CORRECTIONS TO THE JANUARY MINUTES: Under the Treasurer's report, the Endowment Fund is at $673,000, up about 10%. The minutes were then approved as corrected.

John Solvason said we want to find out what worked and what didn't, whether to go back to the same place (Taucross Farm) and the date. There was a discussion on the timing of the retreat (Presidents Day weekend), the schedule and the facilities, with special mention of the visit by Fr. Nick and Helen, the efficient schedule and the communal cooking and eating. It was decided that two people (Hannah and Holly) taking notes was helpful. Kate took minutes at the Sunday morning meeting.

It was decided to return to Taucross Farm for the Vestry Retreat on the weekend of the 10th, 11th and 12th of February 2006, perhaps inviting the Thorntons to the Friday evening meal.

Jan said the Vestry decided to call them objectives rather than goals because they should be accomplished this next year and to avoid confusion with the longer-term Parish goals. John handed out two options for the proposed revision of the facilities objective. All agreed to use the expanded version, with condensed main statement and major sub headings. There was discussion about wording of the sub headings, agreeing to change "neighborhood" to "neighboring." All agreed to adopt the expanded facilities objective as revised. Vestry leads for the other four objectives made no changes to their objective statements. It was agreed not to include the work plan items in the published list. Hannah asked that work plan item 3 for the communication/information objective be revised to add a verb to read: "Establish Saint Mary's database." John moved to approve the objectives, which was seconded by Joe. All agreed.

Other Business

Joe investigated a new site for the parish picnic on August 14th: Bill Neel's Copper Windmill Ranch off Dillard Road. It is a spectacular site with every facility we could want. Parishioners will be asked to bring salads and desserts; Men's club will be responsible for hot dogs, burgers and veggie burgers.

He also brought up Via Media's Episcopal Evangelism as an alternative to Episcopalian 101. It is very impressive with lots of possibilities for other uses. The DVD will be in Joe's mailbox, if anyone wants to view it. There are some expenses, which he will research. Fr. Nick said it isn't a replacement for Espiscopalian101, which is about our Anglican/Episcopal heritage.

Holly brought up the farewell for Nick and Helen on April 20th. Vestry will cook the dinner and clean up. Joe said the Men's club will help with set up and clean up. Jane and Holly will work on the menu, Joe will coordinate the set up and clean up. Fr. Ted said Sharon Rogers will speak and be MC. Any who wants to speak should talk to her.

Fr. Nick requested a short time for him and Helen to respond.

Fr. Nick said photo directory was handy when he first came. He liked that they were given an old directory, then were in the new one done that fall. Jane and Holly will work on new photo directory, maybe to be done in May, in hand in the fall. Perhaps the new priest could be inserted in the directory at the end of the process.

Convention Alternates:

Jan reported that Sharon Rodgers said Tom Whitehead and Fr. Nick said that Nancy Crawford are willing to be Convention alternates. Sharon said they'd never needed an alternate, so two are sufficient. John moved that Tom Whitehead and Nancy Crawford be approved as alternates to the Convention, seconded by Joe. All agreed.

Theme for 2005 (Action)

Fr. Nick said last year's theme was the Sesquicentennial. When he and Fr. Ted met with the wardens last week, stability was a recurrent theme for this year.

There was a discussion of the Vestry possibly deciding on the theme before the annual meeting, in November or December, so it would be in place for the Annual Meeting and the Vestry Retreat. The theme should be pithy and memorable, coming out of the objectives. There was further discussion on the theme being used more widely in the parish, a focus for the year to fulfill and expand our mission.

Fr. Nick said he would anchor stability in scripture with Ephesians 3:17: "Rooted and grounded in love."

Vestry members are encouraged to email ideas to Fr. Nick or put them in his mailbox.

Vestry Faire Logistics:

Jan said March 13th is both the Vestry Faire and the Sunday symposium. The Vestry Faire will follow each of the morning services and people coming to the Faire after the 11:00 service might stay for the symposium. Vestry will provide lunch: sub sandwiches, chips and paper plates. The purpose of the Vestry Faire is to give people a chance to talk about the Vestry's objectives for the year, which will be in the bulletin on March 6th and 13th. Tables will be set up in the Parish Hall and after each service one Vestry member from each of the five objective areas will be available for questions. Each vestry member should sign up for one or more services. Dividers and the rolling blackboard will be available behind each table to post goals. Handouts with objectives and parish goals will be available and there will be a place for suggestions.

Coffee will be upstairs that day instead of in the Guild Room.

Fr. Nick said the symposium is "The Health Effects of War and A Sensible Approach to a Safe America," presented by Physicians for Social Responsibility/Beyond War. He hopes people will take refreshments and be able to begin the symposium about 12:40.

Jan passed around a sign up sheet for all of the stations.

Associate Priest Search

Fr. Ted met with the Search Committee right before the Vestry meeting. Antoinette Burwell, a candidate from General Theological Seminary in New York suggested by Canon Jonathan Weldon, will be coming to St. Mary's March 18-20. On Friday evening, the Vestry and their spouses are invited to meet with her from 6-9 PM when she will give a talk after dinner. As it is Palm Sunday, there is no sermon so she won't preach, but she will speak at the Circle Service on Saturday evening.

Another candidate may be asked to come after Easter.

Holly and Joe offered to help with the meal. All others are invited to help.

Burwell has Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music, and is completing an STM in African-American studies.

Fr. Nick said while he would not be in any way a part of selection process, he and Helen would be happy to meet informally and confidentially with candidates, talking about what it is like to work here. This meeting might be on the Saturday of Burwell's visit.

Fr. Ted said he was hoping to offer three housing options: hotel, bed and breakfast or parishioner's home. He and Penny had stayed in a home on a search visit and they enjoyed it. Jane offered her hospitality.

Fr.Ted said that Bishop Itty asked that we first consider from within the diocese, if possible. One candidate from the diocese has taken a position; another has not responded.

St. Andrew's Visit Schedule

Jan talked about the companion relationship with St. Andrew's. Vestry should try to visit once a month. She passed out a sign up sheet for next year. She will send out email with list.

St. Andrew's holds an "All Parish Meeting" after the service on the first Sunday of the month. The Vestry is encouraged to fit their visits in then, if possible, so they may be a link to what St. Mary's and the diocese are doing.

2005 Calendar

This year's schedule will go through February 12, 2006.

Kate said a caregiver has been hired for the Spanish language service. There have been some transition issues. Herb Smith has offered to teach an English as a Second Language course, paid by St. Mary's, with plans to offer the classes to the community at large. Sharon Rodgers will coordinate bilingual LEMs to help at the service once a month.

Fr. Ted thinks Heather's work is coming to an end in Venezuela, and not happily. She will be returning to the US. If Vestry hears anything, please let him know.

Please keep Heather in our prayers, as well as Dorothy Atteneave, who is still in Africa.

A photography student at University of Oregon wants to come and take pictures of parishioners for a final class project. Vestry says OK if she asks permission and has written release forms. There is doubt this will occur.

Joe Cox brought up a statement of inclusion. After some discussion, it was decided that the statement should be that we welcome everyone who comes to worship without exception.

Holly said the First Wednesday this month features the Eugene Opera. She needs help with cleanup, which begins about 6 PM.

Carolyn Bergquist, who was ill Sunday morning, is fine. She had a migraine.

The Vestry joined Father Ted in closing the meeting with a prayer.

Fr. Ted welcomed Kim as Vestry Clerk.

The next Vestry meeting will be on the first Tuesday, April 5, 2005.