At its July meeting, the Vestry 1) approved the charge to the Special Giving Committee; 2) discussed ways in which to offer continued support to the Episcopal Church of the Advocate; 3) accepted the 2004 Draft Audit; 4) approved the 2006 Campus Ministry draft budget request to the sent to the Commission on Higher Education; and 5) received the revised report of the Program Review Committee.

Following a bag supper, the Vestry met in focus session. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), Bunnie Collura, George Evans, Joe Khoury, Jack Scarborough, Chris Bowes, Mary Schoenfeld, Ann Henley, Chip Hill, and Melody Savage. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), Bill Joyner (Deacon), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), Elizabeth Lienesch (summer staff intern), John McGee (Treasurer), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

Attached is a memo prepared by Ms Lienesch that summarizes the issues and questions raised in discussions in the fourth part of the series on gay unions.

Mr. Lackey began the discussion by calling attention to the four questions at the end of the first section (top of p. 2), those addressing issues of philosophical differences regarding the blessing of gay unions and in reconciliation of those with differing viewpoints, saying that he would like to understand how to deal with these issues. Mr. Elkins-Williams responded by stating that after General Convention, when some parishioners chose to leave the Chapel of the Cross, he of course spoke to them about the issue, but he wished that there had been some way, without violating confidentiality, that more parishioners could have reached out to these individuals to encourage them to stay. He feels that the human element can serve as a strong bond in such situations.

Mr. Elkins-Williams informed the Vestry that there will be a Sunday morning education series in October on “What is Anglicanism?” that may have some relationship to this issue. He added that the Liturgical Advisory Committee is gathering sample liturgies that have been used in the blessing of gay unions. Bishop Curry is walking a fine line in his stance on the issue and allows parishes in the diocese to enter the discernment process and make pastoral decisions, but given the widespread divisiveness on the issue, and our being part of the wider Church, we need to be circumspect in our discernment and decision-making. St. Phillip’s is the only parish in our diocese thus far that has blessed same-sex unions.

Ms Henley stated that she was surprised that the memo refers to the “conservative tradition” of the Chapel of the Cross, which has generally led the community in human rights issues. Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that the term conservative in this context refers not to social positions, but to the Episcopal three-fold ordained ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons and the fact that it is not a twentieth or twenty-first century creation.

Mr. Scarborough asked Mr. Elkins-Williams if he feels that he has a reasonably good perception of the opinion of the parish on the issue of the blessing of gay unions. Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that there are probably as many opinions as there are parishioners. He continued by saying that most comments he has heard are positive and compassionate for the position of gays in the community, showing concern for keeping together and leaving room for diverging opinions.

Mr. Evans asked where we go from here. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that we must make more resources available.

Dr. Khoury stated the opinion that we’re doing it the right way by moving forward cautiously with baby steps. He said that he greatly respects the contributions of the gay members of our parish, while at the same time asking himself what is the right thing to do scripturally and canonically on the issue of blessing gay unions.

Mr. Elkins-Williams added that we need to consider not only what we decide as a church, but what the government decides. A marriage between a man and a woman has both legal and religious dimensions to it. The Church will acknowledge but not declare a civil divorce in determining freedom to remarry. If a blessed civil union ends, without the legal dimension, how is freedom for another blessed relationship determined?

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

Attachments
- - - Memo: Summary of Small-Group Discussion (From Part Four of Gay Union Series)

The July meeting of the Vestry was held in the parish library on Thursday, July 21, 2005. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), Bunnie Collura, George Evans, Joe Khoury, Jack Scarborough, Chris Bowes, Mary Schoenfeld, Ann Henley, Chip Hill, and Melody Savage. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), Bill Joyner (Deacon), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

Bible Study

Mr. Lackey led the Bible study for the evening. The Gospel reading appointed for the day, Mark 5: 1-20, was read three times, and Vestry members were asked for a different type of reflection following each reading. Mr. Lackey read the first reading from the New Revised Standard Version, then asked for reflection on what words, ideas, or phrases stand out. Mr. Evans read the second reading from the King James Version, after which he asked for a response to the question of what is God saying to us? Mr. Hill then read the third reading from the Good News Bible, and then asked for comment on what is God calling us to do? Mr. Lackey concluded the Bible study with a prayer.

Selection of Timekeeper

Mrs. Hastings was asked to serve as timekeeper.

PARISH CONCERNS

There were no issues of parish concern expressed.

The following correction was made to the minutes of the focus session of June 16:

p. 1, line 3, delete “Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden)” from those present at the meeting

The following corrections were made to the minutes of the Vestry meeting of June 16:

p. 1, line 2, delete “Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden”) from those present at the meeting

p. 1, last line, change “will investigation” to “will investigate”

p. 2, line 7, change “and that is it used” to “and that it is used”

p. 2, line 8, change “our rational” to “our rationale”

It was moved by Mrs. Schoenfeld, seconded by Mrs. Collura, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes of the focus session of June 19 and the Vestry meeting of June 19 as amended.

All items are to remain on the addendum, pending completion.

There were no items on the Consent Agenda.

Item 2 of the report, the charge to the Special Giving Committee, required Vestry approval.

It was moved by Mrs. Bowes, seconded by Mr. Crow, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the charge to the Special Giving Committee as follows: The Special Giving Committee is one of three committees (in addition to Annual Giving and Capital Giving) under the aegis of the Stewardship Formation Committee. It is responsible for 1) developing, implementing, and sustaining a long-term planned giving program for the parish; 2) in consultation with staff and other parish leaders and the consent of the Vestry, developing and maintaining a list of desirable designated gifts and communicating those opportunities to the parish; 3) recommending to the Vestry the suitability of designated gifts not already approved by the Vestry; and 4) on occasion raising funds for distinct special projects. The members of the Committee shall consist of the chair and other persons appointed by the Rector and Jr. Warden, and ex officio members: the Treasurer and the Jr. Warden.

The discussion on stained glass windows will take place at the focus session in August. The donor is interested in a specific stained glass window in memory of her family rather than in a general gift for stained glass. Mr. Joyner said that he has heard some general opposition to the addition of any more stained glass to the church, to which Mr. Elkins-Williams added that some think that it would make the church too dark, while others are concerned that the money should be spent in other areas, although the latter should not be a concern since the funds for stained glass would be from designated gifts.

Deacon (Bill Joyner)

Mr. Elkins-Williams welcomed Mr. Joyner back from his recent travels.

Senior Warden
The Sr. Warden’s report is attached.

Mr. Crow expanded on items 4-6 of his report, the request of the Episcopal Church of the Advocate for continued support from the three sponsoring parishes. The ECOTA would like to have a representative at our newcomers table on Sundays. Mr. Evans said that he has a problem with this request. Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that brochures or information on ECOTA would be appropriate and perhaps ECOTA might set up a separate table once in a while. Dr. Khoury suggested that this parish might offer a Christian Education session focusing on the work of ECOTA, and Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that it might be time to ask Lisa Fischbeck to preach here again.

Mr. Crow added that ECOTA needs the financial support of the three sponsoring parishes for three more years. The Chapel of the Cross should expect to contribute about $35,000 for 2006 and a lesser amount in each of the following two years. Mrs. Fischbeck will prepare a budget proposal with the goal of being self-sufficient by 2009.

Other suggestions for publicizing ECOTA were to set up a table at Weaver Street Market and to pursue the possibility of advertising on screen at movie theaters, which one Vestry member has seen done by other churches.

Mr. Crow passed around a thank-you letter from Debbie McCarthy for support of the Augustine Project.

Junior Warden
The Jr. Warden’s report is attached.

Mr. Lackey commented on the recent meeting of former wardens and the celebration of Mr. Elkins-Williams’ twentieth anniversary as Rector.

Parish Administrator
The report of the Parish Administrator is attached.

Also attached is the revised report of the Program Review Committee.

Treasurer
Attached are the Treasurer’s Narrative Report for June 2005 and the Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2005.

Mr. Crow noted that the Undesignated Bequests and Gifts line item (p. 4) is decreasing rapidly. Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that we need to be more intentional about educating the parish on policies about giving.

Attached is a copy of the 2004 Draft Audit. Mr. Elkins-Williams commented that the report was quite laudatory.

It was moved by Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Crow, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry accept the 2004 Draft Audit.

Attached is a copy of the draft of the 2006 budget request of the Chapel of the Cross Campus Ministry Program. This draft requests about $2000 more from the diocese than the 2005 budget.

It was moved by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mrs. Savage, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the 2006 Campus Ministry draft budget request to be sent to the Commission on Higher Education.

Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee is attached.

Mr. Hill reported that the Finance Committee supports the recommendation of the Special Giving Committee that the gift from Coolidge Elkins be accepted for the purpose of a rose garden and that the roses be placed, as suggested by Witherspoon and with the approval of Anne Hill, in two of the existing liriope beds on either side of the magnolia tree in front of the chapel.

Mr. Evans objected to the process followed in coming to this recommendation to the Vestry, expressing the concern that the input of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Environmental Subcommittee is being ignored in the process. He said that it appears that the matter was referred to the Special Giving Committee, then to the Finance Committee, and then back to the Vestry, without concern for the previous study completed by Buildings and Grounds. He reminded the Vestry that there are those on the Environmental Subcommittee for who the issue of spraying is of major concern and who think that there should be no rose garden. Mr. Hill also raised the issue of placement of the rose garden, suggesting that its proximity to the magnolia tree causes concern because of children playing nearby and running the risk of injury from thorns. Mr. Elkins-Williams said that the Buildings and Grounds Committee had basically made no recommendation on the rose garden, although it did raise the concern about spraying. He added that the Special Giving Committee had access to all of the reports as it considered its recommendation.

It was moved by Mr. Lackey and seconded by Mrs. Collura that the Vestry accept the gift of Collidge Elkins for the purpose of a rose garden in memory of his wife Shirley Elkins and that the garden be located as suggested by Witherspoon Rose Culture in the two liriope beds nearest Franklin Street along the arc of the circle drive in front of the chapel.

Dr. Khoury said that this issue has been debated for many months without resolution and that it might be wise to have a meeting with representation from all groups concerned – Special Giving Committee, Finance Committee, Buildings and Grounds Committee, Environmental Subcommittee – to air all the issues so that the Vestry can make an informed decision.

Following further discussion, Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that, with the approval of Mr. Lackey and Mrs. Collura, the motion be withdrawn and a committee of three be named to pull together all of the information to present to the Vestry at the August meeting. Mr. Lackey and Mrs. Collura agreed to withdraw the motion. Mr. Lackey, Mr. Evans, and Mrs. Savage agreed to serve on the committee.

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

Personnel Committee
Mrs. Bowes reported that the Personnel Committee will review staff evaluations in August. Also, the Pre-School at the Chapel of the Cross contract is due for renewal in August.

Hospitality Committee

Mrs. Schoenfeld reported that Nancy Tunnessen will host a dinner for newcomers to the parish at her home on Monday, July 25.

The Hospitality Committee is working to coordinate the various ministries that welcome newcomers. At present, there is the newcomers table on Sunday, the bread ministry, the Rector’s letter to welcome newcomers, an e-mail from Larry Logan to newcomers, and a shepherding program which needs to be effected in a more timely manner.

The Rector offered a prayer and the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m...

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy F. Kelly
Clerk of the Vestry

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

(Attachments are available in the library for review.)

Mr. Taylor, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Alexander – Study issues of change and/or clarification of by-laws governing Vestry elections and report to the Vestry by the May meeting.

Mr. Frazelle – Locate information on young adult ministry for inclusion in folder for newcomers.

Mr. Evans, Wardens, and Rector – Continue study of issue of clarification of Buildings and Grounds Committee membership and structure.