Leadership

The All Saints’ vestry met via Zoom on March 16th, with all members in attendance. Guests Andrew Rutledge, Polly Tangora, Anne Cadigan, Liz Futrell, and Andrea Mysen, Director of Ministries, Diocese of Chicago, joined for all or part of the meeting.

This month’s meeting included a review and status update of the new rector search process, and a discussion of options for new initiatives that a Becoming a Beloved Community grant could support. The vestry also discussed the work of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, preparing for post-pandemic worship, the new Welcoming Initiative, filling our remaining Diocesan Representative vacancy, and the February 2021 ASEC financials.

The following business and discussion items were covered during the meeting:

• Review and adoption of February 2021 meeting minutes; income is currently ahead of budget; diocesan pledge payments now being made on monthly basis.
• Keeping God’s People safe mandatory training for all vestry members is complete.
• Diocesan Representative appointee is still pending.
• Andrea Mysen reviewed the rector search process to educate new vestry members.
• Rector Search Committee co-chair Anne Cadigan provided an update on the committee’s work. Final candidates will be determined during meeting on Saturday, March 20. Details were provided regarding remaining committee activities, which include candidate meetings and worship with vestry and essential staff, and interviews with bishop-elect and diocesan director of ministries. Process is on track to have new rector in place by August 1.
• Liz Futrell presented options for new initiatives that could be supported by a Becoming Beloved Community seed grant from the national church. Becoming Beloved Community seed grants provide up to $10k in funding for Episcopal institutions to build capacity and increase engagement in the work of racial justice, healing, and reconciliation. Application deadline is April 12. Liz proposed the following initiatives:
  • Offer another 8-week Speak Up training program, or shorter program that focuses more generally on racial injustice.
  • In collaboration with the Illinois Prison Project, a create series of themed events for community engagement, allowing AS to take Speak Up work to next level and to build relationships in our city. Liz has an established relationship with IPP.
  • Continue to pursue relationship with south-side partner church. A match through the Folded Map Project, has stalled. New options for a partner church can be explored.
• Rector will relocate to adjacent residence at 4548 Hermitage to allow rehab work to begin on rectory in April. Beginning rectory work is delayed; project will not be complete in time for new rector start date. Interim housing will be needed; vestry to consider options at future meetings.
• Tuck pointing work is recommended for Parish Hall within the next few years.
• Presentation of Welcoming Initiative and formation of AS membership Committee will be offered at March 21 Brewed Awakenings Zoom meeting. Susie Griffith and Jen Simokaitis to lead discussion, Stephen and Transition Team to attend to answer questions. Committee leaders to be identified at future meeting.
• Technology updates to accommodate post-pandemic worship will be funded by a parishioner who has offered financial support. Broadcast equipment and internet upgrade are needed; rector will report on progress.
• AS Atrium members have decided how to allocate Bake Auction funds

The next AS vestry meeting is Tuesday, April 20th. All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please email our Interim Rector Stephen Applegate to receive the meeting link.

The All Saints’ vestry met via Zoom on February 16th, with all members in attendance immediately following the Shrove Tuesday FaceBook live service. We were excited to welcome newly-elected members Katrina Kasten, Gina Shropshire, and Nina Wilfred, along with newly appointed members Susie Griffith and Jacqueline WayneGuite. Susie has been appointed to fill the vacancy of Rich Futrell, who was unable to complete his three-year term; Jacqueline has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by John Williams’ move to role as vestry co-warden. Also in attendance at the meeting were non-vestry guests Andrew Rutledge and Polly Tangora.

Discussion and business focused on planning and organization for the year ahead; filling vacancies that remained following elections and those created by newly adopted bylaws; updates from the Buildings and Grounds committee, Rector Search Committee and Transition Team; a review of the January 2021 ASEC financials and the 2021 4546 N. Hermitage LLC annual budget; and a reflection of the ASEC Annual Meeting.

The following business and discussion items were covered during the meeting:

• Review and adoption of January 2021 meeting minutes
• Continuation of vestry one-on-one conversations
• February 27th vestry Zoom mixer and weekend of May 22-23 vestry retreat/outdoor gathering
• Keeping God’s People safe mandatory training for all vestry members to be completed by 3/16/21 vestry meeting
• Margaret Ferguson appointed as ASEC Treasurer. Position established per ASEC bylaws; will provide quarterly financial reports to vestry and congregation and at the annual meeting.
• Jennifer Simokaitis appointed as ASEC Clerk. Position established per ASEC bylaws; acts as official document signer, provides vestry updates to congregation and other duties tbd.
• Creation of Youth Representative to vestry position; further discussion and possible candidates to follow
• Discussion of Diocesan Representative vacancy; potential candidates to be discussed at 3/16/21 meeting.
• ASEC annual meeting was very successful; planning, organization variety of contributors were key. Try to include virtual participation in future for easy participation.
• Plastering and painting of sanctuary complete, floor refinishing to follow with hope for completion in time for return to in-person worship. Estimate received for parish hall tuck pointing.
• Rector candidate interviews held 2/26 – 3/15, final 2-3 candidates tbd at 3/20 meeting, final interviews, possibly in-person, 4/10-26, final decision 5/2. One candidate to be presented to vestry for approval. New Rector tentative start date of 8/1, Stephen will stay until end of June. Andrea Mysen to review vestry role at 3/16 vestry meeting.
• 2021 annual budget for 4546 N. Hermitage discussed and approved. Rental income will cover projected expenses.
• Transition Team recommended creating independent committee to direct work in defining AS membership, welcoming new members, and creating more relationship-building opportunities for members. Introduction of membership committee work at 3/21 Brewed Awakenings. Potential committee members to be discussed at future meeting.
• January ASEC financials reviewed and approved.
• 2021 vestry group photo taken via screenshot of Zoom meeting.

The next vestry meeting is Tuesday. March 16th. All are welcome! If you would like to attend, please email our Interim Rector Stephen Applegate to receive the meeting link.

All Saints’ Vestry met on Tuesday, November 17th – all members were present joined by Stephen, Andrew R., Polly Tangora, Skip Yates, Katrina Kasten, and Dan Hornung. Dave shared an appreciative inquiry guide for Vestries that he had discovered and we discussed how to continue this work in the new year in combination with the storytelling and history work that the Transition Committee is beginning.

Other highlights of the meeting included:

• Reviewed the draft Bylaws – the first in all of All Saints’ history! – and suggested edits. The Bylaws will also be reviewed by the Finance Committee and the Diocesan Chancellor to ensure they are aligned and compliant with all relevant requirements. Any final updates will be made at the next Vestry meeting and then the Bylaws will be voted on by the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
• Discussed the upcoming 183rd Diocesan convention.
• Shared an update on the Greenlining Campaign, including that we only have $45,000 left to collect and transfer, which is $35,000 more than our original goal!
• Update from the Transition Committee, which will be focusing on the issues of “Membership” and “Heritage” in their work in the coming months.
• Search Committee shared that the parish profile is now published, the new All Saints’ website is launched and the position of Rector has been posted.
• Continued updates from the “Space Force” and Building & Grounds Committee about urgent needs and overall campus planning in the longer term. Their report was approved as was an effort to raise funds for urgent Rectory restoration and Parish Hall improvements.
• Discussed Stewardship campaign, which will roll out in the coming weeks and focus on two efforts: the annual operating funds and the immediate needs for the Rectory and Parish Hall.
• Initial discussion of the Annual Meeting which will be on January 24th – it will have an awards show theme and need lots of volunteer support, energy and creativity so please reach out to Andrew Rutledge if you’d like to help!
• The table below shows All Saints’ operating income and expenses through October 2020. (Please note that all negative numbers are shown in parentheses.) The general analysis was that considering the very rough year, we are in great shape. Thank you all for your gifts and support, both financial and otherwise!

                     Oct. 2020      YTD       YTD Budget
Income         28,628    380,779     430,185
Expenses     40,043     407,171     433,998
Net              (11,415)     (26,392)     (3,813)

The next Vestry meeting is on December 15th – as always everyone is welcome.

October 2020

All Saints’ Vestry met on Tuesday, October 20^th – all members were present joined by Stephen, Andrew R., Colin Collette and Polly Tangora. Brit Cooper Robinson and Liz Futrell joined us at the beginning of the meeting to talk about a unique opportunity for fighting racism and building community across our city’s neighborhoods called The Folded Map Project. The Vestry was enthusiastic and supportive of this idea and we look forward to seeing how it further contributes to our work toward Building a Beloved Community.

We then wrapped up our appreciative Inquiry reflection and sharing and talked about how it can coordinate with and support the ideas the Transition Committee has been working on around how to tell and capture the story of All Saints’ and how that can be helpful to the new Rector that we will eventually call. Other highlights of the meeting included:

• Update on the “Space Force” work – full report will be coming from the architectural firm and the committee next month!
• Co-Wardens approved a compensation package recommended by the Search Committee since the last meeting, per the authorization of the Vestry
• The Parish Profile was reviewed and approved to be published as part of the new Rector search process
• The website update will soon go live in October to be ready for the Rector search as well
• The Transition Team report was received and there was a discussion (per above) about how to connect it to the appreciative inquiry process that the Vestry has been doing
• Mexico Outreach Sunday was very successful, exceeding its fundraising goal
• Greenlining Campaign work continues, with funds raised/pledged surpassing $250,000 and a major action with United Power to secure a commitment from State Senate President Harmon for support of 1000 affordable housing units and expanded mental health care services
• The table below shows All Saints’ operating income and expenses through September 2020. (Please note that all negative numbers are shown in parentheses.) We are incredibly grateful for the generous bequest to All Saints’ from Chris Flowers. Thank you all for your gifts and support, both financial and otherwise!

                   Sept. 2020        YTD                  YTD Budget

Income                      20,929              352,017            389,086

Expenses                  38,381              359,343            387,443

Net                              (17,452)           ( 7,326)             1,643

The next Vestry meeting is on November 17^th – as always everyone is welcome. In the meantime, look forward to seeing you at the MANY fantastic events going on in the coming weeks, including:

• October 25^th – November 3^rd: “Novena” Compline for the nation
• October 28^th: Episcopal 101 begins and runs for 4 weeks
• October 29^th: Fermenting Community gathering on Zoom
• November 1^st: All Saints’ Sunday
• November 8^th: All Saints’ Advent begins – many more exciting Advent events to come!