Annual Parish Meeting

Below is a summary of the Annual Meeting held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. The Parish Report, which includes written reports and financial statements, is available here.

Opening Worship

The meeting was held in the Parish Hall and began as it has in recent years with a short order of worship. Two hymns, a Scripture reading and prayers provided an appropriate and meaningful start to the meeting.

Recognition of Outgoing Vestry

Jeff Jones, Julia Padgham, Jim Taflinger and Ed Thilenius completed three-year Vestry terms at the meeting. The contributions of each were recognized and they were thanked for their dedicated service. Julia and Jim received the traditional gift for a full Vestry term: a leather-bound Prayer Book/Hymnal combination. Jeff and Ed, who already have a Prayer Book/Hymnal, received gift certificates to 2 Dog Cafe.

Introduction of Continuing Vestry Members and New Officers

Those continuing Vestry terms were recognized and thanked: Kevin Boyd, Brantley Burns, Ron Evans, Chaudron Gille, Hank Goble, Kathy Gosselin, Christy Wagner and John Washington. The officers for 2012 also were announced: Kevin Boyd, Senior Warden; John Washington, Junior Warden; Weymon Forrester, Treasurer; Reba Page, Vestry Secretary. Thanks also were offered to Weymon and Reba for their service as officers.

Election of New Vestry

New Vestry members were elected at the meeting from a slate of eight candidates: Kathy Futrell, Paul Garlich, Linden Gaspar, Tricia McDuff, Pete Miller, Jason Shreeram, Joey West and Becky Whitmire. Elected to three-year terms were Tricia McDuff, Peter Miller, Joey West and Becky Whitmire. Sincere thanks were offered to all those who stood for election to the Vestry.

Financial Reports

Brantley Burns, Vestry member for Stewardship, began the financial reports shared at the meeting by reporting on the 2011 Every Member Canvass. The response to the canvass was deemed excellent, given the current economy: financial pledges totaling $787,383 for 2012 have been received, which compares to a $798,244 pledge total for 2011. The number of pledges received for 2012 totals 257, as compared to 245 for 2011, and breaks down as follows: 30 new pledges; 54 increased pledges; 128 pledges at same amount; 45 deceased pledges. Hank Goble, Vestry member for Finance, reviewed the financial statements provided for the meeting. Operating income for 2011 was $889,422 versus expenses of $855,426. This resulted in a surplus of income over expenses for 2011 of nearly $3,000. For 2012, a balanced budget of $889,123 has been adopted. Total debt as of 12/31/11 was $529,938.94.

Mission and Ministry Focus

After a brief review of the mission of the church and how we accomplish that mission through ministries facilitating worship, education and service, the rector detailed an upcoming mission and ministry opportunity, while inviting consideration of a second opportunity. The upcoming opportunity is a capital campaign to be undertaken in 2012. The purpose of the campaign is to secure pledges to retire the church's debt, re-roof most of the church facility and purchase a new twenty-five passenger bus. The total amount needed is estimated to be $780,000 ($530,000 debt + $200,000 roof + $50,000 bus). Pledges to be paid over three or four years will be sought from church members beginning in February 2012 by Warren Stribling and Mike Whitmire, who have agreed to oversee the campaign. The campaign should enable Grace to be debt free by 2015, after some 25 years of carrying substantial debt.

The second mission and ministry opportunity that the rector invited consideration of was the invitation Grace has received to be a host congregation for Family Promise of Hall County. This would entail hosting up to 14 people (two or three homeless families with children) for a week, three or four times a year in our church facility. While staying with us, these families would receive three meals daily, a place to sleep and lots of love and support from the numerous Grace members needed to make this ministry a reality. A video about Family Promise was shown and a handout inviting expressions of interest from those present was distributed. After evaluating the level of support among the membership for this initiative, the Outreach Committee and Vestry will make a decision about our participation in this ministry.

After a blessing by the rector, the meeting was adjourned with the liturgical dismissal.

page last updated 01.31.12