GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

VESTRY MINUTES

June 14, 2011

1. Call to Order

The June 14, 2011, Vestry Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by The Reverend Canon Eric Larson. Rev. Larson opened the meeting with prayer.

2. Attendance

Present:

Canon Larson, Max Kuziak, Larry Young, Jean Keating, John Worrell, Marie Elsden, Merline Fisher, Frederick McLeod, Patricia Ould, Patricia Loucks, Daniel Myers, Jenny Hawran, Joanne Roach, Jane Senk and Liz Yetman.

Absent:

Robert Elsden, William Johnson, Spencer Thrall and Jane Cimbak.

Guests:

Paul Senk and Tom Woodruff

3. Minutes

The May Minutes were accepted as corrected., noting both Jenny Hawran and Jane Senk were not listed as being present.

4. Stewardship

Max Kuziak asked Tom Woodruff if he will be the Stewardship Chair for 2011. Tom stated he would let the Vestry know.

5. The Reverend Canon Eric Larson

It was agreed to have Canon Larson, Deployment Officer at the Diocese, be allowed to address the Vestry and to delay the balance of the Vestry Agenda. Canon Larson stated we are all set with Supply Priests through September 4. He also stated our financial situation at this time remains “iffy.” He presented the names of three (3) potential Priests for our consideration. All three are interested in Part Time; at least to start. Each of them knows about our financial situation. He also mentioned we could possibly have a visitation in September by Robin Hamell-Urban (a former attorney), who is the Pastoral Response Coordinator. She could also be invited to attend the September Vestry Meeting. With Supply Priests and Organist in place and receiving the names of three candidates, Canon Larson left the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Max Kuziak stated “Part Time Priest – Full Time Parish” is a very good book and recommends the Vestry to read it.

6. Report of the Wardens

Warden Larry Young said he had nothing to report at this time.

Vestry Minutes – June 14, 2011

Page 2

Warden Max Kuziak said he had a variety of correspondence to share:

a) Eucharistic Ministry/Home Visitations

Background checks are required by the Diocese for all Eucharistic Ministers who make Home Visitations.

b) Chamber of Commerce

This correspondence is in regard to the “After Hours Business Gatherings” and is deferred to the Evangelism Committee to handle.

c) Chili’s Restaurant

Chili’s is offering a “give back night” at their restaurant whereby the church will receive 10% of the night’s proceeds. This fundraiser is deferred to the Fellowship Committee.

7. Old Business

a) Audit Update

John Worrell stated he is gathering information needed for Donna Corey. She will work off-site, doing the audit at her home.

b) Rock Cats Baseball Game

Max Kuziak said all 50 tickets for the game have been sold and he is pleased that several members of the Vestry will be attending.

c) Communicating With The Parish

Jane Senk asked, “How do we mention to the parish what is happening regarding our Search for a new Priest.” One response was possibly via The Chronicle. It was agreed to discuss this topic further at the next Vestry Meeting. However, Max said he will inform the Parish where we stand to date.

d) Quarterly Statements

Tom Woodruff asked if we will be sending out six-month statements to the Parishioners. Max said, “Yes, it’s business as usual.”

e) Hall Rental Rates

A copy of the Grace Church Hall Rental Agreement was distributed to the Vestry for review with follow-up discussion to take place at the next meeting.

f) Wedding Rates

A copy of the Grace Church Wedding Rates was distributed to the Vestry for review with follow-up discussion to take place at the next meeting.

g) Status with Insurance Company

Fred McLeod stated the following quotes have been accepted by the insurance company:

$12,500 for Gutters; $18,500 Flat Roof and $8,000 for internal repairs –

i.e. clean the rugs.

We received a Bid for $42,000 to fix the slate roof. It was agreed to reconstitute the Roofing Committee to decide what we will do. The Roofing Committee consists of:

Vestry Minutes – June 14, 2011

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[Roofing Committee, continued:]

Paul Senk, Fred McLeod, Jeff Doolittle, Tom Woodruff, Larry Young, Marcy Hinckley and Max Kuziak. Paul recommended Fred be the Chair for the Roofing Committee. The committee will meet and Fred will inform us where we stand in July.

h) By-Laws

Paul Senk reported the By-Laws are being reviewed and there will be changes made.

i) Five-Year Plan

Max Kuziak said it will become either a Two- or Three-Year Plan, not five years. It is going well and the new plan will not be centered around finances.

8. New Business

a) Vegan Book Club

The Vegan Book Club would like to meet in the Music Room for their monthly meetings; in June they did meet in the Music Room. Although the Vestry is not in favor of them using the Music Room, they have already been given permission, by Tom, to use it in July. This topic will be further discussed at the next Vestry Meeting regarding future meetings of the Vegan Book Club.

b) AA Usage of the Lower Parish Hall

The Vestry briefly talked about the AA Group making a monetary donation to the church for use of the Lower Parish Hall. Pat Ould volunteered to contact them.

c) Hope Tabernacle Apostolic Church

The Hope Tabernacle Apostolic Church has made a request to use Grace Church on Sundays and one night during the week. Larry Young made a motion that we reject this offer. The motion was seconded and discussed. Following discussion, Larry said he would like to withdraw his motion. Pat Ould volunteered to communicate with them to obtain further information and will get back to the Vestry with her findings.

d) Parish Information Form/Checklist

Max Kuziak gave John Worrell the Parish Information Form and Checklist that needs to be filled out for the Diocese.

e) Donation of Air Conditioners

Katrina and Paul Woodhouse would like to donate two used air conditioners to the church to be used in the Great Hall. Tom Woodruff offered to get further details about their size, etc. Fred McLeod made a motion that we graciously decline their offer. The motion was seconded and carried.

f) Holy Spirit Auction

Max Kuziak said a Chairperson is needed for the auction. After discussing ways to possibly do the auction differently, it was decided the Auction Committee should get together to discuss this matter and to bring their recommendations to the next Vestry Meeting. The Auction Committee consists of:

Vestry Minutes – June 14, 2011

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[Auction Committee, continued]

Cheryl Myers, Jean Keating, Jane Senk, Joanne Roach, Carol Flanagan, Liz Yetman, Pat Ould and Max Kuziak.

g) Cool Kids Clothes

The following motion was made by Max Kuziak – Effective immediately, the profits (net of reasonable business expenses) from Cool Kids Clothes be allocated to the Youth Group to be used exclusively by the Youth Group to support its youth activities. The motion was seconded and discussed. All proceeds from Cool Kids Clothes under $20 is now taxable. Fundraisers for youth activities is tax free. The Vestry acknowledged and accepted the motion.

h) Meetings Within The Church

Max Kuziak reminded the Vestry that, for scheduling purposes, Carol needs to receive notification of all meetings taking place in the church.

i) Episcopal Church Foundation in New York

The church received checks from the Episcopal Church Foundation located in New York, on behalf of Carolyn Ziemen. The checks were for $43,486.67 and $257.74.

j) Grace Church Organist

The Personnel Committee met to review the proposal from Mark Childs to be the Organist at Grace Church. He would like to receive $12,000 for ten-months. Although the current budget is for $8,200, the Personnel Committee recommends we hire Mark Childs.

Carol McOmber will be handling the Children’s Choir this year. It was reported the church choir is happy with him. Larry Young made a motion we hire Mark Childs with a one-year contract. The motion was seconded and carried.

9. Committee Reports

a) Liturgy Committee

Liz Yetman raised the question – What authority does the Liturgy Committee have?

Larry Young recommended they seek guidance from the Diocese. As for using Rite I and Rite II during the summer months it was stated Rite II will be used in July and Rite I will be used in August. It was stated we need to discuss having one service versus two starting in September. This will be discussed further at the July Vestry Meeting.

10. Miscellaneous

a) Town of Windsor – Open House

Max Kuziak would like the Evangelism and Fellowship Committees to work on this event together.

b) Church Directory

Tom Woodruff reported the new Church Directory will go out in July.

Vestry Minutes – June 14, 2011

Page 5

c) Legal Work For Churches

Maria Elsden spoke to the Vestry regarding legal work for the church stating churches are not bound by the Town – i.e. parking problems. Churches have more latitude for usage. Maria will look into this further for us and report her findings.

11. Adjournment

At 8:55 PM, Max Kuziak moved to adjourn the meeting.

The motion was seconded and carried.

Jean Keating

Clerk of the Vestry

Reminder:

The next meeting of the Vestry will be held on Tuesday,

July 12, 2011, at 7:00 PM, in the Music Room of Grace Church.