Present: Lee Albright, Butch Bush, Allison Clements, Lee Gaby, Amrey Harden, Wren Howard, David Kidd, Robin Krause, Penny McLanahan, Tom Odom, Jay Shinn, Brian Tison, David Woodruff Absent: Robin Bewley, Hal Cofer Guests: Phillip Cofer, Amy Wraga Senior Warden Lee Gaby called the meeting to order at 7:10. Devotion: Robin Krause opened meeting with a prayer and Mother Mandy led the singing of “ The Servant Song.” Announcements: Lee Gaby read a note from retired clerk Dee Forester thanking Vestry for gifts. David Woodruff reminded Vestry of Men’s Retreat to be held at Camp Mikell May 20-22. Allison Clements introduced Day School Director Amy Wraga who distributed a summary of Day School news. She reported that the Day School is full (102 students) and there is a waiting list. There are 8 teachers and 14 classes. She said that the traffic flow could be a problem but that the neighbors on Pope Street were anti-speed bumps installation. Lee Gaby reported that the swing set has not been erected on the property because the application for its installation has been rejected by the County. Lee Gaby thanked Amy for the Day School Cookbooks which were given to the Vestry. Mother Many Brady announced that the Bishop and other diocesan members will be at Emmanuel at 6PM on June 21 for the ordination of new priests. Three of the candidates— Tim Burger, Sarah Fisher, and Patrick Skutch—are sponsored by Emmanuel. Mother Mandy will ask Scott Goodwin to direct a choir for the occasion. All the members of the Vestry who were present signed letters of recommendation in favor of the three candidates. Unanimous Vestry vote approved ordinations. (Action Item) Finance Committee: Amrey Harden distributed a handout of minutes of Finance Committee. The pay package for the new rector is in the budget. If the amount comes to more than is budgeted, there will be reconsiderations. Allison asked if the additional maintenance expenses in the budget had been anticipated. Actually these were for repairs made in late 2004 but had not been paid until 2005. Lee Gaby asked if cash flow will be given. Butch said that the figures are on the website. Stewardship Committee: Brian Tison announced that he had gotten some feedback from the letter which was approved at the March meeting. He sent only the first letter to those congregants who made pledges. He did not send the second letter which he presented to the Vestry in March. Mother Mandy announced that there will be an international conference on stewardship in Charlotte, NC, June 24-25. Butch suggested that there be continuous stewardship reports in each month of The Tower. Rector Nominating Committee: No report. Hal Cofer was not present. RNC chair Naomi Norman will be in Switzerland in May. The parish profile will be ready when she returns. Worship Committee: Robin Krause distributed a handout about the formation of a funeral committee to serve under the Worship Committee. Approved. (Action item) Mother Mandy announced that a survey is being sent out to get parishioners’ ideas about worship time (8 or 8:30?) and music at early services. The responses will help make decisions about summer schedule. Property Use Master Plan Committee: Vestry was given Property Use Master Plan Committee report of April 25. Lee Gaby will see the new status report shortly. Bob Wood, Amy Wraga, Kat Ballard and Allen Stovall are envisioning and designing a plan for when/if the cottages are removed. Church may have to hire professionals to develop a simple plan. Jay Shinn said that there will have to be decisions about the two houses: move or fix? Lee Gaby reported on the “social” with the Boulevard neighbors. There were good discussions and creative ideas about plans for the development of the area which will include a joint city/church project. Trees will be planted along the Huddle House corner of Barber and Prince. David Kidd showed Allen Stovall’s projected plan for the Prince Avenue parking lot which will move the area up to code. There should be one tree for every seven parking spaces. The city will do the actual work and a donor will provide the trees. David Kidd explained that the project will be a partnership with the city. Penny McLanahan said, “The cooperation and the plan seem so healthy.” Brian Tison moved and Butch Bush seconded that there be a further report on the development of the Barber/Prince improvements and that the Vestry invite Allen Stovall to present further explanation at the May meeting. Approved unanimously. Lee Gaby urged Vestry to check CAPPA website. Duncan Krause will ask Lee Epting what further Emmanuel has to do to get permits to move the two Pope Street houses because they are in a historic district. Lee Gaby asked for a task force to study property use after the houses are removed. The task force is to be formed and will publish a list of guiding principles. This group is to coordinate with the PUMP committee Executive Committee Report: Lee Gaby distributed report of April 11 Executive Committee meeting. He reported that Allison and Amy are working together on day school issues including teachers’ salaries. Parish staff positions other than clergy are also under discussion considering updated job descriptions and compensation levels. The annual Diocesan Council will be in June. Mo. Mandy announced that the Diocesan Convocation meeting will be in October. Emmanuel should elect “goodly folks to represent the parish.” Additional Action Items: Jay moved and David Woodruff seconded that minutes from the February and March, 2005, Vestry meetings be approved. Passed unanimously. Williams-Rhodes issues and committee report: David Kidd moved that Amrey Harden be Vestry representative to W/R committee. Approved. Phillip Cofer, chairman of W/R committee, has asked W/R endowment board to let the committee know the amount of quarterly allocations by 10th of the month so that the committee can meet on the 15th to make recommendations. Then the Vestry can act on these recommendations at its monthly meeting. Suntrust will write checks in Athens to speed up procedure of funding grants. Phillip presented committee recommendations for funding 4th quarter’s grants. He said that amount available was $40,000, not $45,000, as stated in handout. Allison asked why The Justice Project was not funded. Phillip said that the program did not reach as many people as some other projects which were funded. Jay asked if there is a procedure to avoid “double dipping” from Emmanuel Outreach programs. David Kidd reported that the Outreach Committee is working on that. David Kidd recommended that W/R committee recommendations be funded. Approved. David Kidd presented a report on outreach donations. Establishment of Parish Escrow Account for the Men of Emmanuel Bible Study group (MOE) Vestry approved a letter to MOE copy to the Director of Finance establishing an escrow account for MOE. Funeral Committee: See page 1, Worship Committee Lee Albright suggested that Vestry’s serving Wednesday night dinner might be better on a non-Vestry meeting night. No action taken. Brian Tison will give May Vestry devotional. Good of the Order: Lee Albright thanked Allison for making arrangements for Vestry night meetings. Jay announced that racism training is a diocesan requirement. Vestry decided that July 30 is most feasible date for Emmanuel. Jay said that the County writing on the sidewalk and street is part of 5-year project of Atlanta Gas Light Co. upgrading gas lines. Amrey read a thank you note from the Girl Scouts. Wren announced the Safeguarding God’s Children project for VBS. Lee Gaby thanked Brothers of St. Andrew for sponsoring and serving the annual Acolyte breakfast served on April 17. Christie Odom for helping with barbecue sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center those responsible for the Interfaith Hospitality Network dinner. Emmanuel will help Gwinnett County get an IHN program off the ground. Lee would like to get a gift for Amy from the Vestry for her wonderful work with the Day School. Next meeting May 25, 2005 Jay moved to adjourn at 9:20. By acclamation. Submitted by Clairelis Baxter Secretary and Clerk to the Vestry |
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