St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 

Vestry Meeting Minutes 

April 10, 2024 

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 Thoeni, Rector; Steve Carnell, Sr. Warden; Paul Nelson, Jr. Warden; Tom Connolly, Mary Lou Dogoloff, Peter Lund, Judy Martin, Rose Porembo, Jeannie Smith, Murray Smith 

Motion to approve vestry minutes:  Fr. Tom asked for a motion to approve the minutes from March 13, 2024. Steve C made a motion and Judy M seconded. The motion was adopted by acclamation. 

Charity Outreach Committee:  Fr. Tom called for a motion to give funds earned from Farmers’ Market ministries to local organizations. A motion was made by Tom C and seconded by Paul N. The motion was adopted be acclamation. Lee Barron spoke to the vestry regarding our annual outreach to local charities. Lee B and her committee have worked to complete plans to give 48 backpacks filled with school supplies to East Naples Middle School for the next school year and to Catholic Charities for Undy Sunday. Other recipients of donations are Valerie’s House of Naples; Fostering Success; Episcopal Relief and Development; Tumaini Fund for shipping 60 dresses sewn for orphan girls in Tanzania; Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs; Providence House Naples; Miracle Limbs/Courage in Motion; and Meals of Hope Food Pantry. $12,000. will go to outreach donations and the same to St. Paul’s operating account. Thank you to St Paul’s volunteers for running the Gift Shop, the Unique Boutique, the winter Bazaar and the Book Shop. We appreciate the volunteers who provided free hot dogs and coffee to the market shoppers and vendors each week at the Farmers’ Market from November to April. Fr. Tom offered a Samaritan Prayer. 

Treasurer’s Report:  Rose Porembo presented the treasurer’s report. She added that the 2025 budget is being prepared, reviewing building and grounds expenses and office expenses. Looking forward, a committee of Paul Nelson, Steve Carnell and Rose Porembo is developing a booklet to define training volunteers in positions throughout the parish. 

Business: 

Bank of America Transition from Truist Bank: Fr. Tom gave details of remaining funds from Truist bank. Bank of America issued St. Paul’s several credit cards for easier monthly payments. Fr. Tom will have a card, a card for building and grounds supplies, and a card will be available in the office. 

Land Use:  St. Paul’s vestry is waiting for Lang Lowrey from the diocese to visit on a Sunday to present to the parish ways our land can be developed to generate lease income. 

Solar Panels:  Paul N gave a report on the status of installing solar panels. 

BBQ sales:  Peter Lund reported that two food trucks will use the corner of our property on the Davis Blvd. South driveway. One food truck has been selling at the Farmers’ Market. Each truck has a Collier County license to sell. Fridays for two months were cleared as a test period. 

Road Sign issues:  The light failed in the St. Paul’s sign on Davis Blvd. An electrician suggested there was a break in the electric line in the ground. Bids were being taken for repair. 

Vestry Retreat date: The annual retreat will be held Monday April 22, 2024. Plans for the next 12 months will be discussed. 

Repair of church loud speaker:  Tom C contacted the company who installed the speaker nine years ago to determine the cause of annoying sounds. 

Annual diocesan convention:  Fr. Tom asked for a motion to elect three vestry members as delegates and one alternate to attend the October 11th and 12th diocesan convention in Punta Gorda, FL. Steve C made the motion and Judy M seconded the motion. It passed by acclamation. Voted to attend were Paul Nelson, Murray Smith, Jeannie Smith and the alternate is Rose Porembo. Fr. Tom took a few minutes to describe the Saturday convention business meeting. On that Friday delegates can attend workshops. 

Mower sale, trees removed: Mary Lou, a member of God’s Gardeners, advised the vestry that a riding mower was fixed and sold for $500. She suggested that the proceeds be spent to pay for the repair on the Davis Blvd sign. She informed the vestry that two trees at the red door entrance to the narthex needed to be cut down to improve landscaping. Fr Tom and the vestry agreed with Mary Lou’s points. 

The next vestry meeting will be May 15, 2024 

The meeting was adjourned with a prayer at 7:30 p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Charlene Connolly, Recording Secretary 

Nora Broszeit, Clerk of the Vestry