December 2025 Bishop's Committee Meeting

Bishop’s Committee Meeting/WEB

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Tricia Seifert

Joni Marginot via phone

Fr. Michael Wallens

Also present: Bob Fast, Treasurer; Bob Rice (Past President)

The meeting commenced at 12:33 p.m. with opening prayer.

1. The minutes from the November 16, 2025 meeting were circulated via email. Joni

moved to approve, seconded by Fr Mike. All approved.

2. Treasurer’s Reports:

a. Bob F. circulated the reports in advance of the meeting.

i. Diocesan quarterly treasurers meeting: insurance premiums are adjusted

with minimal increase. The balance sheet will likely reflect modest

increase in property value starting next month.

ii. The diocese has adjusted supply priest compensation to $175 for next

year.

iii. Bob F. is working on the 1099s, budget, and tax receipts for

donations .

iv. Tricia needs to follow up with stained class expert for suggestions

on where to get repair help.

v. Some pledges appear unlikely to be fulfilled while the rest are on target

or already completed.

b. Tricia moved to accept the Treasurer’s report; Fr. Mike seconded; all approved.

3. President’s Report.

a. New Business: Upon Fr. Mike temporarily absenting himself from the meeting,

the BC discussed his upcoming compensation, with input from the Treasurer and

past President. The committee unanimously agreed to adjust his compensation

to the maximum permitted per his pension terms, and apportion the salary and

housing allowance for 2026 to the percentages requested by the Wallenses.

b. Fr. Mike rejoined the meeting and expressed his gratitude for the compensation

decision. He noted that Lessons and Carols needed some volunteers to read. A

violinist will play.

c. Update from the architect: Tricia updated the group on conversation with

architect and Fr. Mike earlier in December about conforming drawings for bids to

redo the bathrooms and sacristy, with potential to extend heating to the new

office in the back corner of the building. We can move forward to seek bids from

contractors upon receipt of the drawings, before commencing a fund raising

campaign.

4. Vicar’s Report:

a. During Christmas week, Fr. Mike will travel to visit friends of the Big Bend

churches who are in nursing care out of town, then travel for medical

appointments, a visit with family having surgery, and to meet a parish church in

Leesburg, VA that is a partner in Borderlands work. St. Paul’s will have a supply

priest or morning prayer lead by Deacon Gary during any Sunday absences from

the 12 th through the 21 st .

b. Rachel Harper will be visiting us and will preach the first Sunday in February,

after our quarterly Big Bend Churches gathering on Saturday, January 31.

c. Annual meeting date: it was agreed by all to defer until February 8 th , after we

meet with Rachel.

d. Various names for new members to the Bishop’s Committee were proposed.

5. The next BC meeting will be on Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30 PM.

6. The meeting concluded at 1:26 pm with closing prayer.

Approved: _______ 2025

/Tricia Seifert

Clerk