APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2003

540 PRINCE AVENUE

VESTRY PRESENT: Father Peter Courtney, Larry McLeod, Joe Napoli, Duncan Krause, David Kidd, David Gossett, Peg Wood, Cindy McAlister, Laura Cofer, Lee Gaby, Jay Shinn, Naomi Norman and Debra Harden.

VESTRY ABSENT: Terri Tillman and Carol Winthrop (excused).

OTHERS PRESENT: Dee Forester, Butch Bush.

PRAYER, PRAISE AND SONG

Father Courtney opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. by leading the Vestry in song. He welcomed Naomi Norman, new Vestry member, and Butch Bush, candidate for Vestry.

DEVOTION

Larry McLeod gave an entertaining and informative devotional defining "Political Correctness”.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Duncan Krause reported that pledges have fallen slightly below the 7 year average. However, he noted that, generally, 20% of pledge income comes in during November and December. The Finance Committee has asked all in charge of Budget Lines to determine if they can make cuts without hurting their programs and to please be prudent with their Budget Lines.

FIRST DRAFT OF PROPOSED 2004 BUDGET

Duncan distributed the first draft of the proposed 2004 budget to the Vestry. This is not to be voted on as it is only a starting point in order that Vestry members may give the Committee feedback. The Committee was conservative on the expense side. The income side can only be estimated until the Stewardship campaign is complete and there is a tally of pledge income. The Finance Committee will meet November 10, 2003 to finalize the draft to be voted on by the Vestry at the November meeting. Duncan reported that Father Courtney had recommended a cost of living increase in salary for clergy and staff. Let the minutes reflect that the 2.2% increase is pro forma. This motion needed no second. Father Courtney called for the question. The motion carried unanimously.

WILLIAMS RHODES REPORT

Duncan Krause reported that the Williams Rhodes Screening Committee met Monday, October 27, 2003. He brought the Committee’s recommendations to the Vestry for approval. The recommendations were unanimously approved.

VESTRY NOMINATING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Father Courtney announced that biographies of those nominated for the Vestry slate will appear in the December Tower. Cindy McAlister thanked Carol Winthrop for her wonderful job chairing the Nominating Committee. The candidates are: Lee Albright, Robin Bewley, Butch Bush, Allison Clements, Claire Gaus, Cliff Panel, Heidi Simmonds, Brian Tison, and David Woodruff.

BYLAWS STUDY REPORT

Lee Gaby reported that he and Naomi Norman have met and looked at the Bylaws and SOPs.

Naomi has volunteered to collate a list of all committees and the category each falls under. She then plans to look at the SOPs and guidelines and determine how they operate. The third step will be to look at the Bylaws. The hope is to present a clearer and more flexible understanding of what the Bylaws and SOPs state and what may need changing.

ARCHITECTURE, GIFTS, AND MEMORIALS COMMITTEE REPORT

Peg Wood brought a written report from the October 21, 2003 meeting of the AGM Committee for the Vestry members to reference. The next meeting of the AGM Committee will be November 18, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. in the parlor.

FACILITIES REPORT

Jay Shinn presented his written report. In summary: The West Window has been reinstalled after renovation. Emmanuel’s library, housed in the former Meeting House, has been discovered to be seriously moldy. About 2000 books will need to be examined, cleaned, and relocated. A room in 540 Prince may be appropriate for temporary storage after cleaning. Jay recommended that a Librarian position be created within the Archives Committee. The exterior painting and repair at 540 Prince is scheduled to begin November 8th. There was discussion of Prince Avenue and Boulevard Historic District neighborhood relations as concerns Emmanuel’s Long Range Plan (specifically the closing of the driveway that exits onto upper Pope Street from the rear of the Cobb House). Cindy McAlister suggested a Vestry "work session” focusing on LRP issues, to determine where we go from here. She will ask Lisa Yarn to submit a summary of the recent LRP meetings.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Lee Gaby gave thanks for the third anniversary of Peter’s leadership at Emmanuel. He spoke about stewardship and told the Vestry he hopes to double his pledge and double his time and energy to Emmanuel. He reported on the American Anglican Council meeting held at the YMCA on October 2nd. About 50-60 members of Emmanuel attended, and Stewart Richardson, Clay Gilbert and Butch Bush were elected to head a local chapter of the AAC. Lee, Laura Cofer and Duncan Krause will attend the Diocesan Council and would like to know Vestry member’s feelings on issues that will be addressed at Council.

Cindy McAlister shared a note she had received from Carol Winthrop, thanking the Vestry for the plant sent to her upon the death of her mother.

Cindy announced that the Executive Committee meeting will be November 10th and the Finance Committee will also meet November 10th. The next Vestry meeting will be November 19th at 7:00 p.m. She reminded everyone of the workshops to make creches and advent wreaths. It was decided that the above referenced LRP “work session” will be December 10, 2003. Peter and Debby will host outgoing, ongoing and incoming Vestry members at their home on Thursday, December 11, 2003.

Prayers were asked for Roger Brewer’s family.

Cindy urged the Vestry to lead the parish in making their pledges promptly. She hopes that parishioners will remember that pledging is about giving back to God in thanksgiving for all our blessings and that many will consider increasing their pledges.

Peg Wood and Duncan Krause urged the Vestry to take a close look at the proposed deficit and to give feedback regarding the proposed budget.

Prayers were asked for the Jerry Dull family.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE NOVEMBER DEVOTION: Jay Shinn.

Father Courtney closed the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Delia H. Forester

Secretary to the Vestry