St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Church
Vestry Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2013
Members in Attendance: Betty Murphy, Jamie Wilson, Beth
DiPanni, Bill Phelps, Sarah Johnson, Nicole Zelenak, Matt
Melchiori, Katy Tetreault
Guests: None
Prepared by: Katy Tetreault
1. Beth led the Call to Order and Prayer @ 6:00PM
2. Scripture Study: Corinthians 12:6-12:11-18, 12:27, and commentary
by Eugene Peterson. Discussion led by Sarah Johnson.
3. Acceptance of Minutes from August 10th were reviewed with Sarah
making a motion to accept & Jamie seconding. Motion passed
unanimously. Beth thanked Bill for his work on the picnic. Group
discussed some suggestions for next time: 1. Get phone numbers of
people who sign up to bring things and call to remind them before Sunday
and 2: Do Ministry Fair during cookout and put desserts on these tables.
Another idea re: ministries: feature a ministry during the hospitality
group’s wine and cheese parties.
4. Open Forum: None
5. Beth presented the Treasurer’s Report. Some concern that we are
behind budget YTD. Not unusual, however; Vestry noted that we should
be deliberate and careful in spending outside of budget.
6. Living Stones: Beth noted the kitchen work is underway. There was
an issue with wiring that had to be remediated. Parking lot is done. No
movement on generator – need to get a price. This is not part of Living
Stones. Trying to move 3 meters to 1 – there will be significant savings
from this.
6.
Federal Law Suit: Beth reported that there is no movement on
this. We have not been served.
7.
Nomination Document: Not voting on this. Leo and Joan are
reviewing the document. We may want to propose it so people can selfnominate. Need to make sure that the selection process is transparent.
Nominating committee meets next week; 3 vestry members have terms
expiring in 2014. Beth will make sure that we announce and publish this.
8. Councils:
 Council of Councils meeting: We had the first combined
meeting in September. Next is October 2nd. Meeting consisted of
dinner, scripture, separate council meetings, then Compline.
Various ideas to improve considered.
o Email people ahead of time to confirm attendance
o Try pot luck, or have a council sponsor food
o Find ways to shorten overall time – difficult to spend 2+
hours, especially for those with children at home.
For next meeting, Vestry will supply beverages, Community Life will
sponsor dinner, and Hospitality will do dessert.
 Ministry Minute: During the Month of October, one Council a
week will speak to congregation (both services same day). Should
cover what the council is doing and what they are planning. Should
be pre-scripted with two speakers. Beth will create a schedule.
 Council notes from meetings:
o Hospitality: members want to hang an Episcopal flag off the
front entrance of the church. Beth said they should come to
Vestry during open forum to request this.
o Community Life: Decided to have family game night once a
month on a Saturday night. Bill will check with Linda on
availability.
9. Dates to Remember: Group reviewed dates per agenda.
10. Stewardship: Letters will be handed out at parties. Reviewed list
of parties, dates and speakers:
 10/7
Tickner’s, 6 pm. Jamie and Sarah
 10/9
Church,
7 pm. Kelly and Bill
 10/11 DiPanni’s, 6 pm. Betty and Steve
 10/15 Zelenak’s, 7 pm. Nicole and Katy
 10/17 Tetreault’s, 6 pm. Katy and Nicole
Should have copy of survey available, and sign-up sheet if people want
it emailed.
11. Goals for 2014: Vestry members asked to list 5 goals for 2014 and
bring to next meeting. Also, Vestry to read chap 1-3 of Conversations
with Scripture and with Each Other.
12. Heard on the street: People are excited about the kitchen. Beth
would like to nominate a kitchen supervisor, along with a coffee hour
coordinator.
13. Next Meeting date: September 16th, 2013 @ 6 pm.
14. Compline led by Sarah Johnson.
15. Adjournment
Respectively submitted,
Katy Tetreault, Vestry member