Christ Church Vestry Meeting Minutes November 15, 2016

Transcription

1 I. Open-Welcome Christ Church Vestry Meeting Minutes November 15, 2016 (approved on 12/13/16) Rector Seth Dietrich called to order the regular meeting of the Vestry on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 7:05 p.m. The following voting members were present: Rector Seth Dietrich, Junior Warden Mary Jones, Senior Warden Greg Bell, Jim Benton, Cathy Martin Braun, Steve Bruemmer, Carol Crowley, Penny Cruse, Sam Harshner, Barbara Larkin, and Scott Sevenich. The following non-voting members were present: Vestry Clerk Kari Foote, Treasurer Mike Giesecke, and Assistant to the Rector Seth Allen Raymond The following member(s) were absent: Mary Kay Anderson, Rick Donner, Sarah Murphy, and David Short. II. Opening Prayer Jim Benton led the Vestry with the Opening Prayer. III. October Financials Mike Giesecke presented the Financial Statements for the month of October. Mike mentioned that the September financials were rough and that they have improved. Line item #4101 showed Pledge collections as shown were approximately $70K in December. That was the largest month (other than a January when pre-paid pledges are collected) in at least the last four years (and perhaps the church's history, for that matter). Those collections left us $107K short of our $588K annual budget. This was a stark reversal from the last several months in which pledge collections had been trending down. It was largely attributed to the 3Q pledge statements which were sent in October as an update of giving through Sept 30. Line item #4210, the revenue is normalizing. Line item #4451, the Fall Festival, raised about $5,400; Maureen McCabe organized this event. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to congratulate Maureen McCabe for her remarkable, innovation in making the best Edible Incredible Event ever. All were in favor. None were opposed. November 15, 2016 Page 1 of 5

2 Line item #5203, the expenses were high in September since Jim had left and Bill Davies was out. The expenses have reversed and now the salary budget is $10,000 under budget. Line item #5513 an initial expense of $5,500 was spent for the phone system, yet there will be a reduction of $150 per month in fees. Line item #5610 is positive since the weather has been warmer. Line item #5620 has a higher expense to cover the roof repair (part in the October and the balance in November); the expense in November is greater. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to approve the 2016 October Financial Statements. All were in favor. None were opposed. Mike Giesecke discussed the parameters for the budget. The goal is to have a net surplus in the amount of $9,000 which would cover the mortgage for the Rectory. We need to have 10% in reserve of our revenue. The revenue is $710,000 and we ought to have $71,000. In December, Mike will present the most important line items at the Finance Committee Meeting. A separate category (exclusive and segregated) will exist for the Building Project Funds. The 2016 pledges will wrap up in January Salaries will influence the budget. IV. Study of The People of the Way, Chapter 7 Steve Bruemmer read and summarized Chapter 7 of The People of the Way. He distributed a summary of the 10 points of the themes of the book. Steve will lead the discussion at the December Vestry meeting. V. Rector s Report Seth Dietrich began his report with a discussion about his Sermon this past Sunday. Seth received a lot of positive feedback from the sermon. He discussed how we need to be in a place of unity in a time of divided culture. Each person is to discern what to do during this time. The recent political culture was discussed. The discussion continued about the following: What is the role of the church? Is it collective? Seth is desirous of a space for honest conversation. Numerous members voiced their opinions about the current political state and how the church is impacted and involved. Seth discussed the potential of writing a letter from the Clergy of the Diocese of Milwaukee. Discussion continued. Seth Dietrich, Greg Bell, Jim Benton, and Sam Harshner will meet to further discuss this possibility. Seth expressed gratitude to the Vestry for their thoughts. Staff Update November 15, 2016 Page 2 of 5

3 An offer was made to one of the candidates for the part-time Parish Administrator position. This offer didn t work out. Two viable candidates remain. Interviews will be conducted. Stewardship Update To date, 124 pledges have been received for the Stewardship; at this time in 2015, we had 91 pledges. 16 new pledges have generated $18,000. $49,000 pledges are either lost or decreased. $41,000 pledges are new or increased. The Stewardship Committee will meet after the Thanksgiving holiday. The committee will continue to seek pledges through December 15, Currently, we have 124 pledges with a goal of 200 pledges. The visible phase stewardship campaign is complete. The next fundraising project will be the Capital Campaign. Tom and Meredie Scrivner are having discussions with sub-groups. VI. Next Steps of Building Projects Committee Greg Bell reported on the next steps of the Building Projects Committee. The next meeting is scheduled for December 12, VII. 85 th Anniversary Update Mary Jones provided an update for the 85 th Anniversary Event: o 140 members are signed up to attend (no assigned tables-open seating) o Vestry Members will serve as Table Captains o Vestry Members are to arrive 10 minutes early to secure their tables o After the prayer, platters will be passed family style o Vestry Members will clear their tables after dinner o Andy Stillman is the MC o Charlie Drake is presenting the origin of the Next Generation o Robert Mueller is presenting the days of Youth Group o Sarah Gottleib is presenting the Children s Formation/Ministry November 15, 2016 Page 3 of 5

4 VIII. Additional Business o The video will be shown Seth Dietrich continued the meeting with additional business. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to approve the October 18, 2016 Vestry Minutes the following addendum: The Chapter 7 discussion of People of the Way will be led by Steve Bruemmer in November. All were in favor. None were opposed. A motion was made, seconded and approved to approve the November 2, 2016 Special Vestry Minutes Meeting with the following addendum: Jim Benton was not in attendance for this meeting. All were in favor. None were opposed. Greeter Schedule for Fall Rick Donner discussed the Greeter Schedule for the Fall with the mention of Christmas Day and New Year s Day (both on Sundays this year). Other Business as Named The roofing project is $15,406 and our budget for building and grounds is $15,000. This estimate does not include the furnace issue which is a $3,150 project. The water heater and the furnace may not be vented in the same chimney due to excess moisture. The water heater is disconnected to the kitchen and the bathroom. A new gas water heater with a power vent is needed. Two quotes have been received. The first is from Cliff Bergen and Associates for $4253, including a 75-gallon and venting and pipes. The second quote is from Hyden for a 75-gallon for $4283. An electric water heater would be $3280 for 80 gallons and $3480 for 100 gallons yet it won t replenish as fast (the dishwasher is a commercial grade). An electric water heater will increase the monthly electric bills. The installation needs to occur before Saturday due to the 85 th Anniversary Event as the failed water heater services the boy s bathroom, handicapped bathroom and kitchen. One needs to be selected to meet the peak usage needs. Mike Giesecke will guide us as to which fund to take the money from. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to approve the installation of a 75-gallon power vent gas water heater in the church with the vendor to be determined at discretion with a cost not to exceed $4,500. All were in favor. None were opposed. November 15, 2016 Page 4 of 5

5 Important Dates: November 19 th -85 th Anniversary Dinner November 23-Thanksgiving Eve Service at 5:30 p.m. (Meredie and Tom Scrivner s gourd arrangement on the Altar) December 13 th -December Vestry Meeting (meeting is one week early) IX. Compline, Prayers, Adjourn Mary Jones concluded the Vestry meeting with a closing prayer. Seth Dietrich adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Next meeting: Tuesday, December 13th, 2016 at 7 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Vestry Clerk: Kari Foote 12/10/16 Minutes approved by: Vestry on 12/13/16 with the following addendum: Modify November Minutes: roofing project as $2,700 instead Of $15,406. November 15, 2016 Page 5 of 5