1. Approved the contract with the preschool at Chapel of the Cross.
2. Received an Organ Committee Report.
3. Approved up to $15,000 from a designated gift to refurbish the parlor by reupholstering or refinishing some present furniture and purchasing some new furnishings.
4. Accepted the audit report for 2003.
5. Approved the budget request to the diocese for Campus Ministry of $66,773.
6. Accepted the full amount of $170,554 for our diocesan share for 2005.

Following a bag supper, the Vestry met in focus session to hear a report Gretchen Jordan, Director of Christian Education. Vestry members present were Paul Carew (Jr. Warden), Bunnie Collura, George Evans, Joe Khoury, Jack Scarborough, Jim Crow, Steve Lackey, Mary Schoenfeld, Jean DeSaix and Chris Bowes. Also present were Stephen Elkins-William (rector), John McGee (treasure), and Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator) who acted as clerk.

Mrs. Jordan distributed a brochure entitled, “Children’s Faith Formation” and a form “Baptismal Covenant Review”. She described the following activities in Christian education.

* Catechesis of the Good Shepard – church school class for 4 year olds taught by Ann Collins and Pam Miller. This class has 24 children. This required putting a door into the next room to enlarge the class. This program required teachers to complete special training.

* Godly Play Class – church school class for 5 year olds taught by Katherine White, Jerome Berryman and Kesslyn Tench. This class is for 5 year olds. Although it needs its own space, it must share the space in room 32 with the junior choir and their vestments.

* Classes for grades 1 through 6 use the standard Episcopal church school literature.

* An intergenerational event was held for all ages to play and work together on the Sunday after Epiphany. Activities were planned jointly with the Environmental Stewardship Committee.

* A church-wide Pentecost Picnic was held at the church with 180 participants.

* Two mothers organized Christmas caroling as an outreach activity for younger people and families. One hundred thirty people participated dividing into small groups that went to a variety of locations.

* Mrs. Jordan is working with the Stewardship Committee on ways to actively involve young families and children in the annual giving campaign.

* Vacation Bible School focused on missions and homelessness. Activities included preparing personal hygiene baskets and food for the clients of IFC who will be sleeping in the church in July.

* Parents have initiated and are leading sessions focused on parenting pre-teens and teens.

* Adult education is growing, but the committee has concerns about budget as well as recruiting speakers and additional leadership.

Mrs. Jordan also discussed with the vestry the need for additional and appropriately furnished space for children and youth. She urged the vestry to discuss priorities regarding church school and parish use of the building while opening the building for use by outside groups. She pointed out that furniture in all classrooms is worn out or broken and not sized appropriately for children. She stated that most classrooms lack an environment that promotes learning. She urged the vestry to consider building and furniture needs as part of the budget preparation process.

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

The July meeting of the Vestry was held in the parish library on Thursday, July 15 2004. Vestry members present were Dick Taylor (Sr. Warden), Paul Carew (Jr. Warden), Bunnie Collura, Jean DeSaix, George Evans, Joe Khoury, Jack Scarborough, Jim Crow, Steve Lackey, and Chris Bowes. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams, rector, Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator) who acted as clerk, John McGee, (Treasurer).

Mr. Elkins-Williams presided and opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Devotions
Mr. Khoury led the vestry in evening devotions and the poem “The Man in the Glass”.

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

PARISH CONCERNS

Before the organ committee arrived, Mr. Evans stated that he was aware of some concerns on the chapel committee about the size of the new organ and the desire that it not dominate the room. Questions were asked about the size of the console; number of pipes and ranks; which items were included in the contract and which items were still under discussion. The vestry deferred discussion until the arrival of the organ committee.

Mr. Evans distributed a picture of the chandeliers chosen for the parlor. He stated that they will be ordered soon.

These corrections were made to the minutes of June 17, 2004 vestry focus:

Paragraph 3, third sentence, change point to pointed,

It was moved by Mr. Carew, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes with corrections of the vestry focus session on June 17, 2004.

These corrections were made to the minutes of the June 17, 2004 vestry meeting:

Page 6, Building and Grounds Committee, add an “e” to Carole Hollowell’s name.

It was moved by Mr. Carew, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes with corrections of the vestry meeting on June 17, 2004.

All items on the addendum have been completed.

No items on the consent agenda.

Rector
Mr. Elkins-Williams gave an oral report. He has been in Montana for the funeral of his mother, Agnes, at which he preached the homily. All of the three children and eight grandchildren (and spouses) were present for a celebration of Mrs. Williams’s life.

Mr. Elkins-Williams announced that the vestry will need to elect diocesan convention delegates at the September meeting. We will elect three delegates – 2 for three year terms and one to complete Joe Ferrell’s unexpired term. An announcement will be put in Crossings to request names from the parish of possible delegates. Mr. Taylor will collect the names.

Mr. Elkins-Williams has met with Thomas Nixon, the new pastor at St. Paul AME and with Ruth Harper-Stephens, the new pastor at University Methodist.

Senior Warden
Mr. Taylor gave an oral report. He announced that his brother will be consecrated as Bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina on September 18. He also reported that Ted Vaden will lead discussions of long range planning with former wardens at an August 17th dinner. The wardens will be asked for guidance and leadership in both our Annual Giving campaign and in our long range planning process.

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

Mr. Carew asked the rector what the parish’s response will be to the bishop’s guidelines for blessing of same sex unions. Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that none have been done nor are there any plans for any in the near future. He will address this issue in the September Crossroads.

Parish Administrator
Mrs. Hastings gave an oral report. A final decision has been made on the job title for the publications position – Publications and Communications Technician. She also reported that she and her husband had assisted with Vacation Church School along with their puppets, Buddy and Alice Ann. Additionally, she has recently returned from Ukraine with a mission team which did children’s Bible school in nine villages.

Treasurer
Attached is the Treasurer's Report narrative and the Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2004.

Mr. McGee answered questions about the report.

Mr. McGee said that the parish has received from the diocese its share asking of $170,554.

Mr. Taylor made a motion that Chapel of the Cross accepts the full amount of its share of $170,554. The motion was seconded by Mr. Carew and passed unanimously.

Mr. Taylor asked Mr. McGee about the negative number for investment income. Mr. McGee replied that the broker held a stock gift for several days after it was received by them and the price fell. He is talking with them to correct the error.

Mr. McGee reported that he has met with the investment committee. They plan to open a third account with Vanguard and will move more money into the money market account.

Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee is attached.

The Finance Committee recommended that the audit report for 2003 be accepted. The Vestry approved the recommendation unanimously.

The Finance Committee recommended that the budget request to the diocese of $66,773 for Episcopal Campus Ministry be approved. The Vestry approved the recommendation unanimously.

Buildings and Grounds Committee
The report of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is attached.

Mr. Evans asked if the parish should pay Mr. Eason for his services with the organ committee work and future chapel renovations. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that the committee should negotiate a price with him for the work on the chapel lighting. Mr. Evans discussed the need for railing in the balcony for security. Although it is unsafe, the balcony needs to be available for overflow seating when needed.

Personnel Committee
Mr. Trapani sent an oral report that the committee is reviewing evaluations.

Preschool at Chapel of the Cross
A copy of the proposed contract is attached.

Mrs. Bowes reported that annual contract negotiations with the preschool went smoothly. The only change in the contract is to change the date of the year to 2004 (section 1) and remove “to the parish” (section 3a) when referring to fee for cleaning.

Mrs. Bowes made a motion, seconded by Mrs. DeSaix, to approve the contract with the Preschool at Chapel of the Cross. The motion passed unanimously.

Organ Committee Report
A copy of the report is attached.

Members of the organ committee, Terry Eason, Robert Wright, and Clare Baum presented an update report and showed scale drawings of the proposed organ. They acknowledged that members of the chapel committee and others in the parish were concerned about the size of the organ. The committee met on July 7 and agreed on a façade appearance. Mr. Eason prepared scale drawings of the front of the chapel with the proposed organ. They noted that the organ has been reengineered so the swell box is now within the case and out of view thus reducing the visual size of the organ. Additionally, the organ can be lowered into the crawl space so that is it is 6 inches below the nave and 12 inches below the chancel. They pointed out that the committee has moved slowly, but must make final decisions by the end of August. The specification of ranks, pipes and stops is set by contract, but casework and appearance is still being discussed. Mr. Eason showed scale drawings of the chapel
(1) with the organ in the present chapel with the present lighting,
(2) with the organ with the wall behind the altar painted “India red”,
(3) with the organ with the wall behind the altar painted “India red” and the addition of stenciling on the wall. The casework in the drawings reflects the ogee arches in the chapel architecture. The India red wall is reminiscent of the red wall referred to in writings about previous décor. The committee noted that they are reporting to the vestry first and that the chapel committee has not seen the drawings with the changes that have been made. A joint meeting with the chapel committee is planned for July 29.

A letter and photographs of the chapel from Mr. Philip Rees, chapel conservator, were distributed (copy attached).

In answer to questions, Mr. Eason noted that:

* painting the wall would make the altar and cross more prominent by visually bringing it forward;

* raising the level of the altar to increase its prominence would interfere with the function of the altar;

* the casework and ogee arches are necessary to hide pipes and is in keeping with style of the chapel architecture;

* the organ will hide some of the window and door to the sacristy on the left, but is in the same place on its right side;

* the extended depth of the organ from the back wall allows for 17” space for tuning.

Mr. Wright reviewed the process followed by the organ committee highlighting that the chapel is a living space and the organ should meet the needs for worship on a weekly basis. He pointed out that the organ committee reached a consensus decision that this was the organ that would meet the historic and worship needs of chapel use. He reminded the vestry that the charge to the organ committee was to design the organ and to the chapel committee to make decisions about other aspects of the chapel.

Mrs. Baum reported that the committee would report to the vestry in August about the progress of fund raising for the organ.

Johnson Intern Program
Watty Bowes brought a report (attached) of the progress of finding participants for the 2004-05 year. He reviewed the decision-making progress in May and June. The board of directors for the program agreed at its June 15 meeting to an August 1 deadline for selecting three confirmed participants. If three participants are not finalized by that date, the program will be suspended for the 2004-05 year. The program will then be part of the long range planning process for young adult ministry. Mr. Elkins-Williams stated that a committee would be appointed to facilitate that process.

Parlor Committee Report
Carole Hollowell presented a plan for redecorating the parlor. A copy of the plan is attached. She reported that the committee of Betsy Pringle, Barbara Hastings and herself developed a plan to reupholster and refinish some present furniture and to purchase some new furniture. All plans were made with long range planning in mind so that all furniture could be moved into a new room or location in the future. She made these points:

* new chandeliers with eight arms will be donated by the Hollowell family;

* there has been a donation of a 10’ X 14’ area rug making it necessary to refinish the floor; now covered by carpet.

* painting the walls or woodwork could be delayed until after the furniture is in the room to determine needs at that point;

* wall hangings could be added at a later time.

The vestry discussed the cost of the project. The total of the priced items in the plan is estimated at over $13,000. Mr. Elkins-Williams reported that a donor had previously made a memorial gift of $10,000 for use for dining room, grounds, or other use. He will ask the donor for approval for use in the parlor.

There was discussion about asking the parish to make designated gifts for parlor renovations. Mr. Carew reminded the vestry of the need for increased budget giving for 2005 and that the timing of the request might interfere with pledge campaign. He suggested that any requests would be better after January 1.

After discussion of several alternatives, Mr. Taylor made a motion that the vestry accept the plan and authorize up to $15,000 for the project. Of that amount, $10,000 would come for the designated memorial gift with the donor’s approval and up to $5,000 would come from undesignated gifts and bequests. Mrs. DeSaix seconded the motion. It passed with 9 affirmative votes and one abstention.

Hospitality and Communication Report
Reports are attached. Mr. Elkins-Williams commented that we have greeters assigned to particular locations, but we need “rovers”. Mr. Carew noted that greeters are frequently not available after the 11:15 service and that we need training for all the greeters. Mr. Taylor suggested having a lunch once a month after the 11:15 service.

Community of Cross of Nails
Mr. Lackey reported that Joyce Roland is attending the national conference of CCN and has requested assistance with funding. St. Paul AME has contributed $950. Mr. Lackey suggested that Chapel of the Cross match that amount using some money from the budget line for reconciliation ministries. Mr. Elkins-Williams proposed that $500.00 come from the budget and he would contribute the reminder from the rector’s discretionary funds. No motion was necessary.

Mr. Lackey also encouraged parishioners to attend services at St. Paul in the even numbered months.

Mr. Elkins-Williams offered a prayer, and the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

(Attachments are available for review in the library.)