St. Peter's By The Sea

Vestry Notes - May 2008

• The Congregational Development Questionnaire as requested by the Diocese will utilize the recently completed Self Study profile to satisfy most answers. BCI (Background Checks) for all parishioners identified in responsible and operational positions, such as Vestry and staff require this check also as part of another Diocesan requirement. Presently this activity is a work in progress.
• Safe Church Training has been completed. The Diocese requires all staff and volunteers who interface with our Youth or volunteers who are involved in operating and governing our Church affairs to complete (6) hours of comprehensive study and subsequent certification.
• Weekly attendance is trending down as well as pledge receipts, creating a deficit situation. The Vestry is considering fund raising activities to fill in some of the monetary gap. In addition we have in place a program for volunteers to perform some activities that we presently pay outside vendors, such as mowing and landscape work.
• The Sunday School program will have an important additional focus for the 08-09 fiscal year as it is anticipated that the J2A Youth Program will be in full swing. The J2A Committee members traveled to St. Luke’s in East Greenwich to review their successful J2A model program and take away from their experiences to initially assist us in our start up process.
• The Habitat for Humanity Faithbuild project is nearing completion and rapidly coming to an end. Diane Nobles has successfully coordinated this effort as to fulfilling St. Peter’s commitment to the signed group agreement of South County Churches.
• A “green” Church. We are looking at ways to improve our recycling of paper items, etc. to improve our “green” status. In concert with this effort is the Energy Savings Plan that was conducted by the Rise Co. Lighting bulb changeover to CFL types will be the major modification implemented by this program. In addition to a reduction in our electric bill, some of the initial cost will be subsidized by National Grid.
• Committees have been established to communicate to parishioners and facilitate the operation of the Church. One or more Vestry members have been assigned to each committee to serve as liaison or in some cases as Chairperson. Parishioners will be asked to also volunteer to provide and supplement the needed expertise for the Committee to function efficiently. The Committees and Vestry appointments are as follows:
  
  • Youth (Patti Risica & Barbara Bergen)
  • Finance (Leo Carroll, Beth DiPanni, Ann Rheault, Gerry Reynolds, Rob Kerr)
  • Liturgy (Anne Todd & Gerry Reynolds)
  • Outreach (Randy Wilson & present Chair Diane Nobles)
  • Parish Life (Ruth Toolan & present Pastoral Care Chair Hillary Transue)
  • Property (Leo Carroll, Ann Rheault, & present Chair John DiPanni and parishioners Steve Lague, Linda O’Neill)
  • Stewardship (Leo Carroll, Beth DiPanni, Ann Rheault, Gerry Reynolds & a parishioner Chair to be identified for the 2009 Stewardship Program)
  • Welcoming (Beth DiPanni, Patti Risica)
• The Search Committee for a new Rector has begun their quest in earnest in a meeting with Diocesan staff member, Betsy Fornal on May 8 The final slate of members are as follows:
  
  • Bob Bergen
  • Lou Clark
  • David Crocker
  • Christy Durant
  • Sue Raesner
  • Jo Rakauskas
  • Ann Rheault
  • Ruth Toolan

Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2008 10:29 am
Category: Vestry Meeting Minutes