Annual Meeting Minutes 2021

January 10, 2022 Chris Krueger 2021 Annual Reports

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

182ND ANNUAL PARISH MEETING VIA ZOOM

JANUARY 31, 2021

CALL TO ORDER

Fr. Brad Toebben, Rector, called the meeting to order.

OPENING PRAYER

Toebben offered the opening prayer and the Doxology.

CERTIFICATION OF QUORUM

Christine Krueger, Vestry Clerk, certified a quorum consisting of a priest, one warden, three Vestry members and more than 30 qualified voters.

WELCOME

Fr. Brad welcomed the members to the 182nd Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s parish.

MINUTES OF THE 181ST ANNUAL MEETING/APPROVAL

MOTION/SECOND by Carol Benjamin/Jim Gramentine to approve the minutes of the 181st Annual Meeting. MOTION CARRIED.

RECTOR’S REFLECTION ON THE STATE OF THE PARISH

  • Toebben noted, “These are extraordinary times.” The parish has been present during this crisis from the very beginning. We have continued to reach out to each other. We began to plan how to conduct liturgies. St. Paul’s will weather this to be able, again, to celebrate Eucharist at the table. The liturgy has not been the same as when in the sanctuary, but this has allowed us to focus on the beauty of our church, its art and music.
  • The Diversity Committee has planned an online celebration of African Heritage for February. We have been able to continue our Outreach program, without the Thrift Shop being open, in other ways.  
  • We have also continued our tradition of theological formation. Education for Ministry and the Book Group have continued. Dana Fritz has taken over the leadership of the Adult Forum programming.
  • Toebben noted that our stewardship has not faltered during this lockdown. We have also, through anonymous donations, been able to restore the antiphonal organ. We are also working to install the Whitechapel change ringing bells. We want to share this gift with the community.
  • He commented on the Gospel of the day. Our current challenges allow us to see in ways we have overlooked in the past. We will continue to face uncertain and trying times, and we will continue to walk together in prayer, discernment and action.

FINANCIAL REPORTS 

STEWARDSHIP HISTORY (PG. 7)

BALANCE SHEET (PG. 8)

ENDOWMENT AND DESIGNATED PURPOSE FUNDS (PG. 9)

INCOME STATEMENT (PG. 10)

THRIFT SHOP

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT

  • Thomas Goode reviewed a number of the Vestry activities during the year. 
  •  He thanked Chuck and Ruth Werth as well as Canon Joe Kucharski and Tedd King for all of their work as we moved to the “video church.”
  • Goode reported that the Holy Cow! survey took place in February 2020. The church is a different place now than when we took the survey. We have developed our virtual worship services coffee hours. 
  • Goode commented on the Holy Cow! summary that was mailed to members. The results indicate weaknesses of low member satisfaction, energy and morale, and a resistance to change. In addition, we identified as a Rector-focused community; a community that focuses on the perceived performance on the Rector.
  • The Vestry had three working sessions with Robyn Strain from Holy Cow! We are going to have an Adult Forum on the topic and would like to eventually have small group discussions.
  • Gramentine commented that he was disappointed because the report does not seem balanced. He cited the questions about worship and the impact on spiritual growth. Thome supported Gramentine’s comments.
  • Anne Vogel said the outreach through the homilies, sermons, and music offerings spiritually reinforce the message. There are so many ways we have been able to join together. There have been a lot of positive outcomes despite the pandemic.
  • Thome also hoped that people have taken the opportunity to partake in the Choral Evensong programs. 
  • Pat Luebke asked whether the concern was about the way the survey was constructed, or about the idea that some people said they were not having the same experience as others.
  • Toebben noted that interpretations of the data may differ. That is why we want to have the working conversations so we can share, discuss, and break down the information.
  • There was consensus that the congregation look at the details of this report during the year.

RECOGNITIONS

  • Toebben recognized that the pandemic has affected the Thrift Shop more than any other group at St. Paul’s. Their ministry is our presence throughout the week. It draws a commitment of long hours, people to participate, and patrons in pastoral care. The volunteers have extended such pastoral care, even during the pandemic. 
  • He also recognized the work of the Outreach Committee, which allows the parish to work together. 
  • Toebben recognized Paulette Kelly for her years of service on the Vestry. She is a warm and caring presence, and her service will be missed. Kelly thanked parishioners for their phone calls and cards during her illness.
  • Toebben recognized Chuck and Ruth Werth, who stepped up to a very special ministry during the pandemic. The time spent at church recoding, editing and posting all of our offerings has been significant. We have entered into a ministry that we would not have before, and now it will be continued. 
  • Lastly, Toebben recognized Mainman for his over 20 years of service to St. Paul’s as the Treasurer. He has been an incredible mentor. On behalf of St. Paul’s, we bestow on him the title of Treasurer Emeritus. 
  • Toebben reported that Janet Tallberg will take on full duties as Treasurer in April.

INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES/ELECTIONS

WARDENS

  • Fr. Brad presented Thomas Goode as the Senior Warden candidate for 2021. He also presented Lee Coppernoll and Peter Larsen as candidates for Co-Junior Wardens for 2021. We are pleased that they have agreed to remain in these roles. MOTION/SECOND by Todd Heikkinen/Mal Soward-Gatford to elect the slate of wardens, as presented. MOTION CARRIED.

VESTRY MEMBERS

  • Goode presented the following slate of candidates for two-year terms on the Vestry: Florence Dukes and Michael Gauger. The candidates for three-year terms on the Vestry are: Kurt Bushman, Jesse Michel, and Matt Pamperin.
  • MOTION/SECOND by Ivor Benjamin/John Bauer to elect the slate of candidates for the terms presented. MOTION CARRIED.  

DIOCESAN CONVENTION DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

  • Goode presented the nominees for convention delegates. They are: Goode, Sandra Halgerson, Pamperin, and Ann Thorson. The Alternates are: Coppernoll, Fritz, Bill Fry, and Larson.  MOTION/SECOND by Bauer/Susan Bellinger to approve the slate of convention delegates. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

  • Goode opened the floor to names for the Nominating Committee for 2021. Dean Thome, Vogel, Luebke, and Carol Benjamin were nominated.  MOTION/ SECOND by Krueger/Bauer to close nominations.  MOTION CARRIED.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS

  • Larsen again thanked the Werths for their filming and editing skills, as well as Heikkinen for his drone photography.
  • Gauger shared his appreciation for the innovation and foresight that the Vestry and Fr. Brad have shown in their leadership during this past year.
  • Deacon Sheila Scott, on behalf of Interchange, thanked St. Paul’s for the very generous donation, as well as the fall peanut butter drive.  Everyone needs to know that Interchange greatly appreciates our generosity.
  • Toebben also thanked Scott for her spiritual contributions and commitment to St. Paul’s. It is a pleasure to work with her. Joanne Filmanowicz thanked her for continuing the Thursday Evening Prayer Service on Zoom.
  • Coppernoll commented that we, as a parish, have done extraordinary work during this year. We have done spiritual work in a very meaningful way.
  • Miles Capron thanked all the people at St. Paul’s for the efforts of people to stay in touch with them.  Toebben reported that the diocese is still in lockdown and will be using the county numbers to determine when we will be able to reopen. Most likely, in Milwaukee County, it will not be until there is widespread vaccination. The hope is that by summer, we may be able to look at some outdoor options.
  • Kucharski thanked the congregation for the support of the Choral Scholars through this trying time. He also thanked King for his continued support as an organist.
  • Mary Beth Haubrich thanked Fr. Brad for all of the posting that he does. His daily postings, as well as all the information about the Sunday offerings have been a tremendous resource during this time.

ADJOURNMENT AND CLOSING PRAYER

  • Fr. Brad offered the closing prayer.
  • MOTION/SECOND by K. Thome/Bellinger to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
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