Vestry Meeting Minutes

December 9, 2009

Devotional: Wednesday night Eucharist.

Roll Call:  Chuck Harrill, Sr. Warden called the meeting to order and took roll. Vestry attendees were:  Carl Beckett, Ted Guilford, Bob Underwood, Virginia Helms, Bob Moore, Mary Lou Layne and Chuck Harrill, Sr. Warden, Michael Cobb, C.A. Wallin, Carolina Villa

New vestry members present: Floyd Benfield and Danny Hooks

Staff present: Andy Atkinson, Deacon; Treasurer, Bonnie Yeakey; Vestry Clerk, Becky Underwood

Approval of November Minutes: Ted made a motion to accept Nov. minutes, Virginia seconded and all approved.

Chuck Harrill said two people had agreed to be Jr. and Sr. Warden, Danny Hooks for Jr. Warden and Bob Underwood for Sr. Warden. The Vestry voted on these two and they were approved by full acclamation.

Building Committee Report: Ted Guilford reported that the land Contractor has started clearing the land, but the rain is hampering progress. They are trying to move forward as much as possible. They are concentrating on clearing water from the building area so we can pour the building pad.

Treasurer’s Report – Bonnie Yeakey: Bonnie e-mailed reports prior to meeting and presented it to the vestry.

·        General pledges exceed October by $632.50, over all general pledges are at 85.47% of budget for the year. November net (Income – expenses) is a positive $2,203 for the month.

·        Capital pledges decreased over October by $107.50, over all capital pledges are at 77.30% of budget for the year. November net (income – expenses) is a negative (2,314.00) for the month.

·        Balance Sheet – Cash balances are $133,053.  Revenues over expenses for all funds for the year $64,932.

Finance Committee Report – Ted Guilford: Ted reported that the Diocese has asked for 11.42% pledge from us for this year, stating that if all churches give this much they would be able to balance their budget. We gave 11.19% last year. The vestry discussed and reiterated that Holy Cross is one of the larger contributors in Diocese. Ted proposed a pledge of 10.35% to the Diocese this year, due to the fact that we are $2,500 short of our pledges for 2009. Chuck Harrill felt we should not reduce our 2010 pledge. He said one of the things the Diocesan standing committee was impressed with was our level of pledge compared with the size of our Parish. Because of this, they were more responsive to our requests. Ted reported that the Diocese has also decreased their pledge to the international Episcopal Church for 2010. The Diocese has asked that all pledges be turned in by the end of this year. Virginia Helms said her hope is we will gain membership after we move into the new building and should be able to maintain the same pledge as last year. Chuck asked for Andy Atkinson’s opinion (HC Clergy present) and he said he would like to see us pledge at least 10%. Bob Underwood said he thinks 10.35% is a fair amount in the down economy we are in. Carl Beckett made a motion to pledge 10.35% to the Diocese of the year 2010. Ted Guilford seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  

Dick’s comments: Dick stepped into the meeting briefly, from Daughters of the King meeting going on congruently, and did not have a lot to share. He did say that he is encouraging the worship committee to use Rite 1 in our worship services. He said the Book of Common Prayer is the most complete prayer book and is used universally throughout the religious communities. He would like to see parishioners use it in their daily lives as well. Rite 2 is usually used and we are more comfortable with it, but feel we should use the whole book. He is also excited about our new chapter of Daughters of the King (DOK).

Andy’s comments: Andy doesn’t like rite 1, but will be willing to experiment with it.

Sr. Warden’s report – Chuck Harrill: Last year we gave Christmas gifts to the clergy. We gave $200 to Dick, $100 to Andy, $100 to Ed, Jamey $100 and $75 to the custodian. Bob Underwood made a motion to give these same amounts again this year. Carolina Villa seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Virginia Helms talked about the wish book. She said she feels that the wish book should be created with items specifically needed for the church right now. She also suggested setting a deadline of March for adding things to the book. Although donations to the building are welcome and needed, she feels they should be controlled. The vestry agreed and Chuck Harrill said he feels that we need a committee to regulate these items as well as a committee for the interior design of the church. C.A. Wallin said he feels that the interior design committee we already have should decide on items needed and then bring their ideas to the vestry for approval. Andy Atkinson, Michael Cobb, Ada Atkinson, Chey Radeka and Judith Beckett make up the Interior Design committee. This committee should come up with guidelines for accepting contributions. Dick’s church at Calabash wants to donate some warming tables and an old alter. It was agreed that these items will be OK to accept.

Chuck Harrill reported that he sent the 2010 time and talent sheets to the vestry members via e-mail. Several of the members said they could not open the file, so Chuck gave them a hard copy at the meeting.

Jr. Warden’s report – C.A. Wallin: C.A. said we lost our privileges to the music stands at MGMS. We were not returning them to their proper place following our Sunday morning services. We had been warned about this previously when the Music Teacher for the school complained. C.A. instructed the vestry VP’s of the day to not let anyone take those out and use them.

New Business: Old Business: Virginia Helms said she feels that the Christian Ed committee should divide into two committees, one for children’s CE and one for Adult’s CE.

Ted Guilford reported that Fred Hammond would like to be the chairman of a Memorial Garden. Ted made a motion to let him do this. C.A. Wallin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Michael Cobb said he has a meeting with the Bishop next week to see what it will take to become an ordained minister in the Episcopal Church. The vestry was very supportive and excited and said they will pray for his success.

Closing Prayer: Lord’s Prayer

Adjourn: Chuck Harrill