Wardens’ Report: April 2022
April 26, 2022
The Vestry met virtually on Tuesday, April 26, for our fourth monthly meeting of 2022. We remain grateful for Zoom and the technology that enables us stay connected and have important conversations despite travel and other schedule conflicts making it impossible for us to meet in person as we prefer to do.
Dan Vogel opened our meeting as we prayed for our meeting and specifically for our Assistant Rector, Scott Buckhout. We gave thanks for Scott’s ministry in leading our Outreach efforts, the growing and engaged young adults thriving under his pastoral care, and the various small groups he leads or participates in.
The Vestry approved the March 2022 minutes, the members of the Facility Advisory Team, and the request for new office furniture in the upper floor of our church to accommodate our growing staff team. We reviewed our COVID protocols, affirming our policy of not requiring masks but recognizing there are those who feel more comfortable wearing them, particularly as Arlington County is classified as in a medium level of transmission.
Our Treasurer, Dan Vogel, and Assistant Treasurer, Meaghan Maguire, kicked off our planning for the FY2023 budgeting process, requesting the Vestry’s opinion on how to account for the extraordinarily high rate of inflation we are experiencing. Vestry members were in agreement that the FY23 personnel costs will need to include an increase to address inflation, notwithstanding any additional positions or changes to our staff composition.
We hold Dan, Meaghan, and the members of the Finance Advisory Team in our prayers as they meet together and with various staff members over the next two months to finalize their analysis and recommendations for the FY2023 budget, which will be approved by the Vestry in July. (As a reminder, Restoration’s fiscal year runs from September through August.) We give thanks to God that our financial position remains strong, with over 6 months of cash on hand, giving well above budget and expenses slightly below in FY22.
Dennis Wong, Chair of our Personnel Advisory Team, confirmed there are candidates under consideration as we continue our search for the Director of Worship Arts. We also noted (and rejoiced over!) the need to fill an Apex Coordinator role temporarily when Lexi McMann takes maternity leave in October 2022. Our staff deeply appreciates every prayer for their physical, emotional, and spiritual health as changes and transitions will continue throughout the year.
We welcome your questions, encouragement, feedback, and most of all, your prayers. You can read an archive of past Wardens’ Reports on our website or Vestry Meeting minutes on CCB, under the ‘Files’ tab in the ‘Entire Church Group.’
~ Lorene and Adam