited to observe.

Budget: Both the monthly Treasurer’s Report and a special report from the Finance
Committee focused on the current projected budget deficit. Over approximately the last

four years Trinity has not been able to replenish reserves and other special funds to the

extent needed for long-term stability. The current budget deficit was a considered

decision at this year’s budget setting, because of a desire to maintain programs at their

current level during this transition period. However, by February, pledge receipts for the

year were only 40% of budget, and we have dropped our operating reserves to 3.6 months

(traditionally in the 4-5 month range). Interim Rector Anne said she had reviewed 2006

budgets with her staff and was able to offer $15k in reductions in spending. This coupled

with additional pledges reduced the projected deficit in 2006 to $18.4k. A motion to

accept this revised budget was accepted. The budget will be revisited in June.

Note to Trinity Parish members: this is an open discussion which should concern all
of us. Please contact any Vestry member with your thoughts or questions.