VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS – meeting March 10, 2024

• We received a detailed treasurer’s report to include first quarter income of $21,020.39 from our endowment funds.
• Elaine Bielenberg will begin selling Hannaford cards during coffee hour in the hopes it will boost our sales. We earn 5% of the value of the cards.
• A Building Use Policy (for outside groups) was approved.
• Kristen Burkholder shared her journey in the Diaconate process. She will likely complete most of her course work by September 2024 and will serve a 6-12 month internship at St. John Baptist, Thomaston.
• Voted to purchase a new computer for the office and also for the Parish Hall for running zoom and other media.
• Vestry Ministry Assignments/liaison were made as follows:

Outreach – Cindy Frost

Creation Care – Ruth Heffron

Music – Craig Watson

Hospitality – Kathy Sticht

Newcomers – Roy McAlpine

Education – Roy McAlpine

Altar Guild – Linda Parsloe

Communication – Chris Urick

Pastoral Care – Barbara Briggs+

• The commissioning of new vestry members will take place on Sunday, May 19 during the worship service.
• Barbara+ shared some recent and new strategies in the search for an organist or music director.

We gathered last Sunday (August 7, 2022) in the Parish Hall to share in an historical story-telling event. To trigger some thoughts these questions were offered by Craig Watson who presented and moderated the session:

• Do you remember you first day attending St. Margaret’s? What stands out about that memory?
• What personal or family milestones have you celebrated at the church? What made them most memorable?
• What current or former parishioner or clergy member had a big impact on you and why?
• What do you think Maude Gammons would feel about the trajectory of our parish?
• What are some of your most important “hopes” for the future of St. Margaret’s?

It was exciting to see so many parishioners in attendance and with their own stories to tell.

Others spoke about the Rev. Truman Fudge who was Rector of St. Margaret’s for 20 years (1974-1994) and the changes that came about during his time. Parishioners who made a mark on the parish but are no longer with us were remember. The Rev. Tom Duplessie, our first Deacon (2012-2016) was remembered to include a tribute “Ubiquitous Tom”, penned by John Cuozzo.

We also had the opportunity to welcome our very newest parishioners!

The Vestry has planned a very special event for us. A historical story-telling event will take place at 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 7 in the parish hall. You are each a beloved and very important part of the community of St. Margaret’s. It will be a gift to be with you as we take the time to tell each other about the graces and challenges we have experienced as part of the beloved community that Jesus called together for our mutual joy and the good of the world. Please let the office, or a member of the Vestry, or Barbara know if you are unable to join us.
        Craig Watson has offered a few  questions to consider in preparing responses for the visual timeline: 
           1) Do you remember you first day attending St. Margaret’s? What stands out about that memory?
           2) What personal or family milestones have you celebrated at the church? What made them most memorable?
           3) What current or former parishioner or clergy member had a big impact on you and why?
           4) What do you think Maude Gammons would feel about the trajectory of our parish? 
           5) What are some of your most important “hopes” for the future of St. Margaret’s?

The July meeting of the Vestry was blessed with an in-person visit from Bishop Brown. Following a prayer and discussion on a scripture reading, members shared personal stories relating to the last two years during the pandemic. Updates on the current status of various committees were shared. Action was taken to approve project cost for fixing the roof on the connector between the church and the parish house. The funding of the project will be money from the Fidelity grant. The Vestry discussed various suggestions regarding the weekly service leaflets. While we recognize the need to reduce paper waste, the service leaflets have provided guided support to the flow of the worship service. Coffee hour following the 8:00AM service has had limited attendance. Ideas and discussion were shared on the time frame for coffee hour to occur and provide opportunities for people to socialize. For now, coffee hour will be set up after the 8:00AM service and will remain set up for people attending the 10:15AM service as well. Bishop Brown shared with us some joyful reflections when visiting St. Margaret’s. He also shared his enthusiasm for the spiritual and prayerful energy he felt and observed during this vestry meeting.

The Rev. Barbara Briggs will be formally installed as rector of St. Margaret’s by Maine Episcopal Bishop Thomas Brown at a service at the church on Sunday, May 8, at 3:30 p.m. All are invited, and a reception will follow.

The current forecast is for blizzard conditions for much of Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday with snow accumulations of a foot or more. We will make a decision about whether to hold our Sunday service in person at the church by tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, at which time a special email will be sent. Please keep an eye on your inbox or check this website.

St. Margaret’s Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, January 16^th at 11:30AM. 

·      Cindy Frost, Richard Harrison, and Craig Watson were elected to three-year terms on the Vestry.

·      Audrey Klein-Leach was elected Senior Warden, Julian Sheffield, Junior Warden, and Jackie Curtis, Clerk.

·      Georgie Thomas, Treasurer presented the 2022 Budget and a financial report for the year 2021.

·      Mary Rackmales gave a detailed summary of the amendments to the by-laws which were adopted by vote.