TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR WARDENS:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate this last Sunday service in 2009, we have some important information to share with you.

It was just over a year ago that we received the news of Denise’s decision to retire. The issues surrounding her illness, her decision to retire and then the unexpected death of her son Dorian generated strong emotions and difficult challenges for us to deal with, both as individuals and as a community. Resolving those emotions and dealing with those challenges have required time and effort throughout 2009.

We were fortunate that so soon after Denise’s departure Rev. Marshall Shelly came to Trinity as our Interim Rector. Father Shelly has done a marvelous job of shepherding Trinity through these last few months. We have had moderate increases in attendance and income. We have continued to enjoy our spiritual Sunday mornings. We have also grown our Christian education activities, and look to expand our evangelism.

So when do we start the search for a new rector? After prayerful consideration and discussion with the Vestry, the Diocesan Deployment office and Father Shelly, we believe that Trinity is now ready to move forward on the journey to our next rector.

What is the next step? The next step is for us to answer together the question: “Where are we now and where does God want us to go from here?”

When do we take the next step? The best time for all members of Trinity to work on this issue is when we all gather together for the annual meeting on January 17, 2010. It is the one time each year when we all come together at a single service to pray together, to review the year and to discuss church business. So we plan to use that meeting and the time we have together to advance the process. A long road still lies ahead, but this is a crucial next step.

Who is involved? That’s an easy one. It’s every single member of this congregation. During the annual meeting, we will be listening to each other. We will break up into small groups, with each group led by a member of the Vestry. Everyone will have an opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas.

As we head into a new year, we’re sure everyone will be very busy. However, January 17th is only three weeks away. Please make plans now to attend the annual meeting. Mark it on your calendar, put in your date book, do whatever you can to make sure you will be there. This is your community, your church. Please be a part of the important process that lies ahead.

May God bless us all,

Ed Brakowski Hank Ramsey

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PARISH POSITIONS TO BE FILLED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING:

THE WARDENS AND VESTRY, with the Rector, comprise the governing body of Trinity Episcopal Church. They are responsible for the general operations, finances and all legal matters relating to the church. They set policy and implement and support the programs of the church, including Outreach, Christian Education, Stewardship, etc. Elected members are expected to attend all Vestry meetings, which are scheduled monthly except during the summer.

Here is an excerpt from "Vestries in the Episcopal Church" by Robert R. Hansel:

THE VESTRY is the elected lay leadership of a parish. The vestry is entrusted with the temporal affairs of the church, tasked to work with financial aspects of church life, work with the rector and other lay leaders on program, mission and evangelism for the good of the church locally, regionally and nationally. They function as a “trustee” body, making sure the best interests of the local church are being managed on a regular basis. As trustees, they carry a dual responsibility: to carry out a set of legal mandates as officers of a chartered corporation; and to be the decision makers of a congregation that is committed not merely to preservation of a physical institution but engagement in ministry and mission that is constantly changing.

THE WARDENS. . . are the chief stewards and servants of the ongregation. The word wardens means managers or stewards, not jailkeepers as is often mistakenly assumed. Many of their peculiar functions have evolved historically. They are responsible for making sure worship services are held on a regular basis, even if there is no rector; they see that bread and wine are furnished for the Eucharist; they are to see that
money is collected and distributed to relieve human suffering; they must communicate with the bishop when there is a rector vacancy and when the parish is ready to elect a new rector; they may preside at some vestry meetings or the annual meeting of the congregation in the absence of a rector."

DEPUTIES TO CONVENTION are Trinity's voting lay representatives at the annual Diocesan Convention, held on a Friday and Saturday in early March. Elected delegates will be expected to attend both the Friday and Saturday sessions and, depending upon the location, will have a Friday overnight stay. Work at convention includes electing members of various Diocesan committees, voting on policy and other business.

THE MONMOUTH CONVOCATION, one of eight convocations in the Diocese of New Jersey, is a group of about 25 parishes in Monmouth and Northern Ocean counties. Delegates from each parish attend meetings of the convocation, which are typically held on a Sunday afternoon, two or three times a year.

Trinity Church Annual Meeting

January 17, 2010

There shall be an annual meeting in every Parish, for the election of officers, prayers having been said immediately before said meeting, and due notice having been given. (Can 49, section 1)

MINUTES

Opening

Call to Order A motion to open the meeting was made by Warden, Hank Ramsey at 9:27 am.

Opening Prayer read by Father Marshall Keith Shelly

Almighty and ever living God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mission Statement (Read together)

The Mission of Trinity Episcopal Church is: to live the faith of Jesus Christ in a community of worship by loving one another, embracing all and celebrating our diversity, to nurture and strengthen our spiritual lives through Christian Education, Charity and Evangelism, and to be a visible presence in serving Jesus Christ through active worship and ministries.

Appointments for the meeting

Father Marshall Shelly appointed the following persons

Secretary: Judy Ramsey

Election Tellers: Ed Brakowski, Rick Fraizer

Child Care: Chelsea Alston, Will Alston

Attendance and Qualification

read by Hank Ramsey

Attendance Sheet All church members in attendance are requested to sign the attendance roster

Qualification of Voters: Voters must be baptized, over the age or 16, faithful in worship and regular contributors to the expenses of the parish.

Qualification for Vestry or Warden: Candidates should be over the age of 16, faithful in worship and regular contributors to the expenses of the parish, be able to attend vestry meetings and retreats, and participate in continuing Christian Education.

Review and Acceptance of the Minutes of the 2009 Annual Meeting.

The minutes of the 2009 Annual meeting were accepted. Hank Ramsey made a motion to approve the minutes. Katie Belko seconded the motion; motion carried.

Report of the Nominating Committee

Nominating Committee: Hank Ramsey, chairman, Lisa Alston, Fred Tuccillo, and Carol O’Brien, members

Ballot: See attached Ballot for nominees

Nominations From The Floor

For Monmouth Convocation—Betty Moran

Election or Unanimous Ballot.

Motion to close nominations by Katie Belko, seconded by Ed Brakowski ; motion carries

Motion to cast a ballot for all uncontested positions by Hank Ramsey, seconded by Mike Gow; motion carries.

Presentation of Reports by Title

At the annual meeting, reports are presented by the leader of each organization. The reports have been submitted in advance, and are published in the annual report for each member of the congregation to read before the meeting. Each report is announced by title, and becomes a part of the proceedings of this annual meeting. After all the leaders of these organizations have completed the presentation of the reports, we will have a brief time for questions about the reports.

Reverend Marshall Shelly: I present the report of the Interim Rector by title and move its acceptance.

Reverend Marshall Shelly: I present the report of the Rector’s Discretionary Fund by title and move its acceptance. * No Report

Deacon Terry Suruda: I present the report of the Deacon by title and move its acceptance.

Ed Brakowski: I present the report of the Senior Warden by title and move its acceptance.

Hank Ramsey: I present the report of the Junior Warden by title and move its acceptance.

George Cullinan I present the report of Music Ministry by title and move its acceptance.

*Presented by Father Marshall Shelly

Michael Gow: I present the report of the Youth Group by title and move its acceptance.

Carol O’Brien: I present the report of the Finance Committee by title, and move its acceptance.

*Presented by Ed Brakowski

Robin Martino: I present the report on Christian Education by title, and move its acceptance.

Meredith Twyman: I present the report on Fundraising by title, and move its acceptance.

Lisa Perry: I present the report on Parish Life by title, and move its acceptance.

Karen Holder: I present the report on Pastoral Care by title, and move its acceptance.

Linda Kallahan: I present the report on Outeach by title, and move its acceptance.

Erold Hines: I present the report on Stewardship by title, and move its acceptance.

Dominick Perotta: I present the report on Buildings & Grounds by title, and move its acceptance.

Sonia Brakowski: I present the report of the Columbarium Committee by title, and move its acceptance.

*Presented by Ed Brakowski

Reverend Marshall Shelly: I present the report on Statistics by title, and move its acceptance.

No changes to reports. Motion to accept reports by Hank Ramsey, seconded by Susan Boyd; motion carried.

Presentation of Budget as approved by the Vestry

Carol O’Brien: Presentation of updated financial information or reports

Due to the absence of Carol O’Brien, Ed Brakowski presented the Budget of 2010.

No comments

Report of Voting Results

Thanks to those who Serve

Thanks to those who have completed their service

- Pete Bellew, for 6 years service on the Building & Grounds committee

- Sonia Brakowski, for 8 years as parish secretary

- Ed Brakowski, for 2 years as Warden

Father Marshall Shelly presented the outgoing Vestry members and secretary a gift for their service to Trinity.

Thanks to Treasurer

- Rosemary Atterbury, who is continuing as Treasurer.

Installation of the Vestry----Father Marshall Keith Shelly

Leader: I present to you these persons to be admitted to the ministry of Wardens and Vestry in this Congregation. The Lord gives wisdom. From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.

Warden and Vestry: I am your servant. Grant me understanding that I may know your decrees

Leader: Let us pray. O Eternal God, the foundation of all wisdom and the source of all courage: Enlighten with your grace the Wardens and Vestry of this congregation, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsels that in all things they may seek your glory and promote the mission of your Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leader: In the Name of God and of this congregation, I commission you as Warden / Member of the Vestry in this Parish, and give you this pin as a token of your ministry.

Resolutions of Courtesy ---Hank Ramsey requested copies of the meeting to be sent to the following:

The Bishop George Councell, Bishop of New Jersey

The Bishop Sylvestre Romero, Assisting Bishop of New Jersey

The Right Reverend Louis Fernando Ruiz, Bishop of our companion Diocese of Central Ecuador

The Very Reverend George M. Jaeger

The Reverend Charles D. Ridge

The Reverend Susan N. Blue

The Reverend William Tibbett

The Reverend Denise P. Mantell

Closing and Adjournment

Motion to close the meeting by Hank Ramsey, seconded by All. Motion carries. Meeting adjourned at 9:56 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Judith Ramsey

Secretary of the Annual Meeting, 2010

BALLOT

For Warden (1) until January 2012 – 2 year term

Barbara England (first term) _________________________

For Vestry Members (3) until January 2013 – 3 year term.

Carol O’Brien (second term) _________________________

Dominick Perotta (first full term) _________________________

Paul Zahray (first term) _________________________

For Diocesan Convention Delegate (convention is March 5-6, 2010)

Judy Ramsey _________________________

Lisa Alston _________________________

Susan Boyd _________________________

The following persons have expressed an availability to serve as alternate delegates, but do not seek to be elected as delegate: Hank Ramsey, Chelsea Alston, Eric Lesniak, Jolynn Kawoczska

For Monmouth Convocation (until January 2011, - 1 year term)

Dot Hospodar _________________________

Rosemary Atterbury _________________________

Katie Belko _________________________

Fred Tuccillo _________________________

Alicia Fehley _________________________

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