Vestry Notes from Vestry Clerk Randy Marks
The Vestry and Finance Committee met jointly on November 19. Highlights:
- Discussion of the 2024 financial situation, including that we are behind on pledge payments for the year and the need to remind our members of the importance of paying their pledges.
- Discussion of the 2025 budget, Which includes changing the health benefits of the Staff to a low-tier plan with a higher deductible because there was a 12% increase in the current plan’s cost. The personnel committee suggested a one-time cash payment for this year. We acknowledge that this does change the face of our benefits to our staff for years to come. We also have to look at the impact of not meeting our pledge goal
- A presentation about the Youth and Family Ministries program, which is experiencing explosive growth and vibrancy.
- Appointment of Jan Lipscomb as our third Diocesan Delegate.
- Updates on the Raiford Gaffney and Don Mosher bequests to the Parish.
- Agreement to research whether the church benefited from slavery as part of a Diocesan-wide discussion of reparation.
- Establishing the responsibilities of our lay Diocesan Delegates.
- Approval of a fundraiser for the Choir’s Summer Tour to England.
Contact me at clerk[at]stmarks.net with questions or to attend this or a future meeting. See the website (https://www.stmarks.net/who-we-are/leadership-and-governance/the-vestry/) for Vestry members and meeting minutes.