St. James’s Episcopal Church
March 19, 2013 Vestry Meeting
Present: Holly Antolini, Carol Hilliard, Sylvia Weston, Edwin Johnson, John Irvine, JT Kittredge,
Susan Rice, Joanna Kline, Steve Clark, Marian King, Lucas Sanders, Isaac Martinez
Absent: Iselma Carrington, Warren Huber, Saskia Grunberger
Holly leads us in spiritual practice on Radical Welcome.
Reviewing Retreat Commitments & Program Liaisons
Carol led us in review of the retreat outcomes: our covenant, norms, goals, and next steps. We then
committed to our program liaison roles for the year as follows:
 Administration – Carol Hilliard
 Formation – JT Kittredge
 Communications – Steve Clark; Lucas Sanders
 Worship – Sylvia Weston; Marian King
 Outreach – Susan Rice; Joanna Kline
 Fellowship – Isaac Martinez; Iselma Carrington; Marian King
 Holy Currencies – John Irvine; Saskia Grunberger
 Property – Sylvia Weston; Peter Merrell (point while Holly is on sabbatical)
Monthly schedule of program area reports to Vestry:
 April – Fellowship
Assistant Rector Job Description & Search
Holly runs through the job description and search committee members for the Assistant Rector
position again, the publicity efforts (diocesan website, etc.), and we already have one applicant
through the diocesan website and 4 more “sourced” candidates through Holly’s network. The
search committee is meeting tomorrow; will drown further during the second week of April, and
then have interviews quickly following so that we have a person in place by the beginning of May.
Holly highlighted that this is a very quick turn-around.
Parish Sabbatical Checklist while Holly Is on Sabbatical
What areas are there in the life of the parish where someone needs to be identified to contact
during Holly’s sabbatical? (i.e. Peter Merrell with property issues)
 Worship – the assistant rector, Pat Michaels, Worship Commission
 Pastoral emergencies – the assistant rector (and/or interim supply)
JT recommends asking during liaison conversations what they are anticipating needing the most
help with during the sabbatical.
Green grant update: PRISM and stained glass
Sylvia presented the results from both the NSTAR and PRISM energy audits, as well as “straw ideas”
from David Bliss, who is heading the diocesan green grant application.
Sylvia moves that we apply for a diocesan green grant to restore and improve the insulation of the
two rose windows in the sanctuary, as recommended by the stained glass window expert. Seconded
by Carol. Approved by voice vote unanimously.
John moves that we apply for the Small Acts green grant to replace all of the current light bulbs with
LED lights as per the NSTAR recommendations, and in pay in advance from the property
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St. James’s Episcopal Church
March 19, 2013 Vestry Meeting
maintenance budget, so as to have the LED bulbs in place for the Holy Week and Easter services if
possible. Marian seconds. Approved unanimously.
Sylvia will obtain estimates from contractors to maintain the boiler as needed.
LDI/Food Ministries progress report
Edwin presents on the Food Ministries’ upcoming Food Festival on May 18th. On behalf of the Food
Ministries leadership team, he asks members of the Vestry to commit and support the Food Festival
in various ways. The leadership team consists of 7 people including Holly and myself and we have 8
more people who have committed to being part of the important work leading up to the event. The
Anti-Oppression team will be getting involved through ministry of presence and hospitality at the
event and we're reaching out to other organizations and groups within St. James's to help the event
be a success.
Scouts wiring update
Isaac presents; an electrician will meet with Hong on Thursday, March 21st to inspect the undercroft
and provide an estimate.
Reports
Joanna moves and Susan seconds that we approve the minutes. Unanimously approved.
John presents the December balance sheet and P&L statements, and the January and February
balance sheets. The Investment Committee is made up of [HOLLY PLEASE PROVIDE NAMES OF
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE] and will be convened for their first meeting in the upcoming weeks.
John brings up the need for a new fourth team of counters (2 people) and asks us to think of
candidates and strategies for making sure that the roster is filled soon. All of the 2012 donation
data has been entered into the Church Helpmate database and 2012 statements were distributed in
early March. Sylvia moves that we accept the treasurer’s report and statements. Carol seconds and
it is unanimously approved.
Rector’s Report:
Nicholas Hayes proposes a new leadership training seminar for the Vestry, nominating committee,
Anti-Oppression Team leadership, 20s and 30s Group leadership, and other ministry/program
leaderships on Sunday, May 5th. Because the Cub Pack does not have a BSA-recognized cohort of 5
boys there is concern they move to Grace Methodist in East Cambridge, although the Troop and
Crew is happy with St. James’s; we are encouraged to encourage the Cub-age boys in the parish to
join. Claire is integrating into the office manager role well. Holy Week approaches; liturgies are
planned if not yet fully staffed. Holly’s goal is to have all of the bulletins and other small details
ready beforehand. The new edition of St. James’s Sings will not be ready for Easter. The opportunity
for reinvigorating the weekday parking rental program is on-pace with Steve Clark continuing to
look into “wholesaling” parking rental. The banner will be up on the ramp by Palm Sunday. Holly is
hoping to create a blog to share her thoughts and artwork during her sabbatical. The interim Dean
is the Rector of the Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington. Holly’s mom has been recertified for
hospice. Holly’s younger daughter is now living with Holly!
Senior Warden’s Report
The church cleaning on Saturday accomplished a lot but with a faithful few. The professional
cleaners came on Monday, so we are all set for Holy Week.
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St. James’s Episcopal Church
March 19, 2013 Vestry Meeting
Assistant Rector’s Report
Church School - 24 Gathered at Liz McNerney's home for our Church School Family Gathering this
past Friday and it went well overall with Holly leading the adult program and Edwin working with
the youth. Nursery/Nursery Families - 25.6 people gathered at Eliza Petrow's house for the Nursery
family gathering that took place on Sunday. Welcome Ministry: Our next Cohort Dinner will be held
on Thursday May 16th at Sarah Forrester's house. St. James's Moves 2.0: It continues to roll along
very successfully and we'll have our final session next week. Tricia is also looking ahead to a
Summer-time group. Outside St. James's: Same as before: Commission On Ministry, MECA, Hispanic
Ministries and the Chaplaincy At Tufts. Edwin will be doing Credo from April 30th - May 6th.
Personal: Still on the job hunt, it has been a bit tougher than expected just with the timing of
position openings and everything. I will keep you all informed. My Father-in-law’s surgery went
well; they think they got all of the cancerous stuff and they are running some tests on the extra they
took out. Continued prayers are appreciated. 206 days of marriage!
Junior Warden’s Report
Sylvia presented earlier on the progress of the Green Grants.
New Business
Lucas proposes methods to integrate goals into Vestry processes. One way is to restructure the
monthly reports and agenda space. The Fellowship Liaisons will take Carol’s beginning checklist
and refine it for their April report.
Isaac, Sylvia, and John to track their times as part of the goals/next steps committed to at the
retreat.
Meeting closed with a sung blessing.
Respectfully submitted,
Isaac Martinez, Clerk
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