APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES

VESTRY RETREAT

JANUARY 18, 2004

VESTRY AND CLERGY PRESENT: Lee Albright, Butch Bush, Mother Mandy Brady, Allison Clements, Laura Cofer, Father Peter Courtney, Lee Gaby, David Gossett, Debra Harden, David Kidd, Larry McLeod, Joe Napoli, Naomi Norman, Jay Shinn, Terri Tillman, Brian Tison, David Woodruff.

The meeting convened at 10:00 a.m. with prayer and a song.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Debra Harden announced that Naomi Norman has agreed to succeed Betty and Hal Cofer in organizing and coordinating morning coffee.

AGENDA APPROVAL

Naomi added one item to the agenda: the creation of a Library Committee.

RECTOR’S REPORT-Father Peter Courtney

Peter and Debby will leave for vacation immediately following the conclusion of the retreat. Peter will be back in the office on February 2.

Peter and Debby have put a binding offer on a new house, contingent on the sale of their current home.

Debbie Henson Lisano will continue as Parish Musician through the end of February. Upon her departure, Scott Goodwin will serve in an interim capacity for the next six months.

Peter is making a cross and candlesticks from heart pine to replace the brass on the altar as part of the Lenten array.

FINANCIAL REPORT - Butch Bush

Butch expressed appreciation for the previous Finance Committee expediting the transition.

The final Financial Report for 2003 was distributed for review. Butch commented that the budget was very well balanced. He drew the Vestry’s attention to the fact that a rise in recordable contributions helped to offset a drop in pledge income. Butch then reviewed the escrow accounts, clarifying the purpose and oversight of several accounts in response to questions from the Vestry. He also noted that Duncan Krause would be holding a Financial Workshop for new Vestry members (and any Vestry members who are interested or would like a review) at a date to be determined, at which point the accounts and reporting would be explained in more detail. Financial worksheets are available on the web site (www.emmanuel-athens.org).

Butch then brought up the financial prospects for the coming year. Both the number of pledges and pledge income are down significantly from 2003. Butch called for a Vestry and clergy plan to "bring back” the lost pledges. Brian Tison reminded the Vestry that a capital campaign is being contemplated for improvements to the Emmanuel campus. Butch expressed his concern about the possibility of having to use part of the surplus to balance the budget. Brian mentioned that he is planning to start this year’s stewardship campaign early and drew out attention to the pledge report. Brian plan to compile a list of those who pledged for 2003 but did not for 2004. David Woodruff also requested a list of pledge non-renewals for 2001 and 2002.

The discussion moved to a general call for ministry to the "disaffected” and to visitors and newcomers, though Debra Harden cautioned the Vestry that we not spend so much energy on those who have left the church that we overlook ministering to those who are new as well as those who are already among us. The point was made and reiterated that participation in the life of the parish, beyond attendance at worship services, is essential to a felling of involvement.

VESTRY ACTION ITEMS-Lee Gaby

Consent Items

In the interest of time, six items were presented to be voted upon as one unit, with the stipulation that any item may be pulled for discussion. They were:

1. Minutes of previous meeting (December 10, 2003)

2. Biblical Holiness Code for the Vestry-vote to re-adopt.

3. Clergy IRS Housing Allowance for 2004.

4. Vestry appointments to AGM Committee: Peg Wood, Larry McLeod.

5. Resolution of appreciation: Parlor Committee.

6. Resolution of appreciation: Jim Wahlers (Stewardship Chairman for 2003)*

*Note: the full text of these items is available in the Vestry agenda packet for this meeting.

Larry McLeod requested that item 4 be addressed separately so that he might abstain. This was agreed upon, and the other five resolutions/action items were passed unanimously. It was noted that, going forward, the Vestry would vote on the minutes of the previous meeting at the next Vestry meeting, rather than electronically.

Item 4 (appointments to AGM) was then put to the vote and carried unanimously, with Larry McLeod abstaining. Peg Wood and Larry McLeod are the Vestry appointees to the AGM for 2004.

Debatable Items

Election of Junior Warden: Laura Cofer was nominated for the post Junior Warden. There were no other nominees, and the motion was carried unanimously, with Laura abstaining.

Naomi Norman gave a brief report on the work of the Resources Commission in reviewing the current Commission/Committee structure. The Commission’s criteria for an active ministry within the parish was simple: any group that is authorized to spend money, and/or any group that has consistently reported its activity to the parish. As a result of the Resources Commission’s analysis, the following motions were presented for consideration:

1. Recommendation to create a separate Finance commission and remove financial and budgetary responsibilities from the oversight of the Resources Commission.

2. Recommendation to move Daughters of the King ministry to the oversight of the Parish Life Commission.

3. Recommendation to create a Library Committee. The function of this committee would be to establish and maintain a library and the necessary protocols for its use.

*Note: the full text of items 1 and 2 is available in the Vestry agenda packet for this meeting.

The creation of a Finance Commission would require an amendment to the bylaws, and thus must remain on the table for one month. The recommendations to move the Daughters of the King to Parish Life and to create a Library Committee were voted upon together and carried unanimously.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Lee Gaby stated that he had prayed for three things to come from the Vestry Retreat: intimacy, hospitality and sacrifice. He added that his prayer had been answered abundantly.

Joe Napoli commended Lee Gaby for his work as Senior Warden.

Brian Tison also commented on the Vestry Retreat, saying that he felt the time was wisely spent and none wasted. He reiterated a comment made earlier by Larry McLeod: that what happens in the Vestry meetings stays in the meetings until the time is appropriate to make a statement to the parish at large. Brian summed up his comments by saying that it was important for the Vestry to show unity.

Debra and Larry thanked Peter and Mandy for the homilies and Bible study presented over the course of the weekend.

FUTURE DEVOTIONS

Debra Harden volunteered to present the devotion for the February meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. with preparation for the Eucharist to follow.

Respectfully submitted,

Terri Tillman

Vestry member