January 22, 2024 (download minutes) – Maryann and the vestry thanked the outgoing vestry class (Gail Albergo, Leigh Egeghy, Adam McClellan, and Connie Semans) for their leadership and commitment to St. Philip’s. They also thanked outgoing treasurer Ginny Bowman for three distinguished years of service. The vestry approved the slate of vestry nominees to run for the four available vestry seats. And the vestry encourages the entire St. Philip’s community to attend our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 11.
February 26, 2024 (download minutes) – The vestry welcomed new vestry members Sue Guptill, Marty Nelson, Jeff Pitts, and Mike Uhl, and new treasurer Matthew Snider. They also re-elected Liz Sappenfield to another year as junior warden, with grateful applause for her outstanding work in 2023, especially on the roof replacement project. The vestry authorized the rector and junior warden to engage with the National Fund for Sacred Places as a potential granting agency and planning partner for our church interior renovation project. And the vestry began establishing vestry goals, responsibilities, and committee assignments for their work together in 2024.
March 25, 2024 (download minutes) – The vestry received the Stewardship Committee’s report on last fall’s pledge campaign and began planning for continuing an uninterrupted focus on stewardship development in 2024. Vestry members thanked Gail Belvett, Duncan Krause, and Laura Nichols for their faithful and inspiring stewardship leadership. The vestry began framing the structure of the parish visioning work that will engage the vestry and every parishioner over the coming year. And the vestry received new standing committee assignments (finance, staffing, directory) and started into the detailed work of those groups, which will stretch throughout the year.
April 22, 2024 (download minutes) – Maryann shared details about Bishop Jennifer’s May 19 Pentecost visit. Bishop Jennifer will be with us Pentecost Sunday for the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, and we’ll have baptisms and confirmations. The vestry approved funding for an acoustic analysis of the church as part of our interior renovation planning. This analysis will thoroughly assess our current acoustics and recommend improvements for the experience of both music and spoken word. And the vestry discussed last Saturday’s vestry/staff visioning retreat at The Trees, where they explored questions about God’s vision for St. Philip’s. At tonight’s meeting, the vestry continued the visioning conversation and reviewed a plan to engage the whole congregation in our visioning process in coming months.
May 2024 – No vestry meeting this month.
June 24, 2024 (download minutes) – The vestry approved a new policy regarding placement of cremains in the columbarium. Due to the rising cost of brass plaques, going forward those reserving a columbarium niche will pay a deposit, with the remainder paid when ashes are committed. Those who’ve already reserved a niche will be grandfathered in and won’t owe anything more. Prices for committal in the garden close will stay the same. The Trees Discernment Committee presented an update, noting the committee is on track to finish their discernment work in late fall. The vestry approved the committee’s request to work with an architecture firm on zoning options at The Trees. Maryann shared highlights of the youth pilgrimage to Bavaria, complimenting the engagement of the J2A pilgrims as well as their group leaders. The vestry discussed the thoughtful feedback from recent visioning interviews with groups, ministries, and individuals.
July 22, 2024 (download minutes) – The vestry unanimously approved expanding the Parental Leave for Lay Employees policy, expanding coverage criteria and benefits for both birth and non-birth parents. The vestry committed to taking the Introduction to Dismantling Racism course offered by the diocese, with vestry members, staff, and clergy pledging to complete the course by the end of 2025. Maryann presented an opportunity to offer a shower ministry to serve our unhoused neighbors, and the vestry agreed to begin studying the logistics and engagement needed to join two other downtown churches in an existing partnership. A 2025 budget discussion provided an abundance of ideas and feedback for St. Philip’s future. Vestry members spoke with gratitude of these many outward and visible signs of a healthy church. The finance committee will continue honing the details of our budget goals in time to dovetail with the fall stewardship drive.
August 26, 2024 (download minutes) – The vestry reviewed plans for fall stewardship with Stewardship Co-Chairs Laura Nichols and Treat Harvey. With the outreach committee’s recommendation, the vestry approved funding awards to the Johnson Service Corps and YouCanVote. We’re happy to report St. Philip’s passed its 2024 financial audit. The vestry celebrated our best yet Camp at The Trees, noting the many volunteers and record number of children ages 4-12 who participated. The vestry discussed starting to recruit potential 2025 vestry members.