Annual Meeting • December 8, 2019

Our Annual Meeting helps us share the story of what God is doing in this place. It is hoped that everyone at COTHA will do all they can to be present as well as invite a friend.

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Vestry Election

​The vestry is a ministry of leadership. The mission of the vestry is to work with the Rector in advancing our mission. Its primary responsibilities are to collaborate with the Rector to discern God's will, to provide the required resources for the advancement of that mission and vision by acting as wise stewards of the church's finances, and to protect the integrity of the physical plant.

The vestry's energy is directed towards high level and long term goals to achieve the full breadth of what God has planned for us. The Vestry does not "run" the church; it works collaboratively with the staff and me to prayerfully lead us to a deeper level of discipleship. The Vestry meets monthly to pray, discuss, support and help reflect on the current and future direction God is calling us as a congregation.

Qualifications for the Vestry:

• The person must be at least 18 years old, and be a confirmed member of the Church of the Holy Apostles.
• The person must subscribe to the following declaration:  "I am persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain all doctrine required as necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and I accede to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church."
• The person must be in agreement with and supportive of the mission and the core values of Church of the Holy Apostles.
• The person must be an active member of the congregation for at least six months.
• The person is committed to the financial support of the congregation (as evidenced by an annual pledge), accepts the tithe (10% of gross income) as God's standard for giving and is currently tithing or actively working toward the tithe.
• The person commits to attend the monthly Vestry meetings and other called meetings.

We will hold a Vestry Discernment Meeting EACH YEAR in the church office conference room for anyone interested in serving on the vestry.  Please contact Doug Eisele for more information.

This meeting is mandatory for those seeking election in December.  We will discuss the qualifications, roles, responsibilities and expectations of Vestry members. This will be followed by a time of prayer over several days to allow for testing of the call. A Nominating Committee will then develop a slate of nominees of those who feel they are Called. This list will be presented to the current Vestry for approval.
 
We will publish the list of candidates with pictures and biographies for the congregation to review prior to the election.  Please pray for God to raise up leadership at Church of the Holy Apostles for His honor and glory. And thank Him for His continued providence as we seek to live out the commission with which His son charged us.

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Diocesan Delegates

​Diocesan Council is an annual gathering of Clergy and Lay representatives from all parishes and missions in the Diocese of Texas. Various fiscal and policy (Canonical) issues are addressed at Council, and our parish is allowed four Lay representatives in addition to our Rector who can attend and vote. The commitment is for one weekend in February (February 7 and 8, 2020 | Waco, Tx) and provides an interesting opportunity to meet other followers of Christ and see the body of Christ at work.

Although Council representatives are elected, not chosen, your decision to seek election to this important ministry should be based on a calling you discern from God. Servants in this ministry will be tested, but if you are called, you will be given the strength and wisdom you need to serve. In order to serve as a Council representative, you must be at least 18 years old and be a confirmed member of the congregation.

If you think you are called to serve as a Council Delegate, please let Doug Eisele know.  He'll discuss the qualifications, roles, responsibilities and expectations of Council Delegates and answer any questions you may have.

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2018 Annual Meeting

COTHA Annual Meeting
December 2, 2018
 

• Meeting called to order at 9:30.
• Father Desmond opened in prayer.
• Interim Rector Insights (Father Desmond)
  • New Vestry members and Council delegates where appointed by proclaimation of the vestry because we only had enough candidates to fill the vacancies.
  • Introduction of Mark Gerhinger and Jennifer Lindley as new Vestry members
  • Introduction of Debbie Blank, Jennifer Bolt, Chris Burton, and Lee Stranathan as this year’s representatives at Council
  • COTHA is a very diverse church that continues to grow
  • Thank you to all members who worship and volunteer both their time and money to COTHA
  • It’s been great working with the Vestry and Doug has been a great Sr. Warden
  • We must continue to look forward
  • Very thankful to be Interim Rector
  • Church should continue to function like family
  • We are transparent with nothing to hide from congregation.
  • Must stay aligned with the Diocese and not stray from them.
• Sr. Warden Insights and Ministry Report (Doug Eisele)
  • Thank you to the Joe Hayes and Michael Thompson for their service on the Vestry.
  • Thank you to Tom Stiles and staff for all they have done.
  • There have been 4 baptisms, 11 confirmations, and 10 new member classes this year.
  • About $100,000 has been raised and spent on evangelism.
  • Many groups are using the church campus on various days.
  • Blaine is really growing student ministry and sending kids to camps
  • Becca is doing great things with kids’ ministry. 150 backpacks were blessed this year.
  • Everything will be even better with more volunteers, so please help.
• Jr. Warden Report on Facilities (Joe Hayes for Michael Thompson)
  • Several AC units were repaired / replaced, the nursery was painted, the floors were polished, and the carpets will be cleaned by Christmas.
  • We bought new microphones, the sound system electrical lines were fixed, and a sound expert was hired to check the acoustic design
  •  The freezer was replaced, fridge was repaired, parking lots repainted, and soccer fields maintained.
  • We also have a new sign.
  • Thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped this year
• Financial Report (Ron Smith)
  • Ron read from 1 Thesallonians
  • COTHA started 2018 in the hole about $180,000. We will end the year about $120,000 in the hole.
  • Member generosity has allowed all of the above to happen.
  • The Diocesan Assessment this year was $115,000. We currently owe 3 months and it will be paid.
  • We run on a zero based budget. About 25%-30% goes towards maintaining facilities, about 35% to staff, and about 15% to ministry work.
  • 2019 is projected about $100,000 less than the 2018 budget
  • About 25 families that usually pledge have not done so. Please turn in pledge cards if you haven’t.
• Search Process (Phil Staley)
  • It is a process directed by the Diocese.
  • There are more positions open than candidates to fill them.
  • A formal interview process is starting with a few candidates.
  • God has a plan.
• Questions and Answers
  • Is there a predetermined timeline for the search process?
    • We’ve learned God has his timing and it hasn’t matched our original plans, but the committee meets regularly.
    • They’re listening to God’s call when talking to candidates.
    • God is in control, not us.
•  Debbie Blank closed the meeting in prayer and meeting was adjourned at 10:12.