March
2010
1. Call to Order
The March 9, 2010 Vestry Meeting was
called to order at 7:00 p.m., by The Reverend David C. Parachini.
Father Parachini opened the meeting with
prayer.
2. Attendance
Present:
Senior Warden-Max Kuziak, Junior Warden-Larry
Young, Assistant Clerk-Jean Keating, Assistant Treasurer-
Bob Elsden, John Worrell, Marcia Hinckley,
Ian Rickard, Tom Woodruff, Patricia Ould, Maria Elsden, Merline
Fisher, Frederick McLeod, Pat Loucks, Dan
Myers and Spencer Thrall
Absent:
Jane Cimbak-Clerk, Allen
Thomalla-Treasurer and Bill Johnson
Guests:
Paul Senk-Chairperson for Stewardship and
Roof Repair,
Loughran-Parish
Administrator and April McGraw-Telephone Research.
3. Minutes
There was one change to the February Minutes.
Item 4, Paragraph 3: It was noted that Max Kuziak is not Chairperson
of the Building and Grounds Committee.
The
Co-Chair are Fred McLeod and Tom Woodruff.
A motion was made, seconded and approved,
unanimously, to accept the February Minutes as corrected.
4. Open
Question and Comment Period
a) Roof
Repairs – Discussion regarding the Roof Repairs -- deferred to later in
the meeting.
b) Stewardship – Paul Senk, Chairperson
(1) Paul stated the Lenten Season is a good time for the Annual Stewardship Campaign. It is a time of
renewal and new beginnings. He also said it is easier to get volunteers at this time versus in the fall,
when things are more hectic.
(2) It was agreed that confusion still remains as to when to start the new pledges. Officially April 1, is
the start date, not January 1. Father Parachini stated the Parish Fiscal Year is April 1 to March 31, for the Annual Pledge Campaign.
(3) This year we will, again, have a Designated Sunday for Visitations. Last year there was a 65%
return of pledge cards on the Designated Sunday. Paul said this demonstrates a commitment to
leadership.
(4) There will be weekly recognition of parishioners, by name, in the weekly bulletins. This
will only be done with full consent by the parishioners when their pledge card is signed.
c) Roof Repair Committee – Paul Senk, Chairperson
Paul read an Informational Report from Jim Vance. Three Bids were requested and the Preferred Architect is Jim Vance who comes highly recommended. His Bid of $14,300 was reduced to $13,300 to allow $1000 for consulting fees. A Preliminary Report and a Final Report will be reviewed in advance of any work being done. Through the Grant (HPTAG - $9,912), Donations of Funds and Church Funds, there is money available to move forward with the roof repairs. It will take 30 days to complete the job. A motion was made, seconded and accepted, unanimously, to have Paul Senk sign the contract.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Due to the absence of the Treasurer, no
report was available at this time. The
Finance Committee Meeting,
scheduled for Sunday, March 7, 2010, was
cancelled. Father Parachini stated that
essentially the church is in
good shape at this time; due mainly to the
help of Maria Elsden and Tom Woodruff.
6. Planned Giving Committee
The
Planned Giving Committee has a name change and is now known as the Legacy
Committee. They are
moving
forward with their ongoing exploration and recognition of gifts.
7. Reports of the Rector and Wardens
Rector:
Father Parachini reported there are two parishioners
that have been recommended to the Lay Eucharistic Ministry.
They are Jean Keating and Susan Debevec. A motion was made, seconded and carried,
unanimously, that the Vestry accept the two new candidates to the Lay
Eucharistic Ministry.
Wardens:
Sr. Warden Max Kuziak stated there is a sign-up
sheet for the
Max reported that the Church will participate in the
2010 Shad Derby Parade and will once again feature “The Fishop” – which was
used previously in an earlier Shad Derby Parade.
Max informed the Vestry the Weight Watchers Group is
now meeting in the Lower Parish Hall.
This is a long-term commitment and their meetings are held on Tuesday
mornings and Wednesday evenings, at $75 a week.
Jr. Warden Larry Young: no report.
8. Special Reports
a)
Telephone Research -- April McGraw and Carol Loughran
The phone system currently in use by the Church was
donated and is outdated (it is approximately 13 years old).
A new system is very much needed and would benefit
both the Church and the Tuttle House.
Attachment: Please see the extensive
report, presented to the Vestry, attached to these Minutes.
A motion was made and
seconded to appropriate $2588 from the Building and Grounds Budget for a new
telephone system. The motion was carried
in the affirmative with 1 Nay and 1 Abstention.
b)
Jenny thanked the Church for the funds appropriated
($500) toward her expenses to attend the Church School Directors Conference in
i.e. Networking, Workshops and Speakers (speakers also
included Bishops). She said it was most interesting how churches from across
the states face many of the same issues – i.e. how to attract young people,
etc.
Jenny said it was a time of
Renewal/Refreshment/Reflection for all Christian Education Directors. She also
stated it is most important to appropriate funds annually so the Church will be
represented at all future conferences. Next year’s conference will be held in
As a matter of awareness, Jenny reported that she
will need 5 teachers in the fall. She
informed the Vestry that Carol McOmber would very much like to just handle
being the Children’s Music Director whereby she could expand on the Christmas
Pageant, Easter, special music programs and organize a children’s choir.
Jenny said being a Director and a Teacher is just
too much for each of them and it gives them a feeling of being less efficient
and that trying to handle both can eventually lead to burn out.
Currently, Grace Church has 53 registered students.
Marcy Hinckley expressed gratitude to Jenny for all
that she is and for all that she does. The Vestry applauded her.
9. Fun
In Learning – Marcy Hinckley
Marcy reported there is a fundraising solicitation letter going out to
all Parishioners and to some outsiders.
10. Old Business
a)
Signage –
Jane Senk handled all the details for the new
sign. It was mentioned that Fun In
Learning will not be included on the permanent sign; however, a “hanger” with
their name can be added. A motion was
made and seconded that $1100 be appropriated to include the sign and two
posts. The motion was in the affirmative
and carried with 1 Nay and 3 Abstentions.
b)
Successful Band Concert
Father Parachini reported 130 attendees and 90 band
participants were present for the Scot Symphonic Band Concert on Sunday, March
7, 2010. The Scot Symphonic Band’s
leadership people were well pleased with the reception they received from Grace
Church and would like to return for their next New England Tour in four (4)
years.
c)
Rock Cats Event
Max Kuziak reported there will be a Half-Price Rock
Cats Game on a Friday night -- the actual date will be announced once it is
secured. This is a fundraiser event and would give Grace Church some great
publicity. It would be nice to get 50 participants to attend – to make our
profit greater. A motion was made,
seconded and carried, unanimously, to allow the Church name to be used at the
Rock Cat Stadium.
11. New Business
a)
Rector’s Discretionary Fund
Funds are needed and the Vestry supports Father
Parachini to make a general appeal to the Parish for additional funds. At this time, Grace Church has used more
funds than we have contributed through the Windsor Council of Churches Fund
that is maintained at the Windsor Police Department
b)
Preliminary Planning /
Capital Campaign
Father Parachini reported that he would like to have
five (5) members to be on the Preliminary Planning / Capital Campaign Committee.
The following Vestry Members volunteered to serve on the committee: Fred McLeod, Larry Young, Bob Elsden, Merline
Fisher and Pat Ould.
c)
Believe Outloud
This item is deferred to the March Vestry Meeting.
Attachment: Please
see information attached to these Minutes
d)
The Windsor Fire Marshall was at Grace Church and
stated the door at the bottom of the stairway between the Great Hall and the
Lower Parish Hall is a fire door and must remain closed at all times. We are
not to prop the door open.
e)
Crime / Church Properties
The Grace Church Security Committee is Tom Woodruff
and Fred McLeod. Father Parachini
informed the Vestry that locks to the inner doors of the church have been
installed. The Church has been given a surveillance camera and a wireless door
bell. These items need to be installed.
f)
Fire Protection and
Monitoring System
Father Parachini stated that the Diocese will
appropriate some funds for this much needed protection; however, this is a
Capital Campaign Issue.
g)
Exit Signs / Emergency
Lighting at Grace Church
Father Parachini requested that the Security
Committee come with Quotations at the April Meeting to cover these issues
h)
Building Use Policy
The Building Use Policy needs to be reviewed. Policy for profit making businesses who want
to rent space from the Church needs to be studied.
i)
T-Shirts for Shad
Max Kuziak made a motion that the Vestry authorize
‘not to exceed’ $300 for T-Shirts for the 2010 Shad Derby Parade to be held on
the third Saturday in May. The motion was seconded and discussed.
The discussion regarded the cost and it was stated
that it is an investment in evangelism and visibility is a priority. The motion was carried in the affirmative
with 1Abstention.
j)
A P O S T L E
It was questioned how the APOSTLE Policy, discussed
at the February Vestry Meeting, was going.
Father Parachini reported five (5) members have
spoken with him.
k)
Movie Night
Maria Elsden reported that the previous Movie Night
was not well attended; however, there will be another one coming up.
l)
Lean Against Grace Church
It was asked what the current status is regarding
the Lean placed against Grace Church. Larry Young stated that a letter was received and the Lean has been
released.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
Vestry, a motion was made at 9:08 P.M., seconded and carried, unanimously, to
adjourn the meeting.
Father Parachini offered a Closing Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Keating
Assistant Clerk
Grace Church Vestry
Attachments:
Telephone
Research Report
Believe
Outloud Information Sheet