Q: Are the needs of the various ministries being solicited in order to make sure they will be met by the renovation and acquisition plan?

Answer:
A carefully selected committee, representative of a broad range of our ministries, has been working to ensure that the proposed enhancements will address the needs of the current ministries within the church. This committee has also been reviewing all plans with the perspective of providing capacity for our growing ministry

Q: There is only one meeting designated for focus group meetings; can we have more?

Answer:
The schedule does not permit an additional meeting devoted to focus group issues, but all questions and opinions are valued and we request that they be submitted (via email, if possible) to Bill Adams, the Junior Warden, to John Jaskot, the Senior Warden, or to the office.

Q: What about voting? If we can’t be at the meeting on the 17th, can we vote via absentee ballot?

Answer:
There have been many questions on this subject. It is clear that absentee ballots are not allowed for vestry nomination meetings, but the canons are silent on the use of absentee ballots in a situation such as this. Rev. Prior has submitted an inquiry to the diocese in order to determine whether parishioners can vote if they are not present. Rev. Prior also requests that parishioners who know that they will be unable to attend the meeting write a letter stating whether or not they support the project, sign the letter, and send it to his attention. Their proxies will be included if possible.

Q: How will you keep us informed about the voting issue as well as other aspects of the project?

Answer:
We plan to use St. Andrew’s web site and the Net to keep you informed. The web site will have a page dedicated to Ministry for Tomorrow! with information including: A copy of the project brochure, Questions and Answers from all three meetings, names and contact information for the Renovation Committee, Capital Campaign Committee, other groups as they become identified, project updates, and logistical information during renovation.

Q: Can the current office and other administrative space be reconfigured so that additional buildings do not need to be built?

Answer:
Reconfiguration will not alleviate the need for additional space. Our programs and support staff have increased significantly over the past 20 years as documented in the expanded breadth and depth of programs and ministry listed in St Andrew’s 2006 annual report. Additional copies of the 2006 Annual Report are available in the church office.

There really isn’t any way to increase the amount of administrative and pre-school Christian formation space within the current physical plant. St. Andrew’s needs additional space for current and future ministry.