| Vestry Update January 2008 |
| | | The Vestry of St. John’s conducted
its monthly meeting on December
17th and dealt with several
important issues. As you probably
know January, marks the beginning
of the church’s business year.
December was the final meeting for
out-going vestry members Julie
Green, Cabell Cummins, Amanda
Simpson and Ken Loeber, who
completed his term as Senior
Warden at the end of December.
Newly elected Vestry members are:
Kate Hindin, Tom Shober, Mike
Simpson, and Anna Weil. The
Vestry elected Chris Carabell as
Senior Warden for 2008. Cathy
Harrison was elected to serve a
second term as Junior Warden.
Brian Philips was elected chairman
of the Finance Committee. Finally,
James Roden Chair of the Personnel
Committee reported that Margaret
Errington has been added to that
committee.
The church’s treasurer, David
Lavoie, reported that at the end of
November the 2007 budget was
significantly in the red. In addition
David, and Stewardship Committee
Chairman Ken Loeber, reported that
pledges were $125,000 below the
canvass goal for our 2008 budget
which will be presented by the
Finance Committee at the Vestry’s
January meeting. Since the Finance
Committee, in its planning, has
assumed no programmatic or staff
increases for 2008, there will have
to be cuts in some or all areas of the
budget in order to start the year
with a balanced budget.
Preliminary discussions concerning
the effects of the canvass shortfall
were discussed by the Vestry in
executive session at the conclusion
of its regular session.
Chris Carabell recommended some
technical adjustments to the
investments of St. John’s
Foundation. I will discuss in detail
the various components of the
Foundation in next month’s Vestry
Corner.
The Vestry decided that creative
uses of the church’s new van, which
is now used mainly for youth
activities, should be explored.
Tim Clayton reported that a
committee to examine new
liturgical expressions has been
formed. Ultimately liturgical issues
are in the purview of the Rector.
Chris Smith reported that the
Outreach Committee is in the
process of assessing the
congregation’s interests and
passions regarding areas that we
want to support outside of the
church.
The Vestry approved a fundraiser
for the Prime Timers. Each year this
group has a card (or game) party to
raise funds for the support of needs
both within and outside the church.
This year’s party will be held on
March 29th. Watch for details.
Marty thanked the outgoing Vestry
members for their service and
ended the meeting with a prayer.
Submitted by Brian Mcmanus
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| | The vestry meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in room 204/205. All church members are invited and welcome to attend.
The vestry is in essence the equivalent of the board of directors or board of trustees for the parish. The rector and clergy are responsible for pastoral care and worship, while the vestry acts on behalf of the congregation to manage the operational side of the parish. The rector acts as chair of the vestry. Members of the vestry are elected by the congregation at the annual meeting of the parish, typically in November of each year. The senior warden is appointed by the rector. The junior warden is elected from among the vestry by its members and serves as the representative of the congregation on the vestry - the "people's warden." Each member of the vestry is assigned the responsibility of acting as a liaison with a commission for a specific part of parish life.
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| | Our 2008 vestry members:
- Chris Carabell, Sr. Warden
- Cathy Harrison, Jr. Warden
- Chris Corish
- James Roden
- Mike Simpson
- Tom Shober
- Kate Hindin
- David Raymond
- Anna Weil
- Brian McManus
- Tom Hewitt
- Patrick Flanagan
See vestry role descriptions for each representative.
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