St. Mary’s in the Mountains Vestry Minutes
April 9, 2009
April 9, 2009
Present: Thad Bennett, Sue Rand, Betsy McEwen, Ann Ottaviano, Laura Hunter, Jim Taylor and Patti Burke.
A. Gather and Pray- Betsy McEwen opened the meeting with a prayer and some thoughts about encouraging one another and holding each other up.
B. Business
1. Minutes from the March 12th, 2008 were e-mailed to the vestry. A motion was
made and seconded to accept the minutes, all approved. The minutes were
posted.
2. The Quarterly Financial Report was reviewed and discussed by the Vestry. After
Patti Burke explained a couple of changes in the format, a motion was made and
seconded to receive the report, all approved.
3. The Vestry reviewed the Revised Parochial Report. Patti explained her work
with the diocese’s Audit and Oversight Committee. She believes we are now
“up to date” with them and on the same page regarding how best to file their
forms. This revision was about moving things between “line items.” A motion
was made and seconded to accept the Revised 2006 Parochial Report, all
approved.
4. The Vestry reviewed two McClure Matching Grant (from the diocese) requests:
a. Evan Johnson is constructing a disability ramp for the Brattleboro Music
Center and is collecting funds for said project. A motion was made and
seconded to approve the application for matching funds, all approved.
b. An application was made for matching funds for the Katrina Project. There
was an excellent conversation about raising funds beyond the church
members for such projects. We agreed that such a process was just fine –
like selling pies! A motion was made and seconded for matching funds,
all approved with on abstention.
C. Vision: The Vestry had a conversation about various categories from the Vestry
Retreat. After much discussion we narrowed down the conversation to two
categories.
1. Building Concerns: We have been unable to locate partners for building a new facility. While we are here we must maintain the property inside and out. We should have a conversation with the people at the Congregational Church since they have similar problems.
2. Worship: Areas that are working well are seasonal changes (Christmas, Easter etc.), welcoming, music and baptismal ministry. Areas that need improvement are: paying attention to modifying the worship space, re-examining the ideas for an alternative worship service, making sure we are all on the same page, consider trying some historic/traditional Episcopal service.
There was a sense that we are stuck in a worship rut and need to explore some new approaches.
Next Vestry Meeting: Wednesday, May 14th at 6pm.
