Vestry met in Serson Hall with a call to order at 6:30 p.m. There was a quorum. Fr. Tom shared a prayer titled Autumn Psalm of Fearlessness. 

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

Treasurer’s Report: Rose P had a handout from which she presented the October financials. 

Land Development Update: On December 8, after the 10 a.m. service Lang Lowrey and his son Austin, a FL realtor, will meet with St Paul’s land development committee.

Holy Name Agreement: Fr Tom said that a meeting is scheduled to give Holy Name a revised renter’s agreement to sign. It includes a rent increase. Administrative issues will be reviewed as well as use of the buildings.

Vestry Nominees: One person accepted being a vestry candidate and 3-4 others are thinking about it. Vestry will have have a slate of 3 in December.

Diocesen Convention: On December 5 Bishop Scharf will hold a virtual business meeting from 7-9 p.m. to fulfill the 56th annual convention which was canceled during Hurricane Milton in October 2024. St Paul’s delegates are Fr Tom Thoeni, Jeannie Smith, Rose and Gary Porembo. Voting from the Diocesen Council will be Tom Connolly. Anyone wishing to watch may come to the library in Serson Hall on December 5th.

Bishop Scharf’s staff has scheduled an event at DaySpring on January 4, 2025. Its focus will be plans, goals and adaptive challenges for our church communities. Fr Tom will ask the yet-to-be appointed dean of the Naples deanery to call for a watch party, joining in to the meeting via zoom.

Piano Donation: Vestry will be getting an estimate to move a donated baby grand piano into the choir room.

Fr Tom’s medical absence: Tests and upcoming surgery for Fr Tom will require 3-4 weeks of recovery at home. Canon Richard Norman offered Fr Tom and vestry a protocol for the absence of a rector.  Fr Edward Gleason, rector of Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church, offers support and supply priests. Other preparations are being provided by Fr Tom such as getting bulletins ready to be copied for several months ahead. 

Potluck dinner for vestry:  Fr Tom asked the vestry for their thoughts about postponing a holiday potluck for vestry members and guests. Everyone agreed to move the date to 2025 when a modified potluck dinner might combine the outgoing members and the new vestry members.

T-Coil Installation Status Update: At the next meeting Tom C will have an update.

County Easement grass cutting: Peter L reported that Collier County mowed the grass in the easement which they own and we use for extra parking on busy Farmers’ Market days. 

Praying for Fr Tom: At the close of the meeting vestry members laid hands on Fr Tom offering a prayer for healing.

Fr. Tom closed the meeting with a prayer at 8:10 p.m.

The next vestry meeting will be December 18, 2024

Respectfully Submitted, 

Charlene Connolly, Recording Secretary

Clerk of the Vestry