The 2004 Annual Meeting of Grace Church was held on Wednesday, January 21 in the Parish Hall. As is our established custom, the evening began with a reception and a business meeting followed the time of food and fellowship. Highlights of the meeting are detailed below. 

Recognition of Those Completing Vestry Terms 
Four church members completed three-year Vestry terms at the meeting. Those completing their Vestry service were Judy Brownell, Ron Evans, Neil Kelley, and Mike Whitmire. Each of these individuals has made wonderful contributions to our church's mission over the past three years. At the meeting, they were brought forward and thanked and each was presented with a leather-bound Prayer Book/Hymnal combination in appreciation of their Vestry service. 

Election of New Vestry Members 
Four new Vestry members were elected to take the place of those completing their Vestry terms. Beginning full, three-year terms on the Vestry this month are Craig Carpenter, Jane Hemmer, Jane Oliver and Keith Rooks. In addition, two people were elected to fill unexpired Vestry terms. Gordy Gain was elected to serve for two years and Jay Gaspar was elected to serve for one year. Gordy and Jay may seek election for full terms at the completion of these partial terms. 

2004 Officers Announced 
Those serving as the officers of our church for this year were announced at the meeting. Officers are elected by the Vestry for one-year terms and may succeed themselves. Our officers for 2004 are: Frank Waggoner, Senior Warden; Richard Padgham, Junior Warden, Craig Carpenter, Treasurer and Sheila Kelley, Secretary. 

Review of Financial Statements and 2004 Budget 
Craig Carpenter reviewed the financial reports presented to the meeting. Operating Funds for 2003 exceeded budget projections due to excellent pledge and plate income. However, expenses for 2003 also exceeded projections, leaving a deficit for the year of about $20,000. The main cause of this deficit was non-budgeted buildings and grounds expenses and the deficit was covered by reserve funds from prior years. The Operating Budget for 2004 projects income at 7% less than 2003. This is due entirely to a 7% reduction in the amount pledged for 2004 as compared to 2003. In spite of this reality, the Vestry has adopted a balanced budget for 2004. Expenses in 2004 will need to be carefully monitored. As usual, there was discussion at the meeting of the Van Giesen Fund. The decision some ten years ago to invest the principle of the fund in the expansion of our facility continues to draw comment, in spite of the fact that the Vestry pays the fund an annual rate of return greater than it could earn invested elsewhere. 

Other Business 
When the time for "Other Business" was reached at the meeting, Charles Kelley rose to propose a return to a previous way of electing Vestry members. Charles would like our church to return to the practice of having at least two candidates for each opening on the Vestry. Presently, the number of candidates may be equal to the number of openings. Any proposal to amend or change our church's by-laws, which govern Vestry elections, must be considered by two meetings of the Vestry before being presented to an Annual Meeting for a vote. Therefore, this proposal will be presented for a vote at next year's Annual Meeting.

Rector's Report 
In reviewing 2003, our rector pointed to the second J2A pilgrimage and the construction of our first Habitat House as highlights. Seeds of faith and community definitely were sown in the hearts and lives of the thirteen teens who participated in the pilgrimage (and the six adult leaders too), and we are just weeks away from completing the Habitat House. Looking ahead to this year, four special projects were noted: construction of a second Habitat House; developing a plan to facilitate further and future growth of Grace Church; moving ahead with the plan to acquire a pipe organ and renovate the choir loft; assisting the diocese with starting a Spanish-speaking Episcopal church in Hall County.