Vestry minutes February 2020

Approved Vestry Meeting Minutes

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Benicia

Tuesday, February 18 @ 6:30 PM

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 17 @ 6:30

 

 

Call to Order: The February 18, 2020 Vestry meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by  The Rev. Annie Mertz.

 

Present: Jorge Castaneda, Cathy Cellini, Charlie Kilbourne, Helen Kennedy Lazar, Del Baker-Medlock (Treasurer), Yann Jouvenot Sells, Ken Nowinski, Rev. Annie Pierpoint Mertz (Rector), David White, Betsy Zampa (Clerk), Giovanna Zampa (Youth advisor)

 

Bob Hall, representing the Historic Trust  and Donna Marshall, representing the Community Meal were present as guests.

 

Absent: Kim Rodekohr, Heather Healy, Beth Gaines, Deacon

 

Yann shared a meditation entitled “Breathe” which reminds us to breathe and that we are here because we care about this place and we care about each other.

 

Guest Presentations

 

Bob Hall – Bob explained a little bit of the history and structure of St. Paul’s Historic Trust . There are nine trustees.  Three are permanent trustee positions—the Rector, the Senior Warden and the Chair of the Peddlers’ Fair.  One trustee is a member of the community and five others are members of St. Paul’s. Bill Markley is a St. Paul’s member and has been a trustee of St. Paul’s Historic Trust for 35 years.  There is an open position on the Trust as Bill Markley is stepping down.  The Historic Trust is putting forth Betsy Zampa as the candidate to fill the open postion. 

 

A motion was made by Charlie Kilbourne to approve the appointment of Betsy Zampa as a Trustee on the Historic Trust.  Dave White seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Donna Marshall – Donna reported that the Community Meal is serving 80 to 100 meals a week.  Our faithful cook,  Joe,  is retiring after 13 years on March 18th.  As such, there is an opportunity for more St. Paul’s folks to become involved with the Community Meal.  We don’t want to be just the building where the community meal is served.   As a homework assignment, Rev. Annie asked that over the next month that each Vestry member come and eat at the community meal to get a sense it. There are plenty of dishwashers and servers…what is needed is a core of about 3 people to prepare and cook the meals. 

  

Consent Calendar

 

Approval of January Vestry Minutes – a motion was made by  Ken to approve the January 2020 Vestry Minutes.  Seconded by Yann.  Passed unanimously.

 

Approval of January Treasurer’s Report –  motion was made by Yann, to approve the January Treasurer’s Report.  Seconded by Helen. Passed unanimously.

 

Endorsement of Grace’s ordination to the Deaconate – all members present signed the endorsement of Grace’s ordination to the Deaconate. 

 

Special Reports/Discussion Items

 

Proposal: Vestry Retreat on Saturday 3/21, 9AM – 1PM

Vestry Retreat will be on Saturday, March 21 from 9 am to 1 pm. Location is tentatively at Yann’s house.  An email will go out confirming the location.

 

Sign-ups for Vestry Hosts and vestry meeting meditation/snack people – Yann will send out an email to all Vestry Members quarterly so folks can sign up for Vestry Host meditation/snacks.

 

We talked about the history of our mission statement.  Charlie and Dave said they’d get clarification on when the following statements were crafted:

 

“To be the hands and heart of Christ in Benicia”

The above was corrected to say:  “To be the Hands of Christ in the heart of Benicia”

 

“Wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, there is a place for you here.”

 

Thanks was expressed to Yann for organizing, shopping, cooking  and cleaning for the Family Winter Weekend which took place this past weekend.  A great time was had by all and we are grateful for the DeWeese Gift that made the weekend possible.  

 

Standing committees – The following committees were formed:

         

Finance –  Yann, Helen, Treasurer

Mission & Ministry – Giovanna, Charlie, Jorge, Cathy

Buildings & Grounds- Ken, Dave, Kim

 

Each committee will meet before the next Vestry meeting and identify 3 or 4 other parishioners who might be a good fit on the committee.

 

Call for Adjournment and Closing Prayer –  Motion to adjourn was made by Ken and seconded  by Yann.  Passed unanimously.   Closed at 7:55 in prayer by Rev. Annie.

 

Submitted,

Betsy Zampa, Clerk