ST. MARK’S VESTRY MINUTES

November 1, 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   Kathy West, Treasurer    Sally Huggins, Financial Secretary
*denotes absence

The Rev. Dean Taylor opened the meeting with prayers for the worldwide church.


RECTOR’S REPORT
Dean announced the preschool needs volunteers to help deliver chili to businesses on Friday, November 2nd.

 A “Teen Grief Support Group”, led by Susan Ewing, is being formed as a result of the recent deaths of local teenagers Andre Johnson and John Bruner. Their respective parents will also be involved to a certain degree in this project.

The Annual Parish Meeting and vestry elections will be held November 18th at 10:00 am. Outgoing vestry members, Caroline Hall, Rick Powell, Rose Renfroe, and Thierry Urbain, will form the nominating committee and will meet to formulate the nominations procedure. They will also serve as the Orientation Committee for the newly elected vestry members.


VESTRY REPORTS
Stewardship and Finance: Bob Haverland
Bob announced four sermons on the “Stewardship” theme will be presented at the Sunday services. 283 stewardship information brochures and pledge cards have been mailed. To date, 68 cards have been returned with pledges totaling $146,400.00. Follow-up phone calls will begin in 2—3 weeks.

Bob distributed copies of the preliminary 2008 Budget. General discussion was held on various line items and the Lily Grant will be used for a youth assistant and visiting clergy during Dean’s absence and a parish retreat. The vestry was asked to review the budget draft and contact Bob with any questions. A motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously by the vestry members present to accept the 2008 Preliminary Budget as a temporary budget until the final one is presented.

The October, 2007 Financial Report was distributed and reviewed. Plate receipts are at 99% of the projected collections to date but pledge receipts are only at 66% (down $58,762.22) of where it should be as of October 31,2007. Statements will be sent in November to parishioners whose pledges are in arrears.

Youth and Adult Education: Rev. Elizabeth Roles
Advertising has begun for a Youth/Children’s Minister (funding provided in the Lily Grant) to be hired for approximately 4 months while Dean is away. Two speakers for adult education classes have been reserved: April 6, 2008 Michael Brown, Head of the Religion Department at Emory University, and May 11, 2008, Rebecca Wright, a professor from the University of the South.

The meeting was adjourned so members present could attend the All Saints' Evensong Service.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Yarbrough, Clerk