Vestry met in Serson Hall with a call to order at 6:30 p.m. There was a quorum. Fr. Tom opened with a prayer.

Members Present: Fr. Tom, Rector; Steve Carnell, Sr. Warden; Paul Nelson, Jr. Warden; Tom Connolly, Judy Martin, Jeannie Smith and Murray Smith. Missing from the meeting were Mary Lou Dogoloff and Peter Lund. Rose Porembo, treasurer, was present.

Motion to approve 9th Vestry member: Fr. Tom asked for a motion to approve a one-year vestry term for Rose Porembo. Tom Connolly made a motion and Steve Carnell seconded. The motion was adopted by acclamation.

Approval of vestry minutes: Fr. Tom asked for a motion of approval for the February 21 minutes. Tom Connolly made a motion and Judy Martin seconded the motion. The motion was adopted by acclamation.

Treasurer’s Report: Rose Porembo supplied handout papers for the treasurer’s report which was discussed. Fr. Tom asked for a motion to designate diocese funds returned to St. Paul’s to be deposited to St. Paul’s money market account instead of the operating account. Paul N. moved and Tom Connolly seconded the motion. The motion passed by acclamation. 

Approval of 2024 budget: Fr. Tom asked for a motion to approve St. Paul’s 2024 budget. Steve C. made a motion and Paul N. seconded. The motion passed by acclamation.

Donation of a cross: Steve Carnell and Fr. Tom looked at a six-foot black cross made by a Lakewood homeowner who wanted to donate it to St. Paul’s. There was not a place to display the cross due to the size and the style. After discussion the vestry agreed to not accept the donation.

Homeless on campus: Vestry discussed ongoing problems with homeless trespassing on church property. Sheriffs when called will arrest the offender or ask them to move on. Due to the list of problems there have been with one or more homeless on our campus, the vestry agreed to remind the homeless that they are not welcome.

Bank of America: The transition from Truist Bank to the Bank of America has taken time. Our transitional accountant, Bill Lewis, has maintained our accounts and bill paying until St. Paul’s can use a diocesan accountant available to help smaller congregations. Bank of America has been eager to cooperate with our needs.

Land Use: The land between Serson Hall and St. Paul’s rectory can benefit citizens by being developed as affordable housing for our workforce community. Affordable housing is termed mixed housing. First responders, teachers, and sheriffs are examples of people who cannot afford a mortgage. Our Farmers’ Market has not met continued expectations as an income base for outreach in our community. Fr. Tom, Steve C. and Paul N. met by zoom with Lang Lowery to discuss a forum with this parish. Lang is employed by our diocese to be a consultant for Episcopal churches encouraging them to invest church property in development. Selling our church property has been discouraged to create income. Lang Lowery will help us develop our land for income into the future.

Solar panels: Fr. Tom asked for help finding and interviewing solar contractors. 

Vestry Retreat: A vestry retreat has been scheduled for April 27 from 2pm to 5pm. The retreat will set goals for this vestry, help the vestry members work together and organize the needs of the parish for the year. Suggestions for team building were requested by Steve C. Vestry will meet in St. Paul’s library. 

Fundraising report for 2024: A report was handed out comparing pledges from 2023 with 2024 pledges.

The vestry retreat will be April 27, 2024 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, 

Charlene Connolly, Recording Secretary
Nora Broszeit, Clerk of the Vestry