June 2013
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 403 East Main Street - Durham, NC 27701 MONDAY, June 24, 2013, 6:00 P.M. VESTRY MEETING Minutes
Present Susan James; Wes Newman; Leigh Egeghy; Regina deLacy; Kathryn Olive; Adam McClellan; Kelly Skaggs; Randy Guptill; Jerome Diggs Jr. Absent The Rev. M. Jonah Kendall; Dan Pearson; DeDreanna Freeman; Maureen Murray; Tim Nordgren, Treasurer Clergy The Rev. Rhonda Lee Call To Order ~ Kathryn called meeting to order at 6:03pm., thanked all in attendance and welcomed Charlie Steele, who is advising the Vestry regarding St. Philip’s position on Moral Monday Protests. The group was also informed that the Nordgren family is spending time with their new baby girl. Opening Prayer ~ Susan read opening prayer and led group-sharing exercise. Minutes ~ Susan moved to accept amended minutes. Jerome seconded…none opposed. Reference: Vestry Meeting Minutes, May 2013. Treasurer’s Report ~ Kathryn gave report in lieu of Tim’s absence. Total Income for May was below budget. Actual income for May was $41,699 vs. weighted budget of $44,486. YTD total income is below budget by 20K. May expenses under budget by approx. 13K. Tim will check with Tom about 7K credit for utilities. May income exceeded expenses by nearly $1500. YTD expenses exceed income by 26K. Reserve balance at approx. 85K. Regina suggested targeting specific parishioners for additional financial support when pledges are behind. Kathryn informed all that diocesan asking is going to be higher next year. Regina moved to accept report. Kelly seconded…all agreed. Reference: Treasurer’s Report, June 2013. Old Business Diocesan Convention Delegate Nominations ~ The five Delegates are Randy Guptill, Jerome Diggs Jr., Donna Hicks, Virginia Bristol and Celeste Gardner. The three Alternate Delegates are Mick Capon, Carter Skinner and Annette Montgomery. Leigh moved to approve delegates. Susan seconded…all agreed.
Moral Monday petition and request ~ Kathryn stated that Bryan Gilmer along with several parishioners, submitted a request for Vestry approval of the following: St. Philip’s banner being present at Moral Monday Protests; submit a written letter from Vestry to Governor’s office highlighting points outlined by St. Philip’s petitioners. Charlie explained that although St. Philip’s tax-exempt status would not be affected, the political nature of the issue would be controversial for some members. He further advised that the Vestry defer from approving the request at this time. Adam moved to vote on each issue separately…Regina seconded. Randy said based on his experience, supporting Moral Monday is not necessarily breaking the law: rally is separate from civil disobedience. Kelly’s suggested a parish-wide discernment process. Rhonda further stated concerns about church portraying a partisan viewpoint. Leigh supports parishioners’ right to exercise personal truths but also prefers that the church not take a stand on issues that may seem too political. Regina moved to express favor or disfavor for St. Philip’s parishioners to take church’s banner to Moral Monday Protests. Randy seconded…all agreed. Paper ballet of yes for “in favor” or no for “disfavor” was administered. With 8 no and 1 yes, the motion passed to not allow banner to be present at Moral Monday Protests. Adam would like the Vestry to consider creating a protocol to address critical issues in line with our Christian values. Rhonda suggested an adult formation on addressing such issues in the church. Regina moved to vote on writing a resolution to endorse letter based on specifics outlined by petitioners. Jerome seconded…all agreed. With 8 no and 1 yes, motion passed to not write resolution letter at this time. Regina will compose a draft response to St. Philip’s petitioners based on Vestry’s decision and circulate to all for feedback. Reference: Moral Mondays Petitioners Letter to Vestry, June 16, 2013. New Business Stewardship up date, dream budgeting and finance committee ~ Rhonda noted corrections: crop walk (unsponsored ministry), women’s night (unsponsored) and adult forum (headed by Jonah). Kathryn asked all to review dream budget and send feedback ASAP. Some ministries are requesting additional funding; ministries that didn’t submit a budget were awarded previous year’s figures. Kelly stated that Communications budget mostly consists of marketing and advertising; Regina concerned about lack of financial support for alter guild. Reference: 2014 Dream Budget. Art Committee Proposal for Narthex ~ Iconographer has been selected for Narthex upgrade. Art Committee met and proposed the Vestry accept two icons that were gifted. Jonah has been involved throughout the process to ensure the proper spiritual context is maintained. Wes explained that the icons depict the resurrection and Holy Trinity and have been given unconditionally. Wes moved to accept icons. Kathryn seconded…none opposed.
Senior Warden’s Report ~ Diocesan gifted church with a quitclaim deed for additional land on St. Philip’s property. Executive Committee reviewing manual revision and health care recommendations. Stewardship and Finance Committees are working on 2014 dream budget. Reference: Sr. Warden’s Report, June 2013. Pastoral Concerns ~ Request made for Vestry members to reach out to bereaved parishioners. Dismissal and Adjournment Kathryn adjourned meeting at 7:57pm. Submitted by Jerome Diggs, Jr.
Present Susan James; Wes Newman; Leigh Egeghy; Regina deLacy; Kathryn Olive; Adam McClellan; Kelly Skaggs; Randy Guptill; Jerome Diggs Jr. Absent The Rev. M. Jonah Kendall; Dan Pearson; DeDreanna Freeman; Maureen Murray; Tim Nordgren, Treasurer Clergy The Rev. Rhonda Lee Call To Order ~ Kathryn called meeting to order at 6:03pm., thanked all in attendance and welcomed Charlie Steele, who is advising the Vestry regarding St. Philip’s position on Moral Monday Protests. The group was also informed that the Nordgren family is spending time with their new baby girl. Opening Prayer ~ Susan read opening prayer and led group-sharing exercise. Minutes ~ Susan moved to accept amended minutes. Jerome seconded…none opposed. Reference: Vestry Meeting Minutes, May 2013. Treasurer’s Report ~ Kathryn gave report in lieu of Tim’s absence. Total Income for May was below budget. Actual income for May was $41,699 vs. weighted budget of $44,486. YTD total income is below budget by 20K. May expenses under budget by approx. 13K. Tim will check with Tom about 7K credit for utilities. May income exceeded expenses by nearly $1500. YTD expenses exceed income by 26K. Reserve balance at approx. 85K. Regina suggested targeting specific parishioners for additional financial support when pledges are behind. Kathryn informed all that diocesan asking is going to be higher next year. Regina moved to accept report. Kelly seconded…all agreed. Reference: Treasurer’s Report, June 2013. Old Business Diocesan Convention Delegate Nominations ~ The five Delegates are Randy Guptill, Jerome Diggs Jr., Donna Hicks, Virginia Bristol and Celeste Gardner. The three Alternate Delegates are Mick Capon, Carter Skinner and Annette Montgomery. Leigh moved to approve delegates. Susan seconded…all agreed.
Moral Monday petition and request ~ Kathryn stated that Bryan Gilmer along with several parishioners, submitted a request for Vestry approval of the following: St. Philip’s banner being present at Moral Monday Protests; submit a written letter from Vestry to Governor’s office highlighting points outlined by St. Philip’s petitioners. Charlie explained that although St. Philip’s tax-exempt status would not be affected, the political nature of the issue would be controversial for some members. He further advised that the Vestry defer from approving the request at this time. Adam moved to vote on each issue separately…Regina seconded. Randy said based on his experience, supporting Moral Monday is not necessarily breaking the law: rally is separate from civil disobedience. Kelly’s suggested a parish-wide discernment process. Rhonda further stated concerns about church portraying a partisan viewpoint. Leigh supports parishioners’ right to exercise personal truths but also prefers that the church not take a stand on issues that may seem too political. Regina moved to express favor or disfavor for St. Philip’s parishioners to take church’s banner to Moral Monday Protests. Randy seconded…all agreed. Paper ballet of yes for “in favor” or no for “disfavor” was administered. With 8 no and 1 yes, the motion passed to not allow banner to be present at Moral Monday Protests. Adam would like the Vestry to consider creating a protocol to address critical issues in line with our Christian values. Rhonda suggested an adult formation on addressing such issues in the church. Regina moved to vote on writing a resolution to endorse letter based on specifics outlined by petitioners. Jerome seconded…all agreed. With 8 no and 1 yes, motion passed to not write resolution letter at this time. Regina will compose a draft response to St. Philip’s petitioners based on Vestry’s decision and circulate to all for feedback. Reference: Moral Mondays Petitioners Letter to Vestry, June 16, 2013. New Business Stewardship up date, dream budgeting and finance committee ~ Rhonda noted corrections: crop walk (unsponsored ministry), women’s night (unsponsored) and adult forum (headed by Jonah). Kathryn asked all to review dream budget and send feedback ASAP. Some ministries are requesting additional funding; ministries that didn’t submit a budget were awarded previous year’s figures. Kelly stated that Communications budget mostly consists of marketing and advertising; Regina concerned about lack of financial support for alter guild. Reference: 2014 Dream Budget. Art Committee Proposal for Narthex ~ Iconographer has been selected for Narthex upgrade. Art Committee met and proposed the Vestry accept two icons that were gifted. Jonah has been involved throughout the process to ensure the proper spiritual context is maintained. Wes explained that the icons depict the resurrection and Holy Trinity and have been given unconditionally. Wes moved to accept icons. Kathryn seconded…none opposed.
Senior Warden’s Report ~ Diocesan gifted church with a quitclaim deed for additional land on St. Philip’s property. Executive Committee reviewing manual revision and health care recommendations. Stewardship and Finance Committees are working on 2014 dream budget. Reference: Sr. Warden’s Report, June 2013. Pastoral Concerns ~ Request made for Vestry members to reach out to bereaved parishioners. Dismissal and Adjournment Kathryn adjourned meeting at 7:57pm. Submitted by Jerome Diggs, Jr.
