Christ Church Vestry Minutes December 10, 2015 7:00 PM Present: Martha Bolling, Frances Buckley, John Chabalko, Rick Gessner, Nancy Greenberg, Margaret Higgs, Lee Kallos, Ruth Lawson Kirk, Fred Moran, Al Smith, Tomoko Werbe Also Present: Amy Molina-Moore, Stephen Setzer Absent: Beth Faulkner, Jane Schindewolf Romano, Joe Zakielarz The meeting was called to order by the Rector at 7:02 PM. Opening prayer offered by Margaret Higgs. Information Wardens’ Report John Chabalko reported that the Stewardship phone-a-thon was held at Kitchens by Design, in Fairville on Sunday, December 13 from 2 to 3:30 PM. Joe, John, Fred, and Jane will meet to summarize the vestry retreat comments, to be discussed at the January vestry meeting. Rector’s Report Thanks to the vestry for participation at the Green Show. The Messiah performance was well attended and a very good experience for many. There was positive feedback from the reception at the back of the church. David Beresford has been approved for his visa and will be arriving on December 31. Plans are under way for the wedding. Ruth will not be at the January vestry meeting. The staff is preparing for Christmas, and Ruth gave appreciation for all the staff and volunteers who make everything happen to move the life of the congregation along. Question arose about whether CCCH would adopt a Syrian refugee family. Maryann Younger and Joe Stoeckle are the delegates for the 2016 convention. Questions/Clarifications on Cluster Reports (see Addendums A, B, & C) Service to Others: Posters and new brochures for giving showing where our Outreach funding is directed. The Rector attended a meeting of the Jessie Ball du Pont Fund where parishes were encouraged to take advantage of technology and energy conversation grants. Spirit Life: Christmas Caroling and the Pageant are the next two events. No report from the Green Show yet. There is a Youth Fiesta fund-raising dinner on January 3. Several new members of Parish Life have stepped up to the plate on several events, and several new couples were involved in the Green Show. The question remains as to how to get more people to come to the Friday Nite Bites events. Stewardship: 485 giving families so far. There are 126 calls to make on Sunday to those who usually pledge and have not yet. 157 no change; 152 increased; 44 decreased; 43 new pledges. $2,836 is the average pledge. We are ahead of last year, and we are on target for our goal for this year. We are looking into text giving for Christmas Eve. Discussion followed on that topic. The Buildings & Grounds Committee met regarding security cameras. The proposal will be that three cameras are needed. Capital Improvements budget needs to be adjusted or we need to use their Contingency Fund. Security is being assessed on an ongoing basis.

Discussion Other Matters Tomoko Werbe reported that the Global Missions solar project is moving along. Bill Kunkel is assisting us. It is set up to coordinate projects like this in the DR. Changes: work on this will not happen during the June mission trip. Building issues need to be taken care of before solar panels are installed. Working with Father Potter is essential, but it is a process. Youth will be reminded that there is over $6,000 in their restricted fund, from a prior Sunday offering, that still needs to be designated. The solar panel installation would occur around August–October 2016. Bill Kunkel believes our chances of receiving a UTO grant are good. The budget is not yet known, but the estimate is around $70,000. Funding: applying for a UTO grant and a Rotary International grant. John Sagrati has joined the committee and has experience with solar installations. We should know in June what grants have come through and then can consider a special ask. The Vestry applauded the progress on the project. Father Setzer handed out books for the Vestry for ACE—Between the World and Me. There will be a book discussion on January 3, 10, and 17, leading up to the 2016 Trinity Institute webcast around racial justice. Christ Church, Trinity Parish, and the Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew & Matthew are co-hosting the book discussion and the Trinity Institute. Decisions 2016 Ministry Budget No change in budgeting and final budget as presented. We are stretching to imagine a 6% increase in giving. Ruth reviewed various categories. Diocesan pledge steady at 10.8%. There is a new ministry allocation to allow for new innovations in ministry. Salary recommendations were included in the budget. Large change is in capital exchange transfer reduced to $12,000. Fred moved that we approve the preliminary budget, with a final budget to be reviewed and approved during the first quarter of 2016. Martha seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The motion was withdrawn. Fred Moran moved, Lee Kallos seconded that a continuing resolution be passed to approve parish spending at the 2015 levels, with the exception of salaries and choir salaries which will be increased as of January 1 as detailed in the draft 2016 budget presentation. The motion passed unanimously. 2016 Capital Improvements Plan There was discussion on this and the need to prioritize projects. Fred moved and Al seconded that the Capital Improvements Budget be accepted, with the inclusion of additional security cameras. The motion carried unanimously. The minutes from the November Vestry meeting were approved as presented. Closing prayer offered by Margaret Higgs Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. Next meeting: February 10, 2016 Respectfully submitted, Dana Robertson, Clerke

ADDENDUM A – SERVICE TO OTHERS CLUSTER REPORT OUTREACH Thanksgiving Basket and Potluck (Laura McGinley)  Engaged CCEP in collection and blessing of food. Next year, it is Christ Church’s turn to host. Green Show (Jamie Jones)  Special edition of the Outreach Agency Brochure produced for distribution during Green Show weekend  Bulletin Board in Parish Hall updated for Green Show weekend  Will post 17 agency posters in the hallways…will work on making posters for the others 16+ for next year’s Green Show  Good Works Gifts at Green Show—donations in honor of people /card and envelope… alternative Christmas Gifts MLK Communications Contest (Jane Rubini)  Publicity and fundraising/sponsorship efforts under way. Three levels of sponsorship (Keynote $2K, Advocate $1K, Communicator $0.5K)…mailing out to potential sponsors  Sponsors so far: Capital One $4K, Mayor $1K. There is a place on the CCCH website with a link to the sponsorship fund-raising site. January Outreach Retreat (Stephen Setzer and Jane Romano)  Tentative Date: January 20 from 5:30 to 9 PM  Theme: “Why we do Outreach Committee work through the Church” and “Outreach is work of the whole Church and part of our collective call to be Christian” Allocations Meetings/Agenda Review (Jamie Jones)  February 16 and March 1 allocation meetings are on the calendar.  Completed agency reallocation of liaisons in advance of the allocations process Collections (Ben Osbun)  Diane Mateson has Advent Dove Gifts project under way with gift return date of December 13. Agencies served are Friendship House, St. Michael’s, Cathedral Choir School, and West Center City Early Learning.  We will do a second year of the Magi food collection project led by Ran Barton during the 12 days of Christmas. More information coming soon on items most needed. Jessie Ball du Pont Grant updates (Tom Scott)  UrbanPromise grant (Betsy Field) – Interim year report due to JBD raised $115K including a successful Capital One Golf Outing. Next year $35K matching fund raising $200 from 200 businesses will get under way in January. Will look to CCCH parishioners to promote this fundraising using a web-based way to approach and secure businesses  Friendship House Empowerment Center Project (Jane Romano) o Existing Empowerment Centers: Men’s Wilmington Day Center, Women’s Wilmington Day Center, Newark Empowerment Center (started as a 6 nearby church Main Street Newark co-op approach and now is successfully supported by 18 local area faith communities) o Expansion of Empowerment Centers: Talleyville/Fairfax, Middletown, Millcreek/Pike Creek o Goals of this phase 1: education, dialogue, recruitment, and program design o Bill Perkins, staff, and several Board members have been engaged in phase 1 so far visiting, listening, and sharing the vision with churches that are listed in the table below.

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Different models are being explored in these different areas in light of which model can be best sustainable over time. Moving to a relational ministry is a new step for many parishes and staff. It is more personal and “in your neighborhood.”

Area Talleyville/ Fairfax

Local Church / Community Support A. Concord Pres / St. Paul’s UMC/ Aldersgate UMC B. Silverside/Grace Episcopal/ Brandywine Valley Baptist Middletown A. Forest Pres/St. Anne’s Episcopal/The Mission/St. Andrew’s School B. Bethesda UMC/Dale UMC/ Connections Community/St. Joe’s Catholic/Stones Throw

Next Steps  Ready for Pilot Stage  Form mission committee of churches in early January  Bill Perkins is point person initially  Education phase still under way – working to better understand homeless unmet needs further  Open empowerment center at Forest Pres in conjunction with new pastor Fernando Rodrigues coming onboard 1Q  Form mission committee of local churches  Red Clay Pres and CCCH Board Members support committee launch initially (Meg Aument and Jane Schindewolf)

Millcreek / Pike Creek

 Biggest geographic area with highest potential and likely 3rd to pilot  Many strong churches and pastors  Develop collective “ownership” model via mobile approach  Use the Newark Empowerment Center staff in a M/W/F PM approach in 3 church locations to cover broader geography of homeless needs

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A. St. Mark’s UMC/Limestone Pres/ Skyline UMC/St. Barnabas Episcopal B. Resurrection/Red Clay Pres/St. Phillips Lutheran/Marshaltown UMC

CCCH Engagement in this Empowerment Center Expansion Plan  Continue to sponsor the JBD grant process from feasibility study to grant proposal and approval phases  Provide support to the upcoming pilots…Jane will be initial connecting point to Middletown.  Are there others in CCCH who want to become involved in this early phase?

PASTORAL MINISTRIES Grief Care Tilly gives out 4 books – after 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 11 months. These usually get a very good response. Grief Counseling Donna Miller and Pat Robinson are facilitators who assist Fran Bayard in running the meetings. There is a faithful core group which is becoming more comfortable with sharing. Caregiver Support Group Sheila Bourgeault Dowdy and Lauren Passarello facilitate on 4th Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 PM. There is a variety of care-giving needs, including an autistic child and dementia problems.

Eucharistic Visitors Seven people are being seen. There are four new ministers licensed awaiting assignments. Prayer Shawls This is a very thriving ministry. A shawl was recently given to someone in Bangladesh. 30 are being made right now. The possibility was raised of making a small baptismal blanket for a newly baptized baby. Notes of Care More writers are needed. Will put a notice in the bulletin asking for help. Special Concerns  Cathy would appreciate an opportunity to meet with the Vestry to talk about Pastoral Ministries in more depth.  Is the Vestry following up on Cal Wick's suggestion made at The Vestry Speaks meeting? This was the possibility of helping a refugee family, the way Bob and Betty Brandt did so successfully for the Vietnamese family.  It might be helpful to put a piece in the bulletin about the various ministries involved at Christ Church to acquaint the parish with what is going on and what we are all about.

ADDENDUM B - SPIRIT LIFE CLUSTER REPORT CHILDREN’S MINISTRY  Godly Play continues at 9 AM with three full classes, exploring the season of Advent. Every week we have a new family join us. There will be Advent Prayer Stations offered for children, youth, and adults this Sunday.  The 4th and 5th grade class continues to use a new curriculum called Sparkhouse Connect, which is a big hit with the teachers and children. Bible-based with a media component and weekly activity, the class is working through the Old Testament. The 4th and 5th grade classes will visit the Advent Prayer Stations as well this Sunday.  The St. Nicholas Celebration on December 6 was a great success and a lot of fun. Upcoming is Caroling on December 11 and the Pageant on December 20. Our preschool families are invited to all our CCCH children ministry events. YOUTH MINISTRY  The 6th and 7th grade class is a dynamic class of young teens who have been exploring faith, doubt, trust, compassion.  The 8th grade Confirmation class has been going deeper into questions about the Bible and faith using the ReForm curriculum. Amy Molina-Moore and Lynne Jensen are also joining the Confirmation Leader Team for support.  The BRIDGE class continues the theme of stress in the month of December, ending with a Christmas party on December 20. There is a lock-in December 18-19.  The Youth Leadership Team had their annual retreat in late August, and they continue to meet on the first Sunday of the month to plan the next month of classes.  Plans for the Youth Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic, June 11-18, 2016 have begun. The annual retreat is scheduled for the first weekend in January as well as their Fiesta Dinner Fundraiser. An information meeting is scheduled for December 13 at 1 PM in Parish Hall A.  Many youth volunteered and supported the Green Show this year. A special thanks to all of them! CCEP 

Enrollment remains steady at 70. Anticipate picking up one child in January.

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Recruiting under way for 2016-17 school year. We have 5 applications in hand. We know of approximately 7 younger siblings from whom we can expect applications. We are working to replace the 28 children who will be “graduating” in June. Strategies include increasing the size of our younger classes or adding new younger classes. We are also offering an incentive to current families who refer a family to CCEP that subsequently enrolls. Jo has been meeting individually with each teacher to review the fall, set goals, discuss professional development opportunities, and to receive feedback on the community-building efforts engaged in so far this year. New cost allocation was presented to the preschool on December 9. The proposed number of $120,000 has been communicated to the finance committee. Sixth annual Christmas pageant will take place on December 15 with two performances (8:50 and 11:30 AM). All are invited. Annual Fund appeal was launched in November. Appeal for the Founders Scholarship Fund was also launched in November with a special mailing to alumni families. Preschool parents once again organized the Angel Threads booth for the Green Show. With both of the moms who have organized this event in the past now moving on to other schools, CCEP will need to consider whether we can continue this effort in the future. An effort is under way to recruit new leaders. CCEP Faculty Christmas Party will be held on December 14 at Jo’s house. One Pre-K student has been withdrawn as of December 18. CCEP parents and teachers provided dinner for homeless men at Andrew’s Place on December 2. Seven people went to the shelter to serve and to eat with the residents. We had rich conversations with all of them. We will serve again on January 6 and February 3. Parishioners are welcome to join us in this effort.

PARISH LIFE Christmas caroling, December 11  Leadership – Martha Henley and Heather Jefferson  The early shift will go to Shipley manor. Late shift goes to 7 shut-ins  Lynne Jensen buys the pizza Christmas Pageant, December 20  Food that will supplement the potluck includes chili, cornbread, chicken nuggets, cookies, and a sheet cake  Al to contact Mike Sayer for table setup – 12 round tables/chairs and 3 long rectangular tables for food  Workers (start at 4:45pm) – Mike, Pat and Jim, Joe Al, Suzanne, Wendy ?? Foyer Group Update  54 people last year with 8 groups  15 people have signed up so far but this probably not a problem because generally sign up late  Kickoff reception on January 10 PLC 2016 Event Calendar: first 3 months  Baptism on January 11  Friday Nite Bites – February 5 (Amy to host)  Lenten Soup and Study starts February 17 (Joe Stoeckle)  Maundy Thursday, March 24 (Lynne Swartz)  Easter Potluck, March 27 – Will need a leader for this event. Discuss at the January meeting

Memorial House, August 5 – 12  Will partner with SsAM again this year so we will have 5 slots  Recommendation is that Stephen or Amy to be the clergy in residence. Al to contact Kathy Moore to determine the selection process. GREEN SHOW  No report

ADDENDUM C – STEWARDSHIP CLUSTER REPORT BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE  No report. FINANCE COMMITTEE  Endowment Review: A detailed overview was given on the types of investments held by the Endowment based on the Fund’s investment objectives of protecting principal in down markets at the expense of forgoing higher returns in up markets. The Fund continues to show satisfactory returns because of the defensive positions held to offset downturns in the market.  Treasurer’s Report: Year-to-date parish giving is on track for this year.  Finance Manager’s Report: Although expenses exceeded revenue at the end of the third quarter, we see this occasionally within a year due to timing of income available versus expenses in hand. Otherwise, we are on target for the 2015 budget. Working capital is holding steady. The Restricted Funds are being properly segregated and accounted for.  Short-Term Cash Investments: The Committee is seeking information on investing Excess Cash on Hand above our working capital to take advantage of more favorable interest rates.  Budget Preview: A preliminary 2016 Budget was presented in order to lay the groundwork for the proposed 2016 Budget. Openly discussed items were not only the anticipated core costs to run the Parish next year but also the costs of proposed Program Ministries for next year as well. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE  No report PLANNED GIVING  No report STEWARDSHIP  We have received approximately 400 pledges to date.  As of December 1, our average pledge was at just under $2800 per unit, which is up significantly over last year, but we expect this number to drop as more pledges come in. The overall pledged amounts are up about 6% for the pledging population that has come in, which is good news and is at our goal, but again we expect this number to move around significantly as additional pledges are received.  A reminder mailer went out on December 4 to the people who have not pledged yet, asking them to respond to the pledge campaign.  We have a phone-a thon planned for this Sunday from 2 to 3:30 PM to ask people to complete their pledge process.