The Vestry met in Serson Hall beginning at 6:30 P.M. When Carol Bechtol finished as guest speaker, Fr. Tom said the opening prayer. There was a quorum.

Members Present: Fr. Tom Thoeni, Rector; Steve Carnell, Sr. Warden; Rich Shea, Jr. Warden; Nora Broszeit, Clerk, via zoom; Peter Lund, via zoom; Lee Barron, Tom Connolly, Carol O’Connell, and Judy Martin. Mary Lou Dogoloff was absent.

Market Analysis Pre-School Education in Collier County: Carol Bechtol returned to give the vestry booklets to support the opportunity for St. Paul’s to open a 3 and 4 year old age group daycare in Serson Hall as an income source. Since COVID-19 our neighborhood in Naples has a large demand for nursery schools. Vestry will discuss this further in meetings.

Approval of the April and July Vestry minutes and Budget for 2023: Fr. Tom asked for a motion of approval for the April 19, 2023 and July 19, 2023 minutes. Carol O’Connell made the motion and another person seconded. The motion was adopted by acclamation. Fr. Tom asked for a motion to accept the Final Budget for 2023. Judy Martin made the motion and Steve C. seconded. The motion was adopted by acclamation.

Holy Name of Jesus Agreement: Vestry will complete an agreement with Fr. Panel and the Holy Name of Jesus community by the end of 2023. The agreement will be held by the diocese. Steve C. made a motion and Nora B. seconded that St. Paul’s will ask $300.00 a month rent from Holy Name of Jesus. The motion was adopted by acclamation after being discussed.

Stewardship Retreat and Planning: Vestry members Tom C, Rich S, and Fr. Tom attended a Stewardship class on August 28, at DaySpring Camp and Conference Center. Fr. Tom started a discussion that secured vestry will create a finance committee of four people who will work with Rose Porembo our treasurer. The finance committee will be responsible for the annual audit and for writing a policy and procedures booklet for future finance groups. Stewardship builds a culture of gratitude and teaching. 

2024 Vestry Selection Process: Lee Barron, Steve Carnell and Judy Allen formed a committee to recommend replacement vestry members for 2024. Terms last for 3 years unless someone resigned after a year or two. Tom Connolly updates and maintains St. Paul’s website. He suggested that vestry members use the Profiles link on the website to build personal biographies so all parishioners can get to know life skills and talents in our parish. 

Farmer’s Market Update: Peter Lund reported that opening day will be November 11, 2023. Dick Emerson will be in charge until Peter returns late in November. The permits are complete and the fire inspection is scheduled. Volunteers from the congregation will be needed for parking cars. Tom C gave a brief history of the Farmer’s Market having been started by Roger Conant, Alan Cragg and Jim Crosby. Four thousand cars were counted at the market in the peak years. 

Easement Requested from the County: The County has an easement on a section of land at the west entrance of St. Paul’s property on Davis Blvd. They want to install an 8’x16’ fence on this section to confine a sewer access. Further discussion will be held next month.

  

Treasurer’s Report:  Rose Porembo reported that the audit was submitted to the diocese by September 1, 2023. Peter Lund and Steve Carnell were the committee members and Carol O’Connell gave assistance. Our parochial report was submitted to the diocese months ago, giving information of income and other data which the diocese gathers to know the status of each of the 78 parishes. Our bank location will change to Rattlesnake Hammock branch of Bank of America on September 27.

1. Lee Barron and committee designed items in a packet to be given to visitors to St. Paul’s. A plan was devised to talk with the visitors and invite them to coffee hour. Brochures and information about who we are as a church family are included. This visitor’s packet has been planned to market St. Paul’s in an effort to increase parishioners. 

2. Carol O'Connell suggested and all agreed that monthly potluck dinners resume at St. Paul's.  Fr. Tom asked Carol to be the lead and she accepted.

The October Vestry meeting has been changed to October 11, 2023. Fr. Tom will be on vacation the third week of the month.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted by

Charlene Connolly

Clerk of the Vestry