Absent: Larry Hlad

The meeting began at 6:15pm with a prayer led by Rev. Bob Partlow.

The minutes of the December 11, 2007 meeting were accepted as corrected.

Treasurer’s Report – Accepted as presented.

New Business:

A community Lenten service and luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 12. Rev. Ruth Partlow will ask members to help organize the luncheon.

The annual Parish potluck meeting to elect new Vestry members will take place on March 2. The Vestry suggested names of potential new Vestry members.

The annual Pledge reports will be going out to parish members. Rev. Ruth Partlow stated that someone was needed to sign off on the letter accompanying these reports. It was agreed that Mr. Libby would sign off on the letter, and that the letter would also direct members to Kathy for any questions regarding their individual pledge reports.

During Lent, the Partlows will be speaking each Sunday at 9:30am on the concept of hospitality. Instead of having a Eucharistic service, they suggested inviting the Archers to give a presentation one day during Lent. The Shrove Pancake supper will be held on Tuesday, February 5, at 6pm. Ash Wednesday services will be at noon and 7pm on Feb. 6. On Thursday, Feb. 7, a light dinner will be served at 6:30pm, followed by a Healing service, and then the Women’s and Bible study groups. A musical service will be provided on Good Friday.

The Bishop’s workshops for Vestries and church leaders will be on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Virginia Beach, and on Saturday, March 1, at Bon Air. The topic for these workshops will be on equipping leaders for vision and growth.

Old Business:

Rev. Bob Partlow presented a rough draft of the proposed endowment policy. Different specific endowments would include buildings and grounds, music, as well as a Memorial fund. Different types of endowments can be added to this policy. Rev. Partlow will review this rough draft and will give a final presentation to the Vestry next month.

The Partlows met with the Farmville Methodist Youth Minister who was pleased that JMC youth wanted to be involved with the Methodist youth group. They agreed that this group should be ecumenical in its focus, and that all area youth should be invited to attend.

Mrs. Lancaster, Mr. Libby, and Mr. Minix will be reviewing the budget figures, and will have a final budget for the Vestry to look at next month.

The Keohanes volunteered to be the Chanco Parish representatives. They asked if they could promote and provide information about Chanco to the Parish by sponsoring a Chanco Open House on February 24. Miss Athena Hahn has agreed to be a representative for the Chanco feasibility study. The Partlows will ask the Keohanes if they would also like to volunteer for this study.

Ms. Susan Booker has agreed to be the new Lector Trainer. Rev. Ruth Partlow suggested asking different youth members to provide the second lector piece each Sunday. She is also working on finding an Usher coordinator.

Committee Reports:

Communication and Administration: Mr. Libby provided a Search Committee update. They are putting together telephone interview questions and will be setting up interviews for the following week. He is also revamping the musicians’ contracts. Mr. Mayton will be reviewing these contracts once they have been edited.

Buildings and Grounds: The Church boiler stopped working before Christmas Eve. It needed a new pump. Mr. Longest Varner went to great lengths to fix the boiler and to ensure that the outside Church lights were installed. Mrs. Lancaster recommended writing a thank you note to Mr. Varner on behalf of the Vestry for his extra help and attention with the building.

Young Adults and Youth: Mrs. Southall reported that the College Ministry group was moving along with their activities. Mrs. Ann Lund will be asking the group if they would volunteer for Coffee hour.

Parish Life/Outreach: Ms. Gallagher reported that Mrs. Kathy Orth will be sending out the proofs for the Parish Directory. A final proof should be available within the next six weeks. A possible Messiah concert might be scheduled for April.

Pastoral Care: Mrs. Kemner has volunteers for the Prayer chain.  

The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm after Compline