St. James’s Episcopal Church
February 18, 2014 Vestry Meeting Minutes
Present: Sylvia Weston, Isaac Martinez, Marian King, Susan Rice, Nancy McArdle, Marian King, Tom
Beecher, Thomas Woehlers, Rev. Holly Antolini, Rev. Judith Atkinson
Absent: John Irvine, Saskia Grunberger, Iselma Carrington, Joanna Kline, JT Kittredge
Guests: Nicholas Hayes, Jeff Zinsmeyer, Bob Orsi, Lucas Sanders
Holly leads us in spiritual practice.
Regular Agenda
2014 Vestry Goals:
Nicholas leads us in reviewing the goals discerned at the 2014 Vestry Retreat and providing an
action plan for the first goal.
Structure:
1) Map what we have
2) Who is fed by what we have and who’s needs go unmet
a. Map as a tool for communication
b. What is our strategy for communicating existing opportunities
3) The next six weeks for Lent, the Vestry is focusing on adult formation:
a. Meet with people
b. Hear what their formative needs are
c. Communicate that this is a vestry priority
Content:
Lenten Adult Programs:
1) “Ways of Knowing God”
a. Scripture, Tradition, Experience, Reason
2) “Practicing Episcopalians”
a. History of Anglicanism
b. Structure and spirituality of our worship tradition
3) Existing options: PRAXIS, morning prayer, Sunday bible study
Questions to consider:
Are one-to-ones premature at this stage?
Is there a report-back function?
Action Items:
1) Nancy and Mary Beth to create a map and brochure of existing options
2) Have 1-2 quick conversations on Lenten programs by EOD Sunday, Mar. 2
a. Isaac to partner with Thomas
b. Nicholas to pre-wire Welcome Team
c. Judith to pre-wire Young Families
Redevelopment Update
The Vestry meets in executive session. No actions were taken.
Safe Church Culture
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St. James’s Episcopal Church
February 18, 2014 Vestry Meeting Minutes
Judith presents on why it’s critical St. James’s foster an institutional culture that is “child safe, child
friendly.”
 Because it’s scripturally mandated;
 Because of protection for children, our leaders, and our organization;
 Because if we want families to nurture their children in the Christian faith, we must value their
need for safety
 Hospitality for children and families
How?
 Risk assessment
o Environmental
o Dangers from people
 Address them through
o Policies, procedures, resources that reinforce the “child safe, child friendly” culture we
desire to establish
 Leaders
o Volunteer agreement
o Ask for reference
o Clearly set expectations
o CORI checks? (status uncertain)
 Resources
o Resource our leaders through training
o Handbooks (e.g. for nursery)
o Registration/information files on children
 Practice
o Two adults
o Food
o Rides/lifts
o Parent awareness
 Buildings and activities
Action Items:
 Draft resources
 Put out to consultation (Judith has volunteers)
 Feedback
 Finalize
 Vestry approve
 Publicize
 Review once a year
 Vestry attend Safe Church Training tentatively Saturday, May 17 from 8:30-3pm
Co-Warden and Program Liaison Discernment
We are tasked with wondering about our calls to liaison-ship and come prepared to sign up for
them at the March meeting.
We are asked to come prepared to discern a co-warden at our March meeting.
Preparing for Bishop Tom’s Visitation on Mar. 9
Lunch with Bishop Tom if he’s up to it
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St. James’s Episcopal Church
February 18, 2014 Vestry Meeting Minutes
Pledge Follow-Up
Choose two people you feel comfortable calling.
 We are aware you are a member who has pledged before but hasn’t pledged for 2014, and
you may be in the process of pledging, but we would really appreciate it if you could send it
in as soon as you are able
o Please email pledgerecorder@stjames-cambridge.org
 You don’t need to tell me an amount. Thank you.
Addition of Discernment Committee Members
For Nicholas Hayes:
Benazeer Noorani
Anne Shumway
For Mary Beth Mills-Curran:
Kevin Vetiac (Crossing)
Tom Hirshi
Mark Yoder
Thomas moves that the Vestry commission the additional members aforementioned. Susan
seconds. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Appointment of Mary Beth Mills-Curran
Let the minutes reflect the appointment of Mary Beth Mills-Curran to the Vestry Class of ’14
(eligible for re-election for a full three-year term in 2015) by e-vote on Feb. 2.
Minutes
Nancy amends the minutes to change the date of the safe church training from May 2nd to May 17th.
Nancy moves that we approve the amended minutes. Tom seconds. Unanimously approved by voice
vote.
Finance Report
Sylvia delivers the finance committee report.
Isaac moves that we receive the provisional financial reports. Thomas seconds. Unanimously
approved by voice vote.
Rector’s Report
Annual Meeting
Vestry Orientation
Three Discernment Committees
Commission on Ministry liaison, the Very Rev. Miriam Gelfer, Dean of Academic
Life at EDS, meets with chairs and me, this Sunday afternoon
Ministry Discernment Day
Micah Fellow Kacey Minnick refocused her ministry to remove food ministries
development component and replace with church school & nursery ministry,
working with Judith
Worship Commission & Candlemas
ongoing discernment about Praying the Eucharist and
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St. James’s Episcopal Church
February 18, 2014 Vestry Meeting Minutes
Worship for the Next 150 Years
Liturgical planning for Bishop's Visitation, Lent - "burdens on the
altar;" responsive preaching - Holy Week - much as we did it last year
Vestry Retreat
Lenten Adult Formation planning - "the Lenten Guys" (Mary Beth Mills-Curran, Micah
Lott, Reed Carlson & Jonathan Povilonis) at Liz McNerney's
"Practicing Episcopalians" class preparation
Redevelopment work with Oaktree, our consultant and lawyer
Conversation with VISIONS about future trainings - Vestry commitment;
invite Nominating Committee? Worship Commission?
Inquirers be a part of VISIONS training: could take care of their future postulants'
requirement
Pastoral care burden rather high; may be winter; may be anxiety over my candidacy in
diocese; may just be chance
"Meet & Greet" with newcomers moving into membership
Alewife Deanery exploration of Food Ministries
following up on Michelle Holcomb of Food For Free's presentation with one from
Tina Rathbone from the Cathedral's ministry with homeless people
Making Excellent Disciples mentoring of the Rev. Lisa Fortuna
Practice and preparation for the bishop walkabouts, March 13th to 20th
My mother's memorial service
Senior Warden’s Report
Following up on green loan grant application
Snow removal is going great! Oaktree has also contracted with a snow removal team
Sylvia attending meetings on redevelopment to bring herself up to speed
Thinking about bringing back pie social – perhaps as fundraiser for food pantry
Associate Rector’s Report
Social for nursery parents on Mar. 1
Kacey providing spiritual resources
Taylors having a get-together in May
Garden social in the summer
Nursery care for Maundy Thursday and the Parish Retreat
Possibly going to three groups after Easter
Respectfully submitted,
Isaac Martinez, Clerk
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