MINUTES---BISHOP’S COMMITTEE

Septermber 22, 2008

6 p.m.

Present: Bob Keith, David Greene, Gail Moreman, Thomas Sumners, Fielding Reiner, Tom Peterson, Marie McShane, Don Gray, Betsy Stephenson.

Absent: Corby Craig

Also present: Liz Manning, Vicar Tommy Bye, Joe McShane, and Mae Hernlund.

1.       The meeting was called to order with a prayer shortly and a Scripture reading after 6 PM. 

2.       Minutes: The minutes of the July 28 Bishop’s Committee meeting were approved.

3.       Vicar’s Report (Tommy Bye):

a.   The Confirmation ceremony will take place on the evening of October 22. It will include a dinner and/or reception, to be held on the same date.  

b.   Tommy informed the committee of the Diocese’s request for assistance donations to help Episcopal Church’s affected by Hurricane Ike. A donation of $1,000 from St. Luke’s “assistance fund” was approved, motion by Marie, second by Betsy, unanimous vote.

c.   Tommy reported that some 80%-90% of the membership of an Episcopal Church in New Braunfels has terminated their membership to create an Anglican Church in the area. The remaining members will continue the Episcopal Church.   

4.       Treasurer’s Report (Bob Keith):

a.   The reports prepared by Bob Keith were distributed to the BC. Bob provided an update on the Frost accounts, reviewed the monthly reports and took questions. Bob reported that St. Luke’s has paid all but the last quarter’s Diocesan assessment and has not paid the $900 gift to the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. There was some discussion of whether the seminary gift should be made to the Seminary of the Southwest or be given elsewhere. It was decided to make the $900 gift to the Seminary of the Southwest later this year. There was also discussion of whether St. Luke’s should pay CCLI for use of copyrighted music (close to $200) and that this figure should be added to the budget if not already there. Bob also asked the committee to consider a pledge drive, which was also agreed.

b.   The Audit Committee (Betsy Stephenson, Sandy Burleson and David Manning) was asked to meet in September and to submit their report to the Diocese for approval by the committee at a later date.

5.       Junior Warden’s Report (Don Gray):

a.   The committee approved an expenditure of up to $3,000 for improvements to the “rock building” and up to $500 for a sign in front of the church to better identify the church. These funds are to be used to for a sign in front of the church (Don Gray to submit examples of the sign to the committee for approval), plaster the walls, preparation for plastering the walls, purchase a window unit air conditioner/heater and to prepare a wall to hold the window unit and to be plastered.  Motion by Marie, second by Fielding, unanimous vote.

b.   Don reported that the BBQ pit that was reported missing from the church at the prior committee meeting was owned by Bob Keith and that Bob had taken the pit to his house for his use. 

6.       Bishop Warden’s Report (Liz Manning):

a.   Liz reported that nominations for diocesan positions are being received until November 1. Liz agreed to ask Christie Shroeter to include this item in the next church newsletter.

7.       Old Business:

a.   At the last committee meeting it was agreed that Don will determine whether or not the Church has a contract for pesticide services and what services are included.  Marie McShane will provide Don with the name of the contracted firm, if it turns out that there is a contract in place. No update on this topic was presented to the committee at this time. Update pending.

b.   Church Directory: Tommy suggested that the church engage a company in the business of creating church directories to create a new directory for St. Luke’s. Tommy agreed to provide more information on this topic.

c.   Committee members who had not yet reimbursed the church for hotel expenses associated with the retreat held earlier in September were reminded to do so.    

8.       New Business:

a.   Liz reviewed the job assignments for the Gathering Dinner that is to be held on 10/12/08. A budget of $1,000 was approved for the rental of tents, chairs and miscellaneous.

b.   It was decided that Liz would talk to the Bishop and Tommy about Tommy becoming St. Luke’s Vicar. At present Tommy is serving as St. Luke’s interim Vicar. 

9.       The next meeting of the Bishop’s Committee was scheduled for October 27 at 6 PM.

10.   The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.