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Title
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Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, October 7, 1973
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Description
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Typewritten minutes for the October 7, 1973 St. Philip's vestry meeting.
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Subject
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Buffalo (N.Y.) -- Church history
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African Americans -- New York (State) -- Buffalo
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Creator
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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (Buffalo, N.Y.)
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Source
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St. Philip's Episcopal Church records (MS-0269)
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Publisher
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State University of New York at Buffalo. University Libraries
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Date
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1973-10-07
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Contributor
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State University of New York at Buffalo. University Archives
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Format
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application/pdf
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Language
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en-US
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Type
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Text
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Identifier
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MS-0269_10_1_017
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Date Created
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2023-05-15
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Extent
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21.4x28.1cm
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4pp
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Transcription
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MINUTES OF THE VESTRY MEETING OF ST. PHILIP'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH,SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1973.The Meeting was opened at 9:22 a.m. with the Chairman, WardenJames P. Parks, presiding. The minutes of the September Vestry Meetingwere read by Warden Mr. Henry L. VanLandingham. A motion was made byVestryman Mr. Willard A. Morse to accept the mtnutes, with the necessarycorrections, and was seconded by Vestryman Mrs. Geneva B. Scruggs. Withno opposing votes, the motion to accept the minutes was carried.Communications were reported by Mr. VanLandingham as follows:1. Thank You letter from Mrs. Virginia Bryant, acknowledging acard she received from the Vestry during her illness2. Letter received from Bishop Robinson concerning the DiocesanConvention.Wardens' Report followed, given by Mr. VanLandingham.Finance Committee Report was given by Treasurer Mr. Morse (adetailed statement being attached hereto).SPEC Housing Committee report given by Mr. VanLandingham. We arehoping to receive a Letter of Feasability from Washington, D.C., but todate no answer has come.SPEC Community Center report by Mrs. Scruggs. A committee madeup of representatives of the Center Board (with Vestryman Mr. Laughton D.Thomas, Acting Chairman), the Executive Director (Mrs . Scruggs), and others;met with the present rector of St. Clement 's (Father Bruce Griffith)concerning the possibility of moving our Center Program into St. Clement'sby November. The Vestry of St . Clement's must decide if this is possible,however, and they will be meeting sometime in the near future. FatherGriffith was asked of his opinion of the need for our Center in thecommunity, based on the fact that there are 2 other centers in that vicinity.His reply was that "Those 2 other centers are farther away than he wouldsend his child. There is a definite need for a Center Program in the community of St . Clement 's." He then suggested a target date for our move:on or around [crossed out: November] October 13, 1973. No firm commitment can be made by themuntil after November 15th, when he will discuss with their Vestry thecosts of heating and other expenses.Church Property Sale. In the absence of Atty. Mr. William A. Sims,Mr. VanLandingnam reported that Mr. Sims has the papers to present to theSupreme Court for authorization to sell our present property.Ever Member Canvass. Mr. VanLandingham, when approached by DeanSmith, assumed the Chairmanship for the Drive here at SPEC . A meetingwill be held of the Deanery Chairmen on October 12th. A suggestion wasmade by Associate Vestryman Mrs. Anita H. Wing as a possible source ofincome for the coming year(s), we could have "PEW RENT" wherein eachmember or family would give $100.00 for a year to reserve a pew in theChurch; this would assure the rentor of a seat in the event he came toChurch and the congregation was "full" he would still have a place to sit .After much discussion, the suggestion was tabled for consideration at alater time. Mr. VanLandingham asked Mrs. Wing and Vestryman Mr. FrederickW. McAlpin to serve on this committee.Page 2 of October 7, 1973 Vestry Minutes.Budget Committee. At the suggestion/appointment of the "Chair,"the following will comprise the 1974 Budget Committee:1. Vestryman Scruggs, Chairman2. Associate Vestryman Mr. Sims3. Vestryman Dr. Benjamin F. Bullock, Jr.4. Vestryman (Treasurer) Morse5. Warden James P. ParksNominating Committee. Chairman: Mr. Julius I. Evans; assisted byAssociate Vestrymen: Mrs. Erna S. Clark and Mr. Hubert L. Miller.Mr. VanLandingham informed the Nominating Committee that the followingpersons' terms of office are due to expire:1. Senior Warden: James P. Parks2. Vestryman : William Godfrey, Jr.3. Vestryman Laughton D. Thomas4. Vestryman : Mrs. Geneva B. ScruggsParish Meeting. Mr. Vanlandingham suggested a proposed date forour Annual Parish Meeting: Sunday, December 2, 1973. The congregationwill be properly notified of this meeting.Moving Dates. Mr. VanLandingham reported that the Moving Committeehas had two meetings; the target date for moving is sometime in January.A letter received from Vestryman Mr. Robert D. Edwards and attached to theseminutes was read. Mr. Edwards, in his letter, states that he has been workingwith very knowledgeable persons on how to get our organ into St. Clement's.Father Edward Kryder, of Calvary Church-Williamsville, has offered hisservices in this area so that we may utilize (as best as we can) our effortsin getting all/most of our i tems into St. Clement's. A motion was made byMrs . Scruggs that we accept Father Kryder as "Consultant in our Moving."It was seconded by Mr. Morse. With no opposition, the motion was unanimouslycarried. It was further moved by Mrs. Scruggs, and seconded by Mr. Morse,that the letter received from Mr. Edwards (mentioned above) be attached tothe minutes of this meeting, for future reference.Church Property Sale. Atty Mr. Sims, now having arrived, made thefollowing report. The papers have been completed (for Church's Sale), andare ready to be filed. The Church Survey has been sent to the City ofBuffalo. Mr. Sims asked for guidance from the Vestry as to whether heshould "close early" and make arrangements for paying rent, or wait unt i llater this year. St. Clement's lawyer has contacted Mr. Sims, and he(Mr. Sims) will know in 2 weeks, or sometime thereafter, whether or not wecan proceed into St. Clement's. He feels that St. Clement's has finalizedher plans for merging (with St. James), and we can possibly move intoSt. Clement's in 3-4 weeks. The following comments/discussion followed:Mrs. Clark asked Mr. Sims that if everything is ready for the s ale of SPEC,perhaps we could hold off until St. Clement 's completes its plans so thatwe won 't have to pay rent at our present location. Mr. Morse suggestedthat we set a tentative Sale Date for the first week in December.Mr. Vanlandingham reminded us that for the record, we ne ed to have Atty.Mr. Sims' name applied as "Attorney for the Purchase of St. Clement's."It was moved by Mr. Morse , and seconded by Mrs. Scruggs that Atty . Sims :be. retained for the Purchase of St. Clement's. With no opposing votes,the motion was carried. Mr. VanLandingham suggested that in answer toMr. Sims' request for guidance fr om the Vestry that we "play it by ear."Page 3 of October 7, 1973 Vestry Minutes.St. Clement's doesn't want to be rushed. Wait until theit plans are complete;he can move ahead to negotiate the dates of the closing; contingent withSt. Clement's move or progress. Mrs. Scruggs then asked Mr . Sims what hisfee will be . Mr. Sims said that he will use the "Minimum Fee Schedule" asa guide; if the amounts are much less than $55,000 the fee is usually asmall percent (1-1½). He will charge on a percentage basis.ADDITION to the October 1973 MinutesCALLING COMMITTEE:Mr. VanLandingham reported that the Vestry ofSt. Clement's is discussing arrangements with our Wardensfor Father Griffith to remain in the Rectory, until suchtime that we have a full-time priest (to occupy the rectory)or upon the "newly formed congregation" making other arrangementsfor Father Griffith.Bishop's visitation. Mr. VanLandingham reported that BishopRobinson has agreed to have Confirmation on his Annual Visitation Day,Sunday, November 25, 1973. We need a chairman of the Hospitality Committee.Mrs. Scruggs accepts the responsibility of finding someone toserve as Chairman of the Hospitality Committee.Mr. VanLandingham reported that our Presiding Bishop, The RightReverend John E. Hines, is resigning as of June 1974 because of manyrepercussions from "the Flock" in his efforst to help the minorities.He has consented to have his picture on our 1974 Church Calendars.Mr. Charles H. Simmons, manager of the Cecil Brown Funeral Service, hasagreed to furnish the calendars for our Church Family. Mrs. Scruggsnoted that Bishop Hines was "brutally attacked" by one of our own BuffaloPriests, at our last Diocesan Convention, and it was shortly after thathe (Bishop Hines ) left Buffalo and announced publicly his resignation asour "Chief Pastor."Mrs. Scruggs asked that had we not at a previous Parish Meetingdiscussed limiting the terms of Vestrymen to two consecutive terms(6 years); and at that time (of expiration of his term) he would have toremain off (the Vestry) for one year before being re-elected? There wasno evidence of any such proposal or discussion in the Office Files. Shecommented, also, that our Wardens need to be legal-minded and knowledgeableabout the Church.With no further discussion or business the meeting was adjourned,by Mr. Parks, at 10:55 a.m.Respectfully submitted,Walter Appling(Miss) Walter Appling10/7/73 Acting Clerk for October MeetingPage 3 of October 7, 1973 Vestry Minutes.St. Clement's doesn't want to be rushed. Wait until theit plans are complete;he can move ahead to negotiate the dates of the closing, contingent withSt. Clement's move or progress. Mrs. Scruggs then asked Mr. Sims what hisfee will be. Mr. Sims said that he will use the "Minimum Fee Schedule" asa guide; if the amounts are much less than 55,000 the fee is usually asmall percent (1-1½). He will charge on a percentage basis.Calling Committee. Mr. VanLandingham stated that the Study Committeehas made their report to the Diocese. The Committee should nowget together with the Calling Committee. Mrs. Scruggs reminded us thatif Father Griffith is going to move out of the rectory (St. Clement's)before we get a Priest, we need to consider what we are. going to do aboutgetting someone to stay on the premises to protect the property. Mr.Sparks felt that St. Clement's would probably be aware of this need dueto vandalism and arsonists, etc., but it would also be good if we couldmake some provisions to have someone there to look after things. Mr. Simsvolunteered to serve on the Calling Committee. Mrs. Scruggs made a motionthat the Study Committee have the responsibility of selecting the CallingCommittee-- with additions being any member(s) of the Parish. The motionwas seconded by Mr. Morse. With no opposition, the motion was carried.Bishop's Visitation. Mr. VanLandingham reported that BishopRobinson has agreed to have Confirmation on his Annual Visitation Day ,Sunday, November 25, 1973. We need a chairman of the Hospitality Committee.Mrs. Scruggs accepts the responsibility of finding someone toserve as Chairman of the Hospitality Committee.Mr. VanLandingham reported that our Presiding Bishop, The RightReverend John E. Hines, is resigning as of June 1974 because of manyrepercussions from "the Flock" in his efforst to help the minorities.He has consented to have his picture on our 1974 Church Calendars.Mr. Charles H. Simmons, manager of the Cecil Brown Funeral Service, hasagreed to furnish the calendars for our Church Family. Mrs. Scruggsnoted that Bishop Hines was "brutally attacked" by one of our own BuffaloPriests, at our l ast Diocesan Convention, and it was shortly after thathe (Bishop Hines) left Buffalo and announced publicly his resignation asour "Chief Pastor."Mrs. Scruggs asked that had we not at a previous P rish Meetingdiscussed limiting the terms of Vestrymen to two consecutive terms(6 years); and at that time (of expiration of his term) he would have toremain off (the Vestry) for one year before being re-elected? There wasno evidence of any such proposal or discussion in the Office Files. Shecommented, also, that our Wardens need to be legal-minded and knowledgeableabout the Church.With no further discussion or business the meeting was adjourned,by Mr. Parks, at 10:55 a.m.Respectfully submitted,Walter Appling(Miss) Walter ApplingActing Clerk for October Meeting10/7/73
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MS-0269_10_1_017.pdf