MINUTES---BISHOP’S COMMITTEE

                                                February 18, 2007

                                                            8:00 A.M.

Members Present:  Liz Manning, Mike Kelley, Corby Craig, Tom Peterson, Betsy Stephenson, Gail Moreman, Susan Dunham, Joe McShane,  Bob Keith

Members Not Present: Paula Sumners, Pat Burleson

Also Present: Rev. Les Spear, Sandi Burleson, Thomas Sumners, David Manning, Marie McShane, Frana Keith, Fielding Reiner, Don Gray

The meeting opened with Prayer.  The minutes of our meetings of  January 14, 2007 were approved, with the addition of Pat Burleson as a member not present; following which these reports were made:

Treasurer:  Sandi Burleson reported pledges of $101,000 for the calendar year; some $21,000 of which have been received as “annual contributions” rather than regular monthly gifts.  She was asked to treat these in an accrual fashion so that each month we ascribe as “pledge receipts” one/twelfth of the total.  She was

also authorized to write and sign checks up to $500 for items previously approved by the committee either in the budget, or in special action.  Apart from the accrual of annual gifts, our receipts for the month of January were not in keeping with our pledged sum, there being approximately a $2,000 shortfall.

Vicar’s Report:  The Rev. Spear raised for consideration and reflection two different, but related building projects, viz, (1) development of a labyrinth on our newly acquired “Reiner tract”, coupled with (2) stations of the cross.  The suggestion was also made that a columbarium could be located in proximity to one or both of these items.  Joe McShane will seek an architectural concept of how and where these might be placed in an esthetically pleasing manner and without interference with potential building site locations. He was asked to inform the congregation on the symbolic nature and significance of the Stations of the Cross and also a “Tabernacle” he proposes to have installed on the altar.  No approval was sought or granted for any of the above.  He also reported a gift of $500 for the Altar Guild to purchase requisite items for our services. 

Warden’s Report:  Lize Manning reported that the 2006 Parochial Report was filed timely, that 6 or more of our parishioners were attending the Diocesan Council in Corpus Christi this week; that adult Sunday School was beginning, again; that Ash Wednesday Services will be held at noon and 7:00 p.m.  the traditional Pancake Supper on Tuesday night, February 20, and a visiting seminarian, Greg Garrett, leading adult Sunday School on February 25.  She also called for future meetings to begin at 7:30, for there is too much business to attend properly in one hour.

Junior Warden’s Report:  Mike Kelley reported on the initial efforts to install carpet in the Hill House and Vicar’s office, only to learn more carpet was needed and would be procured and installed in the forthcoming week---at a likely cost in excess of the budgeted $1,100.  The committee had not given approval to the expenditure of $2,000 for the walking path and discussion followed regarding the necessity of such and alternative costs and sources of material with the labor to be supplied by us.  No decision was reached.

Audit Committee:  Betsy Stephenson reported for the committee consisting of herself, Tom Peterson and Rich Schroeter.  The final report is not quite complete but will be signed and filed with the Diocesan and our offices prior to the meeting of March 18.  The basic recommendations included:

            (1)  the necessity of enlarged computer capacity and the purchase of

                        both a new lap top and a “Quick Books Pro” program;

            (2)  the need to create a document retention program including at least one copy of our records maintained off-site.

Incomplete, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m. with the reminder that we will meet next at 7:30 a.m., March 18.

                                                                                    Bob Keith, Clerk