Vestry Minutes
November 21, 2006
Parker Hall
Participants
Present: Nancy Anderson, H. Nicholas Baker, James M. Barnes,
Noel R. Booker, Carolyn C. Frazier, Downey M. Gray, James R. Hendon, Andrea E.
Morris, Virginia L. Ray, Margaret Scharre, David L. Stewart, Clyde K. Warner;
The Rev. J. Edward Morris.
Absent: Laina Brown, Mary M. Sachs, David L.Webb.
Opening Prayer
The
meeting was called to order at 5:27p.m. Fr. Morris offered a meditation from “Meditations for
Vestry Members”.
Minutes of October meeting
Clyde
Warner moved the approval of the October 17, 2006, minutes of the vestry with
emendation; seconded by Nick Baker. Motion carried. The first sentence of the
Old Business section of the minutes of October 17 was emended to read: Fr. Morris reported that the whole Long
Range Planning Committee would meet Saturday, November 11, 9-12 at Calvary.
Committee Reports
Finance:
Andrea Morris presented the financial statements through October 31, 2006. Clyde Warner moved that the report be accepted; Jamie Hendon seconded. Motion carried.
Andrea noted that at the close of the year, restricted account 003135, Church Plant Renovation, will be corrected to show only actual monies placed in that account since the reclassification transactions in 2003. The account was created in 1997 for the purpose of recording gifts made toward re-payment to the endowment fund of monies transferred to the general checking account to help pay for the Loft/Parker Hall construction and, in 1998, for the north entry addition. Some re-payments were made according to the minutes of those years, but subsequent minutes were silent on this account. The auditor recommended to the finance committee that that account can be corrected and the finance committee agreed.
Andrea then presented the proposed budget for 2007. By motion of Nick Baker, seconded by Jamie Hendon, the 2007 budget as amended (expense account 5540 to read Outreach Grants, and a new account of $1000 be added to Other Expenses to be titled College Ministry Program) was approved.
Stewardship:
Downey Gray reported on the progress of
the Stewardship Campaign: 145 pledge cards received to date, 82 were increases,
23 remained the same, 3 decreased their 2006 pledge amount and there were 37
new pledges. Total pledges to date: $309,044. The vestry will receive the names
of those not responding and the process for personally contacting these members
will begin.
By-Laws/Insurance/Legal:
No report
Worship:
Jim Barnes drew the vestry’s attention to the November written staff report for Music. The next meeting of the Worship Committee is December 7 at 5:00. Fr. Morris noted that the Thanksgiving Service will be a joint service at the Cathedral; Fr. Morris is preaching.
Community
and Christian Formation:
Carrie
Frazier drew the vestry’s attention to the November written staff report for
Community and Christian Formation. She reported that the “youth lock in” went
very well with 20 participating. The next youth event is December 3 (lunch and
a movie). The Pageant is scheduled for December 17 at 10:30.
Property:
Clyde Warner reported that there is work being done on
just about everything at every level. Most recently, the marble slabs are being
tested for ways to stabilize those that are loose. Ginger Ray noted that
housekeeping and decorating projects are continuing as well. Ginger also
reported that Korfhage Landscape and Designs has reviewed the landscaping needs
at the front of the church and that Carl Ray and John Korfhage have each
offered to pay half of the cost. The vestry expressed its appreciation and
gratitude for this offer.
Outreach:
Jim Barnes drew the vestry’s attention to the November
written staff report for Outreach and to the report of the Outreach Grants
Committee. The Outreach Grants will be distributed next week. Fr. Morris noted
that plans are being made for a group of parishioners to go to the Mississippi
Gulf Coast to offer aid to those still suffering from Hurricane Katrina and
that some outreach monies may be requested.
Communication:
Meg Scharre drew the vestry’s attention to the November written staff report for Communication. She noted that the next Connection deadline is December 18. The Calvary newspaper ad is currently running on Saturday and Sunday with a one-year contract.
Parish Life:
Ginger Ray
reported that the 2007 foyer groups are in the process of forming and a sign-up
sheet is in the parish hall.
Junior Warden:
No report
Senior Warden:
No report (Note: The vestry
took time to celebrate the 87th birthday of the Senior Warden,
Downey Gray, and to wish him many more.)
Rector:
Fr. Morris noted that Mary
Ann Mertz, who is in the clergy discernment process, would be on board for the
next six months. This internship is non-compensatory, but mileage will be paid
when she is sent out on church business. Fr. Morris announced that Christ
Church Cathedral has selected the Rev. Mark Bourlakas as Dean. He is from St.
Albans parish in Davidson, North Carolina. Fr. Morris also noted: that the Rev.
Richard Humke will celebrate and preach on Sunday, November 26, as the Morrises
will be in Pittsburgh, Pa.; that the annual Advent Event will occur on December
3; and, that an Advent Quiet Morning is scheduled for Saturday December 9.
Fr. Morris also noted that
the Executive Committee had previously suggested that members of the vestry
freshman class be asked to attend the Diocesan Conventions and that the second
year class members be asked to attend the Consortium Of Endowed Episcopal
Parishes annual conferences. He hopes to put this suggestion into practice. The
Diocesan Convention is at St. Luke’s, Anchorage, this coming February, and the
CEEP conference is in March.
Old Business:
Jamie Hendon
and Nick Baker presented a draft Gift Policy. Some suggested emendations were
made.
Jim Barnes
presented the Vestry Nomination Committee’s report and distributed biographical
information on each candidate. The Annual Congregational Meeting and vestry
election is scheduled for January 14.
Fr. Morris
noted that the whole Long Range Planning Committee would meet again on January
13.
New Business:
Nick Baker noted that the Connection newsletter needs to have
“RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED” placed below the return address. This will ensure
the return of undeliverable newsletters and more easily facilitate purging and
making address changes. It was also noted that the new logo needs to be added
to the address side.
Jim Barnes moved that
effective January 1, 2007, Anita House, part-time office assistant/bookkeeper,
having been employed at Calvary for over a year, be allowed to earn paid leave
at the rate of one day per month of service; that such leave may be used for
sick, vacation and emergency situations as approved by the Rector; and, that
said leave may accumulate to a maximum of 12 days in any given year but may not
roll-over into a subsequent year. Seconded by Nick Baker. The motion carried.
Announcements:
Fr. Morris reminded the
vestry that the vestry overnight retreat for 2007 would be at Wooded Glen
Conference and Retreat Center in Henry County Indiana, February 9 & 10.
The
next regularly scheduled meeting of the vestry is December 19, 2006, 5:15,
Calvary Church, with Nancy Anderson officiating Compline.
There
being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15p.m. with Compline
officiated by Ginger Ray.
Respectfully
submitted,
James
M. Barnes
Secretary
