Our Activities
Listed below are the news articles for the month of May.
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.
May 20, 2006
Family Ministries Commission Retreat
Mark your calendars for Saturday June 24, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity. We will be holding our annual planning retreat for the coming year. Interested in joining or learning more about the Commission? This is the perfect opportunity to find out who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Father Fred.
Important Sunday School Dates
The last day of Sunday school for the current academic year will be Sunday, June 4, 2006. Over the summer, we will be busy planning our curriculum and training new teachers for the next school year. Watch for registration packets to be mailed in late August.
We will be holding a Sunday school orientation on Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., then classes will resume on Sunday, September 24.
Calling All Grandparents, Godparents, Aunts, and Uncles!
Trinity Family Ministries is developing a new program to involve grandparents, godparents, uncles and aunts in the lives of Trinity’s young families. Parents of young children face many challenges in this modern world, and need all the help the rest of the community can provide. There are many experienced parents and grandparents in our parish family eager to help out, and eager to be involved in the life and spiritual development of young children and their parents.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this exciting program, contact Father Fred.
May 21, 2006
May Vestry Report
Summary Vestry Report for May
The Vestry meeting of April 25th began a report on the Holy Week activities from Rev. Anne. The hard work and dedication displayed by many in the parish community were noted, and the vestry expressed thanks for both the volunteer and staff efforts, noting especially the beautiful performance by the choir. Attendance at Holy Week activities was generally good.
Endowment Trust
We were joined this month by three of the five trustees of the Trinity Endowment Fund, Janet Littlefield (air of the Endowment Trust), Don Dixon, and Marty Arscott. They gave the Vestry a review of the history of the Endowment Fund and it’s current status.
Currently, all of the endowment payout goes to operating expenses, but the vestry is interested in directing the payout towards projects with a “long-term effect.” To change the use of the endowment draw will require matching changes in how we budget for the operating expenses of the Parish.
The Finance and Endowment committees will develop a draft policy on the use of endowment payout for vestry review, and, along with the Stewardship Commission will also consider how we can educate the Parish on both the issues and opportunities concerning our endowment.
Treasurer’s Report: Jennifer Fitzmorris
The revised budget has been implemented. We have received the endowment draw, and additional gifts from parishioners. YTD we are at 101% of budget on income. The operating reserve has improved slightly to 3.8 months. If allpledges do come in as promised, we will be close to eliminating the expected deficit. Jennifer has calculated that the cost to each parishioner to balance our budget is around “a latte a week.” It is within the power of the congregation to get us back on track.
Stewardship: Anne Murgia
The Stewardship Committee is being re-created. The feeling amongst the vestry is to move Trinity to an expanded sense of the meaning of “Stewardship”, to link the financial elements to a strong spiritual element concerned with personal commitment, and to shift the parish to a year-round Stewardship calendar, as practiced at other parishes. This will likely not happen in-full this year, but our program for the fall should lay the groundwork for a healthier on-going Stewardship program. Several organizational meetings are planned in the coming weeks.
Rector Search Committee report - Linda Hubbard Gulker
The new Parish Profile is nearing completion. The committee is working quickly to have the document ready for Vestry review in May and release to the public by the end of the month. The summer time is the best time to be approaching candidates.
Interim Rector’s Report: Anne Jensen
Rev. Anne reported progress in the search for a Family Ministries leader and increased attendance at the Family Service. She indicated a need for extra-effort in the Membership Committee and coordination between several Parish commissions to be sure that new families are properly welcomed and integrated into our community. Vestry will consider ways to enhance that effort.
Anne also reported on some concerns about the homeless people lingering on campus, especially on Wednesdays when the Clothes Closet is open. Though not dangerous people they can be a disruption and a concern for some, especially parents of pre-schoolers. There are no easy answers to this issue, but the problem is in discussion and some ideas have been proposed.
2007 Vestry Nominations:
David Arscott will chair a committee to recruit Parishioners for the 2007 Vestry. We have not determined whether there will be a contested election this year. Much will depend on the number of candidates who step forward. Those who are elected to the 2007 Vestry will likely take part in the vote to call a new rector, and in this period of transition and change for Trinity, strong leadership is especially important. The Vestry hopes all Trinitarians will prayerfully consider the call to community leadership and service.
For more information about the work of your Vestry, check the bulletin boards in Tierney Room, call the Parish office, or speak to any of the current Vestry members.
May 30, 2006
Trinity Team heads to the Gulf Coast to lend a hand!
Twelve volunteers are traveling to New Orleans June 10 to June 17 to volunteer at Camp Coast Care: Pat Erbes; Trudy Minkler; the Rev.Frannie Hall Kieschnick, Julie and Nate (Frannie's twin sister and son); June LaBarre; JB and Gayle Brahy and granddaughter, Nicole; A.J. Molina; and Diane and Caitlin Savage.
Camp Coast Care is a relief center for survivors of Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi's Gulf Coast and a mission point for Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi. Since the first days after the storm, they have offered help to survivors in the form of a distribution center for foods, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and clothing, a free medical clinic, housing for volunteers who come to clean out and rebuild local homes and communities, and a center for the church's work in Harrison and Hancock Counties.
If you can go, there's still room and scholarships are available. For information contact June LaBarre 650-321-7575 or junelab@comcast.net.
Here's what Camp Coast Care would like us to bring with us AND YOU CAN DONATE: Gift Cards: Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, and POWER TOOLS - used and in good condition. Please leave in offering plate (not the tools!) on Sunday or bring/mail to office by June 8, 2006. www.campcoastcare.com
And here's the prayer we hope parishioners will pray for the team:
Lord, God of the universe, creator and sustainer of all life. Grant us the serenity to respond to disaster in bold faith, seeking not certainty, but rather the assurance of your abiding presence.
Grant us hope when we spiral into despair and fill our broken hearts with the love with which you surround us.
Grant us wisdom to discern what you are calling each of us to do to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters and to support those who travel to be with them and work with them to rebuild.
As they rebuild, guide each hammer and nail with a ring of hope; bless each bandage and conversation with the balm of healing and strengthen each resolve with the blessed assurance that all manner of things shall be well, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
revised from Brother Charles LaFond, SSJE, 9/6/2005