Vestry Minutes – December 17, 2017

St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting
December 17, 2017
Present: Norma Barbier, Jim Bedell, Jack Bolerjack, Charles Busey, Ike Ogbue, Courtney Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Linda Snow, Joel Walker, Nancy Wieden, Kathy Wilkinson; Scot McComas, Rector; Glenda Morehead, Clerk; DJ Mitchell, Treasurer.
Not present: Mary Beth Butler.
Also present: Ron Hitchcock.
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, December 17, 2017 in the East Parish Hall.  The meeting opened with prayer by the Rector at 12:55 PM.
Labyrinth Completion Approved
Ron Hitchcock gave background on the labyrinth design and reviewed the 3 proposals received for completion of the labyrinth as previously approved. Joel Walker moved the vestry approve completion of the project by accepting the proposal of Lone Star Power Wash & Concrete Floors, Inc., as presented. (See attached.) Jack Bolerjack seconded the motion and the motion carried. Maintenance costs for the labyrinth will be built into the Multi Year Budget.
Consideration of Minutes
Jim Bedell moved the vestry approve the minutes of the November 19, 2017 meeting as distributed. Kathy Wilkinson seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Reports
The Treasurer remarked that the November financials were not sent out electronically prior to the vestry meeting, and the same will hold true for the December financials. He reviewed the November financials. (See attached.)
Vestry Acceptance Vote: Linda Snow moved the treasurer’s report be accepted as presented. Kathy Wilkinson seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Vote on Rector’s Housing Allowance for 2018
Joel Walker 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 2018, and subsequent years unless amended, shall include an annual payment of $35,000.00, which is designated as housing allowance, within the meaning of the term as used in Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Charles Busey seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Vote on Assistant Clergy’s Housing Allowance for 2018
Kathy Wilkinson 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 2018, 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.
Ike Ogbue seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Stewardship Report
Nine of the people who pledged for 2017 but have not pledged for 2018 will be called by vestry members. As of today 115 pledge cards have been received, a total of $348,138.00 has been pledged. There are nine families that have moved away.
St. Martin’s Episcopal School
The rector announced that currently 65 students are enrolled in the school. School will resume on January 4, 2018. He thanked Gary Wilkinson for his chairmanship of the school board this year.
Diocesan Information
Our rector continues to serve on the Executive Council through the end of 2017 representing our Deanery.
Junior Warden’s Report
Junior Warden Charles Busey reported the following:
Painting of the Monument Sign: The work has been completed and looks good.
Irrigation System Update: Busey has learned that the cost of digging a water well would fall on the church alone, and the cost of the installation and continued maintenance of a well would be prohibitive. Fever United has offered to pay for the installation of a meter and changes to the sprinkler system required for them to assume full financial responsibility to maintain the fields. St. Martin’s would bear the costs of installation of the meters and water lines to maintain the water to the buildings and to the rest of the land. No final decision has been made on the matter at this time. Until a change is made, the church and Fever will continue to split the bills as is done at present. Busey will continue to work on correcting the irrigation system in the Memorial Garden and the labyrinth even after he retires as junior warden
Crumbling Parish Hall Thresholds: Busey plans to confer with Neil Rinker on the best way to correct the thresholds. It may be that doing the work in-house is the best approach.
Maintenance Shed: The maintenance shed has been cleared out and all unusable items discarded. The blank bricks for the labyrinth are currently being stored in the shed until they can be put in place for the labyrinth.
New Hot Water Heater: A new hot water heater has been installed in the closet next to the men’s bathroom in the church building.
Senior Warden’s Report
Distribution of Names for Calling: The names of the nine 2017 pledgers who have not yet pledged for 2018 were distributed among vestry members willing to make the calls.
Reception Refreshments: Senior Warden Snow reminded vestry members of the items they plan to bring for the Reception for Ayo Omoniyi’s ordination tomorrow night.
Rector’s Report
The rector announced the following:
Penner Retirement: Deacon Henry Penner is retiring and the weekend of January 13-14 will be his last day in the pulpit at St. Martin’s. He will continue to serve as a chaplain at Baylor-Grapevine Hospital. A reception honoring Penner will be held following the 10:30 service on January 14.
Organist/Choir Director Update: Jim Bedell is playing the robo-organ for both the 5 PM Saturday service and 8:30 AM Sunday service. A prelude is played before each of these services. The Vestry Person in Charge at those 2 services is instructed to make the announcements following the prelude. A search committee is being formed to search for an organist/choir director. Marianna Folger has graciously agreed to serve in that capacity at the 10:30 service in the interim.
Candidates for Vestry Election: The following eight individuals are running for 3 year vestry terms: Christopher DeClerk, Sharon Dudek, Keen Haynes, Ed McGlaston, Christopher Mullaney, Ike Ogbue, Becky Snell and Garrison Sutton. Elections will be held at the Parish Annual Meeting, January 28, 2018.
Adjournment and Closing Prayer
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 PM with prayer by Linda Seeber
 
Respectfully submitted,
Glenda Morehead
Clerk