Hello from the Vestry
The Vestry met on December 20 for its December meeting and in January on 1/17. With all the activities around Christmas and preparing for the Annual Meeting and the Bishop, there has not been a report of the December meeting. This report covers both meetings.
In the December meeting we approved the Treasurer’s report and crossed our fingers that December would be the usual good month for donations. In January we learned that donations were received in December and that we received more income than budgeted, although our expenses for utilities and music were higher than expected so overall we lost $3,000 in 2022 which we were able to cover from funds in our operating bank account.
In January the Vestry also approved a budget for 2023 which was presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting. It is a deficit budget (about -$24,000) to enable us to continue offering programs we currently have and assumes income from pledging and sustaining givers will be about the same as 2022. The Finance Committee and the Vestry will continue to carefully monitor the budget on a month to month basis and share information as we go through the year.
During January a subcommittee of the Vestry met with Allan+ to review the year, check in with him about how he is doing returning from sabbatical, and to discuss his salary for 2023. He is doing well and still transitioning from being on sabbatical and offered to take a $2,000 reduction in salary for which the Vestry thanked him but approved a budget that includes continuing Allan+ at the same salary as 2022.
In December we met with Kristin Sesko, Chair of the Endowment Committee, for an update. The committee is planning to combine investment funds in one account to facilitate management but have not done so as of 12/20. They are working on that with an eye on projecting the most favorable time to make any changes. The committee will decide the timing for any changes and report to the Vestry quarterly.
In December we also discussed preparations for Christmas and a busy January – Allan’s report from his sabbatical, Annual Meeting, Vestry nominations, and the Bishop’s visit. All planning in process for the Christmas services and services in January. There will be potlucks for both Allan’s+ talk and the Annual Meeting and discussion time with the Bishop after both Sunday services.
In December we also discussed the renewal project and reiterated that “Connection” is the main theme for our continuing efforts. We encouraged everyone to use the words connect or connection whenever applicable to reinforce the concept and how many different ways we connect with our congregation and our community. We want to be mission driven and not focus on numbers of people each Sunday. Our four guiding principles to redirect our energy are
· Embody the present
· Focus on short term mission rather than long term survival
· Call on everyone to participate in the mission
· Look for places where God is at work and engage there, personally and as a congregation
There were reports from Stewardship, Christian Ed., Nominating, and Worship to keep the Vestry up to date on events and work being done. All are moving ahead in good ways.
In January after approving the budget we reviewed the status of planning for all the January events. Everything in good shape. Still seeking names for Vestry nominations but Annual Meeting and Bishop’s visit are all planned.
We also discussed initial planning for Shrove Tuesday on 2/21. The Vestry is planning to host a pancake supper that evening. Susan Geiger is heading the effort and will check about previous years and report back to the Vestry.
We also discussed the success of the Community Meals and the upcoming Chili Cook-off on February 1. We need meal coordinators for March, April, and May. Nancy Smith is reaching out to encourage people to step up. Please contact her if you are willing to coordinate a meal.
We also discussed our new Vestry initiative of Lay Listeners. Feedback for the welcome and having Vestry members clearly involved with the congregation has been very positive. We need to be able to support each other at all services to be able to welcome, listen, and take care of the money. We will have more discussion of this in our February meeting.
Thank you to our outgoing Vestry members – Nancy Smith, Susan Geiger, and Tina Blackburn. Welcome to Saoirse Charis-Graves and Mario Nicolais who are starting new three year terms, to Rick Angell who has accepted a 1 year term, and to Hank Head who has agreed to stay on for another year. It’s my ongoing pleasure to work with all of you.
Ross Fraser
Senior Warden