St. JULIAN’s EPISCOPAL CHURCH

VESTRY MEETING

SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

The regular monthly meeting of the Vestry was held on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 7:30 PM.

Members Present: 2008 2009 2010

Debra Harrington Deidre Clines Adrian Austin

Pat McCue Leeman Dennis Kerry Bartone

Sue Murray Ken Gavranovic Nancy Tallant

Also present were: Stewart Tabb, John Carden – Treasurer & Linda Carden - Clerk

Stewart opened the meeting with a prayer.

Bible Meditation/Study: Stewart read some verses from Matthew 13, which were discussed.

The Minutes of the August 21, 2007 Vestry meeting were approved by unanimous vote.

FINANCES

Monthly & YTD Financial Statements

John gave out the August financial statements (attached). Notes were inserted to explain some specific accounts. Julie thinks that contributions are at a good level for this time of year. There was discussion on next year’s budget, which will be covered under the STEWARDSHIP section of the minutes.

Financial Audit

The Audit Committee, consisting of Ken Flickinger, Kerry Bartone, and Alison Urbas, was approved by Canon Bennett of the Diocese. The Committee conducted the audit of 2006 on September 11, 2007. They will issue a report on the audit next month.

STEWARDSHIP

Stewart has arranged for a speaker to talk to the congregation about stewardship at our 10:30 a.m. service on October 28. Ken will prepare the letter which will be sent with the pledge card to our pledgers, regular givers, and other members of the congregation the last week of October. John will ask Julie if she can provide the information necessary to personalize the letters, by name, amount of their 2007 pledge, progress toward that pledge, and amount contributed this year by each of the regular givers. It was decided to request a certain percentage increase over last year. The Finance Committee will quantify that percentage based on what will be needed for a balanced budget in 2008. Stewart would like the pledge cards returned by the first Sunday in November, so that the Finance Committee can begin working on the 2008 budget.

OUTREACH

Vestry Service Project

Members of the Vestry assisted in feeding approximately 600 needy and homeless people on Saturday, September 15 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta. All agreed that it was a very meaningful experience which should be continued, perhaps on a monthly basis and open to all members of the congregation. Pat will talk to his contact there and set up a schedule for St. Julian’s participation, perhaps the 2^nd Saturday of each month.

New Outreach Project

St. Julian’s has been asked to “adopt” a Douglasville elementary school, Eastside being one that was suggested. The only good meals some children get are breakfasts, lunches, and snacks at school. We would provide them with food for the weekends by filling backpacks for 10 children with 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner, and 2 snack items. St. Julian’s would also purchase the backpacks. Empty backpacks would be picked up at the school on Wednesdays and filled backpacks returned on Fridays. This project will require someone to head it and coordinate with the school; and someone to collect, fill, and deliver the backpacks. Other members of the congregation would be encouraged to contribute food. A list of suggested food items will be prepared. Taking on this project was approved by unanimous vote.

MINISTRY MONTHS

Certain Sundays in September and October will be devoted to honoring all those who give of their time and talents in some way to St. Julian’s.

Sept. 9 - Honored our organist, George Mann; the choir; and those involved in Christian Education.

Stewart will put out a schedule of what Sundays the following groups will be honored:

1. Eucharistic Ministers, Chalicers, Acolytes, Lay Readers, Ushers, and Altar Guild.

2. Those involved in our outreach ministries: Starting Over, Meals on Wheels, Honduras Mission, and Share House.

3. Greeters, Coffee Hour hosts, Foyer Groups, those involved in Newcomers activities.

4. Vestry; Finance Committee; those responsible for the money of the church, including pledgers and regular givers; and those who maintain the church buildings, grounds, and gardens.

Pam Parker and Stewart put together a ministry vine listing all 30 of our current ministries. The intent is to display it in the Gathering Space, and in the future display photos of the people involved in those ministries.

SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION

Adrian handed out forms that all members who either have keys to our facilities or who work with children would be required to fill out and sign. The forms request information on residence and employment history, volunteer and educational history, various references, etc. Background checks will be made based on this information. Adrian noted that a committee had been formed last year to review this information, call references, and complete background checks. They would also be responsible for insuring that all those with keys or working with children take the on-line sexual abuse training every 3 years.

There was discussion of personal liability issues regarding certain wording in the Code of Conduct, which must be signed and dated by each person filling out the form. Adrian will ask the Diocese to clarify Vestry liability and to determine if our and/or their umbrella insurance policies would cover any liability. He will also find out if outside groups using our facilities, such as the Girl Scout Troop, should be required to fill out the form, or could they just sign a statement that St. Julian’s is not responsible for anything that should occur while on our property. Another group in question is outsiders who have keys to our facilities.

Stewart will prepare a letter for the whole congregation explaining this new policy, and telling all those with keys or who work with children that they will be asked to fill out the new form and take the on-line training. Non-members working in Starting Over will also be included.

OTHER ITEMS

Use of Building

Mothers and More – The Vestry agreed that it seems like a worthwhile organization. After Stewart hears back from Adrian on the outsider liability issues, she will contact them to see if they still want to use our facilities.

Updating of Policy Forms on Use of Buildings & Grounds – A request for two contact phone numbers will be added.

Involvement of Children in Services

There was discussion that children should have more exposure to the adult services. Suggestions were made as follows: 1) Bring children in at the Peace, 2) Have a sermon for them on occasion, perhaps bringing them up front and speaking directly to them, 3) Have them bring up food contributions to the altar. Stewart will discuss these ideas with Christy Bradford-Hunt.

PASTORAL CONCERNS

Stewart asked everyone to keep in their prayers those parishioners and their family members who are ill or who have passed away.

The next Vestry meeting will be held on October 16 at 7:30 p.m.

ACTION ITEMS/ASSIGNMENTS/DUE DATES:

	DUE DATE	ACTION ITEM	ASSIGNED TO
1	9/19/07	Ask Julie for information for personalizing pledge letters.	John
2	Uncertain	Quantify % increase for pledge letters to have 2008 balanced budget	Finance Committee
3	>Item 1&2 done	Prepare and send out stewardship letters and pledge cards	Ken
4	10/16/07	Ask Shrine of Immaculate Conception for a day each mo. for us to continue to volunteer.	Pat
5	ASAP	Ask Diocese about sexual abuse liability issues.	Adrian
6	> Item 5 done	Contact Mothers and More to see if they still want to use our facilities	Stewart
7	> Item 5 done	Send letter to congregation explaining the upcoming sexual abuse prevention program.	Stewart
8	ASAP	Set schedule for Ministry Months to honor all who serve St. Julian’s	Stewart
9	10/16/07	Display our ministries on boards in Gathering Space	Stewart, Pam Parker
10	ASAP	Letter to congregation asking for help for new “Adopt School” project	Stewart
11	10/16/07	Prepare to “Adopt School”, compile list of food items, buy backpacks	Unknown at this time
12	10/16/07	Issue 2006 financial audit report	Audit Committee
13	10/16/07	Talk to Christy Bradford-Hunt about bringing children into church	Stewart
14	Indefinite	Work with Eleni P. on date & content for Vestry Financial Training	John

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. with prayer led by Stewart.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda T. Carden, Clerk

September 19, 2007 D:2007 VESTRY-9-18-07 Vestry Minutes.doc

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