Present: Jennifer Gallagher, Larry Hlad, Nancy Lancaster, Steve Libby, Rev. Bob
and Ruth Partlow, Kerr Ramsay, Sarah Southall.
Absent: Taylor Butler, Katherine Kemner, Joe Mayton
Meeting began at 6pm with one guest speaker:
Reverend Mike Ferguson, Rector at St. Ann’s of Appomattox and the Diocesan Chair
of the Small Church Commission, spoke about developing team ministries within the Diocese
to help support small local churches. He stated that there were not enough people or
clergy to provide adequate support for these churches. These congregations need resources
and supervision from the larger congregations. He has developed a Pilot project that
includes Convocations 8 and 9, and is looking at clustering different groups of small
churches with larger churches. He also discussed training local deacons and lay ministers
to help with the supervision of these smaller churches. He reiterated the Baptismal
covenant. We are all baptized to be ministers. He has developed a set of job descriptions
so lay ministers know what to expect in terms of their specific duties. The Bishop
licenses these ministers. He recommended that the Vestry read the book I have called
your friends by Kevin Forrester which describes this process in depth. He also
proposed providing a book study of this particular book for different congregations in
three separate sites, including Blackstone, Farmville, and South Hill. He suggested that
the Search Committee look for a Rector who would be willing to participate outside of this
Parish.
At 7:15pm, Rev. Bob Partlow opened the meeting with prayer.
The minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting were accepted as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report – Accepted as presented.
New Business:
Mr. Lee Minnix was asked and agreed to serve as the new Vestry treasurer. Mr. Ramsay is
working on a Treasurer notebook that he will review with Mr. Minnix. Mrs. Lancaster moved,
seconded by Ms. Gallagher, to have Mr. Minnix serve as the new Treasurer. The motion
carried. The Vestry thanked Mr. Ramsay for all his hard work as Treasurer.
The Search Committee has completed its Focus groups. The Parish survey has been
compiled and sent out to the congregation. Mrs. Lancaster suggested having the Parish
profile posted on the Johns Memorial web page, not compiled as a pamphlet or book. From
these Focus groups, the Search Committee found that most parishioners viewed Johns
Memorial as a welcoming, diverse congregation. Many members really enjoyed the
Church’s different music programs. They also discussed revamping the Youth education
program, adding more Adult Bible study groups, and reorienting the Sunday morning
services.
Rev. Ruth Partlow stated that the Appreciative Approach to Congregational Development
workshop would be taking place on Saturday, July 21, in Richmond. This will provide
information on congregational development and management.
The Bishop is coming to Johns Memorial on December 2. Rev. Ruth Partlow asked the
Vestry to find out the names of people who are not confirmed or need to be received.
Rev. Bob Partlow discussed the idea of naming retired Rev. Bill Blottner as Campus
Minister Emeritus and Rev. Dr. Bob Hayden as Priest Associate. This would give recognition
to the work they have done for the Campus Ministries. Their names and titles would then be
put into the weekly service leaflets. Mrs. Southall moved, seconded by Ms. Gallagher, to
designate Rev. Bill Blottner as Campus Minister Emeritus and Rev. Dr. Bob Hayden as Priest
Associate. The motion carried.
Mr. Ramsay suggested putting committee areas next to vestry names in the weekly service
leaflets.
Old Business - Vestry assignments and reports:
Long Range Planning: The Endowment use policy for Davenport has been updated. The
Vestry will need to vote on this new policy at the next meeting.
Parish Life/Outreach: The Church needs to do better at recognizing folks who are
leaving, graduating, etc. Mrs. Lancaster asked who heads up this committee. Also, the
Coffee hour has been "dumbed down" for the summer. Congregation members who are
participating in this Ministry need to only provide coffee, donuts, and juice.
Stewardship & Finance: Mr. Ramsay suggested that the Vestry should actively
investigate moving the stewardship campaign from December to September or October. It
would make budgeting easier throughout the year. Mr. Ramsay moved, seconded by Ms.
Gallagher, to hire Mr. Robert Winthrop of Winthrop Architects to submit a formal estimate
of the cost breakdown as well as preliminary plans for a Parish building addition. The
motion carried.
Young Adults and Youth: The Committee is working on submitting a cost estimate for the
budget. A suggestion was made that the Committee also think about providing care packages
for college student members during exams.
Reports:
Junior Warden report: The carpet has been stretched successfully. There is, however, a
small little lump in the sanctuary. The Carpet House did a great job. The air conditioning
went off in the Parish House. The condenser froze. A hole needs to be drilled into the
back of the building to provide a drip line for the air conditioner condenser. Ms.
Gallagher moved, seconded by Mr. Libby, to have the hole drilled and the air conditioning
condenser fixed. The motion carried. The old boiler has been taken out of the furnace
room. Service Master is not available to come clean the room. Francisco will need to come
out to do the clean up. Mrs. Southall moved, seconded by Mr. Hlad, to hire Francisco to
clean the furnace room. Mr. John Carter, the sexton, needs to be paid to use his lawn
mower. Ms. Gallagher moved, seconded by Mr. Libby, to pay Mr. Carter to use his lawn
mower. The motion carried. The Church sound system is scheduled to arrive in a couple of
weeks. Several of the components are on back order.
Senior Warden report: The Church newsletter is quite good. It provides a great deal of
information to the members. However, the web site needs to be more professional looking.
Mr. Libby asked the Vestry to research which outside website company could take this
project on and manage the site. Mr. Ramsay volunteered to help with the web page. Staff
contracts for Dr. Chris Swanson and Peggy Hargrave are being revised. A new Vestry member
is needed to fill Mr. Ramsay’s position until March 2008. Ms. Gallagher moved,
seconded by Mr. Libby, to ask Mrs. Molly McClellan if she would take this position. The
motion carried.
Mr. Ramsay submitted his resignation as Vestry member. The Vestry accepted his
resignation with great reluctance and thanked him again for all his dedication and hard
work.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm after prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah P. Southall, Register
