ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH VESTRY MEETING - NOVEMBER 19, 2015 MINUTES

Present: Fr. Lee; Marie Miller, Senior Warden; Carter Matthews, Junior Warden; Richard Bradley; Sheree Chapman; Julie Cleveland; John Corcoran; John Dickey; Hillary Doggart-Greer; Heidi Robinson; Rick Parnell, Treasurer; Joan Cornine, Clerk of the Vestry

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Fr. Lee opened with scripture and prayer.

Minutes: Carter Matthews moved that the Minutes from the October 15, 2015 meeting be accepted as presented; seconded by Richard Bradley; carried.

Rector’s Report: Fr. Lee noted that St. Michael’s Congregational Meeting will be held on January 10, 2016 between the services. He also noted that Julie Cleveland, Rick Parnell and Richard Bradley’s Vestry terms expire this year. He asked that they return their Vestry handbooks so they can be passed on to the new Vestry members.

Senior Warden’s Report: Marie Miller thanked everyone for everything they do in the life of our church. Fr. Lee thanked Marie for her service to St. Michael’s.

Junior Warden’s Report: Carter Matthews’ report will be covered under Old Business.

Treasurer ’s Report: Rick Parnell gave the Treasurer’s Report for October 2015, a copy of which is on file in the Church office. He reported that our total income was $17,238.04; total expenses were $16,661.91. We are $576.13 in the black for the month; however, this amount does not include the principal we paid on the mortgage.

Rick went over the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual as well as the Balance Sheet, check register, and the treasurer’s reports from the various groups.

Rick gave an update on our pledges. We have received 62 pledges for a total of $173,220. We are approximately $10,000 behind the pledges received last year. There are eight pledges that we received last year that have not been received as yet.

Finance Committee Report: Joan Cornine reported that the Finance Committee met on November 8, 2015 and they approved the Treasurer’s Report. She noted there had been discussion regarding the 2013 and 2014 Audit Reports; pledge updates; Diocesan pledge; and salary increases - all of which will be presented to the Vestry. Stewardship Reports: Worship - John Dickey reported that the average Sunday attendance for October was 31 at the early service and 56 at the late service. We had three visitors and two transfers. He also noted the death of Bill Walsh on October 24, 2015.

Fr. Lee noted that Thomas McCabe is doing a great job with the Acolytes, etc., and that we can use more Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers. He also noted that the Adult Forum continues between services on Sunday, and that Beth Dudley will be starting a new Bible Study, The Advent of Christ, beginning December 2nd.

Christian Development - Hillary Doggart-Greer noted that the children’s church is going well.

Hillary discussed her desire to supply a meal to the 70 plus children who reside at the Miracle Hill Children’s Home in Pickens County. This would be done during the Christmas break and she will be organizing volunteers for this project.

Evangelism - John Corcoran reported that there were six Eucharistic visits this month and noted we are still in need of Eucharistic visitors.

Sheree Chapman asked if we know of any shut-ins or people with extended illnesses, please let her know and she will send them a card.

Richard Bradley reported that Shine Soup Kitchen served 46 people on November 9th, and 28 had seconds. Richard also reported that Mary’s House is in need of money and United Christian Ministries also needs money to help people with their heating bills. He also noted that United Christian Ministries has a goal of providing 200 Christmas Dinner Boxes this year.

Rick Parnell reported that 20 men attended the ECM meeting on October 1 and they voted to pay for a Christmas banner and to smoke or fry turkeys for Thanksgiving; ECW had an outing to Cafe and Then Some on October 22; 13 ladies attended the DOK meeting on October 25; and the Needlework Group met on October 6th at Magnolias.

Christian Fellowship - Julie Cleveland noted we had two receptions this month - one for Bill Walsh and the other a farewell coffee hour for Dave Rodrick.

After discussion, it was decided there would not be a Meet ’n Eat in December.

There will be a Christmas Program for the children on Sunday, December 13th at 5 p.m. Julie will be organizing this.

Heidi Robinson discussed Facebook and it was noted that she is doing a good job with it. She asked that we “share” and “like” St. Michael’s when we are on FaceBook. It was suggested that pictures be posted on FaceBook showing the Christmas Boxes that were collected and the bags that will be sent to United Christian Ministries. Old Business:

2 Carter Matthews reported that the Columbarium foundation has been poured and the Columbarium is ready for delivery. Robert Pinkston is coordinating the set up. Fr. Lee noted that there will be a consecration ceremony after it is installed.

Discussion was held regarding a bell (and money to have it placed on the church grounds) that was donated by Iris Milhous to the church some time back. Fr. Lee and Carter went to see the bell and determined that it is 34” in diameter and weighs 765 pounds. It was manufactured between l894 and 1970. We will need a foundation or tower for it and it will need to be cleaned and moved to the church. The plan is to go forward with it.

Discussion was held regarding the defibrillator - it is at the church and Carter will take care of having it mounted in a central location. Training will be forthcoming.

Carter has all the information needed from American Lock and Key and he will proceed with getting the locks re-keyed and getting numbered keys to be given out to those who need keys. The cost will be under the $300 previously approved by the Vestry.

New Business: Our pledge to the Diocese was discussed. We are currently giving $1,865 a month. After lengthy discussion, Rick Parnell moved that we increase our 2016 pledge to $1,925 per month, which is equal to 11 percent of our 2014 operating income. Seconded by Hillary Doggart-Greer; carried.

Salary increases for our employees were discussed. After discussion, it was moved, seconded and carried that we increase Shannon Swanson’s salary and Nancy Owens’ salary as recommended by the Finance Committee.

John Corcoran brought up the fact that Fr. Lee has not had an increase in his salary since he became our Rector. Fr. Lee noted that he is good for now, and he wants to be sure Shannon and Nancy are taken care of.

There will be only one service on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. We will also have an Epiphany Service on Wednesday, January 6th, at 6:30 p.m.

The next Vestry Meeting will be December 17, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Closing prayer by Richard Bradley.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Cornine, Clerk of the Vestry

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