Present: Penny McLanahan, Lee Albright, Tom Odom, Mother Mandy Brady, Dave Woodruff, Butch Bush, Brian Tison, John Ballard, Robin Bewley, Wren Howard, Katherine Byrne, Betsy Turner, Allison Clements, Robin Krause, Amrey Harden

Absent: Gillian Ball

Mo Mandy opened the meeting at 7 PM with the hymn “All Are Welcome” and a prayer.

Wren gave the devotional about Christian Leadership. She quoted from Henri Nouwen who stated that Jesus makes it clear that ministry is a communal experience and must be mutually practiced by all those involved.

Reports

• Worship Commission: Robin K. said that the Commission is preparing for Lenten worship.

• Parish Life: Lee announced that the vestry will cook the Wednesday night supper on March 22. She asked for volunteers to help with the meal.

• Resources: Tom reported that there are some problems with the installation of the ambry.

He said that names will finally be carved in the granite

outside the church.

The parish will soon know something about moving one of the cottages (the meeting house). Lee Gaby and Upshaw Bentley are working out the details, and the move will take place soon. The second cottage may be moved within the year.

Tom suggested that everyone read the PUMP document. He would like to have a separate vestry meeting that deals exclusively with the future needs of the parish.

• Finance: Amrey announced that the minutes and financial statements are on the website. The 2004 audit was distributed. The 2005 annual budget report will be distributed at the March vestry meeting.

The committee announced that the parish came out in the black in 2005 and did not have to borrow from the reserve. This was due to a combination of better revenues and unspent funds, some of which had been designated for unfilled staff positions. There is a surplus of $80,370.

• Extended Ministries: John will have a report next month.

• Communication: Myra Blackmon met with Mo. Mandy and has volunteered to be a consultant to help improve parish communication. Myra is currently working with communication for the Diocese and would be glad to share ideas with us.

Robin B. announced that the vestry minutes will now be distributed by Wren, the Communication Chair, who will follow this procedure for getting them approved on-line:

1. The clerk takes minutes, records them and e-mails them to Communication Chair.

2. The Communication Chair makes minor corrections and e-mails them to the vestry with a note, "These are the unapproved minutes. Please send corrections and additions back to me by... (usually a week)."

4. Communication chair then makes changes/corrections and sends corrected draft via e-mail back to vestry for approval by a given deadline.

5. Approved minutes are sent back to the clerk who makes corrections on her draft.

6. Approved minutes are filed in Melissa's office.

7. Approved minutes are sent via e-mail to Bob Wood to put into agenda packet and on the web.

• Senior Warden: Robin B. announced that the envelopes which were distributed to the vestry are for receipts of expenses that vestry members may have incurred for entertaining rector candidates. Butch announced that if members do not want to be reimbursed, they can still submit receipts to Karen who will credit the amount to members’ pledges or will count them as additional gifts to the church.

Robin B. told the vestry that there will be two more meetings about the rector search: Sunday, February 26, 5:30 PM, to discuss the candidates and Monday February 27, 7 PM to vote on the new rector. Canon Rick Callaway will join the vestry on Monday.

Mo Mandy will coordinate the dinner for Sunday’s meeting.

• Priest in Charge: Mo. Mandy announced that there will be a Ministry Fair at the Cathedral on March 4 beginning at 8:30 AM. There will be a variety of workshops such as “Developing Congregations.” The Fair is not just for vestry members; any parishioner is welcome. The parish will cover expenses out of the discretionary fund for anyone who wants to go. All the information is on the diocesan website.

Action Items

• Appointee from Vestry to AGM: It was moved and seconded that Betsy Turner be appointed vestry representative to AGM. Passed.

• Appointee from Vestry to Pope Street Association: It was moved and seconded that John Ballard be appointed vestry representative to Pope Street Association. Passed. Tom Odom will help John.

• Appointee from Vestry to PUMP: It was moved and seconded that Tom Odom be appointed vestry representative to PUMP. Passed.

The vestry will also appoint another parishioner to PUMP. Action was tabled until Tom can invite a parishioner to serve on the board.

• Day School Budget Approval: The Day School Budget was distributed. David asked if the tuition is comparable to other church pre- schools in the area. Allison said that it is. She said that scholarships are available, some up to ½ of the tuition. The tuition will be raised by $5.00 per month for the three day, four day and five day a week classes. Two day a week classes do not have a tuition increase.

Allison announced the day school will instigate a lottery next year to avoid anyone’s spending the night before registration in the church or in the parking lot where parents have “camped out” because they want to get into the registration line early.

Allison will give the devotional at the March vestry meeting.

Good of the Order: Butch asked for prayers for New Hampshire’s Bishop Robinson who is having personal problems.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the Vestry