Vestry minutes – December 18, 2016 meeting

ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS VESTRY MEETING
December 18, 2016
 
Present: Jim Bedell, Jack Bolerjack, Gil Kleinwechter, Elizabeth Mason, Courtney Mullaney, Linda Snow, Cyndy Sulots, Joel Walker, Nancy Wieden, Kathy Wilkinson; Scot McComas, Rector; Glenda Morehead, Clerk; DJ Mitchell, Treasurer.
 
Not present: Charles Busey, Ike Ogbue.
 
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, December 18, 2016, in the East Parish Hall.  The meeting opened at 12:30 PM with prayer by the Rector.
 
Consideration of Minutes
Kathy Wilkinson moved that the minutes of the November 20, 2016, meeting be approved as distributed. Jim Bedell seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
 
Writing Strategically about the Money Gap
Susan Kleinwechter spoke to the vestry about the importance of preparing and sticking to a script when speaking or writing information for dissemination in services. Many times the messages can be difficult for newcomers and long-time members alike. The vestry can help a great deal in the effort to make messages clear by choosing their words carefully.
 
Treasurer’s Report
November Financials Accepted: Treasurer DJ Mitchell reviewed the November 2016 financial information. Courtney Mullaney moved the treasurer’s report be accepted as presented. Jack Bolerjack seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Mitchell also provided some pledge statistics to keep in mind when budgeting for 2017.
Vote on Assistant Clergy Housing Allowance 2017: Linda Snow moved the vestry adopt the following resolution:
Whereas the Reverend Susan Slaughter, an ordained minister, is employed to serve St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church as an Assistant Clergy; and
Whereas St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church does not provide a residence for its appointed ministers:
It is hereby resolved that the compensation to be paid to the Rev. Susan Slaughter for the calendar year 2017, and subsequent years unless amended, shall include an annual payment of $15,000.00, which is designated as housing allowance, within the meaning of the term as used in Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Kathy Wilkinson seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Vote on Rector’s Housing Allowance 2017: Courtney Mullaney moved the vestry adopt the following resolution:
Whereas the Reverend Scot McComas, an ordained minister, is employed to serve St.-Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church as Rector; and
Whereas St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church does not provide a residence for its appointed ministers:
It is hereby resolved that the compensation to be paid to the Rev. Scot McComas for the calendar year 2017, and subsequent years unless amended, shall include an annual payment of $33,000.00, which is designated as housing allowance, within the meaning of the term as used in Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Joel Walker seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Votes on Fund Transfer Recommendations  from Outreach Committee:
Gil Kleinwechter moved the vestry approve moving $1000.00 from the Outreach budget to the Benevolence Fund. Elizabeth Mason seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Gil Kleinwechter moved the vestry create a 4Saints Food Pantry temporarily restricted fund and move the remaining St. Luke’s Food Pantry funds to it. Linda Snow seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Gil Kleinwechter moved the vestry create an ERD Water Project temporarily restricted fund and move $500.00 from the Outreach budget to it. Kathy Wilkinson seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Gil Kleinwechter moved the vestry create a Stop Hunger Now temporarily restricted fund and move the remaining Outreach 2016 funds to it.
Gil Kleinwechter moved the vestry create an EYE Event 2017 temporarily restricted fund and move the remaining Trunk-or-Treat monies into it. Linda Snow seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Gil Kleinwechter moved the vestry create a Seminarian temporarily restricted fund and move the remaining $500.00 Seminarian Support to that fund. Joel Walker seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
 
Stewardship Report
Gil Kleinwechter reported that number of pledges received to date and the resulting total pledged so far falls far short of the funds needed for the proposed 2017 budget. He and DJ Mitchell reviewed the financial numbers once again to emphasize the importance of the follow-up calls vestry members will be making. Kleinwechter asked that everyone complete their calling by Wednesday if at all possible.
 
St. Martin’s Episcopal School
School enrollment currently stands at 69 students. A great end-of-year program was held Thursday with Santa in attendance. Consideration will be given in the future to the possibility of providing childcare before and after school hours to reach working parents.
 
Diocesan Information
Convention 2017: Joel Walker reported that the next regular convention of the Diocese of Fort Worth will be held November 10-11, 2017, at the Cleburne Convention Center.
Presiding Bishop to Visit: The Most Rev. Michael Curry will be visiting the Diocese of Fort Worth Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 6, 7, 8 , 2017. The schedule for his visit will be available at a later date.
Diocesan Bishop to Visit: The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer will be at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church on April 2, 2017, and will be confirming and baptizing at that visit.
Executive Council to Meet: The next meeting of the Executive Council of the Diocese of Fort Worth will be January 21, 2017.
 
Junior Wardens’ Report
Parking Lot Striping: One bid has been received for striping St. Martin’s parking lot. Jr Warden Busey will solicit 2 more bids as required in order for the vestry to vote on the matter.
Reimbursement for Lightning Damage: Notification has been received that Church Insurance Corporation is reimbursing St. Martin’s for the recent damage caused by lightning. The actual reimbursement check will come from the diocese.
Illumination for Driveway Entrances: Options are being explored to make the driveway entrances more visible in darkness. Small reflectors are being put up on a temporary basis.
 
Senior Warden’s Report
No report.
 
Senior Warden Elect Report
No report.
 
Rector’s Report
Nominees for Vestry Election 2017: The rector stated that Mary Beth Butler has agreed to run for vestry as has Jim Bedell. Two other persons are needed to fill the four vacancies that must be filled by election at the Annual Meeting 2017. Some vestry members have contacted other persons who are currently considering running for vestry. He asked that vestry members forward names of any nominees to him.
 
Church Social Media Policy
Consideration of a Social Media Policy was referred to the Communications Committee for consideration in 2017.
 
Upcoming Events / Announcements
January Regular Meeting – January 15, 2017.
Parish Annual Meeting – January 29, 2017 12:15 PM.
Called Vestry Meeting – January 29, 2017 immediately following the Parish Annual Meeting
 
Closing Prayer
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM with prayer by Cyndy Sulots.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Glenda Morehead
Clerk