October Vestry Minutes
St. Alban's Episcopal Church
Vestry Meeting
Minutes
October 12, 2026
Call Meeting to Order: Shirley Wildman
Opening Prayer: Shirley
Vestry Members Present: Sam Strickler, Carolyn Gentzler, Frank DeCroo, Doug Morrison and Sarah Healy.
VIA Zoom: Shirley
Others Present:
Absent: Diana Knight
Approve Current Agenda (Amendments/Changes, etc.) Sam made a motion to approve the current agenda with additions. Carolyn seconded and the motion carried
Approve Minutes: Frank made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections from the meeting on September 15, 2026. Doug seconded and the motion carried.
Treasurer's Report- Sarah Healy
Frank made a motion to accept the financials. Doug seconded and the motion carried.
As a Treasurer Sarah abstains from this vote.
2027 Draft Budget: The Vestry reviewed the draft budget for 2027 and will reevaluate it in November.
Old Business:
1. Checking Accounts: Shirley will go sign when she returns from her trip.
2. Review Property Report: After reviewing it was decided that since everything else on the list is being worked on Sam will call Jadeco to look over the electrical suggestions.
3. Greek Orthodox Wedding-7-27-2027: The wedding is still on the schedule and Sam will attend to help them.
4. Chris Anderson/EM/Acolyte/Lector: The paperwork was sent to the Diocese. Unfortunately Bishop Todd is out of the office due to illness so we may not get it back right away.
5. Stairs for Furnace Room/Andy Lowe: After reviewing the bid to install stairs going down into the furnace room Doug made a motion that we hire Andy Lowe to proceed with stairs. Carolyn seconded and the motion carried.
New Business:
1. Brick on Back Wall of Church: The wall at the back of the church where the furnaces vents are located accumulate quite a bit of ice and water in the winter. This has caused the brick to break down. Sam contacted Sam Torrez and he met Sam, Doug & Frank last week. He said he can fix the brick and also move the vents out slightly onto a shelf so water and ice would not be touching the building and would go directly to the ground. Sam made the motion to hire Sam Torrez to fix the brick and install a shelf on the back wall under the vents. Frank seconded and the motion carried.
2. Structural Beams: Doug discovered while painting that 3 of the beams outside the church are rotting from years of rain, snow and sprinklers hitting them. Frank spoke with Mike Montoya and let us know that Mike can apply an oil stain where the rot is located and that will help to get them through the winter until they can be repaired in the spring. They are looking at putting more metal structure around them for protection after replacing rotted wood. Also raising them up slightly to keep them from sitting in water. Sam and Frank are going to work on a grant to help with this. Mike will go ahead with the staining as we are required with a grant to contribute 20%. In our grant proposal that will be our 20%. Mike is working on a bid as grants are due January 1, 2027.
3. Picture on Priest Wall: Sam ordered and has received The Rev. Jim Stewart picture for the priest wall in the Narthex. It is currently being framed and will go on the wall as soon as it is finished.
4. Visit Thermopolis: John would like the Vestry to come to Thermopolis on October 21st to see how their outreach programs work. Those who are available will be in attendance.
5. Love Thy Neighbor Grant: The Foundation will be giving each church that applies a $5,000 grant to use in our community. After discussion Doug made the motion that we give $2,000 to the Worland Senior Center, $2,000 to the Worland Ministerial Association for Christmas baskets and $500 to each of our pharmacies to assist people with their prescriptions.
6. Walker Mower: This is the mower that was given to the church by Jack Porter. After some examination it was discovered that it cannot mow our hillside. Frank spoke with Matt Post at Precision Mechanics in Riverton and he said he would possibly purchase it for $4,500. Sam made the motion that Frank move forward in looking at options to sell the mower. Carolyn seconded and the motion carried.
Reports:
Sr. Warden's Report-Shirley Wildman: Shirley Wildman reported that convention went well and was well attended. She was able to talk to a few priests about the possibility of doing some supply priest work here at St. Albans.
Jr. Warden's Report-Samantha Strickler: Samantha Strickler let everyone know that she will be gone October 23rd -October 27th. She will be available by phone if needed.
Born Again-Shirley Wildman: They have had a great reopening after changeover. One of the days totaled around $2,500. The board has worked on a new system for PTO and payroll and will be implementing it starting the first of the year.
ECW Report- Shirley Wildman: Shirley reported that at the State ECW Retreat is on schedule to be held at St. Albans October 17th. Anyone interested in attending can get a signup sheet from Sam.
Congregational Care Team-Doug Morrison: Our next meeting will be November 2, at 9:00am.
Vestry Reports: Doug reported that he finished painting the beams outside the church. Carolyn reported that the Food Bank went well other then them forgetting to send the paper work. She and Sam have implemented a system so that we are prepared ahead of time if this should happen again. Sarah leaves for the winter around October 19th.
Next Vestry Meeting: November 16, 2026 at 9:00am.
Closing Prayer: Shirley Prayer at Next Meeting: Diana
Adjournment: Shirley Wildman
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