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A report of
the 2008 Annual Meeting follows below.
Opening Worship The meeting was held in the church this
year, after some years in the Parish Hall, and began with a
brief order of worship, including hymns. This location for the
meeting made it possible to make use of the new Casavant Organ
for the first time at an Annual Meeting. Thanks to all who
made possible our new organ!
Financial Report Church Treasurer Craig Carpenter gave
the financial report. Operating income for 2007 was $907,214,
compared to operating expenses of $876,045, resulting in a
$31,000 surplus for the year. This was the third year with a
surplus; the total surplus for the past three years equals
$100,000. The surplus has been used to increase the Reserve Fund
and to pay for organ installation expenses. A balanced budget of
$861,500 has been adopted for 2008. This budget amount required
some cuts to be made to expenses, primarily to Outreach and
Personnel. Total debt stands at $1,022,000, which represents
$875,000 owed on the building and $147,000 owed on the organ.
The Completing the Dream Capital Campaign receipts should enable
the debt to be reduced by about a half over the next two years.
Thank you, Craig, for your good service as our treasurer!
Outgoing Vestry Members Those completing terms on the
Vestry were thanked and gifted. Completing full terms were Jay
Gaspar, Jim Miner and Julie Rossi. Doug Smith completed one year
service, after filling an unexpired term. The significant
contributions of all four were highlighted. Doug's leading of
the Every Member Canvass this past fall produced a very strong
response and 250 pledges. Programs for children and youth have
been excellent during Julie's time on the Vestry and of
particular note are the quality of the special programs she
produced: Halloweenfest, Christmas Eve Pageant, Easter Event and
VBS. Jim was an active and attentive Sr. Warden in 2007, after
giving two years of great leadership to Pastoral Care. Jay's
superb oversight of Adult Education for the past four years has
led to wonderful development of this area of church life.
"Well done, good and faithful servants!"
New Vestry Members An excellent slate of eight candidates
for four open Vestry positions was presented to the Annual
Meeting: Lua Blankenship, Marsha Conner, John Coyle, Doug McDuff,
Eric Rassel, Nancy Richardson, Jamie Stribling and Mike
Whitmire. Elected to serve three-year terms were Doug McDuff,
Nancy Richardson, Jamie Stribling and Mike Whitmire. The new
Vestry members begin their terms immediately. Thank you to
all those willing to serve!
Review of 2007 A Power Point presentation reviewing
calendar year 2007 was shown. The presentation was expertly
produced by Chuck and Barbara Danner and lasted about 12
minutes. The pictures and accompanying music provided a very
enjoyable way to review the many offerings and activities of our
church in 2007. Thank you, Chuck and Barbara, for the
wonderful presentation!
Thanks Giving Four people were brought forward, thanked
and gifted for their exceptional service to Grace Church. Julia
and Richard Padgham received a weekend away at Chateau Élan for
their wonderful help as the contractors for Grace Church since
2001. They have overseen the Grace Center renovation, the tower
renovation and bell installation, and the installation of the
Casavant Organ. Since establishing their own company prior to
the tower project, they have not billed the church for their
services, but have donated their time and talent, thus saving
the church thousands of dollars. Jeremy Landers received the
gift of a check in thanks for his exceptional service in the
installation of the new organ. Jeremy, as usual, went above and
beyond in aiding this project, assisting the Casavant installers
daily, even on his days off. Martha Jacobs was thanked and
gifted for her many years of service as the head of the Flower
Guild. For over 25 years, Martha has made sure that we had
altars flowers each week and directed the decorating of the
church for the major feasts of the church year. In thanksgiving
for this wonderful and sacrificial service, Martha received an
engraved lead crystal flower vase. A plaque noting her service
also has been installed in the Sacristy. "Well done, good and
faithful servants!"
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