Calvary Episcopal Church
Vestry Minutes
September 20, 2005
Parker Hall
Participants
Present: Nancy Anderson, H. Nicholas Baker, James
Barnes, Sandra Cherry, Downey Gray, Elyse Hensley, Jerrold Lyndrup, Sara Reisz,
Mary Sachs, Margaret Scharre, David Stewart; The Rev. J. Edward Morris, The
Rev. Rhonda M. Lee.
Absent: Laina Brown, James Hendon, Andrea Morris,
Jonathan Smith,
Opening Prayer
The meeting was called to order at 5:18 p.m.; the Rev. Rhonda Lee
offered a meditation and prayer.
Minutes of August meeting
Jerry Lyndrup moved the approval of the August 16, 2005, minutes of
the vestry; seconded by Nancy Anderson. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Finance:
In the absence of the Treasurer, Sally
Reisz presented the financial statements through August 2005. Downey Gray moved
that the report be accepted; Corky Sachs seconded. Motion carried.
Sally
Reisz reported the results of the September Financial Committee meeting and
presented a committee motion to adjust the 2005 budget reducing the expenses
and revenues by $15,000 [Major Maintenance (5290) reduced $15,000 from $71,948
to $56,948; New and Reduced Pledges (4015) reduced $5,000 from $48,000 to
$43,000 and Fund Raising Projects (4055) reduced $10,000 from $20,000 to
$10,000]. Additionally, Audit Expense (5561) was reduced $2000 from $6000 to
$4000 and Bookkeeper Salary (5050) was reduced from $18,414 to $17,268.32
consistent with the cost associated with the employment of the new
bookkeeper/office assistant. Various expense accounts related to the Deacon and
a revenue account reflecting support from the Diocese for the Deacon were added
to the 2005 budget. The motion carried.
Fr. Morris and Deacon Lee were asked to
leave the room. Fr. Morris turned the chair over to Sally Reisz who then
presented a committee motion setting 2006 staff salaries (including an October
effective date for Fr. Morris as his year begins in October). The motion
carried as presented. Fr. Morris and Deacon Lee returned to the meeting.
Sally Reisz also reported that the work
of the Internal Audit Committee is on schedule and that Noel Booker has been
added to the committee.
Stewardship:
Downey Gray
reported that John Bugbee, chair of the Stewardship campaign, has everything
under control. Downey also reminded the vestry that the Time and Talent Fair is
scheduled for Sunday, September 25, immediately following the 11:00 service. The Adult Forum at 10:00 will offer a preview of the fair, along
with a discussion of what gifts you may offer in time and talent. Downey also
reported that October 9 is Stewardship Kick-off Sunday.
By-Laws/Insurance:
Nick Baker reported that he was awaiting
recommendations from the Finance Committee of any financial-related changes to
the By-Laws. He had nothing else to report at this time.
Worship:
Fr.
Morris drew the vestry’s attention to the September written staff report for
Music. Fr. Morris also reported that the 9:15 service was initiated Sunday,
September 18 and that it appears to be a success. He also announced that
October 2 will be the Blessing of the Animals service outside in the courtyard
with a rainout date scheduled for the following Saturday (Blessing of Animals
only, no Eucharist). Fr. Morris also noted that the bulletin is now more
instructive and includes Collect, Lessons, a pointed Psalm, Gospel and other
prayers reducing the need to use the Book of Common Prayer and an insert. The
bulletin is now about eight pages long.
Christian Formation:
Elyse
Hensley drew the vestry’s attention to the September written staff report for
Christian Formation. She also announced that the Children’s Choir would sing at
the October 9th service.
Building, House and Grounds:
Jerry Lyndrup presented a written report of
maintenance projects. He especially noted that windows will be installed in all
classrooms and offices beginning Monday, September 26; that the broken stained
glass window is being looked at; that the roof leaks are being investigated.
Jerry was asked to add to his list investigation of the gutter overflows,
especially at the North Entry, and safety lighting in the courtyard.
Outreach:
Jim Barnes drew the vestry’s attention to
the September written staff report for Outreach especially pointing out the
report of proceeds from the yard sale. Rhonda Lee reported on Calvary’s effort
to assist in the relief efforts for hurricane victims. Jim Barnes reported that
a check will be written and forwarded to the Episcopal Relief and Development
fund as soon as we are sure monetary contributions have ceased. Jerry Lyndrup
reported that this year’s Habitat for Humanity’s house will be raised Friday
and Saturday, September 23 and 24. The house is at 1113 Dixie Highway.
Communication:
Meg
Scharre drew the vestry’s attention to the September written staff report for
Communication especially pointing out that the Connection newsletter will now
be issued monthly with the 20th of each month set as the deadline
for submissions. She also pointed out the new logo.
Parish Life:
Sandra Cherry reported that the softball season
ended and that Calvary received a trophy for its participation. She reminded
the vestry of the dates for taking pictures for the pictorial directory. She
also reminded the vestry that the annual parish picnic at the Ray’s includes
much pre-picnic work (tables, dishes, glasses, tablecloths, etc).
Junior Warden:
Downey Gray
reported that the vestry overnight retreat has been confirmed for January
27-28, 2006, at Wooded Glen Retreat Center in Indiana. Downey also reported
that a Leadership Conference has been scheduled for October 1 at Christ Church,
Bowling Green. The fee is $15. He has the applications and information.
Senior Warden:
Sally
Reisz reported that a second check has been received from Kroger for the Fund
Raising program. She also reported that Clyde Warner has been completing a Major
Maintenance Schedule that will be very helpful as maintenance projects come up.
Deacon:
Deacon
Lee reported that four of the “Don’t get left behind” sessions have been
completed and overall the response has been good. September 22 is the last
session with Via Media scheduled to begin September 29th.
Rector:
Fr. Morris noted that he has presented information
throughout the meeting and had only to add that his one-year anniversary as
Rector of Calvary is approaching (October). He indicated that he has been very
pleased with the experience and the support from everyone.
Old Business:
A thank you note from
Susan Watts was received and entered into these minutes. Jim Barnes asked that
the vestry officially thank Meg Scharre for the cross and necklace she
purchased for Susan on behalf of the vestry. It is a very appropriate and
beautiful gift and Susan is very pleased with it as evidenced by her thank you
note.
New Business:
Fr. Morris announced that Anita House has been
employed as the new Bookkeeper/Office Assistant and that she began work last
Tuesday. Her hours are 9:00 - 3:30 Monday through Thursday.
Fr. Morris also
gave an update on the condition of Dorn Crawford.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the vestry is October 18,
2005, 5:15, Calvary Church with Sandra Cherry officiating Compline.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
7:00p.m. with Compline officiated by Meg Scharre.
Respectfully submitted,
James M. Barnes
Secretary
Staff Reports
2005 OUTREACH, MUSIC, and COMMUNICATIONS – September
Outreach:
1. Food Donations: This report covers the period from August 9 to September 12. During
this time, we received donations of food worth $1786. There were some
larger donations, one from St. Michael’s Orthodox, and finally a couple from
Kentucky Harvest, thanks to Walt Morris’ persistence.
2. Food
Distribution: During August, we gave out 112 food bags that
fed 194 people.
3. Clothes Shops for Women and Kids: Thanks to clothing contributed exclusively by
Calvary people, and thanks to the intense interest given to this project by our
weekday volunteers, the number of people clothed at Calvary given out from August
9 – September 12 was 65. We have just received a big donation of men’s
clothing, much needed.
4. Cookbook, CD, and Breads: Bill Garnar’s bread recipes are in the new
Calvary cookbook that was released recently in conjunction with a CD of the
Lenten Recitals.
5. Book Aid: Books continue to come in, and are well cared for
by David Webb, with advice from Timmons Owens.
6. Crisis Care (Outreach of sorts!) Crisis Care organization is being looked at by
Deacon Lee. Let’s hope we can enlist many more volunteers, for a few this week
have gone by the wayside for lack of organization and people.
7. The Refugees: Since the hurricane, this category takes on a
whole new meaning. We are assembling items for distribution by the Red Cross,
and contributions have consistently been made by parishioners to ERD. We are
also getting many more clothing items and are keeping those for use when the
refugees receive their own apartments. There is also talk of adopting a family
– that is in the talking stages as this is written. We also celebrate the 6th
anniversary of the arrival of the Sherifi family on September 3, 1999.
8. CHOICES: The Dickinsons hosted a fundraiser for this
group at the Bach Haus on August 14 at 4:00 p.m., giving a 45 minute organ
recital. Over $1700 was raised.
9. YARD SALE: Proceeds from the Giant Downtown Church yard Sale
netted $1384, of which Calvary received half and deposited that amount in the
Fund Raising Account. MANY people helped with this sale, and we thank Huyett
Hurley and her committee for much hard work.
MUSIC:
Again, we can’t say the music program is gearing up for the fall,
because it never did slow down for the summer! We thank all who gave of
themselves all summer to make sure that joyful voices were (and are being)
raised to the Lord! As the 9:15 service gets into gear, we are grateful to
Joshua Lewis for offering guitar music that will be alternated with organ music
(1 and 3 and 5 for guitar, 2 and 4 for the organ).
Communications:
1. THE
NEXT CALVARY CONNECTION deadline is October 20. A change in policy means that the CONNECTION will
now be a monthly publication, beginning with the November issue. The deadline
will always be the 20th of the month, no exceptions. If the articles
do not meet the deadline, they will be published the next month. I really hope
to stick to that, in fairness to all! The Editorial Board will now meet on the
first Wednesday of the month, beginning on October 5.
2. Calvary has a new logo that appeared first on a
bulletin for September 4, and subsequently will be on almost everything that
has to do with Calvary’s publications. We are grateful to Andy Frazier for
creating the logo, at right.
3. Webmaster Jim Barnes continues to do a fantastic
job of updating and adding to the Calvary website. NEW: Ways you can help
victims of the hurricane, lay ministry schedules, and a special link to
Guidelines and Procedures. As of September 12, we passed the 13,000 mark for visitors
to the website (13,242 to be exact) since March 31, 2003.
4. As everyone has heard, the Pictorial Directory is
well underway, with sitting to commence on September 26.
Margaret Dickinson
CHRISTIAN FORMATION REPORT TO THE
VESTRY
September 11 was registration for
classes which was held on the south lawn after the 10:30 service. Displays, Brochures, calendars, and samples
of curricula were available. During the
service special Teachers Commissioning was celebrated distributing candles and
certificates. Please share your support
and prayers for our teachers.
Calvary's Christian Formation for
children and youth looks primarily: “To shape and transform lives and
communities through shared experiences of the Sunday Readings” and exploration
through God-centered activities. The
Junior High and Senior High classes will apply daily life experiences to
scripture. The Intermediate students
will continue their two-year study of the Episocopal faith through studies of
church history, sacraments, the Book of Common Prayer, the Bible, and
worship. Younger children, four years
through 3rd grade, will learn Bible stories and the Christian
message through Godly Play stories where they can explore and discover through
play and experiental activities, Christian truths. Music is also an integral part of Calvary's children's Christian
formation with music instruction and practice as part of the lesson time.
For details to learn more about
Calvary's Christian Formation programming, please see the Calvary web page or
check out the bulletin boards, flyers, and brochure, newly formatted by Carrie
and Andy Frazier. We encourage everyone
to join us for faith exploration, as together we share instruction, fun,
fellowship, and worship. Calvary's
nursery offers a unique introduction to church with nurturing care by the “Nursury Nannies.” During the Christian Formation hour, stories
will be shared with any interested toddlers, as well as an opportunity to
explore through simple art activities.
At Calvary, we welcome everyone into the Body of Christ as we discover
on a journey together the meaning of faith in our lives. Join us!
Reaching out to others, as well as
to the church community, is an integral part of Calvary's Christian Formation
for children and youth. Throughout the
year, the Outreach committee will be sponsoring opportunities for families to
help our community. For example, this
fall, “Tokens for Turkeys” will give children and youth a chance to provide
turkeys for needy families. During
Advent, there will be a Mitten and Hat Tree, as well as other
opportunities. Every Sunday we will be
collecting food for Calvary's Food Closet in support of the Help Office. Please help your children learn the joy of
giving and support Calvary's Outreach for Children and Youth!
Upcoming in September: Via Media Classes begin 9-29, Youth and
Parents Dinner will be held on 9-25, Training for J2A will be 9-23 and 24.
Many thanks for the support!
Callie Hausman
