The regular monthly meeting of the Vestry of R. E. Lee Memorial Church was held Monday, June 16, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall of the church.

Present: Buddy Atkins, Molly Brown, John Burleson, Jay Crawford, Susan Cross, Bob Glidden, Elizabeth Harralson, Bridget Kelley-Dearing, Julia Littlefield, John Milford, Dick Rathmell, Woody Sadler, The Rev. Thomas Crittenden, Gail Dick, clerk, and The Rev. Bob Crewdson, guest

Lesson and Eucharist: The Rev. Tom Crittenden called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Elizabeth read  the Gospel according to Matthew 9:35-10:8. Time was given for reflection and discussion. Tom asked for any prayer requests and celebrated the Eucharist.

Approval of the Minutes: The May minutes were approved as distributed. No discussion.

Introduction of the Rev. Bob Crewdson:   Tom Crittenden introduced the Rev. Crewdson, who will be our college chaplain beginning the first of August of this year. Bob will be preaching at the 5:00 services, and one Sunday morning a month. That Sunday Tom will preach at the 5:00. There was a question and answer time with Bob and then he was excused from the rest of the Vestry meeting.

Committee Reports:

• Stewardship Committee:  Jay reported that the committee had reviewed last year’s performance. There were 194 pledging units. There had been a goal of $363,000. $366,000 was achieved. The average pledge was $1890.00. The goal for this year is $410,000 which represents a 12% increase. A new approach is being implemented this year entitled the Living Stewardship Program approach. There are four basic steps, the details of which are yet to be worked out. The committee decided to keep the Time and Talent pledge survey separate from the monetary pledges. The thought is to have a skilled lay person explain this in a lay sermon. Tom said he would also be preaching a sermon on stewardship at the beginning of the all member canvass in October.

• Finance Committee:  Woody asked the Vestry if they would like a monthly financial report. Bob Glidden proposed a quarterly report rather than monthly. Tom suggested a summarized report on alternate months. Elizabeth would feel more comfortable getting some sort of monthly report. Woody will confer with Anna and get back to the Vestry. Tom mentioned that new procedures are being instituted regarding collection and counting of the Sunday offering.  The committee received a letter from the Outreach Committee asking for $3500 for college tuition for the “Lost Boys from Sudan” who are living in Roanoke. The Outreach Committee is out of money and is asking the Vestry to fund this. These funds have previously come from the Alta Fowler fund which is now depleted. Buddy proposed that we ask people to support this rather than trying to find another fund for the money to come from. Bob asked if the Gadsden fund would be a possibility. Elizabeth confirmed that it would but an application would have to be filed and the deadline for this month has already passed. Tom suggested that the Outreach Committee ask for these funds. Elizabeth suggested that the committee contact Dennis Cross, Chairman of the Gadsden Committee and ask for an application. He could e-mail the application to Don Ellis, Chairman of the Outreach Committee. Don could then complete it and e-mail it back to Dennis for a quick turnaround and request that the Gadsden Committee overlook being late for the deadline. Julia suggested that perhaps an unspecified memorial fund could be used.

• Property Committee:  John Burleson missed the last meeting of the Property Committee but he had some notes in hand from Peter Fyfe. Peter noted that the viewing windows in the Sunday school room doors are being considered. There is now air conditioning in the chancel and people using that area are satisfied with it. The front sign has been redone but has not been returned yet. No heat in the sacristy has been a long standing problem. Tom noted that there was already a heater which served the chancel and the sacristy which had been forgotten about. There will now be heat and air conditioning in the chancel and the sacristy. The old boiler, as well as the radiators in the nave, will be coming out in July. Replacing the pews has been put on hold.

• Columbarium Committee:  Dick Rathmell noted that there are new plantings in the future columbarium site. The bronze marker will be placed in the garden soon.

• Green Committee:  Molly Brown said that about 30 people attended the informational meeting held at R.E. Lee Church regarding recycling. Kim Thompson led this meeting and she will have a monthly newsletter available.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mutual Ministry:  Bob reported that the last Mutual Ministry Review meeting was not held. This will be put on hold until perhaps July when Bob knows what his schedule will be.

NEW BUSINESS:

Buddy reported that he received a letter from Jeff Goodbar with Scout Troop 29 noting that the church has the title to the troop gear trailer for the scouts. The scout troop would like a new larger trailer costing $2400.00. He is asking the Vestry for permission to:

1. Sell the old trailer and use the money received from that to put toward the new trailer.

2. Buy a new trailer

3. Have the church hold the new title

4. Have the church pick up the insurance on the new trailer which would be about $75.00 a year.

Bridget will check with another troop and see how they handle their large trailer.

MOTION regarding the scout trailer:
            Buddy moved to table this until July
            Elizabeth second
            Motion carried

Comments by the Wardens:
            Bob had no comments. George was not present.

Comments by the Rector:
            Tom made some comments related to his family and home in Florida.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:43 pm

Bridget read the closing prayer.

Next meeting July 21, 2008 at 5:00.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail G. Dick, Clerk