Vestry Minutes – 9/17/2023

Vestry Minutes – 9/17/2023

St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting September 17, 2023

For a pdf of financials, please click here

Present:  Alan Bentrup – Rector, Gavin Tomlin – Curate, Bob Bess – Senior Warden, Rick Schultz – Jr. Warden, Dick Seeber – Jr. Warden, DJ Mitchell – Treasurer, Amanda Alvarez, Mary Beth Butler, Jen Duncan, Elizabeth Jordan, Melissa Kurkul, Becky Snell-Bolerjack, Glenda Morehead – Clerk.

Also Present: Gary Wilkinson – Finance Committee Chair, Tony Kroll, Seminarian,  Michael Yackira, new member of the Finance Committee.

Not Present: Mary Anderson, Bryan Hedrick.

The regular meeting of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry was held on September 17, 2023 in the small parish hall. The meeting was called to order by the Rector, who opened the meeting with prayer at 12 PM.

Consideration of the Minutes of August 20, 2023.

DJ Mitchell moved that the minutes be approved as distributed, Becky Snell-Bolerjack seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Finance Committee Report & Treasurer’s Report

Update on the Review by a Third Party: Gary Wilkinson presented the review prepared by Garret & Swann LLP Certified Public Accountants of Lubbock, TX. No irregularities were found in the financial records for 2022.  The relevant documents have been filed with the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and copies are attached and made a part of these minutes.

Treasurer’s Report: DJ Mitchell reviewed the Treasurer’s Report that is part of the Vestry Packet for the meeting. Buildings and Grounds expenses will remain over budget for the entire year due to necessary expenditures. “Some years that is the case.” Mary Beth Butler moved that the report be accepted. Rick Schultz seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

Endowment Committee Created: Although monies have been given as endowments or inheritances in years past, the money so designated has been invested and monitored by the Investment Committee, since St. Martin’s has not had an Endowment Committee. An Endowment Committee is to be created to fill that void. The Rector has appointed Bryan Hedrick to chair the committee and Bennett Cepak as a member. He will appoint other members to the committee in the future, some of whom will serve ex officio.

Junior Wardens’ Report:

See the written copy of the report included in the September vestry packet.  Highlights and updates not included are as follows:

Exposed Water Lines: Work is being done on the water lines in the easement. No changes to the sprinkler system can be made till those are complete.

Parish Hall Kitchen AC:  Bids have not been obtained on providing air conditioning to the parish hall kitchen.

Dead Trees in Memorial Garden: One dead tree has been removed from the Memorial Garden. Another tree that was of concern was examined by resident tree expert Kathy Tolliver. The tree shows new growth at its base. Tolliver recommends patience to allow time for the tree to recover if possible. The tree does not pose a danger to those frequenting the Memorial Garden.

North Door to Large Parish Hall:  The door cannot be closed completely and locked securely. The matter will be researched and corrected.

Gas Odor: During the meeting the odor of escaping gas in the parish hall kitchen was noted by several individuals. The matter will be investigated and corrected ASAP

Senior Warden’s Report: 

Presented as written and included in the Vestry Packet.

Curate’s Report

Curate Gavin Tomlin reported that St. Martin’s has received a $5,000.00 grant from EDOT (the Episcopal Diocese of Texas) to serve as a “first aid station” to provide physical and mental/emotional assistance to those among and around us – not to act as medical experts but to help those in need of help find the help they need. The expectation is that all St. Martin’s leaders will be trained in the use of the AED (automated external defibrillator), lists of nearby emergency assistance will be created, City of Southlake Active Shooter Training will be provided, and weather safety training will be considered.

Rector’s Report:

The written report is attached and made a part of these minutes.

Bentrup introduced Tony Kroll our Seminarian. He also introduced Michael Yackira the newest member of the Finance Committee. He remarked that as the fall season gears up there are numerous events are on the horizon. He reminded vestry members that as church leaders it is their responsibility to participate in the activities as much as possible. He has not found an individual to chair Outreach activities as yet.

Master Plan Update

An update on the progress of building reconstruction will be provided to parishioners at the Rector and Vestry Forum following the 10:30 service on October 1.

Stewardship Plans

The Rector brought to the attention of vestry members that as a part of their vestry packet they have received the “Rooted in Abundance” stewardship information that parishioners will be receiving, making them the first to have the opportunity to pledge to St. Martin’s for 2024. Jen Duncan will head the stewardship campaign again this year with the help of Bennett Cepak.

 

The meeting was closed in prayer by the Rector and adjourned at 1:02 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Glenda Morehead, Clerk

NEXT REGULAR VESTRY MEETING:  OCTOBER 15, 2023, 12 PM, WEST PARISH HALL

Called to Serve as a Leader?

Called to Serve as a Leader?

Applications are open!

Are you called to serve? Do you have a passion for the mission of our church in our community?

We are seeking people to serve our church in leadership positions on our Vestry and to represent our parish at the Council of our diocese. 

If you feel called to serve on the Vestry or as a Delegate to the 2027 Diocesan Council, please use the appropriate button below to fill out a form. Submissions must be received by Monday, December 8, 2025. This process is being started now in order to allow time for discernment and for notification to be provided to the parish prior to the January election.

Our Vestry Nominating Committee is available to answer any questions, and they help ensure that we have candidates for each position. The Committee is made up of the Rev. Alan Bentrup, Senior Warden Mary Beth Butler, Junior Warden Dick Seeber, and outgoing vestry members Bryan Hedrick and Elizabeth Jordan.

Vestry

The Vestry works to ensure our parish ministry is carried out in accordance with our parish values, mission, goals, and priorities, and according to the constitution and canons of our diocese.

A Vestry nominee must:

  • be a confirmed communicant in good standing of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, confirmed or received by a bishop in The Episcopal Church.
  • be at least 18 years old by the date of the annual parish meeting in January 2026.
  • have made financial contributions in 2025 that are shown on the records of our parish.

In addition, Vestry tasks include:

  • attending monthly vestry meetings (3rd Sundays at 12:30 pm).
  • attend the annual vestry retreat, schedule TBD.
  • receive required online Safeguarding training as per the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Note – wardens & treasurer are also required to have a background check.
  • serve as the Vestry Person in Charge (VPIC) for approximately 10 services per year. VPIC duties include lock/unlock facilities, adjust thermostats, raise and lower flags, account for
    offering funds with support from another person, and serve as contact person in case of emergency. VPICs are welcome to delegate most tasks but must be present for funds accounting.

Delegate

A delegate to Diocesan Council has a seat, voice, and vote for nominations, resolutions, proposal, budget, and other pertinent material at Council.

Lay delegates and alternates must

  • be a confirmed communicant in good standing of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, confirmed or received by a bishop in The Episcopal Church.
  • be at least 18 years old by the date of the first day of any meeting of the Council.
  • be available for both days of the Diocesan Convention in February 2027.

Use the buttons below to apply to be a member of the Vestry or a Delegate to the 2027 Diocesan Council.

If you have any other questions or would like more info, please email the committee at nominate@stmartininthefields.org.

Vestry Minutes – 9/17/2023

Vestry Minutes – 8/20/2023

St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting August 20, 2023

For a pdf of financials, please click here

Present: Alan Bentrup – Rector, Gavin Tomlin – Curate, Bob Bess – Senior Warden, Rick Schultz – Jr. Warden, Dick Seeber – Jr. Warden, DJ Mitchell – Treasurer, Amanda Alvarez, Mary Anderson, Mary Beth Butler, Brian Hedrick, Melissa Kurkul

Attending on Zoom – Becky Snell-Bolerjack, Liz Jordan Also Present: Gary Wilkinson – Finance Committee Chair Not Present: Jen Duncan, Glenda Morehead – Clerk

The regular meeting of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry was held on August 20, 2023 in the small parish hall after the 9:15 service. Meeting was called to order in prayer by the Rector at 10:37 am. The Rector also appointed Tina Morehead as Clerk for the meeting.

Eagle Scout Candidate: Mitchell Dudek, Troop 589 and parishioner at St. Martin, presented his proposal for his Eagle Scout project. He wishes to install an outdoor video screen with speakers on the outside wall of the parish hall that faces east, thus providing an outdoor movie space to be used by St Martin’s groups. His project booklet is on file. Dudek would like to report on his project to the congregation at the 9:15 service on 8/27/23 to request project donations. Any funds left over will stay in St Martin’s Scout Funds to assist in future projects. Dick Seeber moved that Vestry approve the project, DJ Mitchell seconded; motion carried, and project was approved.

Consideration of Minutes June 19, 2023

DJ Mitchell moved that minutes be approved as corrected, Mary Beth Butler seconded; motion carried and corrected minutes will be filed.

Finance Committee Report & Treasurer’s Report

Finance Committee Report: Gary Wilkinson presented the report, indicating that the parish continues to be ahead of budget plans through the summer months. Income continues to outpace expenses.

Update on review by third party CPA: No problems have been reported by the CPA in Lubbock. Gary will email the Vestry in the next 2 weeks after receiving the final report. Treasurer’s Report

DJ Mitchell reviewed the Treasurer’s Report that is part of the Vestry Packet for the meeting. Mary Anderson moved that the Vestry accept the Treasurer’s Report, Bob Bess seconded the motion; motion carried.

Junior Wardens’ Report:

See written copy of the report included in August Vestry Packet. Highlights and updates not included are as follows:

Going forward, the Green Team will alternate their focus each month between the Memorial Garden and the playground.

AC problem in Godly Play Room needed a new circuit board which has been installed. The front door to the Sanctuary has been repaired.

Senior Warden’s Report:

Presented as written and included in August Vestry Packet.

Rector’s Report:

Items of note as listed with the following additions: Sunday Schedule of 2 services with Formation in between “on the 30’s” will commence September 17, 2023.

Security plans and policies will be updated shortly. The Security Committee is being called by the Rector to review and change current plans as needed to match EDOT requirements.

Unfinished Business:

A dead tree in the Memorial Garden has been removed; however there may be a second tree needing to be removed. Junior Wardens to work with Mary Anderson and Memorial Garden committee to make sure the area is safe.

The updated keypad lock has been installed on the door to the Memorial Garden, replacing the old lockset and deadbolt that no longer worked.

AC repairs discussed in the June Vestry meeting have been carried out.

New Business

Master Plan update: DJ Mitchell has reviewed the Due Diligence Report provided by VLK Architects and has responded to them with multiple red line items. There are problems in where AC units will be positioned throughout the buildings to facilitate maintenance and upkeep; also, the report does not provide any updates or corrections of air conditioning for kitchen.

Junior Wardens will solicit bids to purchase and install a window air conditioner in the kitchen and have been approved to make that happen within their pre-approved budget amount.

The revised/corrected agreement with EDOT for Curate Gavin Tomlin was reviewed. Bob Bess moved to approve, DJ Mitchell seconded; motion carried and corrected agreement will the signed by the Vestry and returned to the Diocese by the Rector.

Credit Card for Curate: Bob Bess moved that the Vestry approve a church credit card for Curate Gavin Tomlin’s use for his approved expenses, Mary Anderson seconded; motion carried and a card will be ordered.

The meeting was closed in prayer by the Rector and adjourned at 11:25 a.m.

NEXT REGULAR VESTRY MEETING: SEPTEMBER 17, 2023, 12 PM, SMALL PARISH HALL