OUR SAVIOR AT HONEY CREEK
VESTRY MEETING MINUTES
September 11, 2008

The August Vestry meeting for Our Savior at Honey Creek was held on Sept. 11, 2008 at the Prudential Realty Conference Room on Dover Bluff Road.

Present: Father Frank Logue, Mrs. Barbara Mathis, Ms. Stacy Rawl, Mr. Al Trogdon, Mr. Lee Watkins, Mrs. Sharon Rawl Absent: Mrs. Julie Lunt

The meeting began at 12 Noon with a prayer led by Father Logue. Lunch was provided by Stacy Rawl.

Minutes of the August Vestry meeting were corrected and approved.

Clergy Report – Father Frank Logue

• Contact has been made by staff at Honey Creek Camp and Conference Center regarding a contract between the church and the center, and a single payment of $50.00 in January, 2008. Discussion revealed that the contract had never been signed by The Rev. Linda McCloud, and that oral conversations between Father Logue, Al Trogdon, and the Commission leadership had indicated that no fees would be required until the church was financially able to contribute.
  Lee Watkins recommended that a similar token payment be made each year to acknowledge the “rental nature” of the relationship between the church and the center. Sharon Rawl recommended that a contract be drawn up and presented to the Honey Creek Commission to eliminate the “understood agreement stage” of the relationship. Junior Warden Al Trogdon will handle contracts and work with Father Logue and the Honey Creek Commission to establish an agreement between the Vestry and the Commission. All agreed that the financial figure per chapel use called for in the initial contract was too high.

• Father Logue reported that Rev. Dee Shaffer was scheduled to visit Our Savior at Honey Creek soon to preach. It was recommended that an informal coffee fellowship afterward be used for conversation between Rev. Shaffer and the parishioners.

Treasurer’s Report – Stacy Rawl August, 2008
Total Income:      $1458.53
Total Expenses:    $1330.84
Net Income:         $ 127.69
Total Liabilities and Equity: $21,419.15

Junior Warden’s Report – Al Trogdon
Mr. Trogdon reported that he had visited Honey Creek several times, but still had not been able to meet with new Honey Creek Director Hamp Stevens. He added some names to the supply clergy list for use in upcoming months.

Senior Warden’s Report – Barbara Mathis

• The church newsletter is continuing and will be mailed to newcomers in the geographic area as a part of the monthly news mailing by Mrs. Rawl of Prudential Realty. Our appreciation is owed to Mrs. Rawl for this gracious support of our church mission.

• Attendance for the first year of operation for the mission has averaged 22 for the First Quarter, 19 for the Second Quarter, and currently stands at 14 for the Third Quarter.

• It was suggested that a profile of priest expectations be developed by the congregation to guide their interactions with clergy or guest ministers who might be interested in a part-time position as Priest of Our Savior at Honey Creek. Senior Warden Barbara Mathis will handle the collection of information for such a profile of expectations.

Old Business

• Plans should move forward to finding a part-time Priest for Our Savior at Honey Creek since financial resources and membership are unable to sustain a full-time position just now. The real estate market in the area remains flat and new home construction is very limited in the communities making up the primary service area for the church.

• Plans continued for a growth plan for the church, and for a membership drive. Suggestions included using direct mail postal cards to newcomers which the Vestry will have printed, and Mrs. Rawl will assist with a mailing list for the church. In addition to the post cards and mailing of newsletters, it was suggested that Stacy Rawl and Al Trogdon establish contact with other news media resources including The Islander, The Periscope, and other printed media. It was also suggested that contacts be made with other churches in the area to ensure that they are aware an Episcopal Church is in operation at Honey Creek if they receive contacts needing information. Finally, Stacy Rawl will locate the Door Hangers used initially for the church and groups will be organized to visit neighborhoods and invite people to church. Efforts will continue in the development of a Church Profile and a Priest Profile as well as a long-term growth plan.

New Business

• Our Savior at Honey Creek held its first Sunday Worship Service on Oct. 21, 2007, and the official launch date was Nov. 4, 2007. That means our church’s one year anniversary is approaching. Plans were discussed for ways to celebrate the anniversary including a Low Country Boil and inviting others to celebrate with us. Lee Watkins will coordinate planning for the celebration. Mrs. Rawl will assist with contacts for donated supplies and Mr. Rawl was volunteered to cook the Low Country Boil as needed.

• Rev. Logue explained the “Five Minute Rule” which encourages parishioners to spend at least five minutes talking with newcomers and visitors after services before moving on to interactions with regular parishioners. Because our congregation is so small, members tend to be extra busy immediately before and after services and we are letting potential members slip away because of that.

• Mrs. Rawl recommended using the area Little League activities as sites for getting the word out that Our Savior at Honey Creek is here.

• Mrs. Mathis requested that advanced plans be made now to have a Priest for services on Christmas Even since Advent begins Nov. 30th.
   

The meeting concluded with a prayer led by Father Logue.

The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
299 Episcopal Conference Center Road, Waverly, Georgia 31565

contact@oursaviorhoneycreek.org