As the People’s Warden of St. Paul’s Cathedral, I am on the Cathedral’s Chapter (Board of Directors, if you will) which primarily oversees the finances as well as the buildings and grounds of the Cathedral. I serve on the Endowment and Finance Committees. Yet as the People’s Warden, I envision myself primarily as representing the interests of the people of our congregation and as such I will continue to keep you up to date on what the Chapter is doing.
First and foremost, as I am sure everyone is wondering – the Nutmeg property sale. Yes, it closed on February 25, 2014 for $5.33 million. Construction on this property is expected to begin in the fall 2014. The LLC (Kendall Squires, Ken Tranbarger, Jack Lentz and Tom Delaney) presented a history and status of the Master Plan primarily focusing on Nutmeg property. It was noted that the Olive property has the same city entitlements of the Nutmeg property and these entitlements are initially valid for three years but may be extended. A check in the amount of $100,000 to retire the LLC Bridge loan was presented to Dean Bridges. As to all the remaining millions…well, that is currently under discussion and more will come later, trust me. The LLC has promised to draft an article to be published in the bulletin later this month. Meantime, it was noted that the Cathedral web site Master Plan is sorely out of date and incomplete; this will be rectified soon.
Bart Smoot, our Finance Chairman, gave an extensive and excellent update on our financial status. Financial reports for 2012 and 2013 were provided, explained and discussed in detail. The Finance Committee recommended that we write off the $100,00 loan from Enduring Funds as well as the $6,000 owed to the Columbarium Fund; and lastly to deposit $28,000 received by the Cathedral in designated gifts to the Dorcas House account. All three items were unanimously approved by the Chapter.
Christine Spalding reported on Buildings and Grounds. The Southern Cross Report is a strategic maintenance plan developed in 2006 for the Cathedral and will be revised to reflect the current property sale.
The Dean’s Warden, Don Pellioni, noted that Mark Patzman and other Cathedral Chapter members participated in a diocesan church leadership program. “The Vestry Resource Guide,” resource literature published by the Episcopal Church Foundation that was recommended in the program, is available in the Cathedral office. A reminder that St, George’s Evensong is planned for May 4th. Be sure to check the court yard table during coffee hour for things you can do to help – serving at this “High Tea,” providing sandwiches, brownies, deviled eggs (my favorite!), etc.
And that is about wraps it up for this month. As always, please feel free to talk to me before or after the 10:30 p.m. service coffee hour or by email (jmoore405@att.net) with any and all thoughts or concerns.
Blessings and joy to each of you!
Judy Moore
People’s Warden
