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Keeping Our House
in Order: Considering Future Needs
After many years of focusing on new construction, the Vestry is
looking at what we need to do to keep our older buildings in
good condition. A preliminary survey has identified these
issues:
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The tower roof has persistent leaks despite repeated and
various efforts to make it watertight
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We have recurring cracks in the mortar, pointing, and
capstones of the tower stonework, especially around the
Fairmount Road entrance.
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Access to the tower bell room and the attic is precarious.
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The controls for our parish bell need to be replaced and the
electric motor which swings the bell repaired or replaced
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The Sacristy, where the Altar Guild prepares for services, is
in need of substantial renovation
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The Organ, and especially its controls, need significant
maintenance and upgrades
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The lighting in the Church, both in the nave and the choir
stalls, needs to be improved.
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We should consider the possibility of modest exterior
lighting.
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Ventilation in the Church can be improved
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Improved and enlarged windows in the Saunders Room would make
it warmer in the winter, admit more light, and give views of
the Memorial and Gathering Gardens
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The wood floors of the Church need to be refinished.
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The Rodger Room needs refurbishment after its extensive use
during our new construction and because of leaks from the
tower
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The Rectory kitchen, after fifteen years of good service, is
in need of refurbishment.
Our architect, Tom Fenniman, presented the issues related to the
tower and stone work in a Forum on Sunday, September 16. As the
year progresses, we will continue to examine the issues on this
list and convene additional conversations as we consider how we
can best honor the great gift we have in our buildings by
keeping them well maintained.
The Rev. John G. Hartnett
 The
Vestry consists of twelve elected members of the parish and two
parishioners elected to serve as Wardens. The Rector presides at
meetings of the Vestry, and this group acts formally as the
legal and financial body of the parish, and informally as the
mission leadership group of the congregation.
The
Vestry has organized its work under eight headings. Each
committee consists of volunteers from the parish. If you would
like to share in the work of any of these groups, speak with a
member of the Vestry or with the Rector.
The
Support of the Local Church: Every Member Canvass, Stewardship,
Time and Talent, Finance Committee, Buildings and Grounds,
Facilities Evaluation and Planning, and Office and
Administration
Connection
to the Larger Church: Participation in the
Convention,
North Central Diocesan District, Ecumenical Relationships, and the national structure of the
Episcopal Church
Education:
Bible Study and Theology, Adult Forums,
Church School, and Youth
Fellowship:
Youth Groups and Parish Fellowship
Worship:
Liturgy, Altar Guild, Lay Liturgical Ministers
To
Proclaim by Word and Example the Good News of
God in Christ: Membership
To
Seek and Serve Christ in All Persons: Pastoral
Care/In reach and Outreach
The
Episcopal Church Women
A
list of the chair and Vestry liaison for each parish committee
is posted on the bulletin board outside of the Parish Office.
Following their approval by the Vestry, minutes of the most
recent Vestry meeting are posted on the same board.
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Wardens
and Vestry
Members
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Alice
Palmer, Warden
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Ann Garrett |
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Russ Borgman, Warden
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Chris Nettleton |
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Scott Belair |
Fred Rogers |
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Bill Campbell
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Sarah Strauss |
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Donald Chappell
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Tim Waesche |
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Kathy Choen |
Sharon Walker |
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Maura Fleming |
Michael Wesson |
Endowment
Structure Task Force
The
Endowment Structure Task Force, comprised of Debra Anderson,
Harper Garrett Jr., John Hartnett, Bill Maletz, Don Taylor and
Ted Wagner, was asked to develop an overall structure for
creating and managing an Endowment Fund for St. Elizabeth's.
The
task force has prepared and submitted to the Vestry a proposed
resolution that would authorize the establishment of an
Endowment Fund and set broad guidelines for its management; and
a set of Policies for Gifts. The primary objective of the
task force was to create a clearly articulated policy framework
so that potential donors will be confident that their gifts will
be properly managed over an extended period.
The
Vestry resolution does the following:
* It establishes specific funds to
hold the endowment (see below).
* The Investment Supervision Group
will manage the funds, subject to Vestry approval, and the
resolution sets forth certain requirements about meetings and
reports.
* It establishes a Gift Acceptance
Policy, with separate guidelines.
* The Investment Supervision Group
will propose investment guidelines for the funds, again subject
to Vestry approval.
* It articulates guidelines to
determine what portion of the return from the endowment funds
may be expended.
* It provides for amendments to
the resolutions.
* It provides for disposition of
the funds if the parish ceases to exist.
The
Vestry resolution establishes an Endowment Fund within which
there are four specific funds:
The General Endowment Fund. The Vestry will determine how
the income from this unrestricted fund is to be used. It
may support the operating budget, be designated for a particular
project, or be re-invested in the Fund.
The Parish Ministry Fund. This fund will support the basic
ministries of the parish. Income will flow to the annual
operating budget to supplement pledges and other sources of
income and be allocated to specific programs in the context of
the annual budgeting process.
The Premises Fund. This fund will support the preservation
of our buildings and grounds. Income will be used for
capital projects of an enduring character.
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