The EPISCOPAL CHURCH of the NATIVITY
The EPISCOPAL CHURCH of the NATIVITY Greenwood, Mississippi Vestry Minutes
Those Present:
May 9, 2011
Rector: The Rev. Matthew Rowe Wardens: Bill Andrews (Sr. Warden), Josh Fair (Jr. Warden) Finance Committee: Liz Mounger (Chair) Structures Committee: Dudley McBee (Chair), Craig Brown, Lark Brown, Michael McCool Program Committee: Jo Claire Swayze (Chair), Hiram Eastland, III, Lucy Jones, Mary Carol Miller, Harris Powers, Max Shaw, Wallie Stuckey Those Absent: Finance Committee: Lance Mohamed, Mo Powers (Treasurer) Program Committee: Mary Rose Carter Also Attending: Curt Gardiner, Youth Minister; Catherine Kidd, Clerk The Vestry Meeting was opened with the Rector reading scripture and saying prayers. APPROVAL of the APRIL MINUTES A motion was made and seconded that the April Minutes be accepted as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. CHURCH for the UNDER 40 CROWD The Rector led the Vestry Members in a discussion of an Alban Institute paper about a church that has experienced success in ministering to younger adults, and how Nativity might be positioned to more effectively minister to younger adults in our community. The steps already being taken to reach individuals in this age group were described to Vestry Members. Ideas for involving these individuals in services and programs at Nativity were also described to Vestry Members. PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Jo Claire Swayze, Program Chair, reported on the numerous upcoming events at Nativity. Areas being explored for improvement were listed. Vestry Members discussed the deadlines for Nativity scholarship
applications, with a consensus that publicity in the parish for the scholarship application process should begin in February next year. A motion was made and seconded to purchase an ad in the Pillow Academy Football Program at the cost of $300, and to include information about Nativity’s Day Care/School Program in the ad. MOTION PASSED. The Rector showed Vestry Members the ad that was placed in the Greenwood Visitor’s Map.
“STAY MISSION TRIP” BRIEFING Curt Gardiner, Youth Minister, gave Vestry Members an outline of the 2011 EYC Mission Trip, during
which three youth groups from North and South Carolina will join our youth on service projects in his area, under the direction of the Fuller Center for Housing. On behalf of the Outreach Committee, Mary Carol requested Vestry permission to withdraw $2500 from the Flautt Outreach Fund to help cover possible expenses of the mission trip, with any excess funds diverted to either Speaker’s Series or Nativity Day Care. REQUEST APPROVED. NATIVITY DAY SCHOOL UPDATE
Lucy Jones gave an update on the progress being made in the preparations for Nativity’s Day School. A newspaper article will be written. Teachers are being hired. Eighteen children have been registered. Steps
taken to obtain state certification are in process. Physical changes needed in the area that will house Nativity Day School will be made after Vacation Bible School in June. STRUCTURES COMMITTEE Dudley McBee, Structures Chair, reported that the alarm system is now working. Vestry Members were
informed that a request for technical support with the telephone system has been submitted. The courtyard lights should be working now. John Doty Porter will be working with Karen Lott to make modifications needed to prepare for Nativity Day School. Dudley described the services Nativity is receiving from Grenada Lake Nursery for $400 monthly. Discussion followed with Dudley being asked by the Vestry to request a bid from Grenada Lake Nursery for specific services. The Rector reported that the camera on Howard Street has a part ordered needed for its operation. The air conditioning units were recently serviced, and a new thermostat control was installed in the Sunday School
wing. The Rector provided information from Concordia Technology Solutions, which offers “Member Call,” a service that sends out automated telephone messages as a way to make announcements in the parish.
The Rector gave Vestry Members a handout which listed steps to take to change the thermostat settings in the parish hall, kitchen, and office suite. The Rector explained each of these steps. FINANCE COMMITTEE APRIL FINANCIAL REPORT
Liz Mounger, Finance Chair, reported that Mo Powers has said, “Everything is fine”. On behalf of the Finance Committee, Liz moved that the April Financial Report be approved. MOTION CARRIED.
FUNDRAISERS Liz updated Vestry Members on the status of the three fundraisers planned to help reduce Nativity’s debt. A
showing of “The Help” at Nativity will not take place at Nativity, as a community-wide premiere showing of the movie is being planned. The Elegant Evening-Adopt a Pipe and the Antique Exhibit will be held, and plans continue for the organization/implementation of these events.
Liz reviewed the approved policies regarding rentals of Nativity’s buildings. Mo Powers will handle rental issues with individuals and/or organizations wishing to rent Nativity’s buildings. Liz explained that exemptions from rental fees will no longer be given to any organization. Liz reviewed the information that she and Mo received at the Wardens and Treasurers Conference regarding future requirements for insurance coverage for lay employees. Vestry Members discussed their thoughts on this subject. RECTOR The Rector informed Vestry Members that Nativity’s Housekeeper will no longer work on Sunday mornings. Vestry Reps will be asked to assume her duties for the 8AM service. The Rector asked that a motion be made to allow a checking account be opened for Nativity Day School. A motion was made and seconded that permission be given to open a Nativity Day School checking account. MOTION CARRIED. THE WARDENS Bill Andrews, Sr. Warden, invited Vestry Members to voice their thoughts on future plans for Nativity’s Youth Program. Discussion followed with thoughts and ideas stated by Vestry Members. There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded for adjournment. MOTION CARRIED. Vestry Members stood for dismissal by the Rector with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Catherine Kidd, Clerk Next Vestry Meeting, Monday, June 13, 2011
Attachments: Thermostat control visual aid, Mission Trip Briefing Handout
Those Present:
May 9, 2011
Rector: The Rev. Matthew Rowe Wardens: Bill Andrews (Sr. Warden), Josh Fair (Jr. Warden) Finance Committee: Liz Mounger (Chair) Structures Committee: Dudley McBee (Chair), Craig Brown, Lark Brown, Michael McCool Program Committee: Jo Claire Swayze (Chair), Hiram Eastland, III, Lucy Jones, Mary Carol Miller, Harris Powers, Max Shaw, Wallie Stuckey Those Absent: Finance Committee: Lance Mohamed, Mo Powers (Treasurer) Program Committee: Mary Rose Carter Also Attending: Curt Gardiner, Youth Minister; Catherine Kidd, Clerk The Vestry Meeting was opened with the Rector reading scripture and saying prayers. APPROVAL of the APRIL MINUTES A motion was made and seconded that the April Minutes be accepted as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. CHURCH for the UNDER 40 CROWD The Rector led the Vestry Members in a discussion of an Alban Institute paper about a church that has experienced success in ministering to younger adults, and how Nativity might be positioned to more effectively minister to younger adults in our community. The steps already being taken to reach individuals in this age group were described to Vestry Members. Ideas for involving these individuals in services and programs at Nativity were also described to Vestry Members. PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Jo Claire Swayze, Program Chair, reported on the numerous upcoming events at Nativity. Areas being explored for improvement were listed. Vestry Members discussed the deadlines for Nativity scholarship
applications, with a consensus that publicity in the parish for the scholarship application process should begin in February next year. A motion was made and seconded to purchase an ad in the Pillow Academy Football Program at the cost of $300, and to include information about Nativity’s Day Care/School Program in the ad. MOTION PASSED. The Rector showed Vestry Members the ad that was placed in the Greenwood Visitor’s Map.
“STAY MISSION TRIP” BRIEFING Curt Gardiner, Youth Minister, gave Vestry Members an outline of the 2011 EYC Mission Trip, during
which three youth groups from North and South Carolina will join our youth on service projects in his area, under the direction of the Fuller Center for Housing. On behalf of the Outreach Committee, Mary Carol requested Vestry permission to withdraw $2500 from the Flautt Outreach Fund to help cover possible expenses of the mission trip, with any excess funds diverted to either Speaker’s Series or Nativity Day Care. REQUEST APPROVED. NATIVITY DAY SCHOOL UPDATE
Lucy Jones gave an update on the progress being made in the preparations for Nativity’s Day School. A newspaper article will be written. Teachers are being hired. Eighteen children have been registered. Steps
taken to obtain state certification are in process. Physical changes needed in the area that will house Nativity Day School will be made after Vacation Bible School in June. STRUCTURES COMMITTEE Dudley McBee, Structures Chair, reported that the alarm system is now working. Vestry Members were
informed that a request for technical support with the telephone system has been submitted. The courtyard lights should be working now. John Doty Porter will be working with Karen Lott to make modifications needed to prepare for Nativity Day School. Dudley described the services Nativity is receiving from Grenada Lake Nursery for $400 monthly. Discussion followed with Dudley being asked by the Vestry to request a bid from Grenada Lake Nursery for specific services. The Rector reported that the camera on Howard Street has a part ordered needed for its operation. The air conditioning units were recently serviced, and a new thermostat control was installed in the Sunday School
wing. The Rector provided information from Concordia Technology Solutions, which offers “Member Call,” a service that sends out automated telephone messages as a way to make announcements in the parish.
The Rector gave Vestry Members a handout which listed steps to take to change the thermostat settings in the parish hall, kitchen, and office suite. The Rector explained each of these steps. FINANCE COMMITTEE APRIL FINANCIAL REPORT
Liz Mounger, Finance Chair, reported that Mo Powers has said, “Everything is fine”. On behalf of the Finance Committee, Liz moved that the April Financial Report be approved. MOTION CARRIED.
FUNDRAISERS Liz updated Vestry Members on the status of the three fundraisers planned to help reduce Nativity’s debt. A
showing of “The Help” at Nativity will not take place at Nativity, as a community-wide premiere showing of the movie is being planned. The Elegant Evening-Adopt a Pipe and the Antique Exhibit will be held, and plans continue for the organization/implementation of these events.
Liz reviewed the approved policies regarding rentals of Nativity’s buildings. Mo Powers will handle rental issues with individuals and/or organizations wishing to rent Nativity’s buildings. Liz explained that exemptions from rental fees will no longer be given to any organization. Liz reviewed the information that she and Mo received at the Wardens and Treasurers Conference regarding future requirements for insurance coverage for lay employees. Vestry Members discussed their thoughts on this subject. RECTOR The Rector informed Vestry Members that Nativity’s Housekeeper will no longer work on Sunday mornings. Vestry Reps will be asked to assume her duties for the 8AM service. The Rector asked that a motion be made to allow a checking account be opened for Nativity Day School. A motion was made and seconded that permission be given to open a Nativity Day School checking account. MOTION CARRIED. THE WARDENS Bill Andrews, Sr. Warden, invited Vestry Members to voice their thoughts on future plans for Nativity’s Youth Program. Discussion followed with thoughts and ideas stated by Vestry Members. There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded for adjournment. MOTION CARRIED. Vestry Members stood for dismissal by the Rector with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Catherine Kidd, Clerk Next Vestry Meeting, Monday, June 13, 2011
Attachments: Thermostat control visual aid, Mission Trip Briefing Handout
