Novmber 2025 Vestry Minutes

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

Vestry Meeting

Minutes

November 17, 2025

Call Meeting to Order:  Shirley

Opening Prayer: Carolyn

Vestry Members Present:   Sam, Rita, Carolyn, Frank, Shirley, Doug & Diana.

Others Present: The Rev.  Jim Stewart.

On Zoom: Sarah

Approve Current Agenda (Amendments/Changes, etc.) Carolyn made a motion to approve the current agenda with additions. Doug seconded and the motion carried

Approve Minutes: Rita made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on October 20, 2025. Diana seconded and the motion carried.

Treasurer's Report- Sarah Healy

Doug made a motion to except the financials.  Frank seconded and the motion carried.

Old Business:

1.      Trunk or Treat: It went extremely well.  People asked if they could join us next year.

2.      Harvest Dinner:  We accumulated $355 from the free will offering.  About 50 people attended.  The drawing for the basket will be November 25^th.

3.      Advertising:  The newspaper let us know that the price of ads with start going up the first of the year.

4.      Annual Meeting:  Sam reminded everyone to have their reports to her by January 1^st.  The meeting is January 11^th following church.

5.      Spraying the Weeds Out Front:  O’Donnell Maintenance gave us a bid for spraying the field.  He estimated 5 acres (won’t know exact measurement until he would spray) at $400 an acre.  Roughly $2,000 for the entire lot.  Will check back throughout the summer and make sure it is doing its job.  He will not charge if it needs sprayed again next summer.  He also guarantees his work and suggests we have it done yearly to do the rain and wind.  Rita made a motion that we have O’Donnell Maintenance take care of the weeds in the field.  Diana seconded and the motion carried.

6.      Road Sign:  Keith, Doug, Frank, Sam & Jim worked on and have straitened the sign on the highway.

New Business

1.      Executive Session

2.      Handicapped Parking:  After discussion about our handicap parking spots we have decided to add another spot in front of the office doors where people don’t have to go up and down the curb.  In the spring Doug and Frank will paint a new one there.

3.      Wyoming Gas Bill:  We received a letter from Wyoming Gas letting us know that we were paying $475 with budget billing and they wanted to change our payment to $35.  Jim made the motion that we talk to Wyoming Gas and make our monthly payment $250 a month.  Caroyn seconded and the motion carried.

4.      Bathrooms:  After discussion this has been tabled.

5.      Pledge Envelopes:  2026 will be the last year that we will provide pledge envelopes. 

6.      Renting The Sanctuary and Parish Hall: After discussion Doug made a motion that Sam, Shirley and Jim will meet to bring the agreements on using these facilities up to date.  Rita seconded and the motion carried.

7.      Chairs:  Doug found a home for the old metal chairs at The Worland Community Center.  Thank you, Doug!

Reports:

1.                  Rector’s Report-The Rev. Jim Stewart: Jim let us know that that we held 3 funerals at St. Albans recently.  He finished his nuts-and-bolts class.  The Standing Committee is working on hirering a consultant that will help with the Bishop search.  Bible study has been going great and will be watching Philadelphia 11 this week.  Jim will be on vacation November 24^th, 25^th & 26^th.  December 11^th, 18^th, 29^th, 30^th & 31^st.  A sign-up sheet has been put up in the Narthex for those who would like to read the Prayers of the People on Sundays.  He and Shirley are working on a grant to help the museum bring an exhibit  on The Sand Creek Massacre.  They are asking for either St. David’s or Our Father’s House to join us in this.  Possibly looking at doing a grant for landscaping around the Labyrinth.  We did receive the $5,000 grant from the Diocese that has already been marked to go to the Worland Senior Center, both pharmacies and the Ministerial Association.

2.                  Sr. Warden's Report-Shirley Wildman:  Shirley reported that she and Joe will be leaving for Arizona next month.

3.                  Jr. Warden's Report-Samantha Strickler:  Sam reminded the Vestry of the commitment that our Vestry made to provide the food bank with toilet paper and paper towels.  They call Worland Cleaners and let them know when they have the need and it comes out of St. Albans outreach.  Sam let everyone know that her first meeting for Diocese Council is November 21^st.

4.                  Born Again-Shirley Wildman:  Born Again will take part in the Festival of Trees using a theme of old-fashioned Christmas.  This month they gave $1,000 to The Cathedral Home & $500 to Blessings in a Backpack.  They are having a Black Friday sale on November 26^th with everything 50% off.  There  will be a $.99 sale on women’s clothing the week of December 2^nd. 

5.                 ECW Report- Shirley Wildman:  St. Albans Annual Christmas party will be December 18^th at 5:30pm.  We will have snacks and white elephant gift exchange.  Tickets are still available for the fall basket.  The drawing will be on November 25^th.  Thanksgiving dinner will be at noon and all are welcome.

6.                 Congregational Care Team:  The next meeting will be December 8^th at 9:00 am.

7.                  Vestry Reports:  Frank reported that he and Sheri met with the Amish contractor and he is working on a bid for a cover for the labyrinth.  Rita is working with someone out of Cody to get the new stove hood in the kitchen.  Sam let everyone know that there will be a 60^th anniversary party for Keith & Carolyn December 27^th.  More information to come.

Next Vestry Meeting: December 15, 2025 at 6:00pm.

Closing Prayer: Carolyn                    Prayer at Next Meeting: Diana 

  Adjournment: Shirley