March 2008

Reverend David C. Parachini called the meeting to order at 7:10. Those also in attendance were: Deborah Hallowell, Marcia Hinckley, Liz Hoffman, Max Kuziak, April McGraw, Jane Senk, Allen Thomalla, Tom Woodruff, and Diana Hughes, clerk. Those excused were: Bill Johnson, Karen LaClair, and Ian Rickard.

1. Father David Parachini opened the meeting with a prayer.

2. Minutes of the February 19, 2008 Vestry Meeting

· The minutes were approved with corrections to several names that were misspelled. (Please also refer to the attached list of vestry members.) To save time and money, minutes will be emailed to all vestry members that have access to email. Anyone who does not have access will receive them in the mail.

3. Open Questions and Comments

· Max Kuziak commented on “Doing Church Differently”, stating that the Norwalk Church had a much larger staff than Grace Church. David explained that St. Paul’s on the Green had originally been in similar circumstances as Grace Church.

· Bo Hallowell asked to have open items placed at the end of the minutes so that they would be easy to reference and attend to.

· Allen Thomalla asked that we address the issue of vestry members not attending meetings. A motion was made and seconded that the following new policy of the vestry be adopted. If a member has three unexcused absences in the course of a year, that position will be considered vacant. The motion was passed unanimously. David will speak to anyone this pertains to.

· Liz Hoffman asked to be placed on next month’s agenda to hold a focus group session on behalf of the Windsor Historical Society. This should take 15 minutes.

4. Treasurer and Finance Committee Reports

· Larry met with the Finance Committee with a review of the preliminary budget. There was some discussion about items in the budget that could be cut if the stewardship goal is not met. Reference was made to a motion approved at the January vestry meeting that the Finance Committee come up with some specific cut recommendations in case the stewardship goal of 14% is not made.

It was suggested that before the stewardship campaign begins, a meeting be set up with Maryanne Doyle; Paul Senk, the stewardship chair along with Karen LeClair and Bo Hallowell, to clarify the level of membership and revenue increases that were built into Maryanne’s original estimates. David will check to see when Maryanne is available to meet.

Jane Senk pointed out that the vestry might not have enough information to make informed decisions about the impact and ramifications of cutting the money offered to an organist and/or priest. David volunteered to get together information for the next meeting on salaries and availability of priests and organists.

Funding the soprano has been taken care of through June.

5. Warden and Rector’s Reports:

· In order to improve communications within the church, David and the wardens will get together to come up with a system on committee reporting. David will provide a list of all the committees to the wardens. This will be the first step in dividing up the shepherding responsibilities.

6. Shepherd and Committee Reports

· Building and Grounds: Max thanked Bo and her family for removing the snow during the last storm. He and David reiterated the problems due to water damage.

7. Old Business

· Parish Administrator: David reported that a new parish administrator has been hired. She will start the week after Easter, once David completes the background check required by the diocese. She will work four hours a day, Monday through Friday and will not receive benefits.

• Stewardship Planning: Paul Senk has agreed to chair the stewardship campaign. He is currently recruiting committee members. David expressed hope that every vestry member take part in the campaign.

• Doing Church Differently Meeting: David announced that there will be a preliminary meeting on “Doing Church Differently” on April 18^th with the vestry, leadership, and interested members of the congregation. It will be an evening meeting, probably a potluck. The May 10/11 meetings could not be changed so will take place despite it’s being the weekend of the ECW rummage sale.

• Update on Computers: All the computers are up and running. The network is connected and all software is installed.

• Episcopal Visitation: Laura Ahrens, the new suffragan bishop of Connecticut will visit the church on Sunday, April 20^th.

8. New Business:

· Organ Repair: David reported that the swell expression motor in the organ is dying. Due to cost of the repair, the vestry removed fixing/replacing it from contract when organ work was done in the 1993. A new motor would cost about $6,000. David is looking into other options for the repair.

• Capital Campaign: Since there are so many things that need to be done just to keep the church property from failing into further disrepair, David plans to talk to Marianne Doyle about the possibility of holding a capital campaign. The roof has loose slates. The Tuttle House roof needs attention. There is plaster damage due to leaks. The organ needs repair and various lighting improvements need to take place.

• Prayer Cards: A parishioner asked that prayer cards be made, much like the ones made of the children in Sunday school. People would be able to take a prayer card home and pray for the person named on the card. The vestry approved a motion that this be instituted. Bo will take this to the Liturgy Committee.

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 following a prayer led by Father Parachini.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Hughes

Parish Clerk

Outstanding Action Items

Date Raised	Action Item	Responsibility	Status
1/15/08	Finance Committee put together some specific options in case the stewardship goal of 14% is not made.	Finance Committee
2/19/08	Update Webster Bank signature cards.	David
3/11/08	Add Liz to April Vestry meeting agenda to conduct a focus group for the Windsor Historical Society.	Wardens and David
3/11/08	Come up with some models for reduced salary priest and organist.	David
3/11/08	Arrange a meeting with Maryanne Doyle, Paul Senk, the stewardship committee and wardens to find out how Maryanne came up with her numbers.	David
3/11/08	Put together a list of all the committees within the church for the wardens.	David
3/11/08	Organize shepherding responsibilities for the vestry.	Bo
3/11/08	Set up meeting with Marianne about the possibility of holding a capital campaign.	David
3/11/08	Ask Liturgy Committee to make up prayer cards and inform congregation.	Bo