APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 , 2001

THE MEETING HOUSE

VESTRY PRESENT: Bob Wood, Walter Jarrett, Clay Gilbert, Chris Saye, Duncan Krause, Jan Wheeler, Peg Wood, Carol Winthrop, Paul Anderson, Lisa Yarn, Cindy McAlister, Susan Galis and Leigh Preston.

NON-VESTRY PRESENT: The Reverend Mandy Brady and Dee Forester.

WELCOME

Bob Wood, Senior Warden, welcomed the Vestry members and called on Mother Mandy to lead the Vestry in song.

DEVOTION

Lisa Yarn asked Vestry members to write their favorite book title and movie title on a slip of paper. As she drew the slips and read the titles the Vestry guessed which Vestry member had submitted the titles. Lisa closed with a prayer.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Clay Gilbert presented the financial report. The Finance Committee has some concerns regarding pledges ,as March pledges were low. Pledges were at 23.9% at the end of the first quarter of the year. The Vestry looked at the Income and Expense Statement and a Pledge History Chart. Clay

reported that the Finance Committee spent a lot of time discussing Facilities expenses. General Maintenance Line 750300 is up, as well as Outreach property maintenance. The drainage problem that affected the Common Room has been fixed. Other concerns noted by the Finance Committee were the fact that Utilities, Telephone Internet Web and Printing and Paper usage are all up. Peg Wood noted that when we start running over budget in 4 or 5 Line Items adjustments must be made.

STEWARDSHIP 2001

Jan Wheeler passed out a summary of comments the Vestry had submitted to her at a previous meeting and had categorized them into two lists-things to do and not to do for an effective Stewardship Campaign. Jan will hold two "Focus" Stewardship meetings at the Church. The dates are May 6th 4p.m. and May 20th 4p.m. She urged Vestry members to attend. She announced that the Diocese does Stewardship workshops and one is being held at the Cathedral on May 12th from 9:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan has registration forms for anyone who is interested in attending.

OUTREACH BUILDING RENOVATION AND COBB HOUSE RENOVATION.

Bob Wood reported that two engineers have examined the failing wall in the Outreach Building and that since their opinions (estimates) differed so widely a third engineer will be contacted for an estimate.

The possibility that the parish and Community Connection might share space in the Cobb House still looks good. Al Anon, AA and other groups that presently use the Cobb House would move to the vacant space in the Outreach Building next to the Thrift House. Members of the Subcommittee working on Cobb House plans are: Bob Wood, Barbara Coplin-Outreach, John Waters-Vestry and Expertise, Chris Saye-Vestry and Expertise, Vince Howard-Youth, Bobby Gibson, Tom McDonald and Bob Gregory. The Committee has preliminary plans for using the space in the building, a historic preservation report, a building inspection report and results of the long range plan (unapproved). The Committee will seek contractors to generate proposals on repairing major systems in the building (e.g. HVAC), ask an engineer or architect tot inspect and suggest plans to guide the renovation and approach city planners about issues surrounding the "conditional use" of the property. Bob Wood will post existing material regarding Long Range Planning and existing sub-committee reports on the web page for the Vestry to read.

Robinson Fisher will be asked to make a proposal on the Land Use plan for Emmanuel.

UPDATE ON STAFF CHANGES.

Lisa Yarn announced that Lori Land is retiring April 30 and that there will be a Purse for her. This announcement will be in the "Tower".

Sarah Fisher is now a full time member of the staff.

CHANGES IN DAY SCHOOL STAFF.

Chris Saye announced that Carole Johnson will be full time Director and will not teach. Kitty Lay has resigned her teaching position, but will do some secretarial work to help Carole. Chris also told the vestry that the present secretary, Mary McElhannon, is leaving. Teachers are needed and applications are being accepted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee Reports included with these minutes are: Rector's Report, Parish Life Committee Report, Williams Rhodes Screening Committee Report and Recommendations, Emmanuel Thrift House Showers Gifts in April, Chaplain's Report (March and April) . There were no questions or comments.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Leigh Preston announced that she has been accepted for Fall semester to the UGA at Oxford program. She was congratulated and wished well by the Vestry. Leigh would like to continue with the Vestry when she returns. Bob Wood noted that Father Courtney would be advised of her absence and a decision regarding her status will be made.

Clay Gilbert expressed that the Vestry needs to be open and able to discuss anything on their minds. Jan Wheeler agreed with him and suggested that an item be added to the agenda that would allow the Vestry to express whatever they feel they need to bring to the Vestry or make the Vestry aware of regarding Parish issues.

Carol Winthrop suggested the Worship Committee would be the vehicle for worship issues.

Duncan Krause reminded the Vestry to support the Youth and their Flamingo Project.

Cindy McAlister asked the Vestry to read the handout "An Uprising in the Pews: Kneeling falls from Favor" a USA Today article and share it with other Parishioners.

Bob Wood asked the Vestry to adjourn to the Common Room and visit with Sarah Fisher, Tim Burger, Patrick Skutch and Mariclair Partee. All four are candidates for admission as postulants in the Diocese of Atlanta. The Vestry is asked to meet with these four candidates and endorse them for admission as Postulant Diocese of Atlanta. The Vestry socialized and enjoyed ice cream sundaes with the candidates. The candidates were excused and the Vestry then asked questions of the Reverend Sean Ferrell regarding this process and the candidates.

After explaining the Discernment Process and speaking to the qualifications of the candidates a vote was taken. Paul Anderson moved to approve the postulants to the Diocese of Atlanta. Cindy McAlister seconded, the vote was taken and was unanimous.

The Reverend Sean Ferrell closed with a prayer of adjournment.

DEVOTION-MAY

Clay Gilbert.

Respectfully submitted,

Dee Forester

Secretary to the Vestry