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+ Vestry Actions in April & May
+ Vestry Assignments
+ Vestry Retreat
+ The Rector's Song for the Outgoing Vestry Members
At its April meeting, the vestry:
* Approved the expenditure of $3000 from the Cobb Fund for improvements to the Church and Chapel windows and the Chapel doors to improve security, $9500 from the CC/Cobb Fund to refinish the floor in the Chapel, and $5000 from the Cobb Fund for improvements to the boiler to permit operation in either high or low mode
* Discussed a proposal for vestry review of mission trips and referred the matter to the Finance Committee in consultation with the parish chancellor
* Approved the nomination of Michael Stafford to the University Ministry Committee
* Approved a proposal to send vestments that are no longer being used to the Chair of the Province IV Altar Guild, who then sends them on to other churches, where they can be repaired or remade and returned to use
* Learned of a new initiative, the Teenage Task Force, which would provide additional support for teenagers at risk, with the long-range goal of opening a safe haven for teens in crisis
* Approved the recommendation of the parish administrator to increase the parish credit card limit from $2500 to $5000
* Made plans for orientation of the newly elected members of the vestry and for the May Vestry Retreat.
At its May meeting, the vestry:
* Commissioned the wardens, officers, and new vestry members
* Approved the nomination of Susan Palmore to the Social Ministry Committee
* Expressed support for the existing relationship between the Chapel of the Cross and St. Paul A.M.E. and the Community of the Cross of Nails project and deferred to the June 20 meeting consideration of the issues of appointment to the board, organizational structure, and the relationship to the parish
* Learned that the floors in the chapel will be refinished this summer
* Received the vestry committee assignments for the year
* Approved recommendations for disbursal of various parish funds [see below].
From the Community Organizations budget line:
$1000 to Cornucopia House
$1000 to EmPOWERment
$2000 to Homestart
$1000 to MLK Scholarship
$2000 to Orange/Alamance Prison Ministry
From the Discretionary Outreach budget line:
$225 to Orange County Schools Migrant Education Summer Program
$266 to reimburse Andy Dobelstein for rental
of a truck to transport Christmas trees from
Ashe County
From the ABC Sale:
$2000 to Orange Congregations in Mission
$466 to Orange Literacy Council
$800 to Chatham Outreach Alliance
$1000 to Episcopal Campus Ministry
$500 to Thompson Children's Home
$850 to AIDS Community Residence Association
$500 to Chatham County Habitat for
Humanity
$300 to American Red Cross
$500 to Public Information Network, Inc.
$200 to Habitat for Humanity Honduras
Group
From the ABC Sale and the Community Organizations budget line:
$1000 and $1000 to A Helping Hand
$1600 and $2000 to Freedom House
$1200 and $2000 to Orange County Rape
Crisis Center
From the ABC Sale and the Discretionary Outreach budget line:
$1500 and $1000 to OPC Foundation for
Mental Health
$900 and $450 to The Augustine Project
$750 and $750 to Community Cuisine
$1000 and $500 to Club Nova
$3100 and $700 to Inter-Faith Council
$500 and $300 to Mental Health Association
in Orange County
$300 and $500 to Arc of Orange County
$534 and $500 to Childcare Services
Association
$300 and $500 to El Centro Latino
$200 and $300 to Iglesia Unida de Cristo.
In collaboration with the senior warden and each member of the vestry, the rector has announced vestry members' responsibilities for the coming year. Please feel free to contact any member of the vestry for information or to voice opinions about parish issues.
The vestry meets the third Thursday of the month beginning with a brown bag supper at 6 p.m. and followed by a focus session at 6:30 p.m. and meeting at 7 p.m. All are invited to attend.
| Name | Class | Responsibilities |
| Ted Vaden | 2004 | Senior Warden, Johnson Intern Board, Finance Committee (ex officio) |
| Terry Eason | 2003 | Junior Warden, Orange County Missioner Executive Committee, Finance Committee (ex officio) |
| Paul Carew | 2005 | Stewardship Committee, Agenda Committee |
| Joe Ferrell | 2003 | Finance Committee (chair) |
| Bert Liverance | 2004 | Buildings and Grounds Committee, Agenda Committee |
| Barbara Tolin Rowan | 2005 |
Communication liaison, Hospitality liaison
|
| Suzanne Sauter | 2004 | Personnel Committee (chair), Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross liaison |
| Barbara Schütz | 2005 | Personnel Committee |
| Dick Taylor | 2005 | Stewardship Committee, Technology liaison |
| Hugh Tilson | 2005 | Every Member Canvass (Chair), Social Ministry Committee, Community of Cross of Nails |
| Stacy Tompkins | 2003 | Agenda Committee (chair), University Ministry Committee |
| Robert Wright | 2004 | Finance Committee |
Barbara F. Schütz, Vestry Member
The major theme of the 2002 Vestry Retreat, held May 10-11 at The Summit, was "Being Intentional About Discernment." Mahan Siler, former minister at Pullen Baptist Church in Raleigh, quietly led the vestry in a two-day exercise designed to help us think seriously about what God is calling the Chapel of the Cross to BE and to DO. The Friday evening session was devoted to "who we are," and questions posed were: What unites us? What is unique about the Chapel of the Cross? What is not going to change in the next five years?
A discussion of our uniqueness revealed the common belief that the location of our building, its history, and its connection to the University of North Carolina sets us apart as a parish. A commitment to excellence demands that each of us give of our best to God and the Chapel of the Cross. An emphasis on the Eucharist is not only central to our worship but characterizes our endeavor as Christians in this setting. Finally, the Chapel of the Cross has a strong commitment to the world beyond us through its mission trips, its involvement at the diocesan level, and its participation in the community.
The question we addressed on Saturday was: What is God calling us to do/be in the next three to five years? Each of our four priests presented a vision for the future, each of which was stimulating and challenging.
Stephen Elkins Williams began with our Mission Statement: "The Chapel of the Cross bears faithful witness to the presence of the living God" first, as a strong presence and influence "on the campus, in the community, in the diocese, and throughout the world;" second, as an Episcopal community attentive to the call of God through "worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness, learning and teaching the Christian faith, and loving one another;" and third, being good stewards of all God's gifts by marshalling the financial resources needed, calling and caring for staff and lay leaders, and providing and maintaining appealing and effective facilities.
Tammy Lee called for ministry discernment for all to find God's calling for us, a cultivation of sacred space both inside us and in our place, community building so that everybody in our parish can know at least six to ten people well, hospitality to rich and poor, taking pride in our building and surroundings, making disciples from cradle to grave, and seeking and serving Christ in all persons.
Stephen Stanley talked about using the four Cs to find our way forward in our mission. He asked the questions, "How do we transform committees into communities? How can we find more Cohesiveness in the parish?" He then talked about Covenant, suggesting more intergenerational emphasis and intentional work on our Baptismal Covenant. Creativity suggests that we explore new models of ministry, and Conscience requires a reconciling ministry, a sharing in the ordering of God's world.
Vicky Jamieson-Drake asked, "Where is God at work in the parish and the community?" She described the impact of a growing, caring community at Carolina Meadows, the impact being made by Parish Visitors, the structure for Parish Care, the intentional way staff members are supporting and honoring each others' gifts, and the way in which Care Teams are educated together, support each other, and then engage in their work. Building these communities is evidence of God's calling being heard and answered.
Vestry members were charged to listen in a new way and to respond by expressing their own expectations about how those visions could be achieved. A variety of responses emerged, including the hope that we could build endowments to cover building maintenance and outreach, so we could devote our resources more fully to parish program; that we develop a ministry of encouragement so that we can enhance our mission to the young and the old, newcomers and long-time members; that we put more emphasis on individual formation; that we concentrate on mission, both the development of a new parish and beyond; that we build up God's community in and around the Chapel of the Cross and strengthen our ties to the rest of the community; that we strengthen stewardship in our parish; that we set priorities in our budget process to meet these goals; that we participate with the clergy in determining how future committee structure should work; that we strengthen our communication by receiving as well as sending; that we examine our spiritual capital, using it to meet needs of all age groups, as well as those in crisis; that we examine our initiatives to make sure we have a strategic goal and do not have too much overlap in function.
After lunch on Saturday, we bid a fond adieu to retiring members of the vestry: Sidna Rizzo, John Nelson, Andy Dobelstein, and Susan Palmore. Stephen Elkins-Williams composed a song to honor our departing friends, "O what a great class of vestry, O what a wonderful group," sung to the tune of O What a Beautiful Morning, [see inside back cover] and Andy Dobelstein responded in kind with "Goodbye Vestry Days," sung to the tune of Going Home.
The business meeting was called to order, and new members present were Paul Carew, Barbara Tolin Rowan, Dick Taylor, and Hugh Tilson, along with continuing members Joe Ferrell, Barbara Schütz, Stacey Tompkins, Bert Liverance, Suzanne Sauter, Robert Wright, Ted Vaden, and Terry Eason. Ted Vaden was elected senior warden, and Terry Eason was elected to a second year as junior warden. Nancy Kelly was re-elected as clerk. Stephen Elkins-Williams announced that Ed Holland will continue in his term as treasurer. The wardens and officers will be officially commissioned at the regular vestry meeting on May 16.
A service of worship and celebration of the Eucharist concluded an inspiring and productive 2002 retreat.
Stephen Elkins-Williams
(Sung to "O What A Beautiful Morning")
CHORUS:
O what a great class of Vestry, O what a wonderful group!
How will we make it without them? We could end up in the soup!
Sidna Rizzo has been Sr. Warden, a most gracious and warm Sr. Warden.
There's simply no guile in her consensus style.
For who could say "No" to her wonderful smile?
CHORUS:
O what a great group of Vestry, O what a wonderful team!
How will we make it without them? We could just run out of steam!
Andy D kept us focused on mission; he'd remind us a lot of our mission.
He would give away lots of money. But hey!
There's more where that came from, at least so we pray!
CHORUS:
O what a great team of Vestry, O what a wonderful bunch!
How will we make it without them? We could end up out to lunch!
O John Nelson has only served two years; yes, he drew the short straw and got two years.
His wisdom and vision have strengthened our mission.
For one more year now do we find ourselves wishin'!
CHORUS:
O what a great bunch of Vestry, O what a wonderful lot!
How will we make it without them? We'll do amazingly -- not!
Susan Palmore must come a great distance; she has won the award for "long distance."
This so clever female used cell phone and e-mail
To form the Agenda and not let it de-rail!
CHORUS:
O what a great lot of Vestry, O what a wonderful class!
How will we make it without them? We might just fall on our fa-ace! O what a wonderful class!
© 2002: Chapel of the Cross
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