APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2001

THE MEETING HOUSE

VESTRY PRESENT:

The Reverend Peter Courtney, Peg Wood, Phillip Cofer, Chris Saye, Duncan Krause, John Waters, Jan Wheeler, Carol Winthrop, Paul Anderson, Clay Gilbert, Lisa Yarn, Bob Wood, Cindy McAlister, Walter Jarrett, Susan Galis and Nancy McDuff.

NON-VESTRY PRESENT:

The Reverend Mandy Brady and Dee Forester.

WELCOME

Father Courtney opened the meeting with song.

DEVOTION

John Waters reviewed "The Secrets of the Vine" by Bruce Wilkinson. The theme of the book is abundance. We are here for one reason - to bring/bear fruit to all we do. The three secrets of the vine are: 1) If your life bears no fruit God will intervene to discipline you. 2) If in your life there is some fruit God will intervene and prune you. 3) If your life bears a lot of fruit God will invite you to abide with him. John hopes the Vestry will read the book.

Father Courtney congratulated Paul Anderson and family on the arrival of their new addition, a son, named Miller.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Nancy McDuff reported on behalf of the Finance Committee. The Committee endorsed the pledge to the Diocese and also endorsed using a cleaning service to clean the church properties instead of hiring a replacement for Laurie Land. The Committee discussed the pledge shortfall and the Vestry discussed how to amend the problem and when to determine it a critical problem. Phillip Cofer suggested adjusting the budget if we discover that the income will not meet expectiations. The Finance Committee will address the shortfall at their next meeting and determine at what point action needs to be taken.

Nancy reported that the Day School has accumulated surplus, and the Finance Committee suggests holding it in the Day School budget on a line called "accumulated surplus". The Committee is pleased with the selection of Cindy Sullivan as the new Day School Director. The Committee will ask the Day School to change some of their terminology regarding scholarships in their budgets and in their balance sheet.

Bob Wood moved that the Finance Committee recommends to overspend Line Item 750250 Routine Maintenance to pay the new cleaning service, Piedmont Cleaning Services. The amount the line is to be overspent must be less than the amount of money unexpended on Laurie Land's wages, benefits, and FICA lines. This motion needed no second and was passed with a unanimous vote.

Father Courtney moved that the Vestry accept the Resolution of the Finance Committee that the Vestry of Emmanuel Church pledges $56,349 to the Diocese of Atlanta for the year 2002. The vote was unanimous. *Bob Wood will send the pledge card to the Diocese.

AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS

A motion to amend Article 5 of the Bylaws was on the floor from the June meeting. Bob Wood asked for any questions or discussion. Peg Wood asked that section 2 of Article 5 be corrected to read "report any actions taken to the Vestry by the next meeting". Bob Wood noted that the note at the bottom of the last page will be deleted from the Bylaws as it was for Vestry information only. Jan Wheeler stated that she thinks all committees should be on equal footing and have equal accountability. Nancy McDuff thinks there should be a Standard Operating Procedure for all committees/commissions. Duncan Krause will write a Standard Operating Procedure by the September Vestry meeting with the help of Lisa Yarn and Peter Courtney. Due to the number of additions/corrections suggested for Article 5 of the Bylaws the motion was tabled. Bob Wood will make these corrections and this will be on the September Vestry Agenda.

COUNCIL DELEGATES

The following slate was presented: Delegates-Barbara Coplin, Janice Rusk, Lisa Yarn, June Ball and Duncan Krause, Alternates-Peg Wood, Andy Simmonds, Paul Anderson and Bob Wood. Paul Anderson made the motion to accept the slate. The vote was unanimous.

A PROPOSAL FROM THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE

Walter Jarrett reported that the topographical survey has been completed and the cost was $6,250.50, which is over the $5000.00 specified in the Vestry Resolution.

The wall of the Outreach building has a large bow in it. Two contractor/engineers have submitted detailed proposals to fix the wall. Armentrout Roebuck Matheny Consulting Group, P.C. estimated the cost to be more than $100,000 and Driver Construction Company, Inc. estimated the cost to be $29,000.

Walter reported that the Williams Rhodes Screening Committee has about $10,000 reserved, but not yet pledged for the renovation and that the Outreach Committee has allocated $9000.00. Phillip Cofer requested that the these Committees be written a formal request for the funds.

Walter eloquently asked the Vestry to accept the following proposal:

1) To fix the wall (est. $29,000),

2) To begin the client independent renovation of the space in the Outreach Building.(est. $90,000),

3) To initiate the land use plan.(est $10,000), and

4) To accept the Surber Barber proposal to obtain firm plans and costs for the rehabilitation of the Cobb House. (est $16,500).

The net cost of these four items would be $145,500. It is expected that the actual costs of the four items will vary from the estimates given. Some expenses are not included in items 3 and 4. The topographical survey $6,250.50 pushes the total to $151,750.50. Of this total the Vestry has already authorized $145,000. With the money from Williams Rhodes and the Outreach Committee the money on hand is $164,000. Vestry members asked the Facilities Committee to exercise tight control of expenditures to minimize Emmanuel's future indebtedness. The net amount of the added indebtedness shall not exceed $145,000.

The vote by the Vestry was 14 affirmative and 1 nay-Peg Wood. The Proposal passed.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR EMMANUEL CHURCH

Cindy McAlister asked that this Agenda item be postponed. Father Courtney suggested that the Vestry meet August 22 with only the two following items on the Agenda-Mission Statement and Stewardship. The Vestry was in agreement.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

There was no discussion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jan Wheeler asked Vestry members to be mindful of deadlines.

Bob Wood announced that the Board of Realtors will probably sign a lease for another year. He asked if the Vestry would agree to give access to the Vestry web-page to those who have a need to access it. The Vestry agreed.

The Reverend Sean Ferrell will appoint substitutes for Leigh Preston, Student Representative to the Vestry, while she studies abroad this fall.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Lisa Yarn expressed that she felt the discussions tonight had been good.

Peg Wood, Lisa Yarn, and Carol Winthrop will review Standard Operating Procedure with the Thrift House.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00.

Respectfully submitted,

Dee Forester

Secretary to the Vestry