Present: Taylor Butler, Jennifer Gallagher, Larry Hlad, Katherine Kemner, Nancy Lancaster, Joe Mayton, Lee Minix, Rev. Ruth Partlow, Sarah Southall.

Absent: Steve Libby, Rev. Bob Partlow

At 6pm, Rev. Ruth Partlow opened the meeting with prayer and Gospel reflection. She welcomed Mr. Lee Minix as Treasurer and new vestry member, Mrs. Molly McClellan.

The minutes of the June 12, 2007 meeting were accepted as corrected.

Treasurer’s Report – Accepted as presented.

New Business:

Rev. Ruth Partlow suggested that the Vestry appoint a delegate to take Mr. Jack Peery’s place if he could not attend the Convocation Eight meeting. Mr. Butler volunteered to be the alternate delegate in case Mr. Peery could not make the meeting.

It is possible that the Rector who is appointed at St. Anne’s when Rev. Mike Ferguson retires could also be hired to work as the Campus Minister for Longwood and Hampden-Sydney. Rev. Ruth Partlow noted that the Search Committee should consider this when interviewing for a new Rector.

She also stated that the Vestry should begin reviewing the Sunday morning schedule. Individual members, as well as members from the Focus groups, have suggested that an Adult Sunday School service should be integrated within the morning service. A committee should be assigned to review this issue. Possible members would include Mr. Taylor Butler, Ms. Peggy Hargrave, Mr. Larry Hlad, Mr. Steve Libby, Mrs. Mary Meade Edwards, Rev. Bob and Ruth Partlow, Mrs. Sarah Southall, Dr. Chris Swanson, and Mrs. Elsie Wilson.

A Certificate of Insurance of the Church property is due at the Diocese. Mrs. Lancaster will check on this and send it in.

The Union Outreach Fellowship Church asked to use the Parish house for a potluck meal next month. The Vestry agreed to let Union Outreach use the Parish House for their dinner.

Rev. Ruth Partlow suggested that Johns Memorial issue a printed Parish Directory that included members’ pictures. It is a free service offered by Olan Mills. Ms. Gallagher volunteered to find members who would be willing to coordinate this project.

Old Business - Vestry assignments and reports:

From the new Endowment policy, it was suggested that each January, three to five percent of the Davenport investment account that is not restricted should be withdrawn and used as supplemental income for Church operating expenses. Mrs. Southall moved, seconded by Ms. Gallagher, to enact this financial policy in withdrawing three to five percent from the investment account every January for supplemental income. The motion carried.

Search Committee update: Mrs. Southall reported that the Committee has finished their Focus Group sessions and sent out the Church survey. The Committee will be meeting in August to review this information in order to create a Parish Profile. A Letter of Interest has been sent out to different Parishes regarding the available Rector position at Johns Memorial.

Rev. Ruth Partlow reminded the Vestry about the Appreciative Approach to Congregational Development workshop that will be held on July 21 at the Roslyn Conference Center.

Mr. Hlad asked about a sign for the Church. Mrs. Lancaster will look into getting quote for a Church sign as well as a directional sign from the town of Farmville.

Committee Reports:

Christian Formation: Mr. Hlad announced that the Training for Godly Play workshop, a Montessori-based teaching program, will be held on August 3 from 9:30 to 4pm. He is also forming a committee to review the current Sunday school curriculum and class structure. A sexual abuse training class should be conducted for Church staff and volunteers. Rev. Ruth Partlow will ask Mrs. Cindy Barnes if she would conduct this training.

Long Range Planning: Mr. Mayton stated that he is in the beginning stages of structuring this committee. Mrs. Lancaster contacted Mr. Robert Winthrop of Winthrop Architects to develop the preliminary building plans for re-designing the Parish office and the handicap entrance.

Parish Life/Outreach: Ms. Gallagher will have Kathy send out post cards to members this week to bring in money for a farewell gift for Mr. Chad Krouse and his family. Their last day at Church will be this coming Sunday. She also suggested anti-racism training.

Pastoral care: Mrs. Kemner stated that Mr. Lee Cohen was holding his own. Mrs. Wilson is continuing to send out cards. The Prayer list in the weekly service leaflet is outdated. Mrs. McClellan suggested that, starting August 1, names on the list should be kept on for thirty days. At the end of August, every name should be removed. Members who want to add names to the list should then call the Church office. A notice of this change will be put in the service bulletin.

Stewardship & Finance: Mrs. McClellan will speak with Mrs. Wilson about how they ran last year’s stewardship campaign. The campaign is scheduled to start in September or October. Also, last year’s budget is to be audited by September. Every month, Mrs. Southall will post the Vestry minutes and Treasurer’s report on the bulletin board. Mr. Mayton suggested auditing the Treasurer’s report on a quarterly basis.

Worship: Mr. Butler reported that the Altar music is working great. He will be talking with the Acolyte group.

Young Adults and Youth: Mrs. Southall reported that the Committee is working by email to submit a Campus Ministry budget estimate to the Diocese. Also, Rev. Bob Partlow is in California receiving training on Peer ministry.

Junior Warden report: Mrs. Lancaster hired Francisco to clean out the furnace room. Putney Mechanical is almost finished installing the new boiler. The sound system is installed. Mr. Frank Archer will train Church staff on this new system. Mrs. Lancaster will also be providing dinner at the next Vestry meeting.

Senior Warden report: Mr. Libby was absent. Church member Mrs. Pat Kirtland talked about managing the Church website. She stated that she was able to get the Vestry minutes online. Mrs. Lancaster complimented Mrs. Kirtland on her work in managing this site. Mrs. Kirtland suggested that a Church web page policy be developed. Mrs. Southall will work with Mrs. Kirtland and Mr. Libby to develop this policy.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00pm after Compline. 

Respectfully submitted,