Present: Lisa Yarn, Clay Gilbert, Jan Wheeler, Paul Anderson, Walter Jarrett, Cindy McAlister, Carol Winthrop, Peg Wood, Peter Courtney

Guest: Mandy Brady

Excused: Bob Wood, John Waters, Philip Cofer, Susan Galis, Duncan Krause, Nancy McDuff, Chris Saye, Dee Forester (clerk)

Father Courtney opened the meeting with singing.

Clay Gilbert offered a devotion based on the Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson.

The Prayer of Jabez is based on the brief insertion in a list of the generations of Israel in I Chronicles 4. 4:9 Jabez was honored more than his brothers; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." 10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!" And God granted what he asked.

Clay also reviewed the financials noting the income was at budget in April. Questions and clarification were offered for some over budget lines.

At 7:50 the Vestry broke into three, then two groups to produce Mission Statements for the entire group to consider and merge (if possible). At 8:20 Father Courtney re-convened the groups which offered the following statements:

Group I: “Emanuel Episcopal Church nurtures our spirit as our actions honor God in the world.”

Group II: “The mission of Emmanuel Episcopal Church is to honor God through worship and action.”

The Vestry discussed these statements and made several attempts at re-formulating them. The Vestry decided to lay them on the table until our next meeting when more of us could be a part of the discussion.

Committee reports were referenced by title.

Lisa Yarn reported on the work of her committee which is reviewing all of the materials related to the Long Range Planning Exercise of several years ago. Her goals are:

1. Investigate whether the work is complete

2. Discover if the work is still germane or whether it needs re-working or re-starting.

3. Ascertain if the work is representative of a sufficiently large number of parish members to be credible.

Offer an executive summary of all the material with recommendations referencing the previous three paragraphs at the July meeting of the Vestry. None of this material has every been officially considered by Emmanuel’s Vestry.

Duncan Krause volunteered to lead the devotion at the July Meeting.

The Vestry adjourned with the dismissal at 9:00 PM.