At 6:40 p.m., Mindy called the business meeting to order and invited Jack Zollinger to introduce Chad Virgil, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Pittsboro.  Chad met with Kim Prendergast and Jack Zollinger to review the books for 2006.  Chad shared a bit of his own background working with nonprofit organizations.  He went on to say that our financial procedures and books look “very, very, very” good.  After listing many of the good procedures we are using, he made only a couple of suggestions for improvements, specifically involving the accounting for interest earned on investments.  Jack said these have already been implemented.  Chad concluded that we have put down a strong foundation upon which to build our new church.  The team expressed their thanks to Chad and invited him to stay for dinner.

Minutes and correspondence.  The minutes of the February 8, 2007, meeting were approved by common consent following a motion from Madge Webster.  There was no correspondence to share.
Pastor’s Report.  Mindy reported that she has been troubled with technical problems following the installation of her new computer.  The problems are being corrected.

Finance Report and Administration Committee.  Jack Zollinger distributed copies of the Balance Sheet and Revenue-and-Expense report through February 2007.  Mindy walked the team through the reports which reflect pledges, non-pledged checks, and open plate all ahead of budget projections.  A proposal for budget adjustments was submitted as a motion from the Administration Committee.  After discussion, the team commended the committee for the good suggestions and approved them without dissent.  Jack will instruct Kim to make the changes.  (A copy of the adjustments is hereby made a part of these minutes.)  [At this point in the meeting the wait staff came to take dinner orders.]
Devotion.  Julia Trimmer read a report for International Women’s Day and the women who have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.  She read from Psalm 126 and concluded with prayer.

Committee Reports. 

Adult Education.  Wes McGraw reported that the series on Faith will be extended to a fifth week and will be followed by a 5-week series, led by Mindy Douglas Adams, on the Trinity.

Children and Youth Education.  Madge asked if there will be children’s Sunday school through the summer and if there would be any kind of transition to a new year in the fall.  Mindy responded that it is our plan to continue Sunday school each week when Georgia can be there to teach.  Lee Werley, Julia Trimmer, and Keith Glidewell have volunteered to relieve Georgia when needed.

Evangelism.  Julia Trimmer reported that the new brochures with our new location and worship times have been completed and are available for distribution.  New post cards are being printed for a late-March mailing.  We are waiting for more information about billboards and banners.  A press release was sent about the visit of a Hispanic band on March 11.

Fellowship.  Madge said the team is working on details for another game night in March.

Membership.  Susan Walkup, Harriet McGraw, and Mindy are sending notes to visitors.  After a third visit, Mindy contacts visitors to arrange a visit.  Feedback from visitors is very positive.

Property.  Joan Zollinger reported that a request for bids has been sent to surveyors and we are waiting for those to be returned.  Joan asked about the possibility of a fund raiser for property funds.  Mindy responded that we probably will not do that now since we have offered the opportunity for people to pledge to the property fund, although something might be done in the future.  John Walkup asked about an update on his letter-writing campaign; Mindy will ask Kim to send him an update.  John again suggested that others do a similar appeal to their friends and families.

Worship.  John Walkup asked if we want to begin a program for taking communion to “shut-ins.”  There was discussion about the term “shut-in” and when it might be appropriate to offer communion to those who are homebound.  Mindy suggested that we might work with Galloway Ridge to offer communion to those living in the healthcare center or in assisted living.  At this time, we do not have any members who are homebound.  John made an appeal for more people, especially men, to join the choir.

Finance, Outreach, Personnel, and Stewardship.  No reports

Old Business
Daily prayer time.  Mindy reminded everyone to pray daily for Chapel in the Pines as well as Church in the Pines each day at noon.

Congregational Meeting.  The first annual meeting of Chapel in the Pines will be a congregational meeting following worship on March 18.  Fellowship, Worship, Outreach, Finance, and Property committees will be asked to give very brief reports.

Worship Transition.  John Walkup described the plan for team ownership of Sunday set-up, clean-up, fellowship time, ushering, greeting, flowers, etc. during a given month.  Four teams have been formed, comprised of members and friends.  Captains have been found for 3 of the 4 teams.  These teams will also plan a fellowship activity during their month.  Teams will rotate monthly.  Each team will serve a total of 3 months each year.  Mindy will send a letter to members and friends describing this plan along with soliciting new members for committees and other church volunteer jobs.  It was suggested that something about the teams be put in the weekly bulletin announcements, inviting newcomers to get involved.  This information has been put on the website in the “About Us” section.

Holy Week.  Mindy reminded the team that we will join again with Pittsboro Presbyterian Church for Maundy Thursday, the service will be at PPC at 7:00 p.m., and Troy Lesher-Thomas will preach.  Good Friday, we will join with Church of Reconciliation (Elliott Road, Chapel Hill) for a noon service.  People may choose instead to attend University Presbyterian Church’s services, at 7 p.m. both nights.

New Business
Pot Luck Lunch following worship March 11.  Mindy reviewed plans for the pot luck, asking people who bring hot food to bring crock pots or other warmers since we will have no access to the kitchen.  Harriet McGraw has gotten paper products.

Photos on website.  Mindy showed the team the new member forms that give people the opportunity to choose not to have their photos in our newsletter or on the website.

Salem Presbytery.  Mindy reported that the Presbytery’s Task Force on New Church Development will recommend to the Presbytery at its next meeting that a loan be secured, funds be provided for a down payment, and loan payments be paid for the purchase of land for Community of Joy, a NCD in High Point.  If approved, the Presbytery would agree to make loan payments until COJ is able to do so on its own.  Mindy is confident that when our time comes, the Presbytery will treat us fairly and will assist us with our land purchase.  Mindy invited volunteers to attend the next meeting of Salem Presbytery in Eden on April 24.

Other.  Keith Glidewell expressed appreciation for the dedication plates inside the hymnals.  Joan asked about using screens on the stage at North Chatham School; John reported that work continues to make the stage look better.  Jack Zollinger pointed out again that Chad Virgil’s work on our behalf was done gratis and expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire church.

The next meeting of the leadership team will be April 12, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at Dockside Restaurant.  Keith Glidewell will do the devotion for that meeting.

Mindy closed the meeting with prayer and the meeting ended at 8:20 p.m.