Reports submitted to the January 2012 Vestry meeting

Included: Stewardship & Finance, Worship & Music, Parish Life, Christian Formation

Reports to the December, 2011 Vestry Meeting

Included: Stewardship & Finance, Parish Life, Buildings & Grounds, Christian Formation

Minutes of November 2011 Vestry meeting

Saint David’s Vestry Meeting
November 9, 2011
7:00 p.m. Ackerman Hall

Those present: Mike Day, Jane Herr, Charles Hill, Ralph Linscott, Yvonne Oliger, Whitney Rice, Joe Ridenour, Phyllis Sindlinger, Pamela Smith and Carol Walker. Sandy Ridenour, Treas., Carol Ruffin, Clerk.

Opening Prayer and Bible Reflections: Phyllis opened the meeting with prayer and Whitney used the lectionary Bible readings for November 13 for our reflection.

Jane & Pamela’s Plan for World Domination, November 2011

On Finishing the Building Project
A Letter to the Vestry from Jane Herr and Pamela Smith, November 2011

Beloved friends,

Two years ago next month, the Building Committee made its final report to the Vestry and concluded its business. At that time several building-related projects were delegated to specific task groups in the parish, the idea being that these groups would have a better idea of their needs and could get themselves settled in to their new space without the Building Committee’s involvement. Also – two years ago – it was unclear what capital funds would become available to realize the projects.

Some of these projects have been realized. The kitchen is a roaring success. The library books are beautifully organized and catalogued. The music closet is a delight. The gardens are breathtaking. The sacristy is amazing.
Other projects have stalled or never been started. On the back of this page, we’ve listed the ones of which we are aware – you may know of others. We have to admit that we are a little disheartened by the visions that Saint David’s hasn’t been able to make real.

Why have these projects stalled? Well – as individuals and as a group, we do have other things to do with our energy. Also – and maybe more significantly – as an organization, we don’t have much experience addressing these kinds of questions and we don’t have much experience spending money on Saint David’s, as opposed to giving money away.

What would help Saint David’s realize these projects? At some point the Vestry tried to hand some of them off to the Furnishings Committee, but possibly that wasn’t realistic in terms of the amount and diversity of work involved. The number of loose ends is daunting. We think it’s important to notice that the projects that have been accomplished were managed by small groups with the needed knowledge and skills and working to complete one project, as opposed to an uber-group assigned to smooth out the Rocky Mountains and fill in the Grand Canyon.

We’d like to suggest that the Vestry consider this approach:
1. Make a complete list of unrealized projects.
2. Organize and prioritize the list.
What easy projects could be taken care of quickly?
What projects are high-priority?
What projects aren’t important for Saint David’s at this time?
3. Identify who has the knowledge and skills to accomplish these.
4. Invite and convene groups of these people to get started.
This may mean hiring someone someone outside the parish
to do some of them. Not everything is a DIY project.
5. Establish ways for these groups to liaise with and be resourced by the Vestry.

We honestly don’t think we are writing to you out of a Martha-Stewart-like desire to have Saint David’s be more spiffy. From the get-go, the people of Saint David’s have articulated the building project to ourselves as constructing a platform for mission. It’s because of that mission imperative that we write to request that the Vestry consider finding ways to realize these projects.

Jane Herr and Pamela Smith

Unrealized projects –

Build the new kneelers and lectern/pulpit

Locate, prepare and install the History Wall, with photos and documents giving a visual statement of identity and warmth in the Gathering Place

Arrange for building and installing bookcases and a desk on the west wall of the reading room/library, find comfortable chairs, and create a delightful, warm place for study groups, small meetings, or retreats

Pull-out storage carts in the cabinetry under the coffee bar, so there is effective storage for Children’s Church, ushers, knitters, and whoever else uses the space

Sound mitigation banners to add color and warmth to the Gathering Place

Signage at the entrance doors with service times

Interior shelving for worship gear in the south storage closet in the nave

Fact-finding about possible organ improvements

Meditation path through the woods / wetland development

Stone wall columbarium

Outdoor cross (replacing our original outdoor cross)

Further items added at Vestry meeting

Parking lot lights

Signage for Ackerman Hall

Sound system improvements

Resolve piano dilemma

October 2011 Vestry minutes

Saint David’s Vestry Meeting
October 19, 2011
7:00 p.m. Ackerman Hall

Those present: Mike Day, Jane Herr, Charles Hill, Whitney Rice, Phyllis Sindlinger, Pamela Smith and Carol Walker. Carol Ruffin, Clerk. Absent: Ralph Linscott, Joe and Sandy Ridenour and Yvonne Oliger

Reports submitted to the November 2011 Vestry meeting

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE REPORT
Nov. 14, 2011

Stewardship Brochure has been completed and distributed.

Pledges (gift forms) to be dedicated on Nov. 27.

Committee will meet on Nov. 14 to begin work on the 2012 budget.

Charles M. Hill, Ch.

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Christian Formation Report, November 2011
Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Bean Blossom, Indiana

1. Baptism and confirmation – Nothing going on that I am aware of.

2. Book and study groups, books a la carte, adult formation – Apart from the book cart, nothing going on that I’m aware of. Even though no one came to talk over the Brueggeman article, several people said they liked it, so I’m thinking I’ll buy one of the Brueggeman CD/study group series.

3. Special events – Sandy Ridenour and I are talking over the material she brought back from her Open Doors conference. We expect to generate some program suggestions and will get back with you about how they could fit into the coming program year.

4. Children’s formation – Jane, Phyllis and Joan continue to offer teaching on many Sundays. I have talked with Erin and she’s ok with this – she doesn’t feel that Ian necessarily needs Children’s Church every Sunday.

5. Kitchen Table Conversations, Open Studio, &c. – Nothing on the table right now.

6. Church Library – Cheryl Fleming says that demands on her from work and school mean that she can’t take a leadership role in the church library right now. Before the end of the year, I hope to have a talk with Margie about making the library more visible.

7. Green Team – Nothing new.

8. Possibilities – Nothing new on Trinity Institute. I have talked with Jim Huber just a bit about the technical requirements and so far he’s not convinced we can do it. I’m thinking we might partner with another church with better broadband? Trinity hasn’t released a topic or a list of speakers yet, and that information is a significant part of figuring all this out.

9. Challenges – I’m not making anything happen, am I? I feel like we are still in a significant transition that uses much of my energy and attention – and perhaps that of others as well. Honestly, I’ve lost track of how to do the easy stuff. I have been working with the Christian Formation enterprise for almost three years and for most of those three years I’ve also been on the Building Committee or the Search Committee – perhaps I’ve never really focused on finding and sustaining the team I needed for Christian Formation. The Nominating Committee meetings have reminded me how much easier it can be to get something done when there are a couple of other friends involved.

Thanks for letting me do all this great stuff, at least, the parts I actually do –

Pamela Grenfell Smith, Vestry liaison for Christian Formation

Vestry Minutes, September 7, 2011

Saint David’s Special Vestry Meeting
September 7, 2011 7:00 pm

Those present: Jane Herr, Charles Hill, Ralph Linscott, Joe Ridenour, Phyllis Sindlinger, and Mike Day. Sandy Ridenour, Treas. and Carol Ruffin, Clerk. Absent: Carol Walker, Yvonne Oliger and Pamela Smith
Guest: Joan Amati, Suzanne Gaudin and Verne Sindlinger

Vestry Minutes, September 21, 2011

Saint David’s Vestry Meeting
September 21, 2011
7:00 p.m. Ackerman Hall

Those present: Mike Day, Jane Herr, Charles Hill, Yvonne Oliger, Whitney Rice, Joe Ridenour, Phyllis Sindlinger, Pamela Smith and Carol Walker. Sandy Ridenour, Treasurer, Carol Ruffin, Clerk. Absent: Ralph Linscott

Reports submitted to the September 2011 Vestry Meeting

Stewardship & Finance Committee met Sept. 6 and began work on the stewardship brochure for this fall.
A tentative schedule was also set.  Brochure to go out by All Saints.  Ingathering or pledge Sunday to be the first Sun. of Advent.
Next meeting, Oct. 10: Completion of Brochure.
Budget meeting, Nov. 14.

Charles Hill, Ch.

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Parish Life Commission Report
for 9-21-11 vestry meeting

Have missed a couple reports (none since June) so am playing catch up a little:

1. We had the Celebration of New Ministry for Whitney on July 13, 2011 at 7 pm. Two months later I am still amazed by how wonderful this event was. This was a true welcome for Whitney and I felt the hand of God guided the whole parish to work together to put on this event. Starting out with Whitney’s mom who fed the choir and other parish workers a great lasagna dinner to the last mop up by Mark Rainey it was a perfect night. The planning, the setup, the service, the music, the food, all made this a night we won’t ever forget.
2. On August 21 we celebrated Carol Walker’s birthday with after service refreshments.
3. I also got the fall newsletter out in August.
4. On September 12 a memorial service was held at 2 pm for Ella Jacks, Karen Richard’s mother. The service was moving with Karen speaking of her mom and readings from the great grandchildren. The parish pitched in to provide an after service reception.
5. Myself and all my best friends provided some of the best homemade cookies ever on September 18 along with punch, tea and coffee after the Bean Blossom Music Series performance of Adler and Hearne. The refreshments accompanied a great theme basket silent auction sponsored by the CCC to work toward retiring our debt. One of our goals of the music series is to reach out to the community and help them become familiar with St. D. As one woman was leaving she told me she definitely would be back for a service! (I think it was the cookies).
6. Upcoming:
a. Betty Begonia sale: Sept. 24 coordinated by the Huber’s and the CCC. St. D participates in this wonderful sale every year with our part of the profits going to pay off our loan.
b. Parish picnic: Sept. 25 at Strahl Lake shelter.
c. Georgetown school reunion: October 13. This event is being held as a direct result of our rededication ceremony of the building held last year on November 14. Marge Grimm is working with the reunion group to help them get this off the ground.

Somewhat respectfully submitted,

Jane S. Herr
Parish Life coordinator

9/11 at Saint David’s

Litany for Justice

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down justice;

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up,

let the earth cause justice to sprout up also.

For those who endure fearful and dreadful memories,

let the skies rain down justice.

For those who bear unbearable loss,

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up.

For those whose hearts and bodies are wounded by conflict, terror, and war,

let the skies rain down justice.

For those who struggle to rebuild after destruction,

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up.

For ruined cities,

let the skies rain down justice.

For peaceful fields scarred by violence,

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up.

For those whose suffering has been forgotten by the world,

let the skies rain down justice.

For those who cannot find healing,

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up.

Renew hope,

let the skies rain down justice.

Give new life,

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up.

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down justice;

let the earth open, that deliverance may spring up,

let the earth cause justice to sprout up also. Amen.