St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Newcastle, Maine
Minutes of the Vestry Meeting
January 17, 2017
6:00 PM in the Undercroft
Priest-in-Charge Present: Rev. John Nieman
Wardens and Vestry Present: Bob Vaughan, Senior Warden; Linda Sandefur, Junior Warden;
Ann Creamer; Anne Jackson; Alex Pugh; Suzanne Nelis; Marie Martin; Hester Stuhlman;
Terry Marsh, Clerk
Vestry Members Excused: Ruth Piper; John Ward
Treasurer Present: George Shaw
Outreach Committee Representative Present: Steve Ward
The meeting opened at 6:02
Bob welcomed everyone and lead us in saying together the opening prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this
parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all
things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your
holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Prayer for the Parish, BCP p 817)
We took a few minutes to share recent events in our lives.
We read the scripture Matthew 4:12-23 (The Message) and reflected on its meaning.
Bob welcomed Steve Ward. Steve reviewed the work of an ad-hoc group tasked with reenvisioning the Outreach Committee. Steve gave us a document Outreach Overview: St
Andrew’s Episcopal Church 2016-17.(See below) The Outreach Task Force included Anne
Jackson, Tanya Albert, Edie Vaughan, Susie Meade, Susan Emanuel, Ruth Piper, Steve Ward
and Rev. John Nieman. They have met five times and reviewed the work of the Outreach
Committee going back to the 1990s. Since 2000, St Andrews has distributed on average $22,000
per year. Steve talked about how some organizations have seven figure budgets and some do not
have big budgets. The Outreach Task Force identified the goal of having the following
guidelines for grant recipients going forward: 1) heat and affordable housing, 2) the needs of
children, 3) food and fellowship for people of all ages. They identified nine core partners who
would each have a contact person within St Andrew’s congregation. Instead of scattering the
grant monies, the group hopes to focus on certain needs and build closer relationships between St
Andrew’s Church and our Outreach Partners. Steve shared with us a draft brochure that the
Outreach Task Force created. A question was asked; How do you propose generating interest in
the Outreach Committee? Other questions included funding for Bishopswood Camp, is the
Waldoboro community being served, oversight of the grant monies going to Haiti, the
application process, and how the money for outreach is raised. Steve talked about a proposed
budget being aspirational, how many events over the course of the year have been successful
ways to raise money and build community. Steve explained that a letter was sent last fall to our
past grant recipients explaining that the Outreach Committee was postponing asking for
applications. Therefore just for this year, the grant recipients will not be asked to submit an
application as we want to distribute the 2016 funds now. Some organizations that received grants
in 2015 will not receive grants now. In the case of Camp Bishopswood, we will communicate
with them to find out their needs. The Outreach Committee would then use some of the ‘held in
reserve’ funds. There followed a talk about the Haiti Fund. We decided that the grant to the Haiti
fund should be bracketed for now. Rev. John Nieman noted that in the coming year a process to
get input from the organizations before awarding the grant is a good idea.
We moved, seconded and voted to accept the 2016 grants as presented by the Outreach
Committee, with the exception of the Haiti Fund. Funds designated for Haiti were frozen until
more information could be obtained verifying that funds reach the intended individuals. Please
note that the funds will be released early in 2017. The vote was unanimous.
We moved, seconded and voted to authorize the Outreach Committee to set a goal of $25,000 to
be raised and spent in 2017. The vote was unanimous.
We moved, seconded and voted to authorize the formation of an Outreach Committee that would
include designated representatives from St Andrew’s Church for the proposed nine core partners.
The vote was unanimous. Anne Jackson will be the liaison to the Trinity Jubilee Center.
Steve Ward will present the work of the Outreach Task Force at the annual meeting.
Rev John Nieman said that there will be a prayer sheet available in the church between 10 and 11
am on Inauguration day for those who wish to come say private prayers. He also noted that the
church is open Monday through Thursday between 9 and 3.
We moved, seconded and voted to approve the minutes of the December 20 vestry meeting as
distributed. The vote was unanimous.
George Shaw distributed a draft of the results of 2016 and budget for 2017 in the format that will
appear in the annual report. George noted that we finished the year with a deficit of $23,708,
subject to further review, less than half of the budgeted deficit of a $51,852. He noted that there
has been an improvement in pledge income. With many line items yet to be decided, the
preliminary budgeted shortfall for 2017 is $12,931. We thanked George for the report and his
great work.
Bob reported that two different letters had been sent to parishioners who had not yet pledged but
pledged last year, and active members who had not yet pledged. The response has been good.
We moved, seconded and voted to approve the Clergy Housing Allowance Inclusion as written
in the attached document. (See below) The vote was unanimous.
Alex Pugh reviewed the work of the nominating committee. They are soliciting names of people
entered in serving on the vestry and as delegates to the Episcopal Diocese of Maine annual
meeting. We will need 4 delegates and two alternates.
Bob noted that we need to remind parishioners that they can request an absentee ballot for voting
at the annual meeting. On the Sunday of the annual meeting Rev. John Nieman will talk about
the mission questionnaire.
It was noted that we still need to install the handicap parking signs.
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Bob will find out about improving the system for showing video in the Undercroft. He said we
do have a sound system built into the ceiling, but need to review how to use it.
We talked about how wonderful the adult education programs have been recently. It was noted
that because they are scheduled between the two services, the choir misses the opportunity
because they are rehearsing then.
Re. John Nieman reported that the “Living Local” participants will go to a meeting this Saturday.
Ann Jackson will organize the delivery of diapers to the Trinity Jubilee Center. George Shaw
said that there is a $60.00 donation to the diaper drive. Anne will talk with someone at the
Trinity Jubilee Center about what size diapers, or if the money would be better.
The Vaughn facsimile drawings have been beautifully installed on a newly painted wall in the
undercroft. Linda will write a note of gratitude to Ruth Piper and Jim Van Dyke. We also are
grateful to Brett Donham for everything he did to organize donating the original drawings to
Historic New England.
Rev. John Nieman said the following prayer:
May Christ, the Son of God be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world.
Upcoming Vestry Meeting: Tuesday, February 21 at 6:00 in the Undercroft.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25
Respectfully submitted by
Terry Marsh, Clerk
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Clergy Housing Allowance Resolution
The following resolution was duly adopted by the Vestry of St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church, Newcastle, Maine at a regularly scheduled meeting held on
January 17, 2017, a quorum being present:
Whereas, section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code specifies that the amount
of ministers’ compensation that is designated in advance by their employer as a
housing allowance is not taxable in computing federal income taxes to the
extent that it is used to pay for actual expenses incurred in owning or renting a
home or apartment, and, in the case of ministers who own their home, does
not exceed the fair rental value and maintenance of the home; and
Whereas, The Reverend John S. Nieman is compensated by St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church exclusively for the services as a minister of the gospel; and
Whereas, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church does not provide Fr. Nieman with a
rectory, therefore, it is hereby
Resolved, that of the total compensation paid to Fr. Nieman for calendar year
2017 $24,000 is hereby designated to be a housing allowance; and it is further
Resolved, that the designation of $24,000 as a housing allowance shall apply to
calendar year 2017 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
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OUTREACH ALLOCATIONS for 2016
2015 grants 2016 grants
(as paid in 2015)
Local Organizations
Big Brothers/Sisters
CHIP Inc
Coastal Kids
Ecumenical. Food Pantry
Eldercare Network
Genesis Com. Loan
Habitat for Humanity
Healthy Kids!
New Hope
Spectrum Generations
Wednesday Suppers
Community Energy Fund
Stepping Stone Housing
LC Homeless Fund
Open Door Café
LC Fish
Diaper Bank donations
State Organizations
Bishop’s Fund
Trinity/Lewiston
Bishopswood Camp
National/International
Episcopal R & D
Haiti Fund
$450
$1,050
$450
monthly plate
$450
$450
$450
$450
$450
$450
$500
$950
$150
$1,850
$250
0
$3,720
(to be paid in 2017)
0
$3,000
$2,000
monthly plate 1
0
0
$500
0
$500
$500
0
$500
0
$3,000
$250
$250
$1,000
$400
$4,300
$2,000
$500
$5,000
0
$1,150
$6,200
$500
pending
Total Outreach Grants, 2015 (actual) $25,720
Total Outreach Grants, 2016 (without Haiti) $17,500
Held in Reserve for 2017
$10,500 2
1 The Ecumenical Food Pantry had first-monthly plate and check
donation totals in 2015 of $5,463 and in 2016 of $6,868.
2 The Vestry has approved a 2017 Outreach Budget of $25,000
with the Outreach Committee planning major fundraising events.
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