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Vestry Meeting Minutes

June 16 , 2004

Vestry members present: Scott Carter, Al Doty, Brad Ewing, Bill Fanning, Ruby Medlin, Keith Obert, David Senn, Reggie Sims.

Others present: Judy Barnes, David Christian, Steve Downs, Leigh Jensen

The meeting was opened with prayer by David Christian and Senior Warden, Al Doty, presided.

Approval of Minutes The May vestry meeting minutes were reviewed. David Senn made a motion to accept the minutes as written without corrections or additions. Reggie Sims seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. The minutes of the special vestry meeting on June 2 were reviewed. Reggie Sims made a motion to accept the minutes as written, which was seconded by David Senn and approved unanimously.

Treasurer's Report Treasurer, Steve Down, provided Operating Budget vs Actual/January through May 2004 and Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2004 reports for vestry review and discussion. Al Doty noted that pledge payments were down but expected that the mailing of contribution statements and letters asking for new or increased pledges would have an impact. He noted the Finance Committee and Brad Ewing have been working hard to improve the outlook and Robert Pooley has composed excellent letters.

Commission Reports

Brad Ewing reported on the activities of the Christian Stewardship Commission. He provided a draft of the letter written by Robert Pooley. He asked the vestry members to commit to increasing their pledges so that they can say they are doing what they are asking the members to do. He will contact the vestry members who were absent to get their commitment. He said he will work with the church office to track giving and will contact accountant, Dale Marcum, to explore reports that are available.

Ruby Medlin gave the report for the Christian Growth Commission. Dates for Vacation Bible School have been set for July 26-30. Co-chairs, Marsha Darnell and Pam Manor will set up a sign up table on Sunday mornings and begin recruiting volunteers. Registration forms will go out in the July newsletter. Ruby suggested that the Chapel may want to begin charging a minimal VBS registration fee as some other churches are now doing. It was agreed that a fee would not be required this year, but donations would be solicited to cover the cost of tee-shirts. Bill Fanning made the motion to institute a nominal registration fee next year to cover VBS costs, which was seconded by Brad Ewing and approved unanimously. Ruby reported that Felicia Carter is the new chair of the Nursery Committee and she is already at work. She also noted that the Chapel has four trained Level I catechists, Leigh Ann Bryan, Sloan McKellar, Pam Manor and Ruby. They want to enroll in Level II training that begins in August and meets once a month through the year. The cost is $600 per person. They expect to begin teaching Level I this fall and would like to offer Level II in a year. Ruby reported that Family Sunday School has been going well. Ruby noted she is working on a list of families with children who have recently left the church so that they can be contacted and invited back.

The Christian Service Commission report was begun by David Senn. He said the Day in the Country co-chairs Don Bates and Sean Pooley have met with last year's chairs and are coming up with some exciting new ideas. There have been no Wednesday Nite Lite activities scheduled yet because all the people who wanted to help have been out of town. He has been talking to Rusty Brown about having a fish fry on a Friday night in a couple of weeks. He thought all the food could be donated and event would have a family theme. It was noted that Chapel nursery workers should be used if childcare was offered.

David told the vestry plans are being drawn up for a new playground with the expectation it will meet current safety standards. David Senn made a motion to proceed with the playground project to be built on the predetermined location. The motion was seconded by Bill Fanning and carried unanimously.

Al Doty reported that a lot of items were donated for the shipping container going to Salt and Light Ministries in Honduras. Seventeen people are traveling to Honduras in July to build houses with Salt and Light. Al also noted Pastoral Care is going well with volunteer efforts and Carrie Duncan's assistance.

David Christian noted Annie Mitchell (Cathy Strauss' mother) is now at Hospice Ministries. Cathy is asking for help watching her girls so that she can visit her mother. Charlie Blount has been in ICU at Tulane for four months. There is a blood drive next Sunday to benefit Charlie. Al encouraged the vestry members to donate.

David Christian reported the New Member Ministry Committee has been meeting and it's working on a visitor brochure and revised visitor response cards. They plan to identify 18-20 members who are willing to serve as greeters. The committee will meet again in early July. Its focus is on making people feel welcome and incorporating them into the life of the parish.

David continued his report by informing the vestry he would be out of town on June 27 and had arranged for Bill Fanning to handle Morning Prayers at 7:30, Anne Mollere for Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m. and The Rev. Cecil Jones at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Several members have applied to become Licensed Lay Readers: Keith Obert, Michael Bounds, John Hamman, Maggie Pooley, Sandy Stater, Robert Pooley, Rod Risley and Ralph Stillions. Their applications must be approved by the vestry. Reggie Sims made a motion to approve the applicants to be trained and licensed. It was seconded by David Senn and approved unanimously.

Senior Warden's Report Al Doty reported Ron DelBene has accepted the call to come as the Chapel's Interim Rector for a one-year contract. Keith Obert will assist with a letter of agreement. Ron will visit next week to move some things. Ron has asked the vestry to come up with priorities they would like to see accomplished in the next six months. Al asked the vestry to send their responses to Judy Barnes to compile by next week. Al noted a celebration to welcome Ron will need to be planned soon after he arrives. Several ideas were discussed and it was suggested to seek Ron's input on the type of event and the date he would prefer. Al will check with him when he is in town next week. Brad Ewing will alert Lisa Ewing, Hospitality Chair, that this is pending.

Al asked that the next vestry meeting be scheduled for July 14, as he and Suzanne Files will be in Honduras on the regular meeting date. There were not objections.

A letter has been received from the Bishop requesting the Chapel's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws for diocese records. Al will get with Judy to gather the information.

Al noted the Golf Tournament had been cancelled and will be rescheduled for the fall.

Junior Warden's Report Scott Carter reported the dedication of the youth rooms was very nice. Jeannine Barrett is donating a refrigerator for the youth. Scott expects to have another Saturday work day soon. He said Buford Plumbing is installing the dishwasher in the nursery. The garage apartment is being readied for Ron's occupancy.

New Business Diocesan consultant, Leigh Jensen, asked for vestry feedback about the mood of the parish. She asked what they are hearing from the members. There was a consensus that emotions have calmed considerably as time has passed and concerns have been addressed through the Bishop's letter and one on one conversations. Most members noted there is a sense of optimism and a desire to move ahead. The vestry did not feel there was a need to do anything else at this time. Leigh suggested she could compose something for the newsletter offering her help.

There was discussion of how plans for a new search would develop. Al noted the search is a high priority and Ron can assist with the process. The parish profile will need some updating, but the work should move quickly. The senior warden selects the committee with the vestry's approval. Al expects to begin putting the committee together in 3 to 4 weeks. He also anticipates putting out a state of the parish update in 3 to 4 weeks.

Reggie Sims made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Bill Fanning and approved unanimously.

The next regular vestry meeting is Wednesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.