ST. MARK’S VESTRY MINUTES

August 7,2007

Caroline Hall Jim Halverson Bob Haverland Sally Little

Rick Powell Jonathan Renfroe Rose Renfroe Ty Ross

Cindy Sarratt Chris Stearns Thierry Urbain Erin Witt

Others: Rev. Dean Taylor, Rector *Rev. Elizabeth Roles, Assistant Rector

Barbara Yarbrough, Clerk
*denotes absence

The Rev. Dean Taylor opened the meeting with prayers for James Allen, Jim Greer, and the John Bruner family. Amy Parks, the new office administrator, was introduced to the vestry. Sally Huggins was thanked for the delicious lunch she provided for the vestry members.

In his Rector’s Report; Dean announced the formation of the Dalton Unity Committee, of which he is a member. This group was formed in response to the recent shooting of a local teen and will work to bring — to our community. Dean proposed to the committee for the Diocese of Atlanta Commission on Racism to conduct a Racial Unity Workshop and Training Program in Dalton since the commission already has an established program being taught throughout the Diocese.

Vestry Cookout Report: Rose Renfroe
The cookout is planned for Sunday, August26 following the 10:00 am. service and Sunday School Open House. Rose has an itemized list of food and supplies left from the earlier vestry picnic, and funds are available to purchase needed items. A general discussion was held on overall plans, grills needed, etc.

VESTRY REPORTS
Children and Youth: Sally Little/Elizabeth Roles
Sally distributed a 2007-2008 Sunday School Report which gave a summary of planned activities for ages 3 years through high school. Briefly, a new curriculum, “Godly Play” will be introduced for ages 3 years — 1 grade. Steve Sarratt, Carolyn Alexander and Sue Boyd were thanked for the program materials they have made. Grades 2-5 will use workshop cycles based on various seasonal themes. Middle School Youth will use an Episcopal Curriculum which brings Scriptures into conversation with life questions pertinent to this age group. The High School Youth will read ‘Marked”, a graphic novel based on the Book of Mark.

Christian Education Sunday is planned for August 12th and will include the "Blessing of the Backpacks”.

Rick and Ann Powell have planned a “fall kick-off’ for Middle School Youth on August 19th at their lake house. On August 22, this group will be guests of Paul and Alicia Alderman for a pool party.

The Don Wright family will host the first House Eucharist of the year on September 9th for the high school youth.

Elizabeth presented an update on the successful summer youth mission trips.

Pastoral Care: Cindy Sarratt
Cindy has met with the food ministry coordinators and they are doing an excellent job providing meals to parishioners whenever needed. Other areas of Pastoral Care are going smoothly.

Outreach: Thierry Urbain
St. Mark’s Food Bank has been very busy this summer, assisting 15 families which translates to 65 people total. Tammy Rice-Rodriguez is compiling a grocery list which will feed a family of 4 for about a week. This will be published in the newsletter and should help with food donations. Currently the shelves are low and need restocking. Thierry would like to encourage various Sunday School classes to participate in this project

Thierry reviewed the discussion held at the June vestry meeting concerning St. Mark’s participation in the Family Promise of Whitfield County Interfaith Hospitality program. He made a motion for St Mark’s to make a 1 year commitment to participate in this program at the local level. The vestry unanimously approved the motion as presented. Family Promise is currently in the beginning stages locally and will not be operational for 12-18 months. The next meeting is planned for Monday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. at St Mark’s and is open to anyone interested in the program.

Adult Education: Dean Taylor (for Caroline Hall)
The fall schedule resumes Sunday, September 9th with HE Rite I at 8:00 a.m., all Sunday School classes at 10:00 a.m. and HE Rite II at 11:00 am. Two adult classes will be offered this year an informal discussion group led by Ty Ross and Jim Halverson and a class on “The Human Journey” led by Susan Ewing, LCSW and Rev. Dean Taylor.

Beginning September 5th, Wednesday evening programs will resume with dinner at 5:45 p.m. followed by an intergenerational program based on the youth summer mission trip to the Arkansas Heifer Ranch Global Village.

Buildings: Jonathan Renfroe
The remodel of the reception area bathrooms has been completed. A water problem has been found on the back side of the sanctuary and measures are being taken to repair it.

Grounds: Chris Stearns
Plans are underway for redoing the preschool playground. A generous memorial contribution is helping with the cost, and the Playground Committee is discussing other fundraising means.

Newcomers: Ty Ross
A mailout is being developed to send to newcomers.

Worship: Rick Powell
Five children (including 2 sets of twins) will be baptized on August 19th and will be followed with a reception in. the Parish Hall.

Rick is investigating the possibility of taping sermons for shut-ins.

Finance and Stewardship: Bob Haverland
As of June 30, 2007, pledge receipts are $144,254.60 or 41.18% of the annual budget. Plate receipts for the same period are $28,299.96 or 63.15%. Overall collections for January-June are $25,722.94 below the year-to-date budget Statements were sent to pledging units around the first of July and some monies have been received as a result.

The vestry is requested to give their 2008 commission budget requests to Bob as soon as possible in order for him to begin compiling the 2008 Annual Budget The Stewardship Commission plans to meet in late August

The next vestry meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m.

Dean adjourned the meeting with the Benediction.

Respectfully submitted,