• A request to change Sunday winter service schedule from 9 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. was discussed and tabled until next winter.
• Discussion on child care and how to assist families with children. Task force to come up with suggestions includes Vestry members Faye Ward and Kristen Burkholder.
• A pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday (March 5) is planned. It is hoped that the men of St. Margaret’s will host. The Women of St. Margaret’s will supply ingredients.
• Parochial report (due March 1) being prepared by Georgie and Chris.
• A letter of congratulations from our parish, signed by Vestry members will be sent to Bishop-elect Thomas Brown.
• Ideas on how to reconnect with former parishioners  and connect with others in the community were shared and will be  considered at the next meeting.

Did you go to a walkabout? or watch the streaming or video? If you feel you could contribute and discuss the merits of each of the five candidates for Bishop of Maine, please join us on Thursday evening, January 24, at 6 p.m. in the Parish House. The informed discussion will assist our delegates in their deliberations as they place their votes for our Parish. If you are unable to attend on Thursday, please email or speak with one of our delegates: Deirdre Good, Cynthia Zajac, and Judith Cox.

The delegates will continue to keep us informed during this process.

• Our Treasurer, Georgie, gave us an overview of pledges received to date and anticipated income.
• We talked about the process for nominating and electing Wardens in the absence of a Rector. The Vestry will select candidates at the January meeting and present a slate to the parish at the Annual Meeting Part II.
• There was discussion about access to parish hall when being used by outside groups.
• Permission was given to Ray and Patricia Estabrook to hold Evening Prayer in the church at 6.30 p.m. on December 27 and 28.
• The Letter of Agreement between the Vestry and the Rev. John Nieman was ratified.
• Kenneth Taylor was thanked for his service on the Vestry. He stated a willingness to continue making calls to remind upcoming coffee hour hosts and to remain on the Finance & Stewardship Committee. 

Thanks to all who turned out for our  Annual Meeting Part I  – we counted 48 names on the sign-in sheet!

The following were parishioners were elected to the Vestry:
Cynthia Zajac
Chris Urick
Paul Mazur

Thanks go out to Richard Harrison and Julian Sheffield for their willingness to serve.

Our delegates to the Special Electing Convention are:
Cynthia Zajac
Deirdre Good
Judith Cox

Alternates: Faye Ward, Cindy Frost, and Linda Dunson.

We will be hearing more from our delegates and about the process of electing the next Bishop of Maine.

The Vestry is looking for new members to fill three vacancies occurring by the end of 2018. Nominations and applications are being accepted for a ballot of at least 9 candidates. 
The application form is  here  and also available on the Time and Talent Table.  Application deadline is November 15.
If you have any questions, please ask the Nomination Committee: Peter Walker, Ellen Kenney or Elaine Bielenberg.

Our dear friend and fellow parishioner, Charlotte Herbold, died peacefully on Saturday afternoon, September 1st, while surrounded by her family.

A funeral will be held, with the Rev. Canon Mary Ann Taylor presiding, on Friday, September 7th at 10 o’clock in the morning. A reception hosted by the Women of St. Margaret’s will follow the service.

• Heard recommendations from Don Cox and Building Committee.
• Voted to brace and straighten connector.
• Voted to to lay concrete at the church bulkhead ramp to divert water away from the building and from seeping into the basement.
• Voted to go ahead with purchase and installation of acoustical tiles in the parish hall.
• Voted to approve Lay Minister training that is scheduled for July 19.
• Voted to send $400 to Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza as requested by the Outreach Committee
• Approved a revised budget for period July 1 through December 31, 2018 as presented by Cindy Frost.
• Revisited the parameters for an interim priest and heard from the Rev. Ted Kanellakis (who was invited to consult) about the pros and cons of a three-year period. We discussed what we should expect of the interim priest and what we can learn and achieve during this period. Following this discussion, there was consensus that the terms voted on at the June meeting were the best ones for the parish.

The Vestry discussed and took action on the following at the meeting on Tuesday,  May 8:
 

• Heard from Don Cox, Buildings Chairperson about projects underway and planned for our buildings.
• Dennis Urick, Wayne Kraeger and men from the Re-Entry Center cleared the church basement of dirt and debris. They will also put in a french drain to help with water seepage into the basement.
  Acoustical tiles are being planned for the ceiling in the social hall, to be installed by volunteers
  The inspector for the sprinkler system observed some minor issues that need to be addressed. Don is following up.           Plans and ideas continue for repairing the sagging emergency exit door in the connector.
• A “mini-discernment committee” comprising four Vestry members (Chris Urick, Ken Taylor, Kristen Burkholder and Faye Ward) was formed to compile information and to liaise with the Diocese regarding the hiring of an Interim Priest. This committee will make recommendations for the Vestry’s vote and approval.
• Voted to become a sponsor and support Belfast Has Pride event on Saturday, June 9 at noon.
• Selected Faye Ward as GBAM representative.
• Elaine Bielenberg reported on the Year of Nurture gathering held in April.
• The Vestry hopes for good turn out and results from our Engagement Party – all part of our “Moving Forward Together” initiative.