APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2004

REALTY BUILDING

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

OTHERS PRESENT: Reverend Edward Bolen - Athens Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), Pat Oliffe - Stephen Ministry, Amy Wraga, Director or the Day School, Jim Wahlers - organizing committee chair for IHN for Emmanuel Church and Dee Forester.

PRAYER, PRAISE AND SONG

Father Courtney opened the meeting with prayer and then lead in the singing of "Shall We Gather at the River.” He welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DEVOTION

Terri Tillman spoke about her recent experiences with yarn and knitting. She uses her time knitting to reflect on the power of God to speak to us through making something from nothing.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Reverend Ed Bolen spoke to the Vestry about the mission of the newly formed Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, Inc. The focus will be to deal with families in crisis or acute homelessness by providing a place for the families to eat dinner, enjoy evening activities, sleep and eat breakfast before returning to the Day Center. The Day Center will be located on Hancock Avenue near the First Baptist Church. The goal is to have enough churches participating so that each church will host the homeless families for one week at a time only three or four times a year.

The homeless to be served will be restricted to families with children. The total number being served will not exceed fourteen (adults and children) at any one time. The average length of stay in the program per family is forty five days. IHN will provide transportation for the families from the Day Center to the host Church. IHN will also provide the bedding and accessory furniture and training to all volunteers involved in this mission. Ten Congregations have signed to serve as hosts. This is not a duplication of services already being provided in the Athens area , but a compliment to services presently being offered.

Jim Wahlers, who has been serving as Emmanuel’s organizing committee chair with the support of the Facilities, Parish Life and Outreach Committees spoke to the Vestry and feels that this is a mission Emmanuel ought to do. Jim already has rallied support from at least 35 members of the church who are willing to provide the services needed to fulfill the expectations of the IHN.

Father Courtney thanked Reverend Ed Bolen and Jim Wahlers for their presentations.

Pat Oliffe, Stephen minister, spoke to the Vestry about Stephen Ministry. This is an intentional ministry and there is much training. Leaders serve for three years in this crisis centered ministry. Care receivers are carefully matched with a Stephen Minister who meets with them confidentially to listen as they work through their crisis or grief.

Laura Cofer introduced Amy Wraga, Director or the Emmanuel Episcopal Day School. They both reported that all is going well with the EEDS and that three sessions of camp have been added this summer. Those who have attended the sessions are full of praise. Of the fourteen teachers last year thirteen are returning and as always there is a waiting list for the classes.

RECTOR’S REPORT

None.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

Butch Bush, Finance Chair, reported that there are no changes in the figures of the last 60-90 days. The Finance Committee hopes the Stewardship Committee can bring back into focus pledging units so that the Finance Committee can begin the 2005 Budget process. The Finance Committee asks that all chairs, etc. please submit their budget requests by September 15, 2004.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

Joe Napoli, Chair of the Worship Committee, with members Linda Dodson, Chuck Galis, Nancy Woodruff and Debra Lassiter, reported that after much discussion and some disunity the consensus of the committee was to continue with the three services as currently structured. After discussion, the Vestry decided to revisit this issue at a later date.

BYLAWS AND SOP STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT

Naomi Norman reported to the Vestry that work has begun on the revision of the SOP’s and it will be flexible and general. Please pass along any input to Naomi. The Committee consists of Naomi, Jay Shinn and Lee Gaby.

PASTORAL CARE

Allison Clements, presented the Pastoral Care Commission Report and noted that Pat Hall has resigned as co-leader of the Stephen Ministry and Ann Darby has offered to replace her. Allison also reported that she has been in the process to obtain a swing set for the Day School. She will pursue this process.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

None.

ACTION ITEMS

The unapproved minutes of the May 26, 2004 Vestry meeting were approved with the abstaining votes of Naomi Norman and Debra Harden who were not in attendance at that meeting.

The resolution to authorize Executive Committee to approve the July Williams Rhodes recommendations was unanimously approved.

Larry McLeod made the motion to approve in principal the joining of the Athens Interfaith Hospitality Network and to form a committee to find out the details. Jay Shinn seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

AUGUST DEVOTION

Joe Napoli volunteered.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Larry McLeod has been hospitalized and will begin work with his oncologist on Monday and thanked everyone for their care and concern.

Debra Harden thanked everyone for their prayers and support on the loss of her father.

Lee Gaby reminded everyone to please submit photographs and video’s to Duncan Krause.

Lee Gaby and nine members of the Property Use Planning Management Committee met. Cindy McAlister and Duncan Krause are leading the Dry Bones meetings. Remember the vestry and spouses get together at Lee Albright’s on July 21st.

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

Respectfully submitted

Dee Forester

Secretary to the Vestry.