Vestry
(Mission Committee)
Meeting

(From May, 1999 Nativity newsletter)

Father Jim reported that the Diocese Development Commission had unanimously approved our application for parish status. That is another hurdle that Nativity has cleared in its effort to become a parish. He attended a meeting at DaySpring with Jabbo Gordon and Dick Wernick on April 8.

The Vicar also announced there would be an Altar Guild appreciation breakfast at the Dutch Haus, on April 24, beginning at 8:30 AM

A Feast of Ascension service will be held Thursday, May 13, starting at 7:00 PM. Father Jim announced that he would be taking his leave for continuing education May 31 through June 6 and then would take his vacation June 7 through June 21.

	There will be no vestry meeting in June, but the ordination of Jan Brown as a deacon is set for June 12. Jan was introduced at April's vestry meeting, and Father Jim emphasized that she had a full time job and wouldn’t be paid for her work at Nativity. He said that she would be be involved in services.
	Father Jim reported that the Open Hands Campaign virtually has ended and that it was a tremendous victory. The pledge drive resulted in a 36 percent increase in giving over last year in spite of only a 13 percent hike in attendance.

"Attendance is growing," he said. "This hasn't necessarily shown up in membership, but there is definitely more interest being shown."

	Bruce Simington told the mission members what a great amount of work Dick Wernick is doing on the Memorial Garden.
	Bob Halliday, who is chairing the By-Laws Committee, named his council. They are Eleanor Dash, Jo Davidsmeyer, Bob Mostertz, Bill Stoner and Ernie Lohmann.

Bob said he is continuing to work on the church inventory, using a video camera. He also recommended that we have pass words for our computers for security purposes.

Joanne Marino said Nativity's Vacation Bible School was scheduled to start June 21, and that Doris Stinebert would teach the older group.

Joanne also reported that May 23 would be the last day for Sunday School for the summer. "We will have video programs during the summer," she said. "But we need to give our regular teachers time off."

Duane Deuel reminded the vestry that the second annual Nativity Golf Tournament at Rolling Green Golf Club will be Saturday, May 1. Not only will the Bishop be participating, but so will his wife, according to reports.

Father Jim indicated that he would be on the links too, and that there would be a substitute conducting the regular Saturday evening service. He also announced that plans were to continue the Saturday service through the summer.

	Anna Haeffner declared the recent Cursillo weekends a success and added that a Women of Faith Conference was scheduled for Orlando on June 25 and 26.
	Charles Bohrer said Dick Gerhart was chairing the Audit Committee, consisting of Karla Porter and Dick Benefiel, and that the report should be ready soon. Charles also wants to establish a Finance Committee.

He went on to say that he and Dick Wernick attended a Planned Giving Conference at Church of the Redeemer. Then Charles pointed out how members can transfer stock to a Nativity account and claim it as a charitable gift for income tax purposes. However, the stock should be sold.

	Mission Committee members learned that a new men's Bible study has been started at Father Jim's home on Wednesdays, beginning at 7:00 PM. This coincides with the women's Bible study, which meets at Nativity at the same time. The men are studying a faith workbook with particular emphasis on the Book of Hebrews.
	Most of the members have been reviewing the Vestry Handbook, and made reports on the chapters they had read.

Previous vestry report

Home