At its September meeting, the Vestry

1) approved the nomination of Alice Cotton to the Social Ministry Committee;

2) accepted a bequest from Anita Rucker Cottrell in the amount of $466.67, with $46.67 for projects outside the parish and $420.00 to the Program Fund;

3) heard an update from Vicar Lisa Fischbeck and Sr. Warden Terry Milner about the membership and financial history of Episcopal Church of the Advocate;

4) received for consideration a recommendation from the Special Giving Committee for authorization of a new staff position of Development Director;

5) elected Joe Ferrell and Hugh Morrison to three-year terms as delegates to Annual Convention and elected John McGee as first alternate, Ann Henley as second alternate, Gail Cloud as third alternate, Caren Parker as fourth alternate, Peter DeSaix as fifth alternate, and Carter Kersh as sixth alternate to the 2007 Annual Convention; and

6) authorized $10,000 to cover incidental expenses related to the feasibility study, these expenditures to be tracked in the Development Fund and the cost figures to be reviewed by the Vestry when the incidentals reach and exceed $5000.

Following a bag supper, the Vestry met in focus session in the parish library with the new class of Johnson Interns. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), 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), Gabe Lamazares (Diocesan Intern), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), Reid Conrad (Treasurer), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

Mr. Elkins-Williams opened the focus session at 6:30 p.m. by welcoming the Johnson Interns. He then asked everyone present to introduce themselves and to tell a little bit about their involvement in the parish or, in the case of the interns, about where they are from, their placement for the year, and how they heard about the program and what attracted them to it.

Russellee Bongalan was attracted to the program, in spite of its distance from her home in California, because it is faith-based, and she would like to pursue a career in social work. Sarah Everette, from Raleigh, first became aware of the program on the idealist.org website, and her contacts with director Susan Gladin were very positive. She was attracted to the program because the church is very involved in the program, the benefits are good, and she wants to explore her own spirituality. Jamal Briggs hails from upstate New York and was referred to the program by Public Allies last year when he was deferring his admission to Duke Divinity School following the death of his grandmother. Rolake Omoregie, from New Jersey, renewed her faith in God in January and sees the program as an opportunity to build on her faith in God and to serve others. Megan Sheridan, from Kansas, who attended a Jesuit university, assumed that a post-graduate year would be the next step for her, and she wanted in particular an Episcopal experience.

Mr. Briggs asked about the origin of the name of the program, and Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that Margaret Callie Johnson was a librarian at UNC who left her entire estate of over $400,000 to the Chapel of the Cross, with no designation for its use. The Vestry at the time decided to allocate a quarter of that to a new program in the area of leadership, training and social outreach, and this program was named for her. The current class of interns is the sixth class.

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

The September meeting of the Vestry was held in the parish library on Thursday, September 21, 2006. Vestry members present were Jim Crow (Sr. Warden), Steve Lackey (Jr. Warden), 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), Gabe Lamazares (Diocesan Intern), Barbara Hastings (Parish Administrator), Reid Conrad (Treasurer), and Nancy Kelly (Clerk).

The Rector presided and opened the business meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Bible Study

Mr. Eason led the Bible study for the evening. The Gospel reading appointed for the day was Matthew 13: 44-52.

Selection of Timekeeper

Mrs. Schoenfeld volunteered to serve as timekeeper.

PARISH CONCERNS

There were no parish concerns expressed.

There were no corrections to the minutes of the focus session of August 17.

The following corrections were made to the minutes of the Vestry meeting of August 17:

p. 4, second paragraph, change “this in addition to what the Vestry and the Next Step Committee have already communicated to the parish” to “instead of what the Vestry and the Next Step Committee have already communicated to the parish.”

p. 7, second paragraph under Hospitality Committee, change to read “Mrs. Schoenfeld reported that there have been few newcomers who have signed up at the Newcomers’ Table this summer.”

The last item on the list is to be deleted. All other items are to remain on the addendum, pending completion.

Mr. Lackey explained the resolution of the deleted item, stating that the consultant fee covers the consultant’s expenses, but the parish is expected to cover incidental expenses related to the feasibility study.

The following items were placed on the Consent Agenda (attached):

-nomination of Alice Cotton to the Social Ministry Committee

- acceptance of a bequest from Anita Rucker Cottrell in the amount of $466.67, with $46.67 for projects outside the parish and $420.00 to the Program Fund.

It was moved by Mrs. McClaskey, seconded by Ms Henley, and passed unanimously, that the Vestry approve the Consent Agenda.

Mr. Elkins-Williams passed around for the Vestry to see the invitation to the 2nd Annual Muslim/Christian Dialogue dinner (item 2 of the report), a brochure announcing the Generosity and Mission conference in Suffolk, England in April 2007 (item 6 of the report), and the September newsletter of CEEP.

Also attached are pastoral letters on the sin of racism from Bishop Curry, dated March 2006 and March 1994, with an accompanying guide for parish discussion.

Senior Warden
The report of the Sr. Warden is attached.

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

Mr. Lackey reported that the chairs of the three information sessions sub-committees met with Whitney Jones on September 20.

Mr. Logan asked about the direct mailing referred to at the end of the fourth paragraph. Mr. Lackey replied that this refers to the letter that Mr. Elkins-Williams will send to parishioners next week.

Parish Administrator
The Parish Administrator’s report is attached.

Discussion turned to the new bulletin format. Mr. Logan commented that some parishioners have indicated to him that they now find it difficult to read the Crossings section of the bulletin. Mrs. Hastings suggested that the font size may need to be adjusted. Mr. Eason added that there seems to be much repetition of announcements from week to week, to which Mrs. Hastings replied that the industry standard for such communications is four to five times. Ms Baum asked why the Vestry is not listed in the bulletin, and Mr. Elkins-Williams replied that the decision to reduce bulletin business, was made to list Vestry members in Cross Roads. New members are not as likely to need to contact Vestry members, and members of the parish receive Cross Roads monthly and would have that information available.

Treasurer
Attached are the Treasurer’s Narrative Report for August 2006 and the draft Combined Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2006.

Mr. Conrad reported that the finances of the parish are showing a seasonal decline in revenues.

The Finance Committee is engaging in discussions with Bank of America on how to deal with the financial situation associated with the Next Step process.

Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee is attached.

Mr. Hill presented to the Vestry the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the Vestry set a limit on authorized incidental expenses related to the feasibility study.

It was moved by the Finance Committee and passed unanimously that the Vestry authorize $10,000 to cover incidental expenses related to the feasibility study, these expenditures to be tracked in the Development Fund and the cost figures to be reviewed by the Vestry when the incidentals reach and exceed $5000.

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

Episcopal Church of the Advocate

Lisa Fischbeck, Vicar of the Church of the Advocate, and Sr. Warden Terry Milner, joined the meeting to give the Vestry an update on ECOTA.

Attached is a memo outlining the attendance history and the finance history of ECOTA.

Ms Fischbeck began by thanking the Vestry for its continued support of ECOTA as a line item in the budget. Mr. Milner then spoke about where the church wants to go and what it hopes to be. The challenge facing it is how to grow without the specific space to do so. It will likely be three to five years before the congregation will have its own permanent space. ECOTA is dealing with visibility strategies and how to get its name out into the community. Methods used to date include direct mailings, signs in buses, bumper stickers, and ads in the Chapel Hill News.

Mr. Elkins-Williams asked if there are any specific possibilities for moving into a space that they can call their own any time soon, a space that would be visibly identified with ECOTA. Ms Fischbeck replied that they are looking at all possible rental spaces as they become available.

Mr. Milner invited everyone present to the bluegrass mass at the Carrboro Century Center on October 1 (announcement attached), as well as to the third anniversary celebration this coming Sunday, September 24.

Mr. Elkins-Williams made note of the fact that there are several parishioners of ECOTA at various stages in the process of pursuing holy orders, among them our diocesan intern Mr. Lamazares, and Ms Fischbeck replied that one of the goals of ECOTA is to nurture this.

Mr. Elkins-Williams said that he personally would support including in the Chapel of the Cross capital campaign some support for purchasing land for ECOTA.

Mr. Elkins-Williams concluded by stating that he is impressed with the steady, solid growth of ECOTA.

Special Giving Committee Proposal for Development Director

Syd Alexander and Robert Wright joined the meeting to discuss with the Vestry a proposal from the Special Giving Committee. Attached is a memo about contacts with development directors.

Mr. Alexander began by stating that whether the title would be Development Director (the recommendation) or Stewardship Officer, this parish needs a full-time paid staff officer to deal with all aspects of raising money. This individual needs to be someone with good experience in the non-profit world, as well as someone who is familiar with our church culture and who is a good fit with our rector. The Special Giving Committee, the Capital Giving Committee, and the Stewardship Formation Committee have all considered this proposal. A possible timeline is that the Vestry authorize this new staff new position to begin January 2007 for a tenure of eighteen months, to be funded in the capital budget. The salary would be significant, but it should justify itself by the results it produces. The recommendation is to have the Personnel Committee study the proposal in time for the Vestry to approve it at the October meeting. Once approved, the availability of the position could be circulated through the Consortium for Endowed Episcopal Parishes for potential candidates.

Mr. Logan commented that he can’t see anyone other than the Rector asking parishioners for money. He added that the title Stewardship Officer sounds to him more palatable than Development Director.

Ms Baum asked about the salary level for such a position. Mr. Alexander suggested that the salary range would likely be $60,000-70,000, plus benefits. Mr. Logan replied that he thinks that this is very optimistic. He continued by saying that he thinks that we do need a development director, but he does not think that this is the appropriate time. He added that he is concerned about the current staff salary levels, to which Mr. Wright asked how we will ever address these other budgetary needs without doing something drastic to increase our revenue potential. He stated, too, that we need to deal with the realities of the marketplace, that some jobs demand a greater income.

Mr. Logan asked if we have the momentum for all of these initiatives at once, referring specifically to the capital campaign and the proposal for a development director.

Mr. Eason asked for clarification about the budgetary implications for the position, asking if he was correct in assuming that the capital campaign would absorb the salary cost only for the first year (2007) and then the next six months of the salary would be in the 2008 budget. He was told that this is correct.

Mr. Alexander commented that the work of the development director would complement the work of consultant Whitney Jones, and Mr. Wright added that he is confident that it would pay off in increased success of the capital campaign.

Mr. Elkins-Williams informed the Vestry that he will be sending a letter to parishioners next week to include a discussion of this proposal.

Mr. Hill observed that the time frame suggested by the recommendation seems a short time frame for the education of the parish.

Mr. Eason also suggested that we need to be looking for a staff person to deal with nurturing the membership and not just asking for money.

Mr. Crow said that he has several reactions to the proposal. In one sense, he sees the proposal as an analytical response to a spiritual issue, and he does not feel good about this approach to the problem. On the other hand, the Jr. Warden has created excellent tools for us to work with financially, but we don’t have the expertise to use these tools to best advantage. A development director would provide us those tools. His final observation was that a development director would need to be provided with clear goals with respect to staff salaries and annual giving.

Mr. Hill expressed concern that we are looking to the capital campaign to help with a lot of issues, citing specifically the chapel project, ECOTA, and the proposed staff position of development director. He likened this to using the capital campaign as a credit card, with the obvious potential for abuse.

Ms Savage expressed feelings of disquiet with respect to the rapid-fire time-frame. She emphasized once again the need for lots of communication with the parish.

Mr. Elkins-Williams suggested that the report from Whitney Jones in January would be helpful in this discussion. He also observed that the services of a development director might be of even greater use during a building phase, when annual giving might suffer while we are displaced from our space.

Election of Convention Delegates

Each parish sends its clergy and a determined proportional number of delegates to the Annual Convention. The Chapel of the Cross has the maximum number of six delegates, of which two are elected each year for three-year terms. Six alternates are also elected each year. Responsibilities of the delegates include attendance at two convocational meetings before the convention and then at the convention itself.

Joe Ferrell and Terry Eason have completed their terms as delegates. Robert Wright and Syd Alexander have one year remaining of their term, and Vivian Varner and Paul Carew have two years remaining.

Joe Ferrell and Hugh Morrison had expressed interest in being considered as delegates.

Mr. Logan nominated, and Ms Baum seconded the nominations of Joe Ferrell and Hugh Morrison as delegates to Annual Convention, and they were unanimously elected by the Vestry.

The names of Gail Cloud, Emilie DeLuca, Peter DeSaix, Ann Henley, Carter Kersh, John McGee, and Caren Parker were submitted for nomination as alternates. By drawing lots, the Vestry designated Mr. McGee as first alternate, Ms Henley as second alternate, Ms Cloud as third alternate, Ms Parker as fourth alternate, Mr. DeSaix as fifth alternate, and Mr. Kersh as sixth alternate.

Global Missions Committee

The report of the Global Missions Committee is attached.

Ms Henley reminded the Vestry of Honduras Night on October 5. There is a nominal cost of $2 for an evening filled with education and entertainment.

Hospitality Committee

Mrs. Schoenfeld reported that the newcomers’ dinner scheduled for September 25 has been cancelled because of lack of RSVP’s. The committee is now exploring other options for welcoming newcomers to the parish.

Announcements

The dedication of the chapel organ will take place on Friday, October 13..

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

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

(Attachments are available in the library for review.)

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.