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Annual Meeting Update
The Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s Cathedral members got off to a prompt start at 12:20 pm, Sunday, January 21, 2007, following the 10:30 Service. The “Invisible Chef” Caterers served lunch. Brad Lovelace, Esq., who headed the Teller Committee, declared there was a quorum and the meeting began with a prayer from the Rev. Canon Mary Moreno Richardson.
Cathedral members approved by a unanimous vote the revised Cathedral by-Laws as presented by our Chancellor, Kendall Squires.
New Chapter Members Elected
There were six candidates to fill four Chapter vacancies. The week before, the candidates appeared at a special Sunday forum. The eClarion carried their pictures, bios, and a brief statement from each nominee. Those elected were Donna Perdue, Russell Okihara, Bart Smoot, and Pamela Crooks. The cathedral membership also unanimously elected the following members to be our delegates to the next diocesan convention: Gillian Barr, Steve Haight, Robert May, Robert Reed, Jill Sanford, Christine Spalding and Stephen Velez-Confer. Martin Hall and Stephen Bluhm were appointed alternate members.
Reports
Cathedral Treasurer Guin Kerstetter gave a report on the 2004 Audit results. She said it was its first full audit in accordance with auditing standards. In accounting language, the Cathedral was given a “clean finding.” For 2005, the Cathedral will conduct a review rather than a full audit. The meeting also included current financial reports and an update on the Endowment Board which manages endowment funds.
Our new Director of Incorporation and Development, Chris Harris, spoke to the luncheon audience. He was happy to say our stewardship pledge program was ahead of last year and there were 70 new pledging members as of the annual meeting. This was critically important because the major pledger to the cathedral died last year and she was giving ten percent of the budget.
Ken Tranbarger, who chairs the Master Plan committee, said we were nearing a time when there would be a call for cathedral members to attend public meetings in support of the proposed development on the cathedral campus of mid-rise condominium buildings and a much-needed completion of the cathedral. Ken directed people to our web site www.stpaulcathedral.org where they could learn more. There is a link there to a special website on the cathedral development progress, including architect drawings of the proposed buildings. That website is http://stpaulsfuture.org.
Robinson Cross Recipients Named
Dr. Bart Smoot and Almira Fort received the Robinson Cross award this year.
In presenting the awards, Dean Richardson said Almira’s name entered the parish rolls in 1959. Since then, in addition to her faithful worship and participation in cathedral programs, she has served as a Verger, a Sacristan, and a member of the Altar Guild. She has served both the English and Spanish speaking congregations. Ms Fort is a member of the stitchery group, an Acolyte and a Chalice Bearer. Almira also volunteers at the Cathedral Collectibles thrift store on Fifth Avenue.
Bart Smoot is a cradle Episcopalian and joined St. Paul’s in October of 1992. Over the past fifteen years, Bart has been a member of Chapter and the Search Committee, Integrity Convener, and, like Almira, an Acolyte and Chalice Bearer.
Dr. Smoot has also served as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. Bart has been cathedral treasurer, participated in the Investment Committee and is on the Discernment Committee for one of the cathedral members seeking ordination. Most interesting, is the fact that a few years ago Bart retired from a successful business career and began medical school. Several years ago, he volunteered to be part of a medical mission team to Haiti.
Congratulations, Bart and Almira!
Warden’s and Dean’s Reports
The People’s Warden, Stephen Velez-Confer, divided his remarks into two parts. The first was on the recent survey of building and grounds needs. The Southern Cross report, as it is called, noted there is a significant amount of deferred maintenance on the cathedral buildings, which date to 1928, when construction first began. Velez-Confer said a plan exists to address these needs as a special fund for that purpose grows. The second part of his report is about the success of Dorcas House, a foster home for children in Tijuana who have one or more parents in prison. Although St. Paul’s took on responsibility for the project just last August, the Dorcas House Committee at St. Paul’s has raised over $100,000 outside the cathedral and has had hands-on ministry at Dorcas House in a variety of activities with the children. News of Dorcas House regularly appears in the eClarion and at the website: www.DorcasHouseFriends.org
Jim Greer, the retiring Dean’s Warden, summarized the Cathedral’s growth and progress in many areas over the past year, and in his remarks reflected the spirit and energy of those who call the Cathedral their spiritual home. He said he was “Honored to be asked to serve, grateful for the chance to get to know the parish and many of its people better” Jim was “happy to have been associated with this remarkable place as I’ve rubbed shoulders in our broader church organization and in our community”. He was “humbled by the real work that so many of you do around here. As I’ve watched you labor; I’ve become eager to put my hands once again to a more tangible plow. The real payoff from holding a leadership position comes from knowing the good things done and the good people doing them here at St Paul’s.”
The Dean’s Warden concluded by saying, “Today’s reports tell the story of real achievement – a summary that should make us all very proud. These past few years have been a steady march of progress.” Jim will be helping in communications as the new editor of the eClarion as of March.
Our Dean, the Very Rev. Scott Richardson made it a point to recognize all the volunteer clergy –staff and non-stipendiary – and our hard working lay staff who contributed to the many Cathedral successes mentioned by other speakers. Dean Richardson renewed his commitment to growth consolidation after so much varied expansion of ministries and outreach. He also highlighted the challenges of deferred Cathedral plant maintenance and pipe organ repairs.
Just before the concluding prayers, Bishop James Mathes came forward and expressed his gratitude for the support of his cathedral and the contribution the clergy and members have made to diocesan life in the past year. Many of those attending said this year’s annual meeting had a very positive energy and spirit.
