St. Alban's Episcopal Church

(Look for past meeting minutes  - coming soon)

St. Alban’s

Bishop Committee

April 7, 2008

508

Present: Rev. Peter Champion, Sr. Warden Carol Richardson, Bob Albritton, Christine Buxton, Al Dias, Rose Dias, Cathy Massoni, Jeanne Virgilio, Megan Williamson

Absent: Chuck Brackett, Marilyn Lamport, Melissa Standridge, Tarlene Davis (arrived late)

Other: Marigrace Williamson

Called to order by Peter @ 7:00 and he lead us in prayer

Approval of Minutes:

Approval of the March 3 minutes were approved as corrected.  They will be posted in the

and forwarded to Michael Barlowe via e-mail.

From Senior Warden Carol

on Thursday evening, March 20^th, 2008.

“Last Sunday Fr. Peter announced that he has been offered and accepted the position of Rector at

Treasurers Report:

• Treasurer’s Report accepted as presented.  Marigrace reminded us that the report continues to reflect Diocesan support for Peter and pledges that have been paid in advance
• Some numbers will need to be reconciled as we configure salary costs for new interim priest
• Marigrace will look into deposit for Pancake supper

Junior Warden Report: Bob Albritton

• On April 19^th there will be a work party to install new drips and repair sprinklers.  Bob assured us that he had volunteers so even with the late notice there would be people to work
• Another “work day” will be scheduled in May

Senior Warden Report: Carol Richardson

•  Carol spoke with Michael Barlowe today.  It can be announced that Fr. George Ross will serve as an interim for the next 2-3 months. Carol will be speaking with Fr. Ross to work out details and salary.
• The Diocese will be actively involved in the search for a permanent priest.  It is unclear at this time the definition of active or the role the BC will take in the search
• Carol reported that, per Michael Barlowe, the Dioceses’ plan is to hire a full time priest  for a 3 year commitment with an evaluation to take place after that time
• The priest will be very active in the East County “going forward” plans
• Based on sound fiscal planning by the Bishops’ Committee, the Diocese will continue to financially support  St. Alban’s so that there will be a full time priest after the interim

Interim Priest’s Report

• Peter will remain on the East County Steering Committee but he will also check with St. John’s senior and junior warden to make sure that it is OK with them as well
1. It was mentioned that historically the Diocese has not communicated well with St. Alban’s but that appears to be improving
2. Peter has asked Chuck to be liaison between East County Steering Committee and St. Alban’s and other communication methods at St. Alban’s
3. April 26^th there will be a day-long retreat for the East County Steering Committee.  Amber (St. George’s vicar) Michael Barlowe and Julia McGray Goldsmith are doing the planning.  Peter is not involved in the planning.
4. Transparency is essential and he asked for prayers on a daily basis for the committee.
• Peter’s remaining time with St. Alban’s
1. Finish our Goals BC began at BC Retreat. We agreed to meet on April 13^th.  12:30-3:30. Cathy will coordinate the lunch.
2. Many home visits
3. Using pulpit time for messages of hope, optimism, focus on the future
• Facility use
1. Boy Scouts of America asked to use facility one evening per month.  Peter will follow-up and will turn all information over to Bob Albritton
2. Weight Loss Program-will wait to see if there is more information. 
3. Each group does need to have a $1,000,000 rider on their insurance naming St. Alban’s and the Diocese of California
• Combined Service Survey
1. Overall very positive for continuing the combined service once per month and followed by a potluck
2. Almost 60 surveys returned
3. Comments were positive and easy to understand
4. Other needs were addressed on survey
5. Peter has asked Marigrace Williamson to look into a “divorce” support group
6. Perhaps we will have a way of communicating a reminder to increase attendance.  Peter suggested a post card mailed a few days before.
• National Worship Survey
1. St. Alban’s was selected as one of 1100 churches nation wide to complete a survey
2. Peter asked the BC members to complete parts they could and return to him.  He will then summarize and submit the survey on line for St. Alban’s
• Report on proposed objectives
1. Cathy Massoni, Tarlene Davis and Jeanne Virgilio presented Objectives for Goal #1 (see attached)
• Covenant Groups
1. Peter reflected that Covenant Groups had still not taken off at St. Alban’s
2. Peter will ask Mary Clare Caruthers to spearhead the movement and to see if the groups can get going
3. Peter mentioned that Covenant Groups are a good way to have a place for new members to fit into.

New Business and Parking Lot Issues

• Cathy mentioned that St. Alban’s still appears in the paper as hosting Dove’s Landing.  Cathy will contact the religious editor to see if problem can be resolved
• Jeanne suggested an idea for sharing some of the “workload”.  Carol asked her to submit in writing. (at bottom of these minutes)
• Weekly count of “plate” as well as clean-up is NOT being done.  Cathy will see if she can contact parishioners to make phone calls as reminders. 
• Hospitality will be “discontinued” after second service until the issue of clean-up can be addressed.  Peter will announce the change on Sunday morning
• Assistant Treasure schedule needs to be “re-instituted” and EVERYONE on the BC needs to take responsibility for their time

Next Meetings

• April 13, 2008  (12:30-3:30)
• May 5, 2008
• June 2, 2008

Closed in Prayer at 8:55 by Senior Warden Carol

Respectfully submitted by

Jeanne Virgilio, Secretary

Jeanne’s Idea

There are 12 people on the BC.  If each of us took on “leadership” for one month, it would really help share the workload.  The person would be the lead (or we could have pairs and do it 2 times per year).  When it is your turn at the helm you would be the “go to” person for the month making sure that all the holes were filled up, phone reminders, communicating with both priest/senior warden, set-up and or clean-up for any event was arranged for, just generally taking on whatever was needed for a month.  Each BC member would then contact a small circle of people to be their team for the month.

“Faith is the assurance of the answer to all we take into prayer. With God, the healing, the guidance, the peace that we seek or that others seek are indeed ours. Faith is holding to the blessings we know to be true even when physical symptoms and feelings of concern indicate otherwise.”