VESTRY MEETING
September 16, 2007

The Vestry met in the in library of Ascension House on September 16th at 12:30 p.m. Attending were: Fr. Tom Martin, Dan Baker, Kelley Dial, Nancy Zerbe, Elizabeth Whitton, Neal Brunt, Brenda Worley, Roxane Petron, and Tom Manner. Visiting were Jennifer Howard, Carol Robson, Kathi White, Earlene Walpole, Spencer Talley, and Jamie Baker. The meeting opened with prayer.

The July minutes were presented for approval by the newly named Senior Warden, Dan Baker. Kelley Dial seconded and the minutes were unanimously approved. There was no August Vestry meeting and therefore, no minutes.

Correspondence was received from Bishop Alexander; the Cartersville Historic Preservation Commission, and the City of Cartersville; An email correspondence was submitted by Elizabeth Whitton.

Neal Brunt presented the Financial Statement through August 31st. After some discussion, Dan Baker made a motion to issue a check to close out the Good Friday offering of $226.00 and send this to the offering for Jerusalem. Brenda Worley seconded and the motion carried. Elizabeth Whitton made a motion that the Financial Statement be accepted as presented. Kelley Dial seconded and the motion carried.

In ongoing business:

• Kelley Dial asked the Clerk to read the letter from the outlining the purpose of the Commission and the designation of the Cherokee – Cassville Historic District. The property of the parish falls within this district. Kelley detailed her communications with the City of Cartersville and the Historic Preservation Commission. She presented a letter from former Senior Warden, Bev McGruder to the mayor and city council members inquiring if the church may be excluded from the historic district. In a response from Randy Mannino, Planning and Development Director, it was proposed that the church may obtain demolition permits prior to November 1, 2007 for the removal or demolition of Ascension House and the apartment building next door. These permits would need to be renewed until such time that the building project of the new Parish Life Center begins. After some discussion, Neal Brunt mad a motion that the Vestry approve the purchase of these permits immediately. Tom Manner seconded and the motion carried.
• The Rector reported that the Strategic Panning Meeting would be rescheduled sometime in early 2008.
• Dan Baker reported that the Festival of Ministries was a success and many parishioners signed up for various ministries. Nancy Zerbe reported that several people signed up to help with Bane and Blessing. She also thanked Kirt Petron for his efforts in making this event a success. The Rector suggested that the Vestry consider the Feast of Pentecost as the date for the next Festival of Ministries since this day liturgically represents the empowerment of the Church.
• Ministry budgets should be completed as soon as possible and submitted to Neal Brunt to begin the 2008 budget process. The deadline for this is at the October Vestry Meeting.
• Dan Baker reported that the process for nominating candidates for Vestry in underway with Mary Ann Franklin as chair. The process will be that same as last year. Nominations must be received by October 14th. Anyone nominated from the floor at the Annual Meeting in December will have to be confirmed by the Treasurer as being eligible before they can be considered as a candidate. Positions now held by Brenda Worley, Kelley Dial and Tom Manner are to be filled.

In new business:

• Nancy Zerbe made a motion to accept with regret the resignation of Bev McGruder as Senior Warden. Elizabeth Whitton seconded and the motion carried. Dan Baker asked the Clerk to compose a letter from the Vestry thanking Bev for his service. Dan reminded the Vestry that with Bev’s resignation, someone will need to be the liaison for Stewardship and this is a one-term term.
• Dan Baker reported he would have the Stewardship Statement prepared for the Vestry to sign.
• Annual reports are due by the October Vestry Meeting.
• The floor was opened for the discussion of a “difficult time”. Members of the Vestry, including the Rector, had the opportunity to openly discuss issues facing the church including the resignation and retirement of the Rector. The visitors were also given an opportunity to speak at the conclusion of the meeting.

Servant Ministries:

Written reports were received from Christian Education; I AM Fund; Building and Grounds; Fellowship and Pastoral Care.

Announcements:

• Rally Day – September 23rd at Cooper’s Iron Works
• Church School and Christian Education begins September 30th.
• Stewardship Campaign begins October 14th.

Dan Baker gave a brief verbal report as the new Senior Warden. The Rector submitted a formal letter of resignation to the Vestry stating his tenure as rector of the Church of the Ascension ends on January 1, 2008. Dan Baker requested that the Vestry unanimously and with deep regret accept the Rector’s resignation by signing the letter. All members affixed their signature and the document was witnessed by the Clerk.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Gerald M. Hoyt

Clerk