2023 Annual Meeting Minutes

The annual meeting for 2021-2022 was held on Sunday, March 12th in person and via Zoom after the 10 am service, which was also live streamed. Due to the bylaws change in 2022, the meeting shifted from November to early in the year at the discretion of the vestry.

Parishioners were sent the Annual Report via email with a link in the past two Wednesday emails, and slides from the Annual Report were shown on the screens in the nave, including the agenda.

The meeting was opened with a prayer by The Rev. Dr. Olivia Hilton, one member of a team of clergy during our rector transition. She had just presided and preached at the 10AM service.

Sr. Warden Jo Anne Nelson followed the prayer by noting that this Annual Meeting spans the time from November 21, 2021 to March 2023, though our fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30.

Jo Anne stated that our community has stayed strong during these unusual times of pandemic and a rector transition. We gathered weekly to celebrate our faith, shared in baptisms, weddings, confirmations, and the lives of parishioners who died. Several clergy have supported us during this period.

Social media

Outreach through Facebook and Instagram have brought increased numbers to view our content as the church stretches to reach others. While our Instagram account is fairly new, we reached more than half the number that we did on Facebook.

Rector Search

The vestry has continued to use the priorities established by the parish which guides the search to find an inspirational preacher who is collaborative and an effective communicator who can engage and strengthen our parish.

Outreach, Enrichment and Fellowship

Jr. Wardens Ellen Terpstra (Church) and Ellen Teplitz (Day School) detailed what the parish has been doing in these areas. Not only have we maintained previous commitments to Samaritan Ministry, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Salvation Army Grate Patrol, Service Saturdays and our Haiti Partnership, we initiated “Christmas in July” and delivered to Toys for Tots at our local fire station. Importantly, our annual Rummage Sale returned after the pandemic hiatus.

Enrichment included sessions with our seminarian, Dr. Laura Natta, book study, and the ongoing weekly Bible study via Zoom. While fellowship is part of all that we do at St. Patrick’s, we introduced First Friday Fun events and the “Bourbon Bros”, as well as continuing our monthly Women in Fellowship gatherings.

Financials

Treasurer JB Meek reviewed the financial data as displayed in the annual report, stating that we are on track with pledges and slightly ahead in cash and equity, largely due to the absence of a rector for the past several months.

Day School

On July 1, 2022 we welcomed our new Head of School, Jalene Spain Thomas. Her first Sunday with us was a very hot July 4th. After welcoming paraders assembling for the Annual Palisades 4th of July parade, she joined parishioners to march in the parade.

Jo Anne welcomed Jalene to share her report from the Day School, which was included in the Annual Report. Jalene discussed specific aspects of the work of the Day School, educating children with faith and social justice. She discussed the number of students who use our common spaces each week, described the introduction of several new programs and recent events held in the nave and the Cathedral, the successes of Wolfhound sports teams, and opportunities for Day School adults provided by the Day School Chaplain, The Rev. Ed Thornley. Faith Forums and Lenten offerings are new additions by Fr. Ed.

As in the past, Kankunda Klingenberg leads the younger students in faith journeys with middle school students taking part in planning Chapels. The second service dog, Helen, has been introduced to the community by The Rev. Amy Yount, working with the Canine Warriors program. The parish has been invited to follow Helen’s journey via Instagram.

Social service remains an integral part of the Day School focus. Gifts for Good was re-established after the worst of the pandemic, as well as the continuing work to support St. Etienne in Haiti and our unhoused neighbors through the Grate Patrol.  Jalene invited parishioners to contact her, take a tour of the campuses, and join her for coffee.

Business

The minutes from our last Annual Meeting were approved without edits.

The slate of candidates for the 2023 Vestry were elected through a vote of members in person and online.

Retiring members of the vestry, who will continue with the rector search until a new rector is called—Mary Kathryn Netherton, Bill Pugh, and Antoinette Rodocanachi (not present)—were recognized and presented gifts of appreciation for their service.

The Sr. Warden presented the proposed revision of the bylaws and the context for the revisions. Motions were made and votes of members present and online were counted. The bylaw revision was approved.

The Diocesan Delegates were elected through a vote of members in person and online.

Tech Guild member Seth Garber reported questions and votes from parishioners who participated in the Annual Meeting online.