St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church:

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Annual Meeting

25 September 2011

Reports to the Annual Meeting of 2011 will be posted in the order in which they are submitted, beginning with minutes from last year's meeting on September 26, 2010:

The Call to Order, report of the Nominating Committee, and Call for Nominations from the floor took place before the 10:00 a.m. service. (The slate of nominations had been read earlier, as well, at the 8:00 a.m. service.) The meeting was re-called to order at 11:45 a.m., with forty-seven persons in attendance. Prayer was offered and the meeting continued as recorded below.

Elections

Father O’Flynn, reporting on behalf of the Nominating Committee (comprised of the outgoing vestry members (John Bowen, Liz Brackett, Janice Frutiger, and Vivian Phoenix)), read the slate of nominations: Barbara Bartlett, Jane McKnight, and Lynn Staley, all for three-year terms, and Jim Franklin, warden, a two-year term. There was a motion to elect the nominees; the motion was seconded; the nominees were elected unanimously.

Clerk’s Report

There was a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the 2009 meeting; the motion carried unanimously. There was a motion to approve the minutes of 27 September 2009; the minutes were approved unanimously.

Rector’s Report

Fr. O’Flynn highlighted several items from his lengthy report. He announced that he was planning to use the remaining funds from his portion of the Lilly Grant to visit the Holy Land for one week at the end of November. He also stated that he was in the process of inviting several speakers to visit the parish. First amongst these will be Donncha MacGabhann who is researching the Book of Kells.

Fr. O’Flynn thanked the outgoing vestry members for their dedication and support. He expressed his gratitude to the members of the parish staff (Nan Schmitt and Dianne Adams McDowell) for their continuing heroic service, Kevin Roberson and Dee Keller (our much-valued sextons), John Bowen and Deede Van Der Mandele (our wardens), Nancy Schult (our treasurer), and the clerk. Additionally, he expressed great thanks to the members of the Parish Life Commission (and their many occasional supporters) for putting together the luncheon offered at the Annual Meeting, as well as for their good work in support of various occasions throughout the year.

Wardens’ Report

Owing to a recent death in the family, John Bowen was absent. Deede Van Der Mandele expressed her gratitude for the many persons who have supported her, the vestry, and the parish throughout the year. Then she welcomed Jim Franklin onto the vestry, stating that “she looked forward to working with him.”

Treasurer’s Report

Jerome Brown, reporting on behalf of Nancy Schult who was absent, pointed out several items in the budget. First he noted that, in comparison with the budget at this time in 2009, the parish’s endowment income has risen owing, in large part, to the partial recovery of the stock market. Second, he noted that the budget is currently showing a deficit of just over $2500, which is far below the deficit recorded at the end of August, 2009. “Basically,” he stated, “we’re in a good position. It is typical that pledge income vacillates over the summer months when parishioners are away on vacation; and any deficit tends to disappear by the latter part of the calendar year when donors get caught up.”

Additionally, Jerry reported that the annual fuel oil bill had been paid. Fr. O’Flynn anounced that there seemed to be a surplus of around 400 gallons of oil this year so that only an additional 2800 gallons had been purchased.

In explaining why several figures had to be written by hand onto the treasurer’s report, Fr. O’Flynn explained that persistent software gremlins had erased the “endowment income” line in the treasurer’s report; however, attempts to sort out these problems continue.

Special Report: Memorial Garden

Deede Van Der Mandele presented an update on plans for the memorial garden, noting that updates had been published in the Tidings over the summer. She drew attention to the sketch (drawn by Aidan O’Flynn) depicting the church and lychgate. She also noted that a draft of a plan for the eastern section of the churchyard—the area designated as a more formal garden—had been submitted by Michael Brennan around the end of June and that the working group, meeting in mid-August, thought that it might be worthwhile to explore a different design. They have asked Hannah McClennen to submit an alternate plan, which will feature walkways in a “figure 8.” Further, Deede reported that memorial garden working group is grateful to Rose Novak who has agreed to work with Brennan as a consultant on plants. Finally Deede informed those gathered that at their September 15^th meeting the vestry voted to retain Hannah as a design consultant and Michael Brennan as our landscaper. Irene Brown wondered whether the Colgate Inn would provide some kind of screening near the south side of the property so that the garden would be shielded from their parking lot expansion. Deede assured everyone that she had met with officials from the Inn and had been promised that either fencing or hedges would be installed.

Tom Brackett asked whether the vestry had come to a conclusion regarding burial markers. Fr. O’Flynn commented that this issue had been aired thoroughly by the vestry. Their decision to disallow markers in the garden (but to mount brass plates on a board inside the church) had been articulated clearly in the guidelines adopted by that group (and subsequently published in the vestry minutes) that there would be a memorial board for name plates inside the church, but no individual markers in the yard.

Ed Sitts asked whether a formal budget had been drawn up for the project. Fr. O’Flynn noted that a donation had come in to pay for the construction of the lych gate and fence on the western side of the yard, and that a memorial garden fund has been set up for further donations. Committals (for which the customary fee has been set by the vestry, in the Guidelines, at $500) will also provide income; and it is hoped that, over time, members of the congregation and/or their families and friends might donate specific elements of the garden, in consultation with the garden committee. Deede Van Der Mandele clarified that a very generous gift had come in during the summer from Ed Vantine. (Ed was thanked with thunderous applause.) Dick Frost asked about the vestry’s objection to individual burial plaques. Liz Brackett responded that the vestry wanted the garden to have the feel of a natural, wooded area, the “feel of a garden.” Fr. O’Flynn added that the vestry wanted to keep the design as simple as possible. Ann Beattie suggested that a particular planting might mark the spot of an interment. Fr. O’Flynn offered to reprint the published guidelines again so that parishioners who missed them the first time around could review them. He commented, “ The vestry has been working on this project steadily over the past two years. During that time there have been many careful deliberations. Only in the past few months has this conversation started to take shape in more concrete planning. The garden will continue to grow and change over a period of many years.”

Commission Reports

· Worship: Fr. O’Flynn, reporting on behalf of Carol Compton, observed that the parish had experienced many interesting moments during the past year, including the Epiphany celebration honoring Fr. Donald Berry, Eucharistic liturgies led by wonderful visiting priests during the summer of 2010, and Rite 1/ Rite 2 Morning Prayer led by lay readers.

· Altar Guild: Mea Martineau reported that the Guild is missing Louise Milner who passed on during the year. However, “after looking for new blood for thirty-five years,” she said, “we have found it in Judy Brown, Hilary Tisdale, and Kate Klein. We are grateful too for continuing members, Bev McKay and June Schaupp.”

· Flower Guild: Jana Laxa reported that the Flower Guild offers many opportunities for participation and that the group is always looking for persons who would be willing to join the existing members. “Especially during the Christmas and Easter vacations, when parishioners are out of town, we would be happy for some extra support,” Jana explained.

· Outreach: Maureen Fox expressed the Commission’s enthusiasm at having received some extra funding this year (made possible by the Diocese of CNY). “This gave us the opportunity to do some new and important things,” she said. “A full list of the Commission’s numerous activities is provided in the printed report for the current meeting.”

· Parish Life: An enthusiastic round of applause expressed the congregation’s appreciation for the much-revered Parish Life Commission (“bakers of tasty cookies and brownies,” amongst their many other talents).

· Budget and Finance: Jerome Brown noted that the annual audit was “fine.” Fr. O’Flynn stated that he and the vestry were thrilled with the current internal Audit Committee, led by Jerry (with Debbie Barker and Ed Vantine). Applause rang out.

· Buildings and Grounds: Fr. O’Flynn, reporting for Dave McKay, characterized the past year as “very busy.” He pointed out the lengthy list of items in Dave’s report and explained that some projects (for instance, the issue of handicap access in the entrance to parish hall) are still in progress.

· Adult Education: Fr. O’Flynn briefly reviewed the activities of this Commission and commented that, following Donncha MacGabhann’s visit in October, more activities would be planned for the months ahead. At this point in the meeting it was rumored that these might include a lecture on “cool art in catacombs.”

· Youth Group/Acolytes: Debbie Barker reviewed the purposes of the youth group and asked those present to keep an eye out for children within the larger community who might be interested in joining the group. She thanked Fr. O’Flynn and the many parent-volunteers within the parish for their assistance. “All this keeps us young,” she said. Debbie then outlined her acolyte training program and again thanked those present for their ongoing help.

· Church School: Fr. O’Flynn pronounced the church school to be in “good health.” See Regina Conti’s printed report for further details.

· Stewardship: Fr. O’Flynn announced that Nancy Heck has agreed to serve as chair of the Stewardship Commission. Riotous applause followed. Nancy announced that November 14^th will be Pledge Sunday. “It is the 175^th anniversary of St. Thomas’ Church,” she stated, “and more news related to this will follow soon.”

· Church Garden: Gina Sakal announced that she had been “truly amazed” by the abundance of vegetables produced by the parish garden for the local Food Cupboard. (So vigorous was the output that the garden was apparently continuing to yield potatoes even as the clerk was writing these minutes.) Deede Van Der Mandele declared that Karen Baase (“who had done 95% of the work”) needed to be recognized as the primary attendant of the garden. Karen then thanked those who had helped to make the project a success and, in particular, the members of the youth group who had come to the rescue during a “weeding crisis.”

· Autism Ministry: Janet O’Flynn brought everyone up to date on activities sponsored by the Cloud of Witnesses. She was pleased with the progress accommodations that have been made by members of the faculty and administration at the Hamilton Central School. “Autism awareness is up!” she declared.

[A detailed report, describing the activities of each commission more fully than the comments highlighted in the section above, was appended to the minutes of the 2009 Annual Meeting and distributed to all attending the 2010 meeting. Readers should consult this report for the fullest set of accounts by commission chairs.]

Other Business

Ed Vantine embellished Deede Van Der Mandele’s earlier announcement by expressing how pleased he was to donate the lych gate and fence in honor of Betsy’s 75^th birthday. “We both love this church,” he said, a comment met by warm applause from everyone present.

Necrology

A prayer was offered for John Bowen, Sr. (the recently-deceased father of the senior warden), and parishioners Anne Lorenz, Stewart McKnight, Louise Milner, and Ann Peek.

There was a motion to adjourn and the meeting ended at 1:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Cerasano, Clerk of the Vestry

Commission Reports to the 2011 Meeting

Altar Guild Annual Report

2011-2012

The work of the Altar Guild is to set the stage for every worship service, according to the wishes of the priest. Plans for the year may vary according to season and reason. Special services are celebrated, as needed. We do our best to get it right in spite of being a small group – and we do need to keep up as things change.

This year, we are missing Hillary Tisdale, who has moved away. Anyone interested in joining us would very much be welcomed.

A new member would train along side of a seasoned one so no one would be left alone to do the job until it felt comfortable to do so.

Please consider joining us. We only meet twice a year – for our “Polishing Party” before Christmas and Easter.

Respectfully submitted,

Mea Martineau,

Altar Guild Directress

Judy Brown

Marlene Houck

Kate Klein

Bev McKay

June Schaupp

Parish Life Commission 2011

The Parish Life Commission provides food (and, therefore, fellowship) for special events throughout the year including baptism and funeral receptions and special church occasions.

The following is a list of those events we hosted from the past year:

Annual Meeting Luncheon: Sunday, September 26, 2010, 11:30 AM, Parish House

Provided meat and cheese platters for sub sandwiches prepared by Wayne’s Market, beverages, and hospitality

Festive Coffee Hour celebrating Fr. O’Flynn’s 25^th anniversary to the priesthood:

Sunday, January 2, 2011, 11:30 AM, Parish House

Provided a variety of finger foods, beverages, and hospitality under the direction of Jane Utegg, and Sharon Stevens provided cake

Newcomer Breakfast: Sunday, January 30, 2011, 9:00 AM, Parish House

Provided breakfast casseroles, quiches, beverages, and hospitality

Sharon Stevens provided cake

Special Birthday Coffee Hour for Mea Martineau:

Sunday, February 13, 2011, 11:15 AM, Parish House

Provided breakfast casseroles, finger foods, beverages, and hospitality

Sharon Stevens provided cake

Shrove Tuesday Breakfast-y Supper:

Tuesday, March 8, 5:30 PM, Parish House

Provided breakfast casseroles, pancakes, desserts, and beverages

Safe Church Training: Saturday, May 21, 1:00 AM-4:00 PM, Parish House

Provided cheese and crackers, cookies, and beverages (like a coffee hour)

Funeral Reception for John Blackmore:

Friday, July 1, 2011, 11:00 AM, Parish House

Provided meat and cheese platters for sub sandwiches prepared by Wayne’s Market, beverages, and hospitality

Annual Parish Picnic: Sunday, August 28, 11:30 AM, Parish House

Provided baked chicken and rolls prepared by Wayne’s Market, beverages, and hospitality (by candlelight with no electricity, as a tree came down in the Rectory driveway!)

We will continue to do what we have been doing, as everyone seems to enjoy it. However, if anyone else would like to join us, we can always use the extra help!

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schmitt, for Parish Life Commission

Millie Franklin, Marlene Houck, (Amy Jerome), Dee Keller, (Cathy Lamphier), Mea Martineau, Deb Radford, Gina Sakal

Church School Commission Report

2010-2011

I am delighted to report another successful year in Church School. The children read Bible stories and completed related activities, crafts & games, with ideas drawn from the “One Room Sunday School” curriculum. Most often we worked with the entire group of children aged K-6^th grade, because most of our regular attendees were 4^th graders making it awkward to divide into a larger and smaller group. The program served 15 children in total, although generally 6-10 children attended each week. Sometimes the topics seemed to diverge too far from the church calendar and so we did some switching of lessons to prepare children for each holiday. Many thanks to those who taught, including Deb Barker, Gwynnie Davies, Sue Geier, Amy Jerome, Dawn LaFrance, Kerry Linden, Beth McKinnon, Nancy Rivington, and Nancy Schult.

At the end of the year, we had a meeting in which we discussed ideas for enriching our programming for this year. We look forward to having children’s liturgy, a song to begin our lesson each week, and a more carefully organized set of lessons with the help of Father O’Flynn.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Conti

Senior Warden Report to the Annual Meeting 2011

This has been a very fruitful year for St. Thomas’. Not only did we end up in the black at years end in December, thanks to your generous contributions, but we accomplished many projects to enhance our worship services and use of the facilities. We are a very blessed parish with many dedicated, generous, and hardworking parishioners who love St. Thomas’.

Guidelines and designs for the much awaited Memorial Garden were completed and approved by the vestry. With the most generous donation from the Vantine family in honor of Betsy Vantine’s 75^th birthday, a lychgate and fencing were erected to begin the project. We celebrated a blessing of the lychgate on August 28, 2011 at our annual picnic.

We celebrated the 25^th anniversary of Fr. Donnel O’Flynn’s ordination with a party during coffee hour on January 2, 2011. We presented him with a silver Celtic cross engraved with the date and St. Thomas’.

In March, the vestry attended a retreat at St. Margaret’s House in New Hartford, NY to reflect on our Parish and to get to know one another better. We discussed the “Eight Characteristics of a Healthy Church,” which were part of Bishop Adams’ Formation Presentation at the 2010 Diocesan Convention. We concluded that St. Thomas’ is in fact a very healthy, thriving parish.

For the first time in more than ten years we have launched a Capital Campaign for some much needed repairs and projects. We are confident the funds will be raised. Many of these projects have already been started or completed including the construction of a handicap ramp in the Parish Hall, installation of a sound system in the Parish, and the completion of a downstairs bathroom in the Rectory.

We have accomplished much this year and are especially thankful for Fr. O’Flynn’s leadership and guidance for this parish.

Deede van der Mandele

Senior Warden

Rector’s Report to the Annual Meeting of 2011

This time last year I was focused on re-entering parish life after being away for three months in the summer. However, I also needed to finish up important aspects of the Clergy Refresher Leave sponsored by the Lilly Endowment. There were still significant funds left over from that grant and I wanted to make the very best use of them. I will start my report with a summary of what we did to bring home all that Janet and I had been learning about the symbol of the Cross.

My first task was to learn how to create power point presentations, which I did with some help from Tom Brackett. In addition to showing photos here, I also used the Brackett’s projector for road shows with groups at Colgate, the Utica/Rome Episcopal clergy, and First Baptist Church. My sermon series in October and November inspired one parishioner to call 2010, “The Year of the Cross.” Using unexpended funds from the parish part of the grant we brought in several outside speakers, experts in their fields. Most ambitious was to fly in Don McGabhann, doctoral candidate at London University, from Ireland, to do a weekend on the Book of Kells. Later, we enjoyed presentations from Tad Myers, interim chaplain at Harvard University, on early Christian art, and Canon Bob Edmunds, of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, on the Holy City past and present. From closer to home, Colgate professors Georgia Frank and Carol Anne Lorenz came to speak on Christian pilgrimage and Ethiopian crosses. All in all, it was a remarkable set of presentations.

An unexpected extra was the opportunity for me to spend the first week in Advent in the Holy Land. By a quirk of Providence, my summer travels occurred when the US dollar was unusually strong, and I found that after doing everything I planned there was still money left over. Using it to go to places like Golgotha and the Tomb of Christ, was an unforgettable privilege. It has deeply influenced the way I visualize and understand many parts of the Bible. When I came home on December 8, there was two feet of snow on the ground! But there was a song in my heart.

In March 2011, we completed our final report to the Lilly Endowment, which was duly acknowledged by the Director. In closing the file on the Grant she wrote, “Your parish is to be commended on the high level of enthusiasm it demonstrated for the renewal program. In fact, the people of St. Thomas’ have much to teach other congregations about preparing for renewal programs, supporting the pastor throughout the process, and then living into the life-giving impact such an experience can have.”

What to do for an encore? Well, as it happened, simply surviving the winter of 2010/11 was a challenge in its own right. Snow started early and lasted long. Even though Easter was as late as it will ever be in our lifetimes, April 24 this year, there were still flurries in the days preceding. I don’t think I am just projecting when I say winter seemed to wear us down this year. I want to thank one and all for keeping our worship going through snowdrifts and frigid Sunday mornings. Sometimes we forget that just getting together on the Lord’s Day is a privilege not to be taken for granted.

On a happier note, this past year we honored St. Thomas’ parish on the occasion of our turning 175 years old. Starting with the observance on September 21, 2010, we enjoyed liturgical music from the 19^th century, thanks to some creative digging by Dianne. Rose Novak found historical items to put in issues of the Tidings. We also undertook what I will most connect with our 175^th observance, namely, tangible work towards the completion of the St. Thomas’ Memorial Garden. Most notably, thanks to a gift from the Vantine family, the remarkable new lychgate in the side yard was constructed. It marks the transition from the churchyard into the peaceful area for committing of ashes. It has been a slow process to arrange the yard and the Garden in the way we now have, but I do not regret the years of planning and discussion. The Garden has evolved organically, step by step, and it simply would not have been possible to lay it all out in one master plan at the very beginning. I am convinced that what we have come to is a fitting and touching arrangement, one that we will be proud to make available to members, families, and friends of St. Thomas’. I wish to thank everyone who has been involved in any part of the process. We will be announcing plans for reserving a space in the Garden; my goal is to have this process completely in place by year’s end.

Last but not least, in the anniversary connection, we undertook a capital funds campaign to celebrate our 175^th. Members of the Vestry worked hard with me to finalize our list of projects, get bids, and promote the appeal. The early returns have been most encouraging, and I thank all who have supported it. Asking our members and friends for gifts over and above their regular pledges is not something we undertake lightly, especially not in financially difficult times. I think we will all be proud of how things will look once our project list is complete. It will occupy us for several months to come, and I pledge we will do our best to use your money responsibly and well.

Another important event was a retreat I took with the Vestry last March. We went to St. Margaret’s House in New Hartford one Saturday morning, and reflected prayerfully on our life together. Our discussions were guided by an assessment tool called “Eight Signs of a Healthy Parish.” We reviewed this list and gave ourselves a checkup, concluding that basically St. Thomas’ is a healthy parish. However, we are determined not to rest on our laurels, and came up with some resolutions for the future. Like all resolutions, they may not be accomplished immediately. But I have certainly had them in mind since that time. One resolution was to be more systematic about responding to personal and family crises of our members, with visits, meals, and so forth coordinated by a new committee. To be honest, we haven’t done much about this yet, but I would like to mention it here in case any of you would like to be part of such an effort. Let me know! Another goal was to better inform the Colgate student population of events here at St. Thomas’. We did put an ad in the Maroon at Easter, which seemed to make a difference as quite a number of students were with us that day. I have also begun exploring ways to renew an on-campus outreach to Episcopal students. The Vestry thought that we have an important responsibility to the young people who spend four years in our community, and I agree. Our third resolution was to look for ways to involve children and young people more in our parish life. One fruit of this will be on display one week from today, with our first try at a Children/Youth Sunday. I look forward to having our children serve as ushers, greeters, and so forth, at the 10 AM service. In any event, all three goals are in my heart and mind, and I will continue to focus on them going forward.

Speaking of young people, I wish to thank Mason McDowell for his efforts in leading anthems sung by youthful members of the parish. This is a work in progress too. The main problem is the incredibly busy schedules of youngsters today, and finding time to rehearse is really difficult. But we’ll stay with that, too, and see what can come of it. I was most impressed a few weeks ago when the youth choir of a sister parish, St. John’s in Ithaca, sang Evensong here during their weeklong choir camp at White Eagle. They have fifteen members, and among other activities devote a week of each summer to making church music together. That was instructive to see; maybe we can be inspired by their example. They sang very nicely, too!

Let me highlight a few things I do outside the parish. I am starting my third year as convener of the Hamilton Village Association of Clergy. We meet once a month for conversation and mutual support, and also undertake various joint efforts during the course of the year. Notable in that regard was the Interfaith Remembrance service on Sunday, September 11, 2011. A very moving series of remarks and songs and prayers gave the Hamilton community a chance to make a common witness. I am pleased to have been part of it. I also am beginning my third year as a Board member of the Madison-Oneida-Herkimer Hospice, headquartered in New Hartford. I have recently been appointed to chair the ethics committee, which had been somewhat moribund for several years. We are reviving it with an excellent group of people including the senior ethicist at Colgate, Dr. David McCabe, who responded eagerly to my invitation to join. Again, it is a form of outreach in which I take a great deal of satisfaction.

I am also active in the local group of Episcopal churches, the Utica/Rome district. This past year, I was certified to lead Safe Church Training programs, and almost immediately began getting invitations to lead them at neighboring parishes. I am happy to say that out of that effort, three others in the District are now certified as well. This is an important witness of our intention to care for one another, and I am glad to be a part of it. Also in the local setting, Janet and I were pleased to discover that the Dean of our District, the Very Rev Deacon Barbara Groves, shares our passion for St Vincent’s School in Haiti. Barbara is the chair of the Haiti outreach program of our diocese, and we have been cooperating with her in that connection.

Meanwhile, back in the parish, how can I sufficiently thank everyone who has given time and talent and energy here over the past year? Our staff and their abilities you know. Our sextons Kevin and Dee keep the property looking nice, Nan unfailingly presides over the communication and office needs of the parish, and Dianne leads a music program that is one of the finest in the diocese. I count myself as very fortunate to have them always ready to move things along.

Our Vestry has had a challenging year, with many important decisions especially on the Buildings and Grounds front. I always think that I will never be able to carry on without the particular Warden whose time is over, but this time I really mean it! Deede Vandermandele has had a truly productive tenure. She kept things together for three months while I was off in Armenia. She oversaw countless discussions about the lychgate and what exactly it was supposed to look like. She always responded immediately to my requests for suggestions and information. She is leaving the Wardenship with a church that quite literally looks different—and better—from the one she inherited. So, many thanks, Deede, enjoy a rest, at least from church responsibility, at least for a little while. I have also enjoyed working with Jim Franklin as Junior Warden. Jim has a wonderful ability to ask pertinent questions! Sometimes I have a good answer. When I don’t, his questions usually lead to productive lines of thought and action. He has a tough act to follow, but I’m sure he’ll do just fine.

Nancy Schult, our Treasurer, has steadily improved her mastery of parish finances, something I saw in action recently when we hired a new bookkeeper. It was a pleasure to listen as Nancy confidently explained procedures and portfolios. I am most appreciative of her efforts. Our Clerk, Susan Cerasano, has mastered the art of taking Minutes. Hers are always helpful and accurate, and every so often she puts down the pencil and makes an insightful point during the discussions. Many thanks to her, as well. Finally, let me mention with appreciation the work Karen Baase has done as our Assistant Treasurer, replacing Evelyn Hart after several years. We need someone who is competent and faithful to make sure that all the money that comes in gets to the Bank and is properly recorded. It’s quite a job, too, and we are all in their debt.

Our commissions and committees will have reports elsewhere in the packet, and at the Meeting itself I will thank each of them. So, not to go on too long, let me express my appreciation to them all in one go. I would, however, like to highlight one of our groups,

the Altar Guild. These fine folk provide for our worship quietly, but lovingly behind the scenes. I have slowly come to realize that Mea Martineau may have a point when she says that as a group they are advancing in seniority. One of my goals for the year is to see if we can bring a few more junior members on board, too, to learn the ropes, just in case any of the current group ever feel like hanging up the old purificator, which they have certainly earned if they wanted to. I always try to say thank you on Sundays, but don’t always manage it, so let me say here that I really don’t know how I would do it without you. Thanks one and all, and please don’t retire just yet!

I see that I have filled four pages, which is a good sign that I should stop. To sum it all, let me say that I appreciate very much the privilege of serving our Lord with you in this time and this place,

Respectfully submitted,

(The Rev) Donnel O’Flynn

2010-2011 MUSIC COMMISSION - Annual Report

The fall 2010/spring 2011 church year at St. Thomas’ has been eventful in many areas, and our music program has been no exception. We gained a couple of new choir members, which is always good news! In addition to our camaraderie and singing, the music program continued to feature many wonderful instrumentalists, such as our 10 AM Sunday morning ‘group’ - Adger Williams & Gywneth Davies on violin, with Janet O’Flynn on flute. Their musicality invaluably adds to our worship. The 8 AM service has been equally blessed to have the gifts of Chris Shenkel on cello & Barb Bartlett on flute and oboe, with the added talents of Cathy Weinell on guitar & viola. This past year we had the opportunity, on several occasions, to hear the beautiful music of Katherine Klein, Chris Shenkel, and Elizabeth Bouk – a wonderful trio they are! Elizabeth also graciously shared her immense vocal talents with us.

Among the past year’s highlights were: Our first annual Sunday ‘Holy Cross Day,’ celebrated w/the living Basil Cross. This special service was inspired by Donnel’s experience w/the Armenian Church in NYC, as well as his travels abroad. Only one short week later, we were honoring the 175^th Anniversary of our own St. Thomas’ Church. Research paid off, as we even reprised some of the actual music from the 50^th anniversary bulletin! Other annual events, such as the Jazz Eucharist, “Tapestry’s” lovely Advent Lessons & Carols, a wonderfully festive 7 PM Christmas Eve service, and a Christmas Day congregational Lessons & Carols.

The New Year was heralded by a special celebration of Donnel’s 25 years as an Episcopal priest. Special music was woven throughout the service, which included selections, performed by Jim McDowell, for Baroque trumpet. The coffee hour featured the band, “Not Quite Ready’, comprised of Taylor & Mason McDowell, with Lauren Mettler; and the group, Sunday Tunes – w/Putter Cox and Ken Werner on guitar & vocals, Reyna Stagnaro on mandolin & vocals, with our own Adger Williams on the fiddle. It was an afternoon of eating, dancing and merriment!

On February 6^th, the Children’s/Youth Choir made it’s debut, under the direction of Mason McDowell, and it was a real treat to, once again, hear from the younger voices of the parish. Our Lent & Holy Week services were moving, especially Maundy Thursday, with the addition of the talented multi-instrumentalist, Tom Klenck; the haunting of Psalm 22 chant by Deborah Knuth Klenck & Tom Brackett: and the festive Easter service, with brass & The Candlelight String Quartet - a gift generously provided by parishioner Elizabeth Gillett. We also enjoyed a simple, but effective celebration of Ascension Day.

Because it was so successful in 2010, we once again chose to go with our new summertime tradition of only one Sunday morning service at 9 AM. And as a larger, combined congregation, we shared with each other our preferred styles of worship, including Holy Eucharist Rite I, Holy Eucharist Rite II, Morning Prayer Rite I and Morning Prayer Rite II, which we celebrated on alternate Sundays, each service utilizing music appropriate to the Liturgy. Almost every week, we enjoyed guest musicians playing Preludes & Postludes, and sometimes Offertories and Communion music, as well. Among our guest performers were: Christian Clough, Tom Brackett, Kate Klein, Gwyneth Davies, Barb Bartlett, Mason McDowell, Chris Shenkel, Cathy Weinell, and Elizabeth Bouk. It was a new musical feast each Sunday!

All in all, the 2010/2011 church year was wonderful, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our many contributors. Again, it is because of all of you that we’re blessed with such a rich musical life here at St. Thomas’.

Sincerely,

Dianne Adams McDowell

Director of Music

Buildings and Grounds Commission

Annual Report 2010-2011

A number of accomplishments were made this past year, some not anticipated:

The alarm system was analyzed, updated, and restored to efficient service through the combined efforts of the installer and Ed Page who exhibited great patience during the process.

The handicapped ramp was installed in the parish house and is an asset.

A leak developed in the roof of the parish house necessitating replacement of a portion of the roof with one more suitable to the building.

An audio system was installed enhancing the sound quality in the church.

Jim Ford was able to repair a pew which had become a safety hazard.

A recent storm felled a neighbor’s tree which in turn felled a pole disrupting power for a short time. Work is continuing on the removal of the tree near the rectory driveway.

Bids were secured, evaluated, and approved for much needed work on the parish house. Work has started or will shortly to rebuild much of the foundation and repair and re-point the exterior of the building.

The long-awaited repairs to the brick front walkway are expected to be done before winter.

The pre-pay price for fuel oil is considerably higher this year, but a smaller amount was ordered due to better efficiency of the furnaces and oil being left from last year’s contract.

Respectfully submitted for the Commission,

Dave McKay, Chair

Worship Commission 2011

Welcome Lynn Staley to the Worship Commission.

This year we met mostly by e-mail to fit hectic schedules. It worked well. Following the church calendar, Father O’Flynn and Dianne Adams McDowell guide us in deciding details for services.

We thought the 9 o’clock summer schedule worked well, and it will probably become a tradition. We spent time considering the Easter Vigil and decided to join the community at Colgate for the lighting of the fire and continue at St. Thomas’. The basil cross for Holy Cross Day is a tradition now; and like so many of our practices, it comes from experiences in other places, brought to the group for consideration.

We always review the past season and make choices based on our observations. That is how we plan for the following year.

Upcoming highlights will be three services led by our youth; October 2, January 7 and May 6. On All Saints’ Day, Bishop Adams will visit us.

We miss Louise Milner. She had a keen eye for detail and interesting suggestions.

Respectfully,
　
Carol Compton

Junior Warden Report to the Annual Meeting 2011

I have been asked to share the thoughts I have compiled over the past church year. Being the new kid on the block, I had much to learn about the church and its people. As junior warden, I was in a great position to learn and react.

The first impression I acquired was how very friendly and congenial the church membership is, in all aspects. There is a real unity in the church, seemingly absent of divisions. Church members are pulling together with a goal of making St. Thomas’ stronger and more meaningful in terms of their spiritual life. I have measured within the church membership a very strong sense of volunteerism, something that is critical if a church is to survive.

One cannot help but be favorably impressed with our church’s financial situation. This speaks to the membership’s generosity and the skill and dedication of particular parishioners dealing with St. Thomas’ finances.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize the dedication of those church members making up the church’s kitchen crew, led by Mea and Nan. They are small in number, but they deliver the goods when it comes to food services of every nature and for a wide variety of events. Hats off to these wonderful volunteers.

If our church’s music department is not the best in the area, it is certainly near the top of the heap. The music delivered by the immensely talented people making up the choir and the instrumentation group earn our praise in every way. How very fortunate for us, the church’s audience.

Over the past year, I have been privileged to witness very significant progress in the area of property improvement. Under the watchful eye of Rick Geier, Chairman of Church’s Building and Grounds committee, certain repairs and construction elements have been on-going. Great thought and effort is being invested in our church’s condition and improvement—in particular, the Parish Hall.

I have been favorably impressed with our committee chair-people and how responsible they are when dealing with committee duties. Special recognition and praise needs to go out to these church members for their dedicated service.

As I worked along side our senior warden this past year, I grew to admire her work ethic, her determination, and her ability to communicate with every sector of our church’s membership. Her agenda was simple—strive to improve St. Thomas’ as a house of worship and a refuge from life’s challenges, while always listening to and articulating with church members. Deede van der Mandele leaves some very large foot prints. As junior warden, I have been honored to follow her lead.

Since our last Annual Meeting, I have been treated to an enriched experience—namely, working with our rector, having positive achievements in mind. I was quick to see the enviable talents our rector possesses. His motivation and creativity is unmatched by any rector I have been associated with in my past. Our rector instills within the church membership a desire to become a better Christian, a more giving and caring Christian. He conveys this sense by example and the leadership skills he calls on. I have not been a member of St. Thomas’ for long, but it took me no time at all to recognize the enormous support our rector receives from the church’s membership, support richly deserved. The enthusiasm our rector communicates be it about various church activities, writings he is pursing, or a trip he has taken, chronicles his love for his career, St. Thomas’, and its people. Fr. O’Flynn could very well be our church’s greatest asset.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Franklin

Junior Warden

Prison Ministry

This outreach program, which began in 1992, was a ministry to the inmates of Camp Georgetown, a minimum security prison located about 25 miles southwest of Hamilton. The closing of the facility this past summer marks the end of this ministry. There were two aspects to the program: the annual Christmas dinner and the weekly tutoring program. For the Christmas dinner, St. Thomas’ provided the meat, a full half chicken for every person at the prison, some Spiedie sauce, and home-made fruit pies. This, of course, required between 60 and 70 pies; and we asked other churches to join us in baking pies. It was a stirring sight on Pie Day to see the pies arrive from various households, from church groups, and Sunday School classes.

The second part of the program, the tutoring, took place every week and operated ten months a year. It involved four to five volunteers who visited the facility once a week in the late afternoon for one and a half hours. The volunteers worked one on one, or in some cases, with small groups of inmates who wanted to improve their skills in writing, reading, or math. Some students were working on their GED, and others were at a more basic level.

When this ministry was initiated in 1992, the Reverend Elizabeth Gillett, Vivian Phoenix, Rose Novak, Warren Ramshaw, Gerry Beilke, and Fran Faulks all participated in the program. Amy Jerome and Ed Sitts joined the program later. More recently, there were volunteers from outside St. Thomas’: Ray Howes, Suzanne Farrington, and Lisa Senteny. This past year, the team consisted of Sister Mary Canavan, Gerry Hayes, Wilma Washburn, David Sturges, and Liz Brackett.

Over the years, we have also had special programs designed around the skills of a particular volunteer. The first was when Bob Davis conducted a very successful group therapy session; later Ed Boyd implemented a computer skills course; and more recently, Jana Laxa conducted an art course.

For many of us, this has been a very rewarding ministry. You worked with one inmate who was your student—whatever you could do to help him learn to read or do math and also build his self-esteem, turned out to be quite satisfying. One yardstick of satisfaction with volunteer efforts is how long people stayed with it. Our volunteers tended to stay with the programs for years and years; so that in itself indicates how satisfying this ministry was.

Respectfully submitted,

Liz Brackett

Stewardship Report 2010/11

On April 13, members of our stewardship committee hosted a delegation from the stewardship committee of the Diocese of Central New York. These Episcopalians from five other parishes wanted to know the secret of our success! It seems that St. Thomas’ has one of the highest per-capita pledges in our diocese, behind only Skaneateles and Manlius. We talked for an hour or so and explained the approach we had been taking, which centers on personal testimony of parishioners, how their whole lives are their way of managing God’s gifts for God’s work.

However, there was one fly in the ointment. While preparing for the April 13 meeting, we realized that the actual number of pledge cards turned in has gone down in recent years, while the dollar value of what we receive has gone up. No wonder the per-capita statistics look good! The question is, have we actually lost supporters, or is it just that of the supporters we have fewer are remembering to turn in their pledge cards each November?

After reviewing the situation, the conclusion was that we have not lost supporters. The pool of givers has remained more or less constant in number. What has decreased is the percentage of givers who make a formal pledge come November. That was a relief to realize, but it also made us see that perhaps we have not emphasized enough how valuable it is when our members and friends do make a formal commitment. So for this fall of 2011, we decided on a simple theme for our pledge effort: It does make a difference when everyone turns in a card.

Here are three reasons why. 1) Having pledge cards makes it easier for parish leaders to be good stewards of parishioners’ giving. We have a paper trail with a clear record of givers’ intentions in case of any question. 2) Having pledge cards makes it much easier for parish leaders to plan our financial life. We don’t have to guess what resources to plan with, we know for sure, and that is enormously helpful. 3) It is just plain good when we all pitch in together to do the Lord’s work. When we all make our commitments in unity we are being one people, sharing the load among many hands.

Stewardship Sunday will be November 20 this year, just before Thanksgiving. In a spirit of thankfulness, we will invite all our members to make a pledge of financial support 2012. And this year especially let us remember, Please turn the in the pledge card—it really makes a difference!

We thank one and all for your support.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Heck

The Flower Guild

The Flower Guild at St. Thomas’ Church is composed of a group of parishioners who love working with flowers. Each Sunday throughout the year fresh flowers and greens are ordered, placed, and cared for by one of the guild’s members. On special occasions, such as Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, additional parishioners including Joan and Jim Ford, Gina Sakal, Barbara and Ed Page, and Maureen Fox help out with decorating the House of our Lord. The Guild also helps with decorations for weddings and funerals.

For the first time on Christmas Eve in 2009, the Flower Guild decorated a small Christmas tree with handmade ceramic angels by Jana Laxa. Many of these angels were joyfully painted by our children and adults. We are planning to continue with the tradition again this year. If anyone who has not yet painted an angel and would like to, please contact Jana Laxa.

During the summer months, we often gather flowers from our own gardens or get beautiful bouquets from the Farmer’s Market and arrange them in the brass vases on the Altar. At Thanksgiving, we focus on the harvest with the emphasis on the radiant fall colors of the fruits and vegetables arranged on the Altar.

All decorations are funded throughout the year by donations from the parishioners. Even though the cost at the Full Bloom Florist has recently gone up, generally we ask for a donation of $30.00 per arrangement. It can be given in remembrance of loved ones or in celebration of a birthday, anniversary, or other special event.

If you wish to memorialize or honor someone with flowers, please sign up on the Flower Guild chart in the Parish House by the kitchen door, or call the church office at 824-1745. Checks should be made payable to St. Thomas’ Church with “altar flowers” noted.

Anyone interested in joining our Guild, please contact Rose Novak or Jana Laxa. It is not a demanding job. You can sign up for a couple of Sundays or a whole month, whatever is convenient.

Members are: Liz Brackett

Barbara Frost

Jana Laxa

Jane McKnight

Rose Novak

Deede Van Der Mandele

Respectfully submitted,

Jana Laxa

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMISSION – 2011

Members of the Commission: Elizabeth Brackett, Jerome Brown, Jim Franklin, Fr. O’Flynn, Nancy Schult, Ronald Schaupp, Deede van der Mandele, and Ed Vantine.

The Commission meets monthly to review the financial condition of the parish before the Treasurer reports to the Vestry. We also prepare and recommend the annual budget to the Vestry and appoint and supervise the Audit Committee.

This past year John Bowen and John Novak ended their terms on the Commission. We will miss their wise council. Fortunately, Ron Schaupp continues as a member. We need the consistency which he and Liz and Ed provide. The annual inclusion of the Wardens brings fresh insight and new questions which help us with our work.

We ended the 2010 year with a small surplus. We are fortunate that so many parishioners give so generously to the support of St. Thomas’ and our programs.

A major change is taking place this year with respect to our funds invested through the Diocese. The old Central Investment Fund is being replaced with a new investment vehicle which will be managed by professional investment managers. In addition, we will have monthly online reports of the value of our investments. The Vestry voted to transfer our CIF investments to the new fund upon recommendation by the Commission.

I would like to thank Debra Barker, Ed Vantine, and Ed Sitts for their help with the audit. Without them we would not be able to feel secure that our finances are in order.

We also owe gratitude to Evelyn Hart for her diligence in recording pledge income each week and to Karen Baase for her willingness to take on this task.

Finally, Nancy Schult. I hope everyone realizes, as I do, how fortunate we are to have her as the Treasurer.

Respectfully submitted,

Jerome M. Brown, Chair

The Necrology

John Blackmore

Anthony Gillett

Carl Leland

Jean Van Ingen