Dear St. David of Wales-people,

On Sunday, September 18, vestry met and, after accepting this month’s officer reports and approving last month’s minutes, discussed the following:

Treasurer Karen Dollar and Finance Team Lead Madeline Moore reported that we expect to use a hefty amount of our small savings to keep our books balanced. As reported in recent months, the team is drafting a budget for vestry’s review, and we should all expect it to reflect the need for deep cuts, as compared to previous years. Our strengths as a congregation, as reported by Karen and Madeline: We have a very high percentage of attendees who pledge and a high percentage of attendees who volunteer. That is to say: St. David’s parishioners are our strength, and we thank you for all you are and do.

Karen and Madeline reported that the primary causes of this year’s deficit are the fact that we’ve not been able to hold fundraisers in recent years, the building has been used less by building partners during and after COVID, and our congregation has had a number of people move from the area. Barbara Brecht and Wendy Oliver, in coordination with the finance team, will explore ways to get us back on track.

Cass reported that our first Family Promise volunteer week went very well, and that we’re already signed up for our next week: November 6-13 at Calvary Presbyterian (3516 NE 71st Ave). Please be on the lookout in our bulletin and during Sunday announcements for ways to get involved with this program. (A good place to start is with our diocesan Safe Church training.)

Finally, we again discussed recruiting people interested in serving on vestry for next year. If you’re interested in serving, please email Kerlin. We’d love to have you!

As a reminder: Reach Kerlin at kerlin@saintdavidpdx.org for issues related to liturgy and services, and all members of the vestry at stdavidpdx-vestry@googlegroups.com for other issues. Our vestry meetings are open to all; if you're interested in attending, we next meet on Sunday, 16 October at 11:30am in the Grace Room. Not into meetings? All vestry meeting minutes and officer reports are found here.

Thank you for allowing us to serve this church (and you).

With love,
Kieran Cannistra, vestry clerk (and other members of your vestry: Preston Abbott, Barbara Brecht, Cass Cole, Aaron Epperson, Ned Hayes, Rachel Klein, Wendy Beth Oliver, Anne Parks, and Kit Walling)