Present:
Buddy Atkins, George Brooke, Molly Brown, John Burleson, Roger Crockett, Susan Cross, Libby Cumming, Bridget Kelley Dearing, Bob de Maria, Bob Glidden, Cindy Mullen, Woody Sadler, Brian Shaw, Jonathan Webster, Gretchen Walden, Kay Horner
Guests: Melissa Cox, Anne Nay, Jerry Nay, John Milford, Barton Dick, Steve Curtis

Opening:
Melissa Cox called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.

Worship:
Bob de Maria led the worship.

Minutes:
Melissa Cox asked for approval of the minutes from the December meeting. The motion to approve was approved without dissent.

Steeple Project (Jerry Nay)

Jerry introduced Steve Curtis, president of Old Time Restorations.
The project is ahead of schedule. Jerry explained the payment schedule. The old fan located in the tower will be removed and Jerry will give it to Rail’s End.
The cap is in relatively good condition and when it is removed, it will be reused as storage shed.
Jerry expressed his thanks to Grigg and Cindy Mullen for storing the old steeple at their home. Jerry and Anne distributed old shingles.
March 4, 2007 we will be gilding the crown of the steeple. Steve Curtis explained how parishioners can participate in the process

Campaign (Barton Dick)
Barton thanked last year’s Vestry for 100% participation. We have $369,000 in pledges to date. He expects several more pledges before the February 4 kick-off luncheon.

Stewardship (John Milford)

We stand at $324,516.oo as of Jan 15. We have 178 Pledge Families which includes 18 new families. Last year at this time, we were at $310,781. We have 25 who haven’t replied. John thinks we will probably take in between $10,000 and $12,000 more.

John noted that the trend of pledges is down from two years past.

Finance Committee (Jonathan Webster)

Jonathan noted that in light of the Stewardship report, he will ask for a pared down request from the program chairs before finalizing the budget. He hopes to have a working budget as soon as possible following their Jan. 23 meeting.

Buddy Atkins noted that people who pledge and attend regularly are supporting the church but there are some who attend who are not pledging or their pledges are very low. We can’t continue to run our church with the programs that folks want with the money we have coming in.

Search Committee (Brian Shaw)

We have 20 candidates who replied to the Search Committees questionnaire. Out of those twenty, the committee winnowed the candidate pool to 12.  Saturday, Jan. 20, they will have a meeting where they hope to further pare down the candidates to six or eight finalists. The remaining will be given phone interviews. Following that, they will bring a handful to Lexington and the Vestry will then be involved. The Vestry will interview the finalists and will make the decision.

Wardens’ Report (Brian Shaw)

• Brian then circulated a thank you note from Connie Bryant. She is having surgery soon and will be on call but out of commission. Brian circulated the worship and snack sheet and asked for recommendations to continue worship as we had done last year or would we like it changed.
• Brian also reported in reply to Woody Sadler’s question about a training session for new Vestry members. The Rev. Gene Anderson, Diocese Transition Officer, gave Brian two dates (February 3, and February 10) for a Vestry retreat. The main purpose will be to prepare us for interviewing of the prospective Rector candidate this is called “Conversation Training”.
• After Discussion, it was decided that we will meet with the Rev. Mr. Anderson on Feb. 3. Brian will also look for a date for new Vestry member training.
• Jan 26. Brian will meet with W&L facilities people about the Howard House property adjacent to the Church Property. He hopes that we can get more property in order to widen the turning space in the rear of the Church Hall
• Brian then brought up the issue of the Operation Golden Rule Van. The Vestry is concerned about liability and maintenance issues. After study, it was decided that it would be less expensive to rent a van rather than retain the van. It was decided to dispose of the van. The question is how we do that.
• Brian asked for a motion on disposal of it. Woody Sadler made the motion and it was seconded. (The vote was unanimous 15-0-0). Brian then asked for ideas on how to dispose of it and how much do we continue to support Operation Golden Rule. Jerry and Ann Nay have made a $2,000 pledge and have asked the Vestry for an additional $2,000 for Operation Golden Rule. Brian noted that Operation Golden Rule was not a part of RE Lee Church.

            Brian then noted that there was a Golden Rule trip planned in conjunction with W&L.

• Following discussion, Bob de Maria moved that we as a Vestry of RE Lee Church not support the upcoming trip (seconded), the vote was passed 14-1-0 (Bridget Kelly Dearing).

            Brian will speak with Jerry later this evening about his wishes concerning Operation   Golden Rule and the church.

There followed a personnel discussion.

• Brian noted that we need to have a new chair of the Property Committee.
• Brian then presented to Melissa a framed copy of the commendation. Melissa thanked
  everyone.

Bob de Maria gave the closing prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. 

Robert J. de Maria, Vestry Clerk