St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

Sunday, January 24, 2010

OPENING

Signup charts were circulated for coffee hour, youth ministries, altar flowers, and Crosswalk dinners. Representing the music department, Mike Henneberry presented information about the Cabaret and Dinner on February 13. Sheryll Shepard thanked St. Stephen’s members for their support following Fr. John’s death in August. She circulated a sign up sheet for Brunch Bunch to determine the level of support for that activity. She also proposed a Parish Prayer Center to provide prayer support for parish needs and a “Red Tent” project to provide assistance for women’s ministries in the Spokane area.

Jaki Lake expressed appreciation to the retiring members of the Vestry: Kathi Wolfe, Joe Sanker, and Wayne Paupst and to Bob Redmond, who has been reelected by the Vestry to continue as Junior Warden.

BUSINESS

New Vestry members elected for a three-year term were Sarah Ranson, Brett Hendricks, and Joan Craig, with Retta Hill appointed as youth representative. The parish also approved changing Rodger Lake from a convention delegate to alternate, due to a revised a diocesan allocation.

Jr. Warden Bob Redmond presented the nomination and affirmation of Jaki Lake as Senior Warden for 2010 year; her appointment was unanimously approved.

Lolita Sutton presented the 2009 treasurer’s report. Revenues were 98% of budget and expenses 92% for the year, creating a small surplus going into 2010. Tom Pitzer, Finance Chair, presented the 2010 budget. Highlights include a new line item for Greening-Environmental Enhancement ($500.00) and $20,000 allocated to the search for a new rector. It is basically a balanced budget showing a small surplus. Tom indicated that we have lost 16 pledging units since last year but gained seven, and twice the number of pledging families increased their pledge over those who decreased.

Interim Priest Kristi Philip explained the selection process for a new priest. Search Chair Cathy Henneberry presented a draft timeline for the process and encouraged folks to nominate participants. Parishioners wrote brief answers to questions on the topic of, “A Conversation about the Future of St. Stephen’s.” Answers were shared at each table; written responses were collected for use by the Search Committee.

Spokane Diocese has established an award honoring Fr. John Shepard that grants $1,000 to a congregation demonstrating creative life-changing practice in stewardship. This award will be presented at the 2010 diocesan convention.