Sunday, January 17, 2021
Annual Meeting Results

Vestry, three people elected to three year terms: Betty Harrison, Bruce Hunn, Doug Miller. 
Jr. Warden: Bill deVries. Re-elected to a one-year term.
Delegates to Convention: Doug Miller (1 year), Joyce Hunn (2 year), Alternates pending
Sr. Warden: Sharon Walsh, appointed by Fr. Alex to serve a third one-year term.
Treasurer: Mother Jean Campbell, serving a second one-year term
Vestry Clerk: Francesca MacDowell, serving a second one-year term
Thank you to the vestry members who have fulfilled their terms: Howard Deboi, Marcia Miller, and Steven Prellwitz for your dedication and service on the vestry and to your church.  
We Give Thanks
1. Thanksgiving given for St. Francis's donation to Rio Grande Borderland Ministries. Thanks be to you and to God for the Parish's generosity in giving so that we even had money to share.
2. Thanksgiving for the hiring of Mother Regina Hurley as Priest Associate for Elder Care
3. Thanksgiving for the conservation project of John Templeton, Howard Deboi, Bruce Hunn, and Bill deVries, who converted the parking lot, office, sanctuary, and narthex lights to LEDs. This was subsidized by a 0% interest loan from New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light.
4. Thanksgiving for Fr. Alex's appointment as Dean of the Northwest Area Deanery.
5. Thanksgiving for God's faithfulness and the parish's steadfastness in prayer, service, and giving during the pandemic.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Annual Meeting Documents
Agenda in PDF

Agenda in Word

Draft Budget PDF

2020 Actual Expeditures
Thank you!
John Templeton, Howard Deboi, Bruce Hunn, and Bill deVries have worked hard for two years on transitioning St. Francis to energy-efficient lighting. To that end we secured a loan from New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light for $10,000. In 2020, we made great progress in our work: we replaced all of our parking lot and office lights with energy-efficient LED lighting. John Templeton, Howard Deboi, and Bruce Hunn led the way (with John spending a lot of time high up in the cold, windy air replacing the fixtures). The lighting in the parking lot, especially, has received a real upgrade, as the parking lot lights now come on and turn off automatically at dusk and dawn. They also have a motion-sensing feature, so that they emit soft, dim light in the unused parking lot, but increase the light when the parking lot is being used. Thank you, John, Howard, Bruce, Bill, and all our Vestry for making this happen!
Who is on the Ballot?
Vestry Candidates
Betty Harrison
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​Why do you want to run for Vestry?
To get more involved in the operation and growth of St. Francis.
What do you care about in life?
Continue to have God in my very day life.  The love for family. Not only now but always to have settling of such turmoil in out Great Country.

Where have you seen God at work during COVID?
To the over whelming compassion that the hospital staff show for those patients suffering. Also for the generosity of those who think more of other in this time of need by giving what they can to help others in need.

What opportunities are before St. Francis?
To continue to grow stronger as a Christian Pillar of Faith. To show the community that we are here not only as a building but a Church family to help one another through good times and hard times.

Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Mint Chocolate Chip
Bruce Hunn
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​Why do I want to run for Vestry?
In the relatively short time we have been members of St. Francis we have developed a profound love of this parish, its clergy, and parishioners.  I sense that it is poised for growth.  My work with the Creation Care Committee and assessing the energy use of the church facility has given me a view of the importance of parish governance and my role in it.  My engineering education and experience has given my skills of administration that I feel called to apply to St. Francis.  Having been a Vestry member in four of our previous parishes I have a pretty good understanding of parish operations.  

What do I care about in life?
More than I can fully document here, but most fundamentally that God is our creator, Jesus is our redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is our sustainer.  I care deeply about the spiritual and physical health of my family, church, community, and nation and my role and responsibility toward fostering that health.  I also care deeply about Creation Care, our responsibility toward environmental stewardship of all creation, and about Christian education for us all.  I also care about music, especially choral music in the church and bluegrass music.  Finally I care about fostering efficient use of natural resources through efficient use of energy, development of renewable energy, and recycling.  

Where have I seen God at work during COVID?
I have seen it in the compassionate care given by health care workers and in the care taken by fellow citizens in mask wearing, social distancing, and staying home as much as feasible.  I see God at work in the rapid development of multiple vaccines.

What opportunities are before St. Francis?
The opportunity for growth, both in numbers and in spiritual formation.  I hope to see St. Francis continue to develop strong and vital educational opportunities through small groups, and through our children's, youth, and adult Christian education offerings.  Finally, I see opportunities in outreach, especially regarding immigrants and asylum seekers and in sharing more widely our parish facility with outside groups. 

Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Either Rocky Road or Vanilla Bean.
Doug Miller
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​Why do you want to run for Vestry?
I’d like to be a part of the leadership that sees the continued growth of St Francis. Hopefully by being on the vestry I can help identify future leaders of the church and help with the spiritual growth of the congregation. 
 
What do you care about in life?
My family and the congregation of St Francis and the friendships that I have developed there. I care about our local community and out environment.
 
Where have you seen God at work during COVID?
You see God at work through the efforts of the doctors, nurses, medical staffs,  and first-responders that are providing care for those suffering from COVID.  You see God’s gift of science that allowed for the development of multiple vaccines to combat the disease.  You see God’s love through the everyday simple tasks as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
 
What opportunities are before St. Francis?
I see opportunities in creation care,  out reach to the local community, and immigration justice.
 
Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia
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​Calling one and all to consider running for parish offices

Vestry:  The Vestry is the governing board of the Parish, responsible for the spiritual, physical, and financial well being of the Parish. They create and review by-laws, policies, procedures, and major purchases. They have fiduciary and legal responsibility for the Parish. Three year term.

Delegate to Diocesan Convention: On behalf of our Parish, the delegates take part in the business and mission of the diocese by attending and voting at meetings of our deanery (May 4, July 13, November 17) and at Diocesan Convention (October 17-19). One, two-year term.

Jr. Warden: Along with the Sr. Warden, the Jr. Warden serves as a council of advice to Rector and oversees the stewardship of Parish membership, money, and grounds. One, one-year term.

The Senior Warden, Clerk of the Vestry, and the Treasurer are appointed positions and will be announced at the Annual Meeting, or soon thereafter.

Consider and pray about whether God might be calling you to one of these roles.

Your brother in Christ,

Alex+
​St. Francis' Annual Meeting FAQs

1. When is the Annual Meeting and how do I attend? It will follow immediately after worship on Sunday, January 17. You must be on Zoom to vote, but you can also watch the meeting via Facebook Live. No new link is needed; just remain on after worship.

2. Who can run for offices and who can vote? Adult (16+), confirmed (by a bishop), communicant (receive Communion at least 2 times a year) member of the parish.

3. If I do not fit all the categories above can I still attend? Yes! We invite all to participate. We even invite you to ask questions, as we can all learn and grow from one another.

4. If I cannot get Zoom to work, what should I do? First, we'd be happy to help you figure it out. Call the office and we will do our best to help. Second, if you are a member and can vote, but do not use Zoom, we would love to mail you a draft budget and agenda.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Alex+
If you are interested in running to serve your church please contact the office.

You will need to answer the following questions:

1. Why do you want to run for Vestry?
2. What do you care about in life?
3. Where have you seen God at work during COVID?
4. What opportunities are before St. Francis?
5. Favorite flavor of ice cream?