February 2017

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Christ Church Vestry Minutes February 9, 2017 7:00 PM Present: Ruth Beresford, Andrew Farquhar, Beth Faulkner, Rick Gessner, Nancy Greenberg, Lee Kallos, Fred Moran, Al Smith, Sandy Van Wormer, Annie Woolard-Provine, Joe Zakielarz Absent: Hardy Drane, Margaret Higgs, Greer Silliman Also Present: Stephen Setzer The meeting was called to order by the Rector at 7:07 PM. Opening prayer was offered by the Rector. Formation Leading Change for Growth & Reconfiguring Vestry Leadership We discussed the First Vestry Priority: to encourage invitation, welcome, and connection; and the Second Vestry Priority: to focus on the fabric. What’s missing? Ruth asked for where Vestry members have energy. 1) First Vestry Priority: Al, Sandy, Fred, Lee, Beth, Nancy, Andrew 2) Second Vestry Priority: Annie, Joe, Rick The Vestry brainstormed different ideas for growth. We talked about needing to obtain existing numbers of participants and pledging units, taking a survey, the format of our church services, attracting a younger audience including millennials, CCEP enrollment, focus groups, phone call surveys, using committee meetings to survey, talking with the “fizzlers” (members that have fizzled in participation), what brings teens to church, should we go to two services (contemporary and formal), and more. Ruth reported Average Sunday Attendance numbers:  2016: 373 (with Christmas on a Sunday)  2015: 336  2007: 389  2006: 413 We agreed that we need to develop a common set of questions for a survey that can take various forms. Annie and Beth will develop survey questions. We agreed that we need to document as much existing attendance and pledging data as possible, and document it for the Vestry. Sandy will work with Ruth and the church staff to compile existing data. Al will contact Cal Wick. Timing for actions: before next meeting but don’t wait to share with other Vestry members, perhaps on Cobblestone. Information Rector’s Report Ruth visited with 3 prospective members and had a phone conversation with another. Several members are being called to do more with our elder population. Diocesan convention was well represented by Christ Church; the meeting focused on Bishop Wright’s

retirement. The 2016 financial deficit was narrowed to about $6,000, which was then made up with contingency funds for resulting $0 deficit. Ruth attended the Outreach Committee meeting earlier this week and answered questions about the 2017 budget. Vestry members should try to attend An Evening with Kathy Izard on March 3 from 5:30 to 8 PM. Stephen described the Wednesday night Lenten film series at Theater N, March 8-April 5 at 6 PM. Wardens’ Report We discussed a proposal to give back some of the $10,000 cut to the Outreach General Mission budget (Outreach funding from parishioner pledges) if the computer project achieves savings and if parishioner pledges come in at goal. The Vestry postponed this; no decision made. Al proposed that Ann Urinoski join the Parish Life Committee. Discussion and Decisions The January Vestry minutes were approved as presented. Motions for approval of parsonage (clergy housing) allowance for both Ruth and Stephen were approved. Fred shared that a meeting was held to discuss the Preschool allocation. A process was developed to audit and review the allocation for better understanding and alignment. Closing prayer was offered by Stephen. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM. Next meeting: March 9 at 7 PM. Respectfully submitted, Sandy Van Wormer