Vestry met in Serson Hall with a call to order at 6:32 p.m. There was a quorum. Fr. Tom Thoeni opened with three prayers.

Members Present: Fr. Tom Thoeni, Rector; Steve Carnell, Sr. Warden; Rich Shea, Jr. Warden; Nora Broszeit, Clerk; Peter Lund, via zoom; Lee Barron, Tom Connolly, Judy Martin, and Mary Lou Dogoloff. Treasurer, Rose Porembo, was present.

Approval of September vestry minutes: Fr. Tom asked for a motion of approval for the September 13 vestry minutes. Judy M. offered a motion and Nora B. seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The motion was adopted by acclamation.

Treasurer’s Report: Rose Porembo reported on the status of the 2024 budget. She needs more information to bring the budget to completion. Accountant Bill Lewis will be finishing the September balances. At that time Bill will email the October reports to the vestry.

Pre-school Development: Peter L. spoke with architect Victor Latavitch and builder Bill Varian. Peter reported that a feasibility study will cost $1,800. Ministry leaders of St. Paul’s will meet to ask questions and offer concerns. Fire codes, fire walls, and sprinklers will be included. Vestry will keep active the rooms and facilities needed for office space, meetings and group gatherings. Peter added that St. Mark’s daycare on Marco Island has filled 30 spaces this year with 50 more children on the waiting list. Fr. Tom said the expenditure of $1,800. will be discussed again in a month.

Holy Name of Jesus Agreement: Fr. Tom sent out an agreement between St. Paul’s and Holy Name of Jesus congregation to be signed by the two churches as an annual contract for the use of St. Paul’s Church and Trinity Hall. The same agreement when signed will be sent to the diocese for approval.

2024 Vestry Selection Process: Search members are Lee Barron, Judy Allen, and Steve Carnell. At the November meeting more names will be presented. Within this vestry Mary Lou D. and Carol O’C. are willing to be reelected to the next vestry. Nora B. and Rich S. are retiring at the annual meeting in January.

Farmer’s Market Update: Peter Lund reported that six new vendors have signed up. All certifications have been completed and the Fire Marshal will come November 11 to inspect.

Fence Around Easement Requested from the County: Steve Carnell reported that he is working with Collier County while the county seeks to install fencing around a lift station that is on the corner of St. Paul’s property. There will be followup at a later date.

PotLuck dinners starting: Monthly potluck dinners will begin again October 19 and on every third Thursday of the month.

Review of Renters’ fees for 2024: The fees will be reviewed. Suggestions were made from the floor for air conditioning controls for expected use of facilities. Tom C. and Rich S. will report on the fees.

Solar on the church will be studied: A committee is moving forward to study costs and energy savings by installing solar panels on the church. Rich Shea, Gary Porembo, Dave Abernethy and Tom Connolly will gather information.

Phone Calling Ministry: Nora Broszeit will find volunteers to call all parishioners twice a year to offer assistance and to extend love from St. Paul’s congregation.

The meeting ended at 7:36 p.m. with a prayer given by Fr. Tom.

The next vestry meeting will be November 15, 2023.

Respectively Submitted,

Charlene Connolly, Recording Secretary

Nora Broszeit Clerk of the Vestry