The Historic Church of the Epiphany,
St Johns, Berkeley of Eutawville, SC
Vestry Minutes
The regular meeting of the Vestry of The Historic Church of the Epiphany was held on Thursday, February 19th, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.
Fr Tom Hendrickson, Rector presiding
Present were: Sandra Matthews, Clay Young, Jeff Barnes, Marli Drum, and JoAnn Riley
Absent Were: Robert Shingler, Rita Lupton, Cindy Field, and Janice Brady
Meeting opened by Fr Tom with a prayer
Devotion Conducted by Jeff Barnes
Discussion about the position of Vestry Clerk and its importance
Motion by JoAnn to elect Fred Lupton as Vestry Clerk for a one year period, 2015
Seconded by Jeff
Discussion: None
Motion voted on and passed by acclimation
Minutes from the previous meeting held on January 8th, 2015 (previously distributed by email) were approved with corrections
Treasurers Report presented by John Vergere:
John stated that the endowment fund and check book amounts were current. Further discussion centered on a previous motion by the vestry to reduce the amount of money in the General Operating fund to $25,000 with the excess going into the Franklin Templeton account. John said it was not done because he misunderstood and would affect the movement right away. John brought up the idea of having the money placed into a bond (as opposed to a mutual fund where the amount rises and falls with the stock market). Fr Tom explained how bonds worked and his risk aversion to the stock market.
The suggestion was proposed that vestry members who could meet this coming Wed at 10:30 am attend an Endowment Committed meeting with its financial advisor John Wiggington to get his advice on the matter.
It was moved by JoAnn to have the Endowment Committee bring suggestions to the Vestry on which bond to buy with the excess from the Operating Fund in lieu of placing the money with Franklin Templeton.
Second: Marli
No further discussion
Vote passed by voice , all ayes
Discussion continued on the Treasurer’s report, other questions were answered.
Moved by JoAnn to accept the Treasures report as submitted
Second by Clay
No further discussion
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report passed by voice vote, all aye
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on bringing all 1099 contractors on board as employees. Treasurer stated he has been trying to get in contact with Diocesan officials to set the program up. Program would be run by a third party, PayCom, who would be paid a fee for their service. They would take money out of our account and do all the payments to the individuals and taxing bodies.
Connie Barnes has accepted the position as third member on the Endowment Committee.
Review of By-Laws
Discussion: Fr Tom had previously passed out Vestry By-Laws and asked all to review them for discussion. It was noted that the official name of the church was incorrect and needed to be changed, seems that are different names on various copies of the by-laws. It was asked by Clay if we have a current list of the church membership, Fr Tom responded that we did and what it required to be a member in good standing. A question arose on committees mentioned in the By-Laws and what committees we actually have. Fr Tom would like to see a property committee. Per By-Laws vestry is to appoint committee heads annually. More discussion is to take place at future vestry meetings.
Further Discussion: Article 10, Section 3 states that pre-approval must be given to the treasurer before he can write a check in excess of $500. Examples were given where that amount is too small. This article has been discussed and voted on before. The requirement is for a vote on two separate occasions for a by-lay change to take effect.
Motion by Clay that Article 10, section 3 of the Vestry By-Laws be changed from $500 to $2500
2nd Sandra
Discussion: This is the second vote on the by-law change, first vote taking place during the Nov 2014 regular meeting of the Vestry. Per the existing By-Laws we will publish the change in our weekly bulletin twice.
Motion passed, voice vote, all ayes. By-Lay change to go into effect immediately
Other old business
Jeff Barnes stated he has 3 working microphones (one microphone donated and two other stands found), Maril bought some cable for $17
Discussion about plaque to place on furniture Charlie Noller made. Jeff approached Winnie about what should be written on the plaque, she will get back to him on it.
Fr. Tom informed the vestry he sent a letter to the State Revenue Commission requesting the Parish House and Outreach Center property be tax exempt.
JoAnn stated the audit of Church Books should start the first of April, Fr Tom added it will be conducted by the Diocesan auditor at such time as he may see fit to start.
NEW BUSINESS
Property inspection performed in Jan, 2015 by Jeff, Rita, Marla, Fr Tom and submitted to Vestry. Points mentioned of what needs to be done, discussion ensued. (Chester Field has been doing some of these things already)
Jeff points out that we should get back to having a monitor system for fire and break-ins, no further action taken on this matter
Fr Tom reminds this Vestry that they have complete control of the Property
Motion by Jeff that he be allowed to get an appraisal on the Parish House and Outreach Center property spending no more than $500 to get it done.
Second Marli
No further discussion
Voice vote passed, all ayes
Discussion: Jeff to get a committee together to help get opinions and comments on the disposition of the Parish House and Outreach Center property.
Clay suggested a formal announcement be presented to the congregation on what is being done concerning the Parish House. No further action taken on his suggestion.
Closing Prayer by Fr Tom
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm
Respectfully Submitted
Fred
St Johns, Berkeley of Eutawville, SC
Vestry Minutes
The regular meeting of the Vestry of The Historic Church of the Epiphany was held on Thursday, February 19th, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the Ministry Center.
Fr Tom Hendrickson, Rector presiding
Present were: Sandra Matthews, Clay Young, Jeff Barnes, Marli Drum, and JoAnn Riley
Absent Were: Robert Shingler, Rita Lupton, Cindy Field, and Janice Brady
Meeting opened by Fr Tom with a prayer
Devotion Conducted by Jeff Barnes
Discussion about the position of Vestry Clerk and its importance
Motion by JoAnn to elect Fred Lupton as Vestry Clerk for a one year period, 2015
Seconded by Jeff
Discussion: None
Motion voted on and passed by acclimation
Minutes from the previous meeting held on January 8th, 2015 (previously distributed by email) were approved with corrections
Treasurers Report presented by John Vergere:
John stated that the endowment fund and check book amounts were current. Further discussion centered on a previous motion by the vestry to reduce the amount of money in the General Operating fund to $25,000 with the excess going into the Franklin Templeton account. John said it was not done because he misunderstood and would affect the movement right away. John brought up the idea of having the money placed into a bond (as opposed to a mutual fund where the amount rises and falls with the stock market). Fr Tom explained how bonds worked and his risk aversion to the stock market.
The suggestion was proposed that vestry members who could meet this coming Wed at 10:30 am attend an Endowment Committed meeting with its financial advisor John Wiggington to get his advice on the matter.
It was moved by JoAnn to have the Endowment Committee bring suggestions to the Vestry on which bond to buy with the excess from the Operating Fund in lieu of placing the money with Franklin Templeton.
Second: Marli
No further discussion
Vote passed by voice , all ayes
Discussion continued on the Treasurer’s report, other questions were answered.
Moved by JoAnn to accept the Treasures report as submitted
Second by Clay
No further discussion
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report passed by voice vote, all aye
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on bringing all 1099 contractors on board as employees. Treasurer stated he has been trying to get in contact with Diocesan officials to set the program up. Program would be run by a third party, PayCom, who would be paid a fee for their service. They would take money out of our account and do all the payments to the individuals and taxing bodies.
Connie Barnes has accepted the position as third member on the Endowment Committee.
Review of By-Laws
Discussion: Fr Tom had previously passed out Vestry By-Laws and asked all to review them for discussion. It was noted that the official name of the church was incorrect and needed to be changed, seems that are different names on various copies of the by-laws. It was asked by Clay if we have a current list of the church membership, Fr Tom responded that we did and what it required to be a member in good standing. A question arose on committees mentioned in the By-Laws and what committees we actually have. Fr Tom would like to see a property committee. Per By-Laws vestry is to appoint committee heads annually. More discussion is to take place at future vestry meetings.
Further Discussion: Article 10, Section 3 states that pre-approval must be given to the treasurer before he can write a check in excess of $500. Examples were given where that amount is too small. This article has been discussed and voted on before. The requirement is for a vote on two separate occasions for a by-lay change to take effect.
Motion by Clay that Article 10, section 3 of the Vestry By-Laws be changed from $500 to $2500
2nd Sandra
Discussion: This is the second vote on the by-law change, first vote taking place during the Nov 2014 regular meeting of the Vestry. Per the existing By-Laws we will publish the change in our weekly bulletin twice.
Motion passed, voice vote, all ayes. By-Lay change to go into effect immediately
Other old business
Jeff Barnes stated he has 3 working microphones (one microphone donated and two other stands found), Maril bought some cable for $17
Discussion about plaque to place on furniture Charlie Noller made. Jeff approached Winnie about what should be written on the plaque, she will get back to him on it.
Fr. Tom informed the vestry he sent a letter to the State Revenue Commission requesting the Parish House and Outreach Center property be tax exempt.
JoAnn stated the audit of Church Books should start the first of April, Fr Tom added it will be conducted by the Diocesan auditor at such time as he may see fit to start.
NEW BUSINESS
- Vision / Mission statement
Property inspection performed in Jan, 2015 by Jeff, Rita, Marla, Fr Tom and submitted to Vestry. Points mentioned of what needs to be done, discussion ensued. (Chester Field has been doing some of these things already)
Jeff points out that we should get back to having a monitor system for fire and break-ins, no further action taken on this matter
Fr Tom reminds this Vestry that they have complete control of the Property
Motion by Jeff that he be allowed to get an appraisal on the Parish House and Outreach Center property spending no more than $500 to get it done.
Second Marli
No further discussion
Voice vote passed, all ayes
Discussion: Jeff to get a committee together to help get opinions and comments on the disposition of the Parish House and Outreach Center property.
Clay suggested a formal announcement be presented to the congregation on what is being done concerning the Parish House. No further action taken on his suggestion.
Closing Prayer by Fr Tom
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm
Respectfully Submitted
Fred
