Meeting by video conference.
Present: The Reverend Dr. Deborah White (Rector), Christina Reich (Sr. Warden), Liz Charlton (Jr. Warden), Amelia Brooks, Chandra Damele, Amy Eudy, Sally Hanson, David Kennedy, Jane Ramsey, Stephanie Zichichi
Guests: The Rev. Walter Ramsey; Columba Salamony, Seminarian; Jennifer Sabroe; Sarah Williams, Parish Administrator.
M/S/C denotes motion made, seconded and carried. The names following M/S/C in parenthesis denote the persons who made the motion and seconded.
Call to Order and Opening Prayer. The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. and led in prayer by Rev. Deb.
Bible Study. The group read and discussed Matthew 9:35-38.
Consent Agenda. It was M/S/C (Amy Eudy/Amelia Brooks) to approve the consent agenda items: Agenda, Minutes of the October 13, 2021 meeting, Rector’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Senior Warden’s Report.
OLD BUSINESS
Ministry Updates
Outreach (Service) Chandra Damele deferred to guest Jennifer Sabroe, who reported that sign-ups are underway for the Spirit of Giving gift drive, in which donors provide gifts and grocery gift cards for needy families.
Rev. Walter reported that the Deacon’s Pantry needs to be replenished with ready-to-eat items like cereal, soup, and similar. An announcement will be placed in Grace Notes.
Worship and Liturgy Sally reported that services are going well; attendance is good. Still wearing masks as we head into Advent. The new burse arrived from Almy. The veil and a box of candle oil have gone missing but we expect to find them.
Welcoming Tina reported that she is back from her vacation and re-energized, ready to get back to Welcoming duties. She is making new name tags for people who were missed in the first round, and will have blank name tags available for new people. Coffee hour hosts can sign up.
Education: Amelia reported that the Halloween party was very successful. Godly Play continues. Thanks to Chandra, who is covering while Marj is away for a month. November 21 there will be a Faithful Forum about Camp Hope. A reminder will be put in Grace Notes.
Parish Life: The Thanksgiving lunch was scheduled for November 21, conflicting with the Faithful Forum. The Parish Life committee will instead put on a Christmas luncheon similar to what the St. Christopher’s Guild usually does. The vestry discussed inviting the St. Christopher’s Guild to a vestry meeting, to discuss the future functioning of the Guild.
Pastoral Care: Rev. Deb reports that there is plenty going on in this area, as always.
Stewardship: Jane and Amy reported that a sermon, letter, and pledge cards are in the works, and they will be in touch when the plan is settled. A reminder that it is stewardship season will be put in Grace Notes.
Building and Grounds
Dispersal of bark on the church grounds: Planning to rent a small (Bobcat-style) loader for this job. There will be a work day on Saturday, November 20, on which the bark spreading and other tasks will be accomplished.
Deck/steps off the parish hall:
No movement that we know of. Liz will talk to Rev. Deb to make a plan.
Stewardship Campaign
Committee members (Jane, Sally, Any) will be giving talks in worship. The stewardship committee needs to meet to determine all of the elements they will require to make the campaign a success as the letter should go fairly soon, and a stewardship sermon scheduled.
Upper Lot Update DCG sent out our profile to 40 potential developers; three are interested. Rev. Deb was also approached by both Hope Solutions and Las Trampas Regional Center about their ideas for the upper lot. We also just learned from a City Council member that Martinez is updating its housing plan, including possibly increasing the city’s housing density numbers. Public comment is being solicited; Rev. Deb will send the link.
Congregational Vitality Assessment
Rev. Deb shared the results from the survey that some church members and leaders took at www.cvatool.org. The analysis showed Grace as moderately strong in all areas except in internal sustainability (defined as “sufficient internal resources to be sustainable”). This means we are worried because we have too few people to participate and do the work we want to do. The vestry discussed this and brainstormed possible solutions.
NEW BUSINESS
Vestry Recruiting Amelia, Chandra, and Jane are the nominating committee, and will begin looking for new vestry members for 2022..
DISMISSAL Reverend Walter dismissed the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Williams
Parish Administrator