St. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS VESTRY MEETING
July 28, 2019 Present: Mary Beth Butler, Christopher DeClerk, Keen Haynes, Brandy Heckel, D.J. Mitchell, Linda Seeber, Becky Snell, Julie Sutton Absent: Bob Bess, Sharon Dudek, Christopher Mullaney, Ben Taylor Also Present: Ayo Omoniyi, Deacon, Glenda Morehead, Parliamentarian, Linda Snow, Historian, Rhonda Ackley, Tony Ackley, Sue Mitchell, Dick Seeber
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, July 28, 2019 in the East Parish Hall. The meeting was opened with prayer by Deacon Omoniyi at 12:14 pm. Consideration of Vestry Minutes from June 27, 2019
D.J. Mitchell moved acceptance of the minutes from the June 27 meeting. Mary Beth Butler seconded and the motion carried. Editing of Vestry Meeting Minutes
Parliamentarian Glenda Morehead read a statement explaining the process by which she reviews draft minutes to ensure accuracy and proper format. Treasurer’s Report
Mitchell presented the Treasurer’s report. Julie Sutton moved approval and Becky Snell seconded. The motion carried. Stewardship Pledge Campaign
Keen Haynes asked for members to volunteer to be on the Stewardship committee. Rev. Pogue has asked to begin working with the committee prior to his official start date on September 1. Mitchell, Snell and Linda Seeber agreed to serve. Ministry Fair (September 8, 2019)
Haynes said that the Ministry Fair would be held on the date above, along with a reception to welcome Rev. Pogue and his wife Gay. Haynes will not be present on that date, so Mitchell will coordinate the details of the fair. Snell will supply Haynes with contact information about ministry members and leaders. Fundraiser Updates
In preparation for the Bingo! Fundraiser scheduled for September 28, Sutton distributed copies of a donation solicitation letter. The letter is attached and made a part of these minutes. Sutton has created a Google Sheets Document (SMITFBINGO_PotentialDonationList – link was sent to all Vestry members on July 28, 8:53 am), to which all Vestry members have been invited to contribute. The list contains 84 suggested donors. If a potential donor is approached, the result should be indicated on the Sheets document to avoid duplication. Each Vestry member is asked to solicit $100 worth of donated items for the event (gift cards or certificates or items for silent auction). CPR Fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 17. DeClerk will confirm this week. Potential Eagle Project
DeClerk reported that a prospective Eagle Scout has proposed a project to clean up the area between the labyrinth and Memorial Garden. He moved that the Scout be allowed to raise funds by appeal to the parish. Mitchell moved acceptance, Butler seconded and the motion carried. Stewardship Request by Scout
DeClerk said that a Scout member of the parish noticed use of plastic stirrers for coffee and asked that wooden stirrers be substituted to reduce environmental impact. Haynes agreed to ask parish administrator Anika Rinker to implement this.
DeClerk requested approval for Boy Scout Troop/Pack 937 to sell popcorn at church as a fundraiser. Snell moved acceptance, Mitchell seconded and the motion carried. Junior Warden Report
Mullaney submitted a report to Haynes that lights were replaced and a new battery acquired for lawnmower. It was agreed that a Grubby Sunday is needed and Haynes will ask the Jr. Wardens to schedule, possibly on August 25. Senior Warden‘s Report
Haynes said that a new Board Member and parish representative for 4 Saints Food Pantry be identified. Sutton agreed to take on this role with the goal of having a parishioner replace her by year end. Note that 4 Saints is also seeking a Director, a volunteer position requiring 15-20 hours per week. Applications are being accepted through August 1, 2019.
Dick Seeber offered to work in Outreach. He was accepted with thanks.
Hayes noted the need for two new outdoor flags due to the poor condition of the ones we have.
Linda Seeber has researched prices and will handle the purchase.
Guest Rhonda Ackley asked about restarting the Night in Bethlehem Advent program. It was agreed that this could be explored.
Mitchell moved adjournment, Sutton seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:34 pm with prayer by Haynes. NEXT REGULAR VESTRY MEETING SUNDAY, AUGUST 18. LUNCH & FINAL PRAYER PROVIDED BY BRANDY HECKEL
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Clerk
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting
July 25, 2019
Special Called Meeting Present: Mary Beth Butler, Christopher DeClerk, Keen Haynes, Brandy Heckel, Christopher Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Becky Snell, Julie Sutton Present by telephone: Bob Bess, Sharon Dudek, Ben Taylor Absent: D.J. Mitchell
A special called meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held on Thursday, July 25, 2019 in the East Parish Hall. The meeting was closed to the public. The purpose of the meeting was to interview The Rev. Ronald Pogue, candidate for Interim Rector. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Pogue at 7:10 p.m.
The Vestry and Rev. Pogue engaged in questions and answers for approximately one hour. Afterward, the Rev. Pogue departed the meeting.
Following discussion, Mary Beth Butler moved that the Very Rev. Ronald Pogue be called as Interim Rector. Julie Sutton seconded and the motion carried.
The Letter of Agreement was reviewed. Following discussion, Julie Sutton moved and Christopher DeClerk seconded that the Letter of Agreement as presented be approved. The motion carried.
The meeting was closed with prayer by Brandy Heckel at 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Vestry Clerk
Through our outreach programs, St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church reaches out to our neighbors in need locally and around the globe, acting as Christ’s heart, hands and feet. We work to support the poor and homeless in our midst here in Tarrant County, and we partner with worldwide agencies like Episcopal Relief and Development. We encourage all to give of themselves following the example of Christ and the example of St. Martin in sharing what we have to help others.
Get involved with the outreach activities of our church! Contact Dick Seeber at rwseeber@sbcglobal.net to learn how to participate in this servant work our church.
Year-round local outreach
***Note: Service Sunday is currently on hold due to COVID restrictions.
Our year-round outreach addresses hunger, homelessness, and poverty locally in Tarrant County.
Quarterly financial gifts give local agencies support they can count on
St. Martin’s budgets and makes planned, regular gifts to Union Gospel Mission, Presbyterian Night Shelter, and Meals on Wheels to serve the needs of the most vulnerable people in our area. With support like ours, Presbyterian Night Shelter continues to provide emergency shelter, housing assistance, and ministry to people in all walks of life, showing people they are God’s children, infinitely valuable and loved. With support like ours, Union Gospel Mission works to end homeless with a holistic approach to transition homeless people to self-sufficiency, one person and family at a time. With support like ours, Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals and coordinates other needed services, serving older adults, people with disabilities, and others who are homebound.
The Memorial Garden Committee manages and maintains our memorial garden and columbarium on the north side of the church. This quiet and shady garden offers peace for remembrance, reflection and quiet meditation. Contact Cathy Tolliver at cattolliver@charter.net or Becky Snell at becky.snell@verizon.net to help in the garden, and call the church office at 817-431-2396 to purchase a plot.
Read St. Martin’s Memorial Garden Guidelines.
The Church Historians & Archives identify, collect, preserve, organize and share historical & official records of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. We’re working to share the story of God at work at St. Martin’s through several generations. Our history and archive group meets Thursdays at 9:30 am.
Contact Linda Snow at snowman2014@outlook.com to get involved in telling the story of God at work at St. Martin-in-the-Fields over the last 45+ years!
The Communications Committee works to extend our church’s evangelism into the digital, online world. Members work to manage our website, social media, and to best use all communications methods. If you are called to digital evangelism, or a good writer/editor, or a passionate storyteller, or a photographer, or a digital designer, or interested in social media, or if you are a geek looking for a place to belong, this is the group for you!
The Communications Committee’s impetus for extending communications beyond the doors of our church comes from Acts 5:20, where the angel who freed the apostles from jail told them, “Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
Committee members work behind the scenes to develop the website and new communications methods, to and equip and encourage staff and ministry leaders in their communications. Get Involved! Shoot an email to Chuck Ambrose at chuckambrose@gmail.com.
Acolytes are the worship participants who carry the crosses, candles, banners and other items in procession, and who help in a number of important ways throughout the service. Becoming an acolyte is a great way to get involved and to learn more about Episcopal worship.
Adult and youth acolytes serve, learn and practice together. Acolytes assist at all three weekend services and at the numerous special services throughout the year. Acolytes are scheduled for regular services and attend regular practices. Special training is required for the larger and more complicated services.
Anyone first grade and older who would like to serve God in this special way is encouraged to become an acolyte. For more information, contact Joe Panther at jpanthertx@aol.com.
In the summer of 2020, Eagle Scout Chris McSwain planned and built two raised beds and irrigation to help begin a community garden, and so our Good News Garden began!
The Episcopal Church, in response to needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the guidance of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, created the movement called “Good News Gardens.” St. Martin’s elected to join this important movement.
“We believe that one thing that love could do right now is call a community of people with the ability to plant gardens of all sizes and kinds together – from small pots of herbs to hundreds of acres of corn – in order to share the love of Christ through word and action, food and labor. We believe that one new and sacrificial act of love that we could offer is to commit to planting more, praying more, and proclaiming more, in order to share the loving, liberating, and life-giving Good News of God’s love with all people.” – episcopalchurch.org/good-news-gardens
Mission
St. Martin’s goal is to help provide fresh produce to4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry, whose needs for supplies have only grown since the start of the pandemic. So many families have found themselves in urgent need of food, and 4Saints is able to help them through donations like this!
But more than that, this community garden will help to bring people back together in a shared mission of awareness and appreciation.
Interim Rector Ron Pogue sums up the mission: “This project will be especially helpful at this time for parishioners who miss gathering at St. Martin’s for worship, prayer, study, and service.”
Currently, we have five garden leaders: Norma Barbier, Kayla McSwain and family, Linda and Dick Seeber, and Liza Goodner who have been diligently working in the garden. We have already grown broccoli and lettuce and were able to donate green beans and small tomatoes. This spring we have planted tomatoes and okra, and plan to do more as the season progresses.
Get Involved!
St. Martin’s members or anyone else who wishes to be a part of this project are encouraged to join in the creation and maintenance of our Good News Garden. Youth members who participate can also earn service hours!
If you are interested in being a part of the Good News Garden, please let us know! Seeding, weeding and general upkeep will be needed continually.
Contact
Please contact us or sign-up if you’d like to get involved.
Do you have a home garden and find yourself with too many zuchini, melons, or other produce? Consider donating them! Contact Liza Goodner for details.
Donate money
We currently have a budget of $1,100 for things like soil, seeds and water for the Good News Garden. Your continued donations will help us maintain an amazing garden.
Donate online and choose “Good News Garden” from the drop down menu.
Text a dollar amount + GARDEN to 817-270-6880
Send a check & write “Good News Garden” in the memo.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church PO Box 1149 Keller, TX 76244
together – from small pots of herbs to hundreds of acres of corn – in order to share the love of Christ through word and action, food and labor. We believe that one new and sacrificial act of love that we could offer is to commit to planting more, praying more, and proclaiming more, in order to share the loving, liberating, and life-giving Good News of God’s love with all people.” – 