A copy of Bishop Michael Curry's address to the recent 185th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is attached.

Referring to item 8 of the report, Mr. Elkins-Williams added that in his address he will highlight the Johnson Interns Program and the Elder Ministry as newer programs of the parish. Mr. Ferrell said that some parishioners would like to see the Annual Meeting held during the week in the dining room. Preliminary discussion of the format of the Annual Meeting raised the issues of the impersonality of the large size of the meeting, the exclusion of Sunday School teachers and Senior Choir members during the between-services time slot, the limitations on time imposed by the between-services format, and the inconvenience for 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. worshippers. A reassessment of the format of the Annual Meeting will be placed on the Addendum.

Mr. Elkins-Williams referred to the Chapel of the Cross as a "resource parish" and illustrated this by making reference to ways in which the parish is making our resources available to other parishes. Davidson College has recently been in contact with Mr. Stanley to consult with him about formation of a campus ministry program modeled on the Chapel of the Cross program with UNC. Christ Church in Raleigh has inquired about our experience with the "each one reach one" format for the Every Member Canvass.

Mr. Elkins-Williams circulated the forms for Vestry members to sign to endorse Arlene Lukas and Joshua Varner in the ordination process. Enough signatures were received.

Referring to item 2 of the report, Mr. Dobelstein asked how the use of the Chapel for a vigil came about. Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that the group Chapel Hill-Carrboro Congregations for the Abolition of Capital Punishment asks different parishes to host a vigil on the eve of a scheduled execution and that this was the first time that the schedule has worked for the Chapel of the Cross to serve as host. As host, we are responsible for the bulletin and for music.

Mr. Elkins-Williams asked for Vestry support for humanitarian aid for the victims of the recent earthquakes in El Salvador and India. The Diocese, through the Episcopal Fund for Relief and Development, formerly the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, has sent $10,000 to El Salvador and $4000 to India.

It was moved by Mr. Ferrell, seconded by Mrs. Sullivan, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry authorize the contribution of $2500 to El Salvador and $2500 to India for humanitarian relief through the Episcopal Fund for Relief and Development, and that the Finance Committee be instructed to recommend to the Vestry the expenditure to the appropriate budget line item.

Mr. Elkins-Williams circulated the Covenant Letter of Intent with the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services.

Mr. Stanley reported that yesterday marked his eighteenth anniversary as an ordained priest.

New ECM leaders have been selected. Caroline Alexander and Henrietta Pressler will continue in leadership roles, and they will be joined by newly elected leaders Mike Peterson, Allison Brown, and Matt Curtis.

The Johnson Interns recently made a well-received presentation to ECM, and they have also been asked to make presentations to other churches.

The spring break mission trip for ECM will be to eastern North Carolina and in May ECM will return to Ashe County. The Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will serve as a fundraising effort for the group.

There will be a Fran McKendrie benefit concert on March 22. Those attending will be asked to contribute canned goods to the IFC.

On March 8, Mr. Stanley will leave on the pilgrimage Coventry to Canterbury.

Mr. Stanley will be on sabbatical from April 16 until August. He will spend the time writing a book on the history of the campus ministry in the early days of the University.

He added that the L'Arche community group is moving to hire a part-time executive director.

Mr. Joyner recently addressed the Diocesan Convention, the first deacon ever to do so.

On a recent business trip to Costa Rica, Mr. Joyner saw Father Donald Wilson and his wife Sonia, as well as the church that the Chapel of the Cross and St. Paul A.M.E. helped to build in 1999.

Mr. Alexander expressed thanks to the Vestry recruiting committee, which worked diligently to come up with a slate of eight candidates for Vestry.

Referring to item 2 of his report, Mr. Alexander said that the Vestry needs to take action on the charter for Boy Scout Troop 9. Mr. Ferrell said that he would like to see something in writing that indicates that the troop accepts implicitly the policies of the church. Mr. DeSaix suggested that the troop be asked to sign a document that indicates that they have read and are willing to abide by the policies of the Chapel of the Cross. Mr. Alexander suggested that the section of his report which pertains to this agreement be included in the body of the minutes as a part of a motion to renew the Troop 9 charter and that the Scout troop be asked to confirm that this information has been received and acknowledged.

It was moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Dobelstein, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry, with the understanding that Boy Scout Troop 9 acknowledges that the Sr. Warden has met with John Risk, chair of the Troop 9 committee, David Filpus, Scoutmaster, and a parent representative, that Mr. Alexander expressed to these individuals the belief that the Church does not have any interest in forcing Troop 9 to confront in a direct manner the National Executive Committee about the National Policy or require Troop 9 to expressly repudiate the Policy, that it is the position of the Chapel of the Cross that Troop 9 and all other organizations sponsored by the Church agree to abide by the Church policy which specifically prohibits discrimination or mistreatment on the basis of sexuality, that these individuals have assured the Sr. Warden that they fully understand the position of the Church and accept the policy, and that Troop 9 and the Chapel of the Cross have agreed to continue to discuss this issue and any related matters as may be appropriate, approve the renewal of the charter for Boy Scout Troop 9.

Mr. Alexander expanded on item 3 by indicating that the canvass reached $908,000. Attached is a letter from Mr. Alexander to Miriam Fahrer and Paul Carew, thanking them for their service as chairs of this successful canvass.

Referring to item 5 of the report, Mrs. Schütz suggested that any grant proposal needs someone who is responsible for following the process through to completion. Mrs. Palmore suggested that the Vestry accept David Dodson's offer to provide assistance in the process of resubmission of the grant proposal to the Jesse Ball Dupont Foundation and to other foundations. Mrs. Palmore also suggested that the Bishop needs to meet directly with the Johnson Interns.

Attached is a letter about the North Carolina Death Penalty Project 2000 from Prof. John Charles Boger to Bishop Gloster. Also attached are an article from the Winston-Salem Journal on the same topic and a copy of Resolution No. 3 from the recent Diocesan Convention.

Also attached is a letter from Rob Sullivan to the company responsible for installation of the new sound system, in which he outlines the problems that have not yet been resolved.

Attached is the proposed Capital Budget. The Vestry is asked to study the proposal, which will come up for a vote at the March 15 meeting.

Also attached is an article about heart defibrillators.

Mr. Dobelstein asked how glitches that occurred in the EMC process would be addressed. Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that the Vestry would need to give its input for next year's EMC, which is considering a different format.

The Vestry returned to a discussion of the job descriptions (attached) for Sexton and Hospitality Coordinator, both of which have been endorsed by the Personnel Committee.

It was moved by Mrs.Palmore, seconded by Mrs. Schütz, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry endorse the job descriptions for the positions of Sexton and Hospitality Coordinator.

Mr. Ferrell asked if the Sexton should be allowed to work for the Child Care Center. His question was meant to address the issue of limiting this position to 40 hr. per week.

Mr. Dobelstein suggested the need for a program coordinator. Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that this might be combined with the position of volunteer coordinator. The matter was referred to the consideration of the Personnel Committee.

The 2000 Budget ended with a surplus of $20,596 for the year. Also of note is that interfund transfers were $60,000 less than anticipated.

The current budget shows anticipated revenues of $886,480 from current year pledges, this figure being 97.5% of the canvass of $908,000. This will decrease the interfund transfers line item by $5000.

Mr. Elkins-Williams commented that this is the most fruitful and far-reaching budget ever realized at the Chapel of the Cross.

It was moved by Mr. Ferrell, seconded by Mr. DeSaix, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry authorize the Treasurer to transfer $500,000 from the local money market account to the Diocesan Investment Fund.

Mr. Alexander indicated that the Treasurer would make a bookkeeping adjustment to transfer $25,000 from the Lantz Fund, currently held at the Diocesan Investment Fund, into the available category. At present there is only $216 held locally in the Lantz Fund.

Referring to item 6 of the report, Mr. Alexander informed the Vestry that the next Sr. Warden would appoint a new chair of the Finance Committee.

Referring to the Personnel Policies and Procedures proposal (attached), Mr. Alexander requested a delay until March 15 on a vote to accept the proposal. Mrs. Palmore asked if the proposal reflects any change in policy from current practices. She suggested that any changes should be noted and explained as they relate to current practice. Mr. Elkins-Williams asked Vestry members to submit in writing by February 28 any questions or suggestions on this matter to the Personnel Committee. He thanked the committee for their diligent work on this document.

Focus session topics were again revised. March will be a continued discussion on communication. Mr. Elkins-Williams asked Vestry members to be thinking about what the Vestry expects and hopes to accomplish at the May retreat. The April focus session will be a report by and discussion with the Johnson Interns.

Mrs. Sullivan asked about the possibility of engaging a facilitator for the May retreat and asked the Vestry for suggestions.

Mr. Elkins-Williams asked if there are any Vestry members who would like to be involved in the proposed Reconciliation Ministries Committee. Mr. Alexander referred Vestry members to the proposed charter, which was distributed in December.