The regularly scheduled meeting of the Christ Church Vestry took place on Monday, April 12, 2004 . Our Treasurer, Phyllis Bath, gave her report for March 2004 and noted that "pledge and plate were good," meaning ahead of March 2003. This is partly due to several generous contributors who have not yet pledged. Constance Ricciardi, Parish Financial Secretary, gave her report for the first quarter of 2004 (ending March 31, 2004 ). She noted that, out of 81 pledging units, 55 have fulfilled their pledges, while 26 are behind..

Lesley Shannon then led the Strategic Planning portion of the meeting, during which time the Vestry discussed some of Christ Church 's many successes of the past five to ten years. These included:

•  Fund-raising and fellowship events, like the St. Nick's Fair, Holly Ball, Spring Fair, and dinners, like the May-Ham Dinner. These are well attended and always profitable.

•  The Family Service. Attendance is growing. Kids do everything. "Children come and children stay."

•  Music: a quality choir, organist and choirmaster, and organ. Also the Serenade concert series.

•  Feeding ministries.

•  Youth group.

•  Lay participation - excellent ushers, readers, servers.

•  Serendipity.

•  Plant & Equipment Committee.

•  Renovation of gymnasium.

•  Public use of space.

•  Coffee Hour.

•  Scholarship Program.

•  Tower Chimes.

•  Diversity of parish membership and church attendance - more inclusive

The Vestry then discussed opportunities for improvement which included::

•  Evangelism/Reclamation.

•  Adult programs and adult education.

•  Church youth programs, especially for intermediate and senior high school groups.

•  Youth choir.

•  "Fishes and Loaves Ministries": improved outreach to parishioners' special needs.

Recommendations for Long-Range Plans will be created by June 2004. These will generate Task Forces for the different areas of the Long-Range Plans, with the involvement of each Vestry member in one or more of these task-force areas.

Nancy Reiersen -Scromo reported on the recent diocesan-wide Wardens' Conference, pronouncing it excellent. Nicholas Lettiere then gave a brief report on our 2004 Stewardship Campaign

As recommended by the Plant & Equipment Committee and approved by the Finance Committee, the Vestry voted $2500 to replace the office computer and $3600 to create measured drawings of the church, cloister and parish house.

Gytha Bellaby appealed for volunteers for the Christ Church Spring Fair, set for Saturday, June 12. A Spring Fair meeting will be held after church on Sunday, May 2.

Issues concerning the Project Hospitality Sleepover Program, which currently houses 10-12 persons each program night, have been successfully resolved. A motion was passed to approve the continuation of this program, as it was outlined in the initial proposal, with the understanding that the Vestry liaison will review the ministry every six months and report back to the Vestry.