Notes from the August meeting

Your Vestry held its regular monthly meeting via Zoom on Sunday, August 8, at 11:30 a.m. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

—Confirmed the appointment of Jenniffer Harrington and Len Clark to fill vacancies on the Vestry. Jenn and Len will serve until the next Annual Meeting in January 2022.

—Approved proposals for (1) the resumption of “in-person” Sunday School to begin on Homecoming Sunday-September 12; (2) a plan for the 2021 Confirmation Ministry program; and (3) the Annual Fall Pledge Campaign.

—The Treasurer reported a balance in all accounts (as of 7/31) of $328,590.70. This includes $43,334.61 in the Good Shepherd endowment.

–Father Dave announced that the WE HAVE THESE TREASURES capital campaign has already received (in gifts and pledges) more than $44K. The campaign will officially launch on Sunday, September 5.

—Appointed a Committee to plan the events for Homecoming (on Sunday, September 12). The committee includes Diane Wall; Cheryl Burness; Lori Bathurst; Deb Prieto; and Senior Warden Beth Portocalis.

—Voted to rename the next Holly Fair (we hope, in December 2021) in memory of Lee Braidwood. The next Holly Fair will be the HOL-LEE FAIR.

–Jeff Bathurst submitted a progress report on the Discernment Committee (the committee is making “great progress,” and continues to meet weekly during the summer. Jeff reported that he is expecting to begin receiving names of interested clerics sometime after August 15.)

–Jeff also reported that the Audio Visual Upgrade is now fully operational and has been functioning very well. We are currently averaging 25-30 parishioners worshipping virtually each Sunday using the church’s YouTube channel.

Our next monthly meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, at 11:30 a.m. Thank you for your continued support of Good Shepherd.

Notes from the June meeting

Your Church of the Good Shepherd vestry held its regular monthly meeting on Sunday, June 13, at 11:30 a.m. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

Accepted, with regret, the resignation from the Vestry of Mel Caron, effective immediately. A nominating committee consisting of the Senior Warden; the Interim Rector; Brad Davies; and Diane Wall will meet to consider filling the two vacancies that currently exist on the Vestry.

Approved a proposal to modify our in-person worship protocols to include the following:

#1. All limits to attendance and registration requirements will be eliminated.

#2. Communion will be distributed (host only) Cathedral style and at the steps of the Chancel.

#3. We will maintain the “every other pew open” until the end of August.

#4. Unvaccinated worshippers will be asked to wear masks and to maintain social distance in the sanctuary.

#5. Coffee hour may resume.

#6. Fully vaccinated choir members will be able to occupy the choir loft and sing without masks or social distance.

#7. The ushers will collect the offering and bring the gifts to the altar. All of these changes will be in effect beginning the weekend of June 19 and 20.

The Treasurer reported a balance in all accounts (as of 5/31) of $337,740.91 (this includes $42,661.00 in the Good Shepherd endowment).

Father Dave announced that the $10,000 Phalunas memorial giftwill be distributed as follows: $2,500 to the Women at the Well to be used where most needed and $7,500 to the Stained Glass Window Restoration Fund. Father Dave also announced that, as of June 9, a total of $3,180 has been given and received as memorial gifts honoring the memory of Lee Braidwood.

Jeff Bathurst gave a progress report on the Discernment Committee (the committee is making “great progress” and is meeting weekly) and the Audio Visual Upgrade (the new system is now operational and will begin to be used before the end of the month. This project will be completed by the end of the June “at the latest”).

Father Dave reported that Epiphany Studioswill begin the final work on the Stained Glass Window Restoration project on June 21 and the project will be completed by early July.

Approved a proposal to give 5% of the net proceeds of the WE HAVE THESE TREASURES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN to Episcopal Community Services-DNJ.

The Vestry discussed what to do about the 10 clerestory windows that will be replaced when the stained glass window project is completed. It was decided that a note would be sent to the congregation to determine the level of interest in securing one of these windows. The Vestry will make a final decision re: the disposition of the clerestory windows once the results of the survey are available.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 8, at 11:30 a.m.