The Pulse Of The Parish: April 7, 2020
The Pulse of the Parish
April 7, 2020 Vestry Meeting
At its March 10 meeting, Vestry approved re-instating the publishing of a summary of the most recent Vestry meeting minutes (e.g. the Pulse of the Parish) in St. Luke’s monthly newsletter.* The purpose of the Pulse of the Parish is to provide St. Luke’s members with a timely update of parish business conducted by Vestry. Formal Vestry minutes of the most recent meeting are not immediately available as the minutes are approved one month after they are written (e.g. the April minutes are approved by Vestry at the May meeting) and are then made available through the St. Luke's website.
*Note: During the Coronavirus pandemic, the monthly newsletter (“The Good News”) is not being published. As such, the Pulse of the Parish will appear in the weekly parish email (“This Week”) on the week following each Vestry meeting.
Key things every St. Luke’s member should know!
At its April 7 meeting, the Vestry...
… Met via Zoom as a result of the stay-at-home order.
… Heard the Rector’s Report in which Fr. Michael declared, with reference to COVID-19 and the stay-at-home order, “This has been the strangest month of ministry of my life.”
Fr. Michael offered his thanks to staff members for their flexibility and adaptability during this time of change. “The staff deserves the credit for things moving smoothly,” Fr. Michael reported.
Because he can’t get out to see folks in person due to social distancing requirements, Fr. Michael is making phone calls to parishioners. In addition, a group of St. Luke’s members is checking in with some of our older members who may be more isolated and/or in need of assistance.
The final week in March the Bishop sent out a directive that all churches and church buildings in the diocese are off limits to any use. This mandate required ceasing the live streaming of morning prayer and compline from the balcony of St. Luke’s and services are now being live-streamed from Fr. Michael and Aimee’s home.
Fr. Michael reported working with staff to adapt Holy Week services for online streaming.
Fr. Michael asked Vestry members for their feedback on the Idea of a pre-recorded service for Easter Sunday. Pre-recording would allow for more creativity than would live streaming – including the editing-in of music, the use of lay readers, and some personal messages from parish members. Vestry approved this proposal.
…Gladly received the Junior Warden’s Report in which Brad Koehler reported that the fence in front of the church, that was damaged several months ago, has been replaced.
…Affirmed the Senior Warden’s Report in which Ginny Sharkey expressed sincere thanks to Fr. Michael for all the work he is doing “behind the scenes” to keep the parish up and running during this time of social distancing. With regard to the congregation Ginny reflected, “We learn what we are made of during times like this. Our talents are being stretched and we are growing and I’m proud and excited to be a part of who we are becoming,”
…Received Vestry Liaison Reports from the following standing committees:
Adult Education: Ashlin Caravana reported that adult education activities have been suspended during this time of social distancing. A request has been made to resume some portion of our adult education programming via Zoom or another online medium and this proposal is under consideration.
Building and Grounds: Brad Koehler informed Vestry that Geoff Wilson has agreed to chair the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Children's Education: Liz Barringer-Smith reported that no formal decision has yet been made as to whether Granville Ecumenical Vacation Bible School will take place this year. This decision will be made when the status of the virus and the stay-at-home order become clearer in the coming weeks.
Fellowship: Kim Zaborniak told Vestry that the Fellowship Committee met on March 11. Spring events have been cancelled due to social distancing and ideas for summer and fall fellowship activities are being explored by the Committee.
Fund Raising: Brad Koehler reported that once social distancing requirements are no longer in effect, the Committee will meet to develop the planning calendar for the 2021 Low Country Shrimp Boil. Brad informed Vestry that the 2020 Boil cleared $7,000. According to the minutes of its March 10, 2020 meeting, Fr. Michael suggested donating $2000 of the net proceeds of the Shrimp Boil to St. Luke’s outreach ministries and Vestry agreed to this proposal.
Historic Preservation: Karen Dowdy-Fullin notified Vestry that a meeting of the Committee has been delayed until the stay-at-home order is rescinded.
Health and Wellness: Ginny Sharkey asked Mary Tuominen to report on the face mask project that the Committee is supporting. Seven St. Luke’s members have joined a grassroots community group sewing face masks to protect essential workers (e.g. cashiers, food pantry workers, shelter workers) in our community from COVID-19. The group has applied for a small grant from the Granville Community Foundation to purchase mask making supplies. St. Luke’s has agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for the group, should the grant be awarded.
Membership: Barb Mighton stated that the Committee has not held a meeting and that it is likely that previously planned events for spring, including an event for the Denison Scholars, will be cancelled.
Outreach: Stan Kauchak reported that the food supply is good at the Market Street Pantry. He reported that volunteers are needed at the pantry and asked if the link to volunteer through Sign Up Genius could be posted in the upcoming edition of This Week.
Worship: Ginny Sharkey asked that Vestry consider the Rector’s Report (above) as the report of the Worship Committee.
…Voted to approve the parish application for the CARES Act Grant-to-Loan Program. The CARES Act (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act passed by Congress) includes $376 billion in relief for workers and small businesses. Under the Act, St. Luke’s qualifies as a small business and is therefore able to apply for funds to pay up to 2 ½ months of salaries for our employees through a grant-to-loan program. Should the loan be received, and If the church can subsequently document that funds were used successfully and as intended, the loan can be forgiven, and it will be determined to have been a grant. Brian Gregory moved that St. Luke’s apply for the Grant-to-Loan Program and Brad Koehler seconded the motion. The motion passed with 11 votes for and 1 abstention. On a related financial note, Fr. Michael reported that the diocese is floating low-interest loans to parishes should funds be needed as a result of any decline in income or increase in costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
…Was saddened to hear of the need for a replacement for St. Luke’s Financial Administrator Patty Hussey. Patty is resigning from her position effective in late May due to a family relocation. Fr. Michael commented that “Patty has been incredibly valuable” both to himself as Rector and to St. Luke’s. Patty also works as Financial Administrator at First Presbyterian Church in Granville, and Fr. Michael and the Rev. Karen Chakoian, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian, believe it would be of mutual benefit if St. Luke’s and First Presbyterian are able to continue this arrangement. One possible candidate is currently being considered for the position. Fr. Michael asked for any St. Luke’s members who are interested in participating in the interview process to contact him.
…Agreed to put the planned Vestry Retreat on hold due to the stay-at-home order.
…Affirmed the proposal to move forward with a St. Luke’s Planned Giving Society as recommended by Ginny Sharkey at the March 10 Vestry meeting
…Learned that locks have been changed on the Parish House as a byproduct of the Bishop’s order to lock all churches and church buildings in the diocese. St. Luke’s employees and the Senior and Junior Wardens have received new keys. The Parish Administrator can sign out additional keys to the Parish House as needed.
… Concurred with Fr. Michael that, in the midst of uncertainty, pockets of God’s grace come through and agreed with the importance of “loving the people in our immediate surroundings.”
Formal and complete Vestry minutes are approved one month after they are written (e.g. the April minutes are approved by Vestry at the May meeting) and are then made available to parishioners through St. Luke's website.