Vestry Meeting

Present:  Robert Salamone, Edwin Beckham, John Becker, Anne Brightwell, Phillip Cofer, Joe Clements, Curt Collier, Dee Forester, Chuck Galis, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Matt Humphrey, Marty Kemp, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Lisa Yarn

Absent:  Vince Howard

Meeting was convened at 9:05 a.m.

Nancy McDuff went through the December 2008 statement and reported that we ended the 2008 year with a surplus of over $38,000, instead of the budgeted deficit of over $38,000. She also went over the preliminary draft of the 2009 budget. The final draft of the 2009 budget will be approved at the February meeting.

Action Item 1: Naomi Norman moved that the Vestry approve a $35,000 housing allowance for Fr. Robert and a $26,400 housing allowance for Fr. Edwin. The motion was seconded by Joe Clements and approved unanimously.

Joe Clements gave an update on the 2009 Stewardship campaign. A list of parishioners who pledged in 2008 but have not yet pledged in 2009 was distributed and every member of the Vestry was tasked with calling people on the list. Everyone will make their calls and report back by email to Joe Clements by February 1^st.

The members of the Vestry had a candid discussion about the feasibility study that was approved in August 2008. Everyone was given a brief summary of the process and the expected cost of the study. After discussion, there was a consensus to proceed with the study, but members emphasized the need to do the study with the greatest possible sensitivity to the economic climate and how parishioners might feel. There was discussion on whether the study should include a specific amount as our possible target goal or a range of amounts; there was general agreement to discuss this question with our consultant at the next meeting with him on Tuesday and to follow his advice. Naomi Norman announced the members of the Feasibility Study Committee: Fr. Robert, Katherine Byrne, Debra and Amrey Harden, Carol and Rob Winthrop and Naomi Norman. John Becker, the Junior Warden for 2009, is also invited to attend the meetings. She also stressed that nothing was yet writ in stone and that, once the results of the feasibility study were received, the Vestry would have ample opportunity to discuss the results and decide whether or not to go forward with the capital campaign and that, if the Vestry decided to launch a capital campaign, there would be sufficient time to prioritize our needs, finalize our vision, and work with an architect and other professionals before the first appeal would be sent.

Action Item 2: Fr. Robert described his plan to make Sam Polk our full-time Director of Music and to continue to hire Joe Napoli as a music minister to direct the choral anthems at the offertory and during communion and on special occasions. This will require a $12,000 increase to the salary line in the 2009 budget. Naomi Norman moved that the Vestry put this amount in the 2009 budget for final approval in February when the whole budget would be approved. The motion was seconded by Dee Forester and passed unanimously.

Naomi Norman announced the commission and committee assignments:

• Stewardship : Joe Clements
• Spiritual Formation: Marty Kemp and Chuck Galis
• Worship and Liturgy: Curt Collier and Matt Humphrey
• Parish Life: Dee Forester and Erwin Greene
• Pastoral Care: Anne Brightwell
• Finance: Nancy McDuff
• Extended Ministries: Lisa Yarn and Vince Howard
• Communications: Phillip Cofer and Keith Cowne
• Resources: John Becker and Sean Hogan
• Youth Liaison: Lisa Germain
• John Becker was elected Junior Warden on Saturday evening

She asked commissioners to check the information on the website and send all corrections to Bob Wood. She also suggested that commissioners prepare commission notebooks with policies, rosters, descriptions of programs, calendars etc. to ease the transition for the 2010 Vestry when the time comes; she also suggested that commissioners touch base with their committee chairs to discuss plans for 2009 and, if appropriate, discuss commission programs and budgets.

She invited members of the Vestry and their spouses to attend the first Vestry potluck of 2009 after the 10:30 service on February 1^st and reminded everyone that they would be invested as the Vestry at that service.

Submitted by Naomi Norman, Senior Warden

Approved by:  John Becker, Anne Brightwell, Phillip Cofer, Joe Clements, Curt Collier, Dee Forester, Chuck Galis, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Matt Humphrey, Marty Kemp, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Lisa Yarn