APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES

MARCH 24, 2004

REALTY BUILDING

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

OTHERS PRESENT: Mother Mandy Brady, Allen Stovall, Andy Simmonds, Jay Staines, Mark Stewart and Dee Forester.

PRAYER, PRAISE AND SONG

Father Courtney opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. He led the Vestry and guests in singing "O Lord Hear My Prayer” and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DEVOTION

Jay Shinn opened the devotion with a prayer for Barbara Coplin who passed away yesterday. He noted that it is tax time and Easter time and time to count blessings. Jay read from Steve Brown’s book Approaching God and stated that the book had helped him learn how to pray. Jay closed with a prayer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Father Courtney and Debby are settling into their new home (127 Inverness Road) and preparing for the Easter Feast they will hold following the Great Vigil of Easter.

Barbara Coplin passed away yesterday. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel. The family will receive visitors in the Parlor Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Father Courtney encouraged the Vestry to attend the funeral and help hand out bulletins. There will be a reception in the Common Room following the funeral.

Lee Gaby reminded everyone that Larry and Ann Joye McLeod are vacationing in Chile and to please keep them in thoughts and prayers.

GUEST FROM POPE STREET ASSOCIATION

Lee Gaby announced that there would be no guest from the Pope Street Association at tonight’s meeting.

ARCHITECTURE, GIFTS AND MEMORIALS COMMITTEE REPORT

There will be no report from Larry McLeod. Peg Wood did submit a copy of the agreement between the AGM committee and Pat Quinn who will be making the Ferguson memorial piece.

PARISH LIFE COMMISSION REPORT

Debra Harden (Parish Life) has asked Betty Cofer to please provide Parish Life with a list of what is expected of "Holy Cookers.”

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK REPORT

Lee Gaby handed out the Interfaith Hospitality Network Report and announced that they are looking for a grant writer.

FINANCE COMMISSION REPORT

Butch Bush, Chair, brought to the Vestry the new draft of the Proposed 2004 Budget. Pledges to date are $478,608.00 from 229 pledge units. The floor was opened for discussion of the proposed budget. Some vestry members voiced concern over the amount of the pledge to the Diocese when Emmanuel is having to cut some of its line items. Canon Law states that the pledge should be 10% of the 3 previous years net recordable income. Brian Tison asked if line item 490 750 was correct and was answered yes. He asked about line items 410 400 and 410 410 (Potter’s House) and Jay Shinn gave an update, stating that the Potter’s House is currently on a month-to-month leasehold agreement and the contract for a five year renewal is under negotiation. Brian also asked whether efforts had been made to obtain competitive insurance rates. Mother Mandy responded to the increase in clergy insurance and Lee Gaby responded added comments about the property and liability program. Brian stated that he would like to see the budget balanced and offered to decrease the allocation for the Stewardship campaign from $2000.00 to $1000.00. He asked to go on the record that he is having a hard time giving so much to the Diocese when we are cutting our own programs. David Gossett and Naomi Norman spoke in favor of staying with the current pledge to the Diocese. David Woodruff went on record saying he does not want to balance the budget on the backs of the clergy and staff. Father Courtney told the vestry that they have two choices when the budget comes up for a vote later in Action items. The vestry can choose to act on the budget or refer it back to the committee for revisions. Debra Harden thanked Butch and his committee for their fine work.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

Lee Albright and Lee Gaby attended the Fourth Annual Ministry Fair held at St. Martin in the Fields in Atlanta (Brookhaven) Both reported that the Fair had been very informative and thought provoking.

Laura Cofer announced that Emmanuel will host the Diocesan Youth Commission April 4, 2004.

Lee Gaby handed out a conceptual paper for proposed discussion by the Property Use Master Plan Special Committee.

BYLAWS STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT

Naomi Norman asked Vestry members to look for an e-mail from her in the a.m. This will be the master document that has been drafted from feedback received by the committee. Please print this document in color to note changes.

ACTION ITEMS

Minutes of the February 25th Vestry Meeting.

The minutes were approved with the minor change of the Joe Napoli’s award from "Business Man of the Year” to "Distinguished Professional of the Year by the Georgia Green Industry Association.”

Williams-Rhodes Screening Committee Appointments

Recommendation: Approve the following nominations for three year terms ending December 31, 2007. 1) Gloria Sams and 2) Cathi Shinn.

This recommendation passed unanimously.

2004 Budget

Recommendation: Approve the proposed Budget as presented by the Finance Committee.

Father Courtney called for the question. The vote was 10 in favor of the Budget and 4 opposed.

The 2004 Budget was adopted.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE APRIL DEVOTION

Naomi Norman

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Father Courtney urged everyone to be aware that many area restaurants will be participating in "Entree for Hope” on Tuesday April 27, 2004. Participating restaurants will donate 10 % of their profits that day to The Ark.

Father Courtney attended a youth retreat with Paul Roberts in Dahlonega and enjoyed the experience.

Brian Tison would like to know with whom Vestry members have spoken with about pledges. A "State of Affairs” letter will be going out soon to the Parish from the Vestry.

Debra Harden commended Brian for stewardship comments during the service.

Terri Tillman will reschedule a New Comers’s meeting.

Lee will schedule a PUMP committee meeting.

Charlotte Leedy will be honored at a special reception on March 28 for her 50 years of service to the Red Cross.

Lee Albright will join the Executive Committee.

David Woodruff announced that Rite 13 has been rescheduled to April 24 and commended Kat Ballard for all her efforts with the youth education programs.

Father Courtney closed the meeting with prayer at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dee Forester

Secretary to the Vestry