Final Minutes July Vestry Meeting
July 8, 2014
The meeting was called to order by Fr. Mark Collins at 6:38 PM.
Present: Fr. Mark Collins, John Hatheway, John Ewing, Jean Geater, Fabio Mejia, Inez
Lambert, Lydia Colon, Theresa Paolucci and Jeanne Blazina
Absent: Judith Jones, Susan Walker, Yvonne O’Neal, Bill Ambler
A quorum was present and we opened with a prayer. The Agenda was reviewed.
The minutes were amended to reflect the changes in Steve Knight’s resolution. A comment was
added to the Treasurer’s Report to reflect there are no paid singers in July and August, so the
music budget is lighter in the second half of the year. Also noted that we would save some
money because the interim supply organist would cost less than the interim organist’s salary.
Lydia Colon made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, and seconded by John
Hatheway. The motion passed unanimously.
The Treasurer’s Report
John Ewing presented the report, stating that finances were unremarkable. Because it is the
end of a quarter, there was both a comparison to budget, and a comparison to the prior year.
Some questions were asked. Merricats’ income was higher in the previous year because more
payments were recorded by this date in 2013. Line 5311 General Building expense is high due
to additional repair bills this year.
Theresa Paolucci noted a marked increase in weddings and baptisms which was a nice positive
note.
The report covered six, not seven months of the year.
Fr. Mark reviewed the make-up and purpose of the Executive Committee, made up of the
Rector, Wardens, Clerk, and Treasurer, designed to make decisions between Vestry meetings.
Last month the Executive Committee took two actions previously authorized by the Vestry.


The first was to hire Hanington Engineering to do a study for a new boiler for the
church.
The second was to get the roof repairs underway, hiring the diocesan
recommended contractor.
Fr. Mark then discussed the various projects needing to be done and the funds available to do
them. The Diocesan Assessment deferral, assuming it is approved, combined with PPT money,
will NOT cover all of the necessary repairs and projects. We will either have to borrow the
money or take from the General Fund in larger amounts than budgeted to cover the repairs. We
will delay repairs to the rectory until after one heating season after roof repair, but that still
exceeds available funds through 2015.
The new heating system is absolutely needed as the current system is outdated and may not
make it through another heating season. Some savings in fuel costs converting to gas instead of
oil are expected.
The second egress from the gym as well as the repairs to St. Christopher’s House basement
are also necessary to increase revenue and satisfy the health department building safety codes.
There will be a lot of work going on but Fr. Mark feels we can do it all and still maintain our
anticipated schedule of rentals and normal activity.
Finance and Budget Report
Presented by Fr. Mark Collins.
This committee met last night. We discussed the budget process and getting both the parish
and Vestry more involved in the decisions. The Vestry is charged with maintaining the physical
plant and finances of the parish. By having each program leader come to report to the vestry
about what they did and how their goals for next year will enhance the overall program of the
church, it is hoped to inspire greater participation and investment by parishioners in the parish.
Fr. Mark will invite each group to prepare a written report in advance of the September Vestry
meeting so we can all have copies, and invite them to come to speak for 5 minutes to the vestry.
This will allow us to ask questions and help us to decide how to budget our limited discretionary
resources as we set the budget during the following month. L.O.V.E. Task Force, Sunday
School, Stewardship, Music and Hospitality are among those to be invited. Next year the plan
would be to ask for this in JULY, as the fiscal year ends.
Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Presented by John Hatheway.
There are some problems with the current boiler project being done by National Mechanical.
The new chimney liner should be installed within a month and in time for the new heating
season.
The clean-up days have had to be cancelled due to lack of participation. At the HTNC board
meeting, David Liston decided on 5th Saturdays when he has lots of volunteers. We should start
with a clean-up of the kitchen which should be sufficient with the sextons’ regular maintenance
schedules to keep the kitchen clean. This still leaves the church tower, Draesel Hall and other
areas in need of extra work.
At this point, Lydia brought up the cleanliness of the bathrooms. This is an ongoing issue, given
that our rental of the facilities has become a large part of the budget we must provide clean
bathrooms for our renters/clients. Shelter guests and parishioners’ deserve clean bathrooms
and kitchen space as well. It is incumbent upon the Vestry whose job we are reminded is to care
for the building and finances to insure that the staff keeps the place clean or find a solution to
the problem.
The other committees have not met or did not make a report.
Wardens had no reports
Interim Rector’s Report
The Interim Rector will be on vacation the month of August. Supply priests are lined up, and
Paul Feuerstein and Richard Smith are available for pastoral emergencies.
Fr. Mark reported that the Reverend Calvyn du Toit has been hired as Musician for the Sunday
6:00 PM service. Calvyn and his wife have been regular worshippers at the 6:00 PM service for
some time. In the wake of the departure of the previous musician for the service, Calvyn came
forward to offer his services. Calvyn is an ordained minister in the Reformed Dutch Church of
South Africa, and has served there as pastor at a university church in charge of the music
ministry. Calvyn will work with Todd Schwarz, the regular musician, for some time to make for a
successful transition. Calvyn will be added to the payroll in the position of 6:00 PM service
musician in August.
Fr. Mark reported that Cleveland Kersh, the summer supply organist, has had a change of plans
and would like to be considered for the position of interim director of music, continuing past
August 17, his original final Sunday with us. Fr. Mark sought the consensus of the vestry as to
whether Cleve continuing for a trial period of 6 months met with their approval. If Cleve stays on,
the issue of the music budget remains. Fr. Mark posed this question: Should we ask Cleve to
participate in the budget process to take place in September, or should we call together a music
committee devoted to what sort of music budget the parish should adopt. The Wardens spoke in
favor of the former, asking Cleve to present a range of budget options to the vestry in
September for the discernment of the whole vestry.
There was discussion about the music program, the music budget, the role of the music
committee and the comments made in previous meetings about these subjects. During the
discussion the Treasurer tendered his resignation.
Fr. Mark closed with a prayer.
Submitted by Janice Ewing
Clerk of the Vestry