ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS VESTRY MEETING
August 18, 2019
Present: Bob Bess, Mary Beth Butler, Christopher DeClerk, Sharon Dudek, Keen Haynes, Brandy Heckel, D.J. Mitchell, Christopher Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Becky Snell, Julie Sutton
Absent: Ben Taylor
Also Present: Canon Janet Waggoner; Linda Snow, Historian; Sue Mitchell
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, August 18, 2019 in the East Parish Hall. The meeting was opened with prayer by Canon Waggoner at 12:10 pm.
Consideration of Vestry Minutes from July 25 and 28, 2019
Minutes from the meetings on July 25 and 28 were approved as distributed.
Deanery Report
Rev. Christopher Thomas reported that the four churches in the Deanery are interested in joining together to participate in the Tarrant County Pride March and Festival on October 5, 2019. The Vestry indicated their support for St. Martin’s to participate. Butler moved that a committee be established to increase the welcome of LGBTQIA persons to St. Martin’s. Mullaney seconded and the motion carried. Butler offered to convene the group.
Treasurer’s Report
Mitchell presented the Treasurer’s report. Mullaney moved acceptance and Sutton seconded. The motion carried. Snell noted that the Memorial Garden needs more concrete niches. After discussion it was agreed that the Memorial Garden contracts need to be reviewed and revised to ensure the cost being charged is reasonable.
Endowment: Bess moved that the pension funds left by Joy Malmgren to the church be directed to the Temporary/Emergency fund. Heckel seconded and the motion carried.
Approval of Audit Report
The report submitted by the Audit Committee was reviewed. Sutton moved approval, Seeber seconded and the motion carried. Per the recommendation of the committee, the Scrip program will be ended. Sutton moved that Haynes and Mitchell be tasked with oversight of and reporting on this process. Seeber seconded and the motion carried.
Housing Resolution for Fr. Ron Pogue
Sutton moved that the vestry adopt the following resolution:
Whereas the Very Reverend Ron Pogue, an ordained minister, is employed to serve St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church as interim Rector, beginning September 1, 2019, 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 Very Rev. Ron Pogue for the calendar year 2019, and subsequent years unless amended, shall include an annual payment of $35,000, which is designated as housing allowance, within the meaning of the term as used in section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code.
DJ Mitchell seconded and the motion carried.
Stewardship Pledge Campaign
Becky Snell reported for the Stewardship Committee, which met with Fr. Ron Pogue on August 12, 2019. This year the church will use the New Consecration Sunday program. A report about this program and the proposed schedule was presented and is made an attachment to these minutes. Consecration Sunday is scheduled for October 20, 2019.
Ministry Fair (September 8, 2019)
The Ministry Fair is scheduled for September 8, which will be Fr. Ron Pogue’s first day to celebrate and preach at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Fundraiser Updates
Sutton and Dudek reminded members that each one is requested to secure $100 worth of donations for the September 28 fundraiser. They would like to have items in hand by September 21.
Junior Warden Report
Senate Bill 535: Mullaney reported on Texas Senate Bill 535 which changes the law regarding open carry of a weapon in places of worship. He will revise the presentation he created a few years ago on this topic and submit it to Bess, Haynes, and Pogue for consideration as a forum or other presentation.
Facility Usage by Outside Parties: Contract will be reviewed due to recent issues.
Grubby Sunday: Scheduled for August 25, 2019 after 10:30 service
Request: Both co-Jr. Wardens are employed full time and very busy. They cannot respond to maintenance calls instantly. Issues of maintenance should be reported to them; these will be managed.
Senior Warden Report
Haynes ceded the floor to DeClerk, who regretfully announced his resignation from the Vestry due to a new job out of state. His last meeting will be September 15. He read a letter, a copy of which is attached to and made a part of these minutes.
Haynes will be on vacation September 7 – 18.
Executive Session
The group entered executive session at 1:35 and closed that session at 2:57 pm.
Closing Prayer and Adjournment
The meeting was closed with prayer at 3:02 by Brandy Heckel.
NEXT REGULAR VESTRY MEETING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15. LUNCH & FINAL PRAYER PROVIDED BY SHARON DUDEK
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Clerk
