At its meeting on June 15 the vestry,

1) Approved the recommendations of the Social Ministry Committee for disbursement of ABC Sale proceeds;

2) Accepted the rector's and wardens' nominations of Terry Eason as chair of the Master Plan Steering Committee and Virginia Carson as chair of the Parish Dialogue Committee;

3) Accepted the Rev. Victoria Jamieson-Drake's sabbatical plans;

4) Approved the decision of the Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross to withdraw from accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children at its expiration in June 2007.

Following a bag supper, the Vestry met in focus session on centering prayer. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), Chris Bowes, Mary Schoenfeld, Terry Eason, Ann Henley, Chip Hill, Melody Savage, Clare Baum, Gail Cloud, Larry Logan and Sandra McClaskey. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), David Frazelle (Associate for Parish Ministry), and Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator and acting Clerk).
Mr. Elkins-Williams opened the focus session at 6:00 p.m. and turned the session over to Mr. Frazelle.
Attached are a brochure by Thomas Keating on The Method of Centering Prayer, a lectio divina instruction sheet and quotation by Thomas Merton on prayer.
Mr. Frazelle began by reviewing the previous discussion at the April vestry meeting on centering prayer stating that center prayer is the fourth step in lectio divina. He explained that one can tell its effective by the experiences of living with peace, hope and love in one’s daily life.
Mr. Frazelle led the vestry to read by sentences the quotation by Thomas Merton on prayer.
Mr. Frazelle guided the vestry to experience centering prayer and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
The focus session concluded at 7:00 p.m., and the Vestry moved to the more formal part of the agenda.

Attachment
- - - Brochure: The Method of Centering Prayer
- - - an instruction sheet on Lectio Divina
- - - quotation by Thomas Merton on prayer.

The June meeting of the Vestry was held on June 15, 2006. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), Chris Bowes, Mary Schoenfeld, Terry Eason, Ann Henley, Chip Hill, Melody Savage, Clare Baum, Gail Cloud, Sandra McClaskey and Larry Logan. Also present were Stephen Elkins-Williams (Rector), Bill Joyner (Deacon), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator and acting clerk), and Reid Conrad (Treasurer).

The Rector presided and opened the business meeting at 7:10 p.m.

Bible Study
Mrs. Bowes led the Bible study for the evening. The Gospel reading appointed for the day was Matthew 16:13-20.

Selection of Timekeeper
Mrs. Savage volunteered to serve as timekeeper.

PARISH CONCERNS

The following corrections were made to the minutes of the April 27, 2006 vestry focus session:
p.1 change Lectio divino to Lectio divina

There were no corrections to the draft minutes of the vestry meeting of April 27, 2006.

It was moved by Ms. Henley, seconded by Mr. Crow, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes of the Vestry meeting of April 27, 2006.

There were no corrections to the draft minutes of the vestry meeting of May 12, 2006.

It was moved by Mrs. Schoenfeld, seconded by Ms. Henley, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the minutes of the Vestry meeting of April 27, 2006.

All items are to remain on the addendum, pending completion. The name of Mr. Evans will be replaced by Mrs. Baum, new chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee.

The consent agenda for dispersal of ABC Sale proceeds is attached. Mrs. McClaskey requested a reduction of $150.00 to $1,675.00 for the Augustine Project in order to stay within the amount of money raised by the ABC Sale. This change was caused by the recent receipt of an additional bill.

It was moved by Mr. Logan, seconded by Mrs. Bowes, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the dispersal of ABC Sale proceeds.

It was moved by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Mrs. Baum, and passed unanimously that the vestry accept Mr. Elkins-William’ nominations.

Mr. Logan asked if there had been discussion about some members of the Next Step Committee. He felt that the committee needed as many new members as possible. Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that there was some thought of nine members with four continuing from the Next Step Committee and five new members. Balance is needed, but he welcomes suggestions.

It was moved by Mrs. Savage, seconded by Mr. Logan, and passed unanimously that the vestry accept Ms. Jamieson-Drake’s sabbatical plans.

Deacon Bill Joyner
Mr. Joyner reported that the trip to Honduras was successful on many levels with varied effects on the participants and parish plane for the future. He also announced that he completed his annual review with the rector.

Senior Warden
Mr. Crow’s report is attached.
He told the Vestry that the Johnson Intern Program is solvent and has five interns coming for the 2006-07 year.
Mr. Crow informed the vestry that the Capital Giving Committee will meet in July to interview four fund raising groups.

Junior Warden
The Jr. Warden’s report is attached.
Mr. Lackey will meet in July with the chairpersons of the stewardship subcommittees to continue to integrate their work.

Parish Administrator
The Parish Administrator’s report is attached.
Mrs. Hastings passed around a form on which vestry members acknowledge reading and understanding the diocesan sexual misconduct policy. This is an annual process.
The vestry discussed upcoming focus session topics: July-a demonstration of the new chapel organ by Dr. Quinn; August-budget process discussion; September- meeting the new Johnson Interns; October-Global Missions report on the trip to Honduras; November or December-either the Capital Giving Committee report or a report from the University Ministry Advisory Committee.

Treasurer
The treasurer’s report and end of the month financials are attached.
Mr. Conrad reported that incoming cash flow has improved.
Mr. Conrad also reported that he met with Steve Richards in regard to Mary White’s gift annuity. We cannot accelerate the pay out of the annuity so we will continue to draw down the loan with Bank of America.
Mr. Logan stated that there is some concern in the parish that the vestry committed to build the organ without the funds in hand to pay for it and that the vestry acted irresponsibly. Mr. Crow countered that he felt the vestry acted responsibly because they did have funds in hand, although they chose not to use them for this purpose, but tried instead to raise the funds through donations. Mrs. Savage asked if there was something the vestry should do now. Mr. Logan replied that the vestry should be as transparent as possible in financial planning for the future.

Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee is attached.
Mr. Hill suggested that the vestry hold a focus session on the budget process. Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested a session in August since the vestry identifies budget priorities that month.
Mr. Elkins-Williams announce that the Chapel of the Cross diocesan share for 2007 will be $203,500.00 which is up from $179,808. This share amount will be adopted at the August meeting.

Buildings and Grounds Committee
The report of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is attached.
Mr. Elkins-Williams asked the Building and Grounds Committee to begin discussion about another marble burial plaque since the one we are now using is almost full.

Personnel Committee
Mrs. Bowes gave a verbal report that Mr. Frazelle has proposed an increase in the hours and months of employment for the youth assistant currently employed for 12 hour per week for 9 months a year. There are two proposals: Plan A increases the position to 15 hours per week for 10 months per year; Plan B moves the position to a half-time position. The personnel committee approved the proposal and passed it to the finance committee. The finance committee will discuss it in July and report to the vestry at the July meeting.
Mrs. Bowes also shared a letter from the Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross staff to parents regarding accreditation. A copy is attached. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has changed the accreditation standards which now seem to address the operation of large fulltime facilities. Our building will not pass because of structural constraints. The Preschool director has been in conversation with other church directors in the areas. All agree that they will no longer participate in the program with the new standards, but will continue to meet the former standards. Mrs. Bowes asked for vestry input.
Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that when he became rector the preschool needed improving and that one of the criteria was that it maintain accreditation. Now that is not a major concern, but he encouraged the Preschool to maintain its current standards. He asked that paragraph three be reworded to state “pending approval of the Vestry of the Chapel of the Cross”.

It was moved by Mrs. Bowes, seconded by Mr. Crow, and passed unanimously that the vestry approve the Preschool at Chapel of the Cross to withdraw from accreditation by NAEYC at its expiration date in June 2007.

Hospitality Committee
The report of the Hospitality Committee is attached.

Global Missions Committee
Attached is the report of the Global Missions Committee.
Mr. Crow asked about sponsoring a child at El Hogar. Ms. Henley stated that $1500 will support a child for a year. Individuals in the parish might be interested in sponsoring individual boys. Mrs. McClaskey added that the Social Ministry Committee has sponsored a boy for a number of years. Mrs. Schoenfeld asked if there were other organizations that the team saw that need assistance. Ms. Henley reported that the girls’ school run by the Roman Catholic Church is closing and the Episcopal church is discussing taking it over.

Announcements
Mr. Elkins-Williams announced that Joe Ferrell,who is a diocesan lay delegate to General Convention, will give a report to the parish on July 16 after the 10:00 a.m. service. It was suggested that Mr. Ferrell might also report to the vestry at its July focus session.

The Rector offered a prayer and the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Hastings
Acting Clerk of the Vestry

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

(Attachments are available in the library for review.)

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

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Check with Hartman-Cox before proceeding to replace maple trees.

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Follow up on the issue of having available at each service someone trained to troubleshoot problems with sound system.