Vestry Highlights

Meeting date: December 17, 2007

Stewardship Co-Chairmen Bill Horsley and Tom Balsley submitted the 2008 Stewardship campaign report stating that we have 63 pledge units for next year and these total $149,906. This year's campaign resulted in an increase of 4 pledging units and an increase of $11,559.00. The Stewardship Committee asks the vestry to consider the following recommendations:

· That the Vestry creates a Stewardship Committee charged with implementing a year-round focus on giving.

· This committee should target encouraging gifts to the Endowment Fund.

· Parishioners should also have continuing education on the value of St. Thomas planned giving.

· An emphasis should be placed on raising St. Thomas' profile in the community as a step in encouraging growth in membership.

The Vestry agreed that these recommendations should be studied by the 2008 Vestry.

The Vestry approved the Treasurer's Report presented by Richard Piazza.

Pledge Treasurer Steve Worth and Treasurer Richard Piazza discussed the recent meeting of the Finance Committee with Canon Marlene Weigert, Administrative Financial Officer with the Diocese. The Vestry considered various recommendations that came from this meeting and worked on changing some of St. Thomas' funds to comply with these recommendations. The Vestry also looked at the proposed Budget for 2008 and accepted an amended version of the submitted budget.

In the Interim Rector's Report Howard Backus reported that the vestry should select a search committee by March 1. St. Thomas has two new acolytes.

In the Senior Warden's Report Jeanne Horsley reported the following:

· A successful blood drive was held at St. Thomas on Dec. 1, sponsored by the Healthcare Ministries Task Force.

· Anne Rogers is setting up a schedule for nursery attendant volunteers for the eleven o'clock worship service [see “Nursery Care Available” on page 8].

· Help, Inc., received the Christmas gifts donated by parishioners for three families.

· Sr. Warden Horsley talked to Canon Hunn about how St. Thomas is doing in the search process. He recommends that St. Thomas update its web site to include our parish profile.

. Junior Warden Tom Ham reported the following:

· Painting in the Parish Hall kitchen is underway and painting in the rectory will start in the spring.

· The new phone system has had a few glitches, but they will be worked out.

· Carpet work is complete.

Commission Reports

· Christian Education-Jim McCloskey reported that there will be a Christmas pageant Sunday, Dec. 23.

· Pastoral Care-Don Gwarek reported that home visits are continuing. Stephens Ministry classes will resume after the first of the year.

· Communications-Dot Reilly reported that the time of the Christmas Eve service will be published in the News and Record, Reidsville Review, Eden Daily News.

In Old Business

Vestry Retreat will be held Jan. 4-5. Friday night dinner will be at Reuben's Cabin. Retreat will resume Saturday the 5th at the church from the hours of 10-3.

The next vestry meeting will be January 28, 2008