At its March meeting, the Vestry:

1) approved the recommendation of the Social Ministry Committee to distribute funds from the Discretionary Outreach line item in the amount of $1500 to El Hogar Orphanage in Honduras;

2) learned that the bishops' visitations will now rotate on an eighteen-month schedule;

3) previewed a copy of the new publication of the Diocese of North Carolina, The North Carolina Disciple, made possible by the recent gift of the parish to the Diocese for that purpose;

4) approved the expenditure of up to $2500 from the Buildings and Grounds Endowment income for the purchase ot twelve wooden chairs for use in the church, to replace the metal chairs in current use;

5) received a copy of the job description for Associate for Parish Ministry; and

6) approved the expenditure of up to $400 from Undesignated Memorials for replacement of the parish's digital camera.

Following a bag supper, the Vestry met in focus session to discuss the articles in the January/February 2004 issue of Vestry Papers. Vestry members present were Ted Vaden (Sr. Warden), Bert Liverance, Suzanne Sauter, Robert Wright, Jean DeSaix, Dick Taylor, Kevin Trapani, Bunnie Collura, George Evans, and Jack Scarborough, and Vestry-elect Jim Crow, Steve Lackey, and Mary Schoenfeld. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), John McGee (Treasurer), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

The Rector opened the session at 6:30 p.m. by welcoming newly-elected Vestry members to the meeting.

Mr. Elkins-Williams began the discussion by referring to the article "Avoiding the Quick Fix." He said that he found the statement "Working at being well-defined oneself takes precedence over trying to understand another" to be an interesting concept and asked Vestry members for their reactions to this article and others. Mrs. Collura called attention to another quote from the same article, "The habit of holy silence can be the best self definition," observing the emphasis on being a good listener rather than insisting on making oneself heard.

Mrs. Schoenfeld commented that lowliness and isolation are inherent to the position of leader/Vestry member.

Mr. Vaden observed that this issue of Vestry Papers was published in the context of the issues that arose in last summer's General Convention. The articles address the issue of how to deal with conflict and how to use the dynamic of conflict to try to move forward. He added that it is important for the Vestry, as leaders of the parish, to recognize that individuals often hold opposing, yet strongly-held opinions.

Mr. Elkins-Williams stated that it is important to work on the level of trust. He said that he feels good about pastoral contacts he has had as a result of these issues from General Convention.

Mr. Wright expressed the opinion that it has been a failing of the Church in recent years not to engage in a teaching role. Referring to the statement that we have to be open to the validity of all opinions, he commented that being open to the validity of all opinions would not have been seen as a valid issue with civil rights or the ordination of women.

Ms Sauter said that there is a conflict between the desire to open discussion so that all opinions can be heard and the Anglican tradition of smoothing over the rough edges of an issue. She then asked whether the current issues that arose over the ordination of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire is one of civil rights or one based more fundamentally on basic Biblical beliefs. She added that the lack of teaching that Mr. Wright cited is more an issue of lack of communication.

Mr. Evans observed that at the Chapel of the Cross it is a small percentage of parishioners who actually take advantage of the educational opportunities made available to adults. Mr. Vaden attributed this to the fact that people's attention is so diffuse, but he emphasized that we can't give up on the educational role of the Church.

Mr. Elkins-Williams concluded the discussion by saying that Vestry Papers is good at outlining the differences between church leadership and other leadership roles. He noted that the March/April 2004 issue is dedicated to planned giving, and he urged Vestry members to read this issue in preparation for next month's focus session on leadership and stewardship.

The focus session concluded at 7:00 p.m., and the Vestry moved to the more formal part of the agenda.

The March meeting of the Vestry was held in the Morehead Faculty Lounge on Thursday, March 18, 2004. Vestry members present were Ted Vaden (Sr. Warden), Bert Liverance, Suzanne Sauter, Robert Wright, Jean DeSaix, Dick Taylor, Kevin Trapani, Bunnie Collura, George Evans, and Jack Scarborough, and Vestry-elect Jim Crow, Steve Lackey, and Mary Schoenfeld. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), John McGee (Treasurer), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).
The Rector presided and opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m..

Devotions
Mr. Scarborough led the devotions "In the Early Evening" from the Book of Common Prayer.

Selection of Timekeeper
Mr. Trapani agreed to serve as timekeeper for the meeting.

PARISH CONCERNS

Mr. Wright informed the Vestry that the House of Bishops begins a regularly-scheduled meeting tomorrow in Texas and will study the issue of requested supplemental pastoral care, which would allow an outside bishop to minister to congregations not in harmony with their own bishop. Alternative oversight is at issue.

The following correction was made to the minutes of the called Vestry meeting of January 28:

p. 1, introductory paragraph, change "Elkins-Wilkins" to "Elkins-Williams"

It was moved by Mr. Vaden, seconded by Mr. Wright, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes of the called session of the Vestry on January 28 as amended.

There were no corrections made to the minutes of the focus session of February 19.

The following corrections were made to the minutes of the Vestry meeting of February 19:

p. 7, second paragraph under Personnel Committee, second line and last line, delete "professional" in front of "program staff"

p. 8, motion, change "and passed unanimously" to "and passed with ten (10) in favor and one (1) opposed"

Since the minutes of the focus session and the Vestry meeting of February 19 were distributed at this meeting and Vestry members didn't have the opportunity to read them in advance, it was suggested that the minutes be approved to include any corrections forwarded to the parish office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22.

It was moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Vaden, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes of the focus session of February 19 and the Vestry meeting of February 19 as amended, including any additional corrections that are submitted to the parish office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22.

Mrs. Hastings will forward to Vestry members any additional corrections to the minutes.

All but the first item of the Addendum have been completed. The first item, the study of the cost of leases on equipment, is to remain on the Addendum, pending completion.

The following item was placed on the Consent Agenda (attached):

-recommendation of the Social Ministry Committee to distribute funds from the Discretionary Outreach line item in the amount of $1500 to El Hogar Orphanage in Honduras.

It was moved by Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Trapani, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the Consent Agenda.

The report of the Rector is attached.

Referring to item 5 of the report, Mr. Elkins-Williams said that the bishops' eighteen-month visitation schedule will necessitate changes in the traditional Confirmation dates. In 2005, Mr. Elkins-Williams is suggesting a mid-week confirmation, on Ascension Day. Another possibility is Confirmation held for the entire Convocation.

The report of the Sr. Warden is attached.

Mr. Vaden issued an invitation to the Vestry to attend the Johnson Intern Program dinner on April 29.

Attached is a letter from parishioner Bruce Ladd, in which he expresses dissatisfaction with the current by-law that requires parishioners to vote for no fewer and no more than four candidates for Vestry in order for the ballot to be valid and the votes to be counted. Mr. Vaden asked for Vestry discussion on this issue. Ms Sauter said that, although this has not always been the case, Vestry nominees' profiles are now well-publicized and available for parishioners to study in order to make an informed decision before voting. Mrs. DeSaix observed that voting for fewer than four candidates gives more weight to that ballot. Mr. Elkins-Williams reminded the Vestry that this issue was reviewed within the past few years, but he asked if there were Vestry members who would like to take a further look at this issue as a small group. It was the consensus of the Vestry that the current by-law is in the best interests of fairness to all candidates. Mr. Vaden will draft a response to Mr. Ladd to this effect and thank him for his concern in raising the issue.

Mr. Vaden stated that the Long Range Planning Committee is nearing the end of its work and will bring to the Vestry at the May retreat a concrete set of recommendations. He asked the Vestry how it would like to see the report presented. Mr. Scarborough said that he would like to see not only the recommendations, but the background and rationale for the recommendations. Members of the committee will be invited to the retreat.

Mr. Vaden reported that today he attended the meeting of the Diocesan Communications Committee. He passed around several sample copies of the new publication of the Diocese of North Carolina. This publication, The North Carolina Disciple, is a direct result of the parish's gift of $25,000 to the Diocese for this purpose.

Attached is a packet from the recent regional meeting of the Consortium for Endowed Episcopal Parishes, which was held at the Chapel of the Cross.

Jr. Warden
The report of the Jr. Warden is attached.

Parish Administrator
The report of the Parish Administrator is attached.

Mrs. Hastings passed around a sign-up sheet for the May retreat, asking Vestry members to indicate whether or not they will be able to attend. She also asked that ongoing Vestry members bring their Vestry handbook to the retreat in order to update it and that outgoing Vestry members turn in their handbooks so that they are available to new Vestry members.

Mr. Elkins-Williams reminded the Vestry that it needs to plan an orientation session for the new Vestry class. The Rector and the wardens will discuss how to effect this orientation.

Mrs. Hastings encouraged Vestry members to visit the ECM web site.

Treasurer
Attached are the Treasurer's Report narrative, the Combined Balance Sheet as of February 29, 2004, and the budget comparison for January/February 2003/2004.

Mr. McGee reported that the budget is tracking pretty well. He added that the annual audit will be conducted by Butler & Burke during the week of May 24.

Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee is attached.

The parish's digital camera was recently stolen and needs to be replaced. A reconditioned camera that is compatible with the needs of the parish has been located. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that a locked location needs to be identified for storing the camera when not in use.

It was moved by the Finance Committee, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the expenditure of up to $400 from Undesignated Memorials for replacement of the parish's digital camera.

Buildings and Grounds Committee
The report of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is attached. Also attached is a revised draft of the Charge to the Chapel Committee.

Mr. Liverance reported that he is waiting for recommendations from two contractors who have recently surveyed the HVAC system.

Mr. Vaden, referring to the draft of the Charge to the Chapel Committee, said that he too has been working on this, and he suggested that the matter be tabled until he and Mr. Liverance can get together to resolve any differences in the two drafts.

Mr. Elkins-Williams requested that the parish workday on Saturday, April 24, include cleaning of the outdoor signs. Mr. Vaden took the opportunity to commend the Buildings and Grounds Committee for its work in making the grounds so attractive.

The committee recommends the purchase of twelve wooden chairs for the church to replace the metal chairs in current use.

It was moved by Mr. Liverance, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the expenditure of up to $2500 from the Buildings and Grounds Endowment income for the purchase of twelve wooden chairs for use in the church.

Referring to the curb treatment project, Mr. Liverance said that he is working with Bruce Heflin on this, and the project will be presented to the Town Council on March 22.

Ms Sauter asked about how the work of the Parlor Renovation Committee relates to the work of the Long Range Planning Committee. Mr. Liverance replied that the Parlor Renovation Committee is looking at the total picture, both short-term and long-term issues to make the parlor adequate to the needs of the parish.

Personnel Committee
The report of the Personnel Committee is attached.

Attached also is a draft of the job description for Associate for Parish Ministry. This is not a job description in the usual sense of the term, but rather a memorandum of agreement between the Associate for Parish Ministry and the Rector.

Mr. Elkins-Williams expressed thanks to Ms Sauter for the wonderful job she has done.

N/A

Announcements
Mr. Elkins-Williams will express gratitude to Holden Thorp for making the Morehead space available to the Vestry for this meeting.

Ms Sauter commented that after discussion with others at the regional meeting of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, she is very glad that we have Mrs. Hastings as our Parish Administrator.

Mr. Elkins-Williams led the Vestry in prayer, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m..

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy F. Kelly
Clerk of the Vestry

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

(Attachments are available for review in the library.)

Mrs. Hastings - Study issue of cost of leases on equipment.

Mrs. Hastings - Forward to Vestry members any additional corrections to minutes of focus session and Vestry meeting of February 19.

Mr. Vaden - Draft letter of response to Bruce Ladd.

Mr. Elkins-Williams, Mr. Vaden, Mr. Carew - Plan for orientation of new Vestry class.

Mr. Elkins-Williams - Express gratitude to Holden Thorp for making Morehead space available to Vestry.