Calvary Episcopal Church

Vestry Minutes

October 23, 2007

Parker Hall

 

Participants

Present:

Nancy Anderson

Downey M. Gray

James R. Hendon

Mary S. Sachs

David L. Stewart

Noel R. Booker

Carolyn C. Frazier

Haley Hensley

Clyde K. Warner

Michael Hensley

Virginia L. Ray

Larry Frederiksen

Thomas H. Fulton

Marsha Webb

The Rev. J. Edward Morris

 

Absent:

David L. Webb

Mary Catherine Wright

Morris K. Belknap

 

Minutes of September Meeting

Corky Sachs moved the approval of the September 25, 2007 minutes of the Vestry; seconded by Marsha Webb. Motion carried.

 

Opening Prayer

The meeting was called to order at 5:15PM. Nancy Anderson read the opening bible verse. Fr. Morris offered an opening meditation.

 

Committee Reports

Finance:

Noel Booker presented the financial statements through September 2007. This report marks the ¾ point in the year. A lot of money has come in for the fence, the Fund Raising consultant, and the tower. While not as much money has come in from pledges, we’re significantly ahead of this time last year. LG&E costs are much lower than budgeted. Downey Gray moved that the report be accepted; Seconded by Corky Sachs. Motion carried.

 

Noel Booker detailed a report about the church insurance. A new quote was presented by a competing company; the decision has been made to stay with the policy and company that we have. The deductible was reviewed and has remained the same as before. His feeling was that the stained glass windows need to be on a separate policy because of their value.

 

The 2008 Budget will be presented at the November meeting.

 

Last year, Calvary’s donation to the Diocese was approx. 10%. The Diocese wants 15%. However the amount of money given each year is much more than before. Calvary gives the 4th or 5th highest donation in the Diocese based on total money given. It was agreed to postpone the decision on this until the November meeting.

 

 

Stewardship:

Larry Frederiksen detailed his report on the progress of pledges coming in.

 

He discussed a tax saving tip from John Bugbee that had come from Jim Hill. There will be in the bulletin this week.

 

A list will be made up in November of people who haven’t pledged so they can be contacted. Senior Warden Jamie Hendon requested that any Vestry members who haven’t turned in their pledge do so immediately. While it’s early still, Jamie’s feeling is that the pace of pledging is not matching this time next year.

 

Fr. Morris expressed his appreciation for everyone’s efforts and attendance at the Time and Talent Fair. It was agreed that the entertainment provided was beneficial.

 

Worship:

Marsha Webb detailed the upcoming major services. There will be no Thanksgiving service (Fr. Morris’ baby is due then) and he encourages everyone to go to Thanksgiving Service at St. Mark’s on Wednesday evening, November 21. St. Francis has one on Thanksgiving morning too.

 

Christian Formation:

Carrie Frazier noted the upcoming Hunger Walk and All Saint’s Intergenerational Celebration.

 

Fr. Morris listed the topics that John Hale will speak on in Adult Forum.

 

David Stewart noted that the Youth Group earned $750 from the Belgravia Court Association for their help with the St. James Art Fair.

 

Property Committee:

Clyde Warner noted many new leaks from the heavy rain we’ve had recently.

 

As of today, the fence company will start on the Courtyard fence on Monday, 10/29. It’ll take about three (3) weeks to complete the project, weather permitting. Fr. Morris noted that we’re only about $1,200 away from our goal of $18,000 to pay for the fence.

 

A new breakfront has been purchased for the artifacts based on an excellent find by Ben Small.

 

Corky Sachs told the Vestry that one of the big candle holders had broken. She and Deborah Stewart are looking for a reliable craftsman to repair it.

 

Outreach:

Nancy Anderson noted the report for the Outreach Committee.

 

Fr. Morris noted that the Executive Director of Help Ministries turned in her resignation as of this past Friday.

 

Communication:

Carrie Frazier noted that November 4 is the next meeting. She plans to have the Communication budget together by then. She will have all the materials for the “Be Moved!” campaign by then.

 

Parish Life:

Ginger Ray noted that the Unique Artique will be on November 10. The Newcomers Orientation will be on November 11. It will be an informational meeting.

 

Ginger also requested that Fr. Morris provide a time frame for the supper to honor past Senior Wardens.

 

Junior Warden:

Noel Booker drew attention once more to how good Calvary’s Adult Forum is.

 

Senior Warden:

Jamie Hendon noted that the Executive Committee has put together a composite of the yearly evaluation for Fr. Morris.

 

Rector:

Fr. Morris reminded the Vestry of the Vestry Papers. He has had a Vestry member note that they are attracted to working with newcomers which is the main point of this issue. He noted that this challenges us to see ourselves as we appear to newcomers. Callie is going to set up a committee for this purpose.

 

A good group came this past weekend after church to an informational meeting on the Israel trip in April. The group needs to have (40) people to go at a $3,500 rate. Fr. Morris emphasized that this trip can really make a difference to people’s understanding of the Old & New Testament, difference Middle Eastern religions, etc.

 

Old Business:

Jamie Hendon noted that the Long Range Planning process has reached a bottleneck. Based on what he has learned, the successful campaigns have a couple of individuals who can drive the process as Chair and co-Chair. The Executive Committee is working to identify the right people. Any Vestry members who can offer the names of possible people for this process should present them to the Executive Committee.

 

Noel Booker noted that the Executive Committee has confidence in both of the two possible consultants; it’s the lay leadership that is needed to progress with this process.

 

New  Business:

Jamie Hendon announced the process of selecting Vestry nominees. Marsha Webb brought up the importance of letting potential nominees know exactly what is expected of them as an elected Vestry member.

 

Fr. Morris brought up the next meeting of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes. It will be in St. Louis in February. He is looking for delegates.

 

Announcements:

There were no announcements.

 

 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Vestry is November 27, 2007 @ 5:15 PM. Meeting will be held at Calvary Church with Downey Gray officiating Compline.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:14 PM with Compline officiated by Nancy Anderson.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

David L. Stewart

Secretary

 

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