Vestry Meeting - September 10, 2009

Janet van Hartesvelt - Substitute Clerk of the Vestry

Opening Meditation

Approved minutes from August 6th Meeting - adjusted committee for the in-home meetings -- does not include Judy Hanley, but does include Mac Cover. Our next Vestry meeting was moved from November 5th to the 12th.

Black Dot/AT&T - Sent letter to all landlords of their cell towers saying times are bad and need a reduction in rental costs.  

Our contract with AT& T states: "TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated, without penalty or further liability, as follows: 

(a) by either party on thirty (30) days prior written notice, if the other party remains in default under Paragraph 15 Default and Right to Cure of this Agreement after the applicable cure periods; 

(b) by Tenant upon written notice to Landlord, if Tenant is unable to obtain, or maintain, any required approval(s) or the issuance of a license or permit by any agency, board, court or other governmental authority necessary for the construction or operation of the Communication Facility as now or hereafter intended by Tenant; or if Tenant determines in its sole discretion that the cost of obtaining or retaining the same is commercially unreasonable; 

(c) by Tenant upon written notice to Landlord for any reason, at any time prior to commencement of construction by Tenant; or 

(d) by Tenant upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to Landlord for any reason, so long as Tenant 

pays Landlord a termination fee equal to three (3) months Rent, at the then current rate, provided, however, that no such termination fee will be payable on account of the termination of this Agreement by Tenant under anyone or more of Paragraphs 5(b) Title, 6(a) Termination, 6(b) Termination, 6(c) Termination, 8 Interference, I I (d) Environmental, 18 Condemnation, 19 Casualty or 230) Severability of this Agreement." 

AT&T has recently invested a lot in capital improvements at our site.  Charles & Mac suggested 10% reduction in rent and elimination of escalator for 1 year and then back to the contract.  There was some concern that the technology will soon become outdated and there won't be a need for a tower.  The cost for AT&T of pulling out of St. Luke's would be large since they have to put the steeple back to original state using a special composite material.  Mac will continue negotiating toward no more than a small reduction with a guaranteed lease continuance for 60 months.

Unity Congregation - Are we interested in pursuing a relationship with them?  Charles has had two meeting with their pastor and board chairman.  There is substantial interest in combining church schools because of the similar curricula and the potential for a larger pool of teachers.  Also discussed is Unity's possible interest in transforming the upstairs storage area into a worship space.  With respect to increased parking demand, it was noted that additional parking is available at the school across the street to accommodate additional worshipers.  Unity could also possibly use a classroom, such as the AA room, for their Sunday services.  We need to have further discussions on how this collaboration might work including the teachings of Unity before proceeding with a formal partnership.  Since Unity is not a "Christian" congregation, should we begin with a landlord/tenant relationship in the church building?  The next step is to schedule opportunities for the two congregations to meet, spend time, and begin to get comfortable together.  One avenue may be their interest in joining the Gulf Coast mission in November.

Progressive Religious Coalition - As an alternative to the Park City Interfaith Council, Fr. Charles has reached out to the Unity, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Baha'i and suggested they form a coalition to work together on projects promoting social justice.  This is in the embryonic stage. This group is collaborating with the original Project for Deeper Understanding team to plan an event for October 11th entitled, "Homosexuality and Religion: An Alternative View."  The event will take place at Temple Har Shalom.

2010 Budget - This is a 1st draft.  We had discussions trying to understand how the Diocese of Utah works regarding assessments, budget deficits, the large Diocese of Utah budget compared to other dioceses in the country, and the impact of new leadership on the structure of the Diocese & funding.  The Diocese spends $300k on accounting fees with a budget of $5.2m.  Diocesan financials have become much more transparent than in the past.  Individual line item questions:  plate income based on Jan-Aug average; pledge income forced to balance budget; mission income - scholarship donations, general fund, advent campaign; the details of the missions expenses which reflect the amounts determined by the parish's Executive Missions Council; the handling of current expenditures on a very conservative basis.  Approval given to send the budget under discussion to the Diocese as a preliminary budget.

Stucco - Dick spent 1 1/2 hrs today with Beckie going around the building discussing the issues. The actuality looks much more excessive than Clawson's report.  Clawson is willing to come to the church to discuss with parishioners the work that needs to be done.  We found a new leak and Jim Jennings is going to try to determine the problem and see if he can fix it.

Three Year Tenure Policy - Charles presented the idea of our parish community developing a cultural agreement and policy that, under normal circumstances, all those in parish leadership positions serve a three year term: the 1st year would be dedicated to learning the ministry, the 2nd year would be a year of performing the ministry, and the 3rd year would include training someone to take the current leader's place.  Reasons for the new policy: (1) To try to get more people to participate in the different missions and ministries of the parish; (2) To get fresh blood all ministry programs; (3)  To help avoid burning out existing ministers; and (4) To aid in the assimilation of new members into the life and ministry of the parish community.  This plan should also help ensure continuity of programs.  Charles will produce a proposed policy for Vestry consideration.  Aimee suggested that the ministry leaders be announced at the Annual Meeting so that all members of the congregation know who to go to with questions, etc.  We hope this new policy will encourage people to participate more and people won't feel stuck in a "no end in sight" responsibility.

Assimilation - How do we get new members quickly into the activities and life of the parish so that we don't lose them?  Dick suggested Newcomer Cards which would identify different areas of interest so that the ministry heads could make contact and invite them to join.  Looking into different mechanisms.

Vestry Retreat - Saturday - October 10th - will probably held at church.  Charles will submit draft of a parish vision and mission statement to be discussed, edited and approved for submission to the Bishop.

Brief Meeting - Sunday - October 4th - following the 10:30 worship service to sign letters of endorsement of three parish members who wish to be interviewed by the Bishop for possible entry into the ordination process.

Thanks & Blessings,

Charles+

The Rev. Charles Robinson, Rector

    Email:  pastor@stlukespc.org

   Office:  435-649-4900 Ext. 11

       Cell:  435-901-2131

Website:  www.stlukespc.org

The Current Financial Health of Our Parish Community

Jan. Total Pledge & Plate Donations    $41,003        YEAR TO DATE:

Jan. Total from Diocese of Utah           $  3,583        Total Income            $46,052

Jan. Total from Other Donations          $  1,466        Total Expenses        $24,742

JAN. TOTAL INCOME                          $46,052        SURPLUS                $21,310

JAN. TOTAL EXPENSE                       $24,742

Jan. Surplus                                       $21,310        Budgeted Pledge Income   $20,483

End of Month Cash Balance         $46,643               Received Pledge Income   $39,041

                                                                                  SURPLUS                          $18,559

CAPITAL RESERVES            $40,570

Expenses                                $         0

Ending Balance                    $40,570