Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral

Chapter Meeting

March 27, 2008

 

Members Present: Charles Stevens, Holly Schweigert, Brett Shewey, Clotine Frear, Mark Starkweather, Brita Leach, Mark Harvey, Pete Budzielek, Betty Kerns, Lucy Spaeth, Dean Steve Sellers, Lori Walters and Leisha Woltjer representing Gethsemane Cathedral.  Members Absent:  Bruce Carlson and Dave Anderson

 

We began with Evening Prayer in the Chapel led by Dean Steve Sellers.

 

Meeting Called to Order:   6:00pm

Adoption of Agenda: Agenda Passed

Minutes from February21, 2008: Motion to accept as written:  Clotine Frear  Seconded: Holly Schweigert  Motion Carried

 

John Denny from Western Products presented information regarding steel siding with examples. Discussion from the Chapter regarding the different types of siding and they also had questions regarding hail and rain damage. John addressed these concerns/questions. John also pointed out that all of their products are environmentally produced as well as being recycled steel and paint.

 

Margo Askin was also here representing the committee on Stewardship of Environmental Sustainability.  This committee is statewide and its goal is to promote awareness and education to the North Dakota Episcopal Diocese on making a concerted effort in each of the parishes to be more environmentally responsible.  This committee is affiliated with the Prairie Stewardship.  The Presbyterian and Methodist Diocese are also involved.  The committee is asking each church to report back with the survey on how we, as a parish, are making changes with in the cathedral to be environmentally responsible.  There is also a covenant for each parishioner to sign, if they want to, to be environmentally responsible within their own lives.

 

Dean’s Report:   Dean Steve is still left-handed due to his new experiences with snow, ice and a shovel. He is healing nicely and due for his 2nd (or is it 3rd) cast!  Due to his mishap with the shovel, ice and snow – their open house has been changed to Friday, April 18th from 6p – 8p. The Dean and Lay Clergy will be attending the Priest’s Conference on Sunday – Tuesday in Richardton, ND.  Dean Steve and Dixie will be out of town April 3 – 6 to attend the Dean’s Conference in New Orleans, LA. Dean Steve was very happy with how well the Holy week services went this year.  There were 16 services held during Holy week.

Dean Steve will be starting an Ark of the Covenant program for families of all ages.  This program will be talking about the Ark of the Covenant as shown through the bible, movies, and books and discussing where it may be now.

Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday mornings is up to 5-6 men!

There will be a Cursillista meeting on Saturday, April 26th at 11am to see if there is any interest in restarting this program at Gethsemane.

Dean Steve received a letter from Bishop Michael (this was sent to all parishes in the Diocese) inviting congregations to improve attendance at services and involvement in the community.  Showed 3 area of concerns:  1) Casual Christianity 2) Cultural Disconnect 3) Depressed Attitude. The Bishop is asking each parish to concentrate on one of the three.

 

Senior Warden’s Report: No report. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Brett presented the treasury reports.

Reported that Gethsemane may have to use the line of credit account for this summer’s finances.

The Finance Committee approved spending the monies needed to increase the lighting in the Choir section.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as written:  Clotine Frear Seconded:  Betty Kerns.  Motion Carried.

 

Junior Warden’s Report:  Pete reported that the lighting in the Choir section of the Nave will be done the 2nd week in April.

Pete has been talking with Peterson Contracting about the heating/cooling system problems.  The estimate is $8,000 to repair the system. Pete highly recommends having a maintenance contract in place after these repairs so that the system doesn’t get this bad again. Pete will take bids for the maintenance contract.

Motion to approve the bid from Peterson’s Contracting to make the necessary repairs to the heating and cooling system:  Holly Schweigert  Seconded:  Mark Harvey  Motion Carried.

There are concerns about the humidity in the church and how this is hurting the Organ.  Recommendations are to add humidity control to the Capital Campaign

Pete and Brett will take the bid from Western Products to the Foundation.  Looking at possibilities as a loan until the Capital Campaign gets underway.

Motion to accept the Western Products bid for siding the Cathedral and to proceed with securing the financing from the Foundation:  Holly Schweigert  Seconded:  Clotine Frear  Motion Carried.

 

Cathedral Coordinator: Leisha gave report on what’s coming up in April for activities at the Cathedral.  The calendar of events is in the packets.

The Picture Directory is being postponed until a later date when we can secure more photographers to take the family portraits.

The 1st Thursday in May the Boy Scouts at Gethsemane will cleanup the grounds for their service project this year.  Yea!

 

Old Business: 

Nursery – Leisha has place ads in the NDSU Spectrum and the MSUM Advocate to try to get students in Child Ed to apply for the position.

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Capital Campaign – no report.

 

New Business:

Barry Hegg has been taking care of Dean Steve’s snow and ice problem while he recuperates from his excitement this winter.  As spring approaches and Dean Steve is still incapacitated he will need help with his yard work.  Barry will not be able to care for the lawn, but will be able to tend to the perennials.  As Dean Steve has an in-ground sprinkler system – yard work is anticipated to be 1 – 2 times a week this spring.  Leisha will put this need into the Extra/Extra and the Caller.

The Cathedral perennial gardens will need help this year also.  Suggested to Leisha to place a Seasonal Stewardship request listing the needs for the Cathedral.  Leisha will also call the landscaping person to ready the gardens this spring.  Lucy volunteered to help Leisha with this task.  Thanks Lucy!

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Closing Prayers:  Led by Dean Steve Sellers  Adjourned:  7:50pm

Next Meeting will be Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 5:30pm

Submitted by Brita Leach, Clerk of the Chapter.