Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Approved Minutes Vestry Meeting
May 25, 2005
Present: Robin Bewley, Lee Gaby, Butch Bush, David Kidd, Tom Odom, Penny McLanahan, Lee Albright, Brian Tison, Wren Howard, Robin Krause, Mother Mandy Brady, Guest Allen Stovall
Absent: Amrey Harden (in Australia), Jay Shinn (medical reason), Hal Cofer (vacation), Allison Clements
Senior Warden Lee Gaby called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Mother Mandy led the hymn “Take Me as I Am” followed by prayer.
Brian Tison gave the devotional with the theme “Have You Seen God?.” He referred to Rev. Jon Appleton’s sermons at Men’s Weekend Retreat.
Lee G. introduced guest Allen Stovall who reported on possible development of the part of church property beginning at the corner of Prince Avenue and Barber Street and ending at Pope Street.
Allen
• showed graphics of the property including the different tracts. He said that at present the project “has only been articulated, not completed.”
• distributed a copy of his letter to Commissioner David Lynn about the proposed development.
• stated that Church needs to find out its obligations if there is to be a public/private partnership a la Baxter Street. Cost of the project will probably be 6:1—city: Emmanuel. Some private donations such as trees and sponsorships have been pledged.
• stated that Church needs to find out what kind of changes there would be to the parking lot because of the planting of trees and installing of rain islands/gardens to ease drainage.
• showed figures of possible cost of project
• stated that City will study the Prince Avenue corridor to the Bypass and that Emmanuel will be an early participant in its improvement. It will “take a while to get on the City docket.”
• stated that Emmanuel may want to deed an easement to the City. Mother Mandy asked if that would limit Church’s use “down the road” and cause a future problem. Allen said that it may be an important consideration.
Brian asked if Emmanuel is being billed by the City for drainage. Allen stated that parish will be charged, but the improvements would cut back on the bill. Brian said the concern for the project is money, and Allen said that the real cost would be the labor, probably paid for by city.
NuWay Cleaners may be interested in joining the project.
Allen is prepared to stay with the project and help it get more precise. He said the first step is to get the city to “join us,” and to get the parish to make a commitment.
Lee G. will ask Property Use Committee to formulate a plan.
Reports:
Finance Committee: Butch distributed a summary of the May 23 meeting.
• Pledging is up, but giving is below last year at this time.
• There needs to be a mechanism for budgeting throughout the year—a 12-month continuum. There also needs to be more communications with parishioners about monthly contributions. Mother Many suggested that Stewardship Committee write a continuum of monthly giving in each issue of The Tower.
• Expenses for Search Committee may be larger than expected.
AGM: David distributed a report of May 17 meeting. The last report for Memorials will be in the May 29 bulletin.
St. Francis Guild: Tom Odom will write a report for next Vestry meeting. Frank Henning is taking care of lawn maintenance, SOP, etc.
June 11 is Clean Up Day on Pope Street.
Education: Wren distributed a report compiled by Wren, Mo. Mandy and Kat.
• Confirmation will be July 17 at 2PM.
• VBS will be July 18-22.
• Mother Mandy suggested that there be a two year commitment for youth leaders.
• Mother Mandy reported that the Men’s Retreat was a great success.
• Inquirers Class will end July 17.
• Lee G. asked if Men’s and Ladies’ Bible Classes will continue during summer. Schedule will be listed in Bulletin.
Parish Life Committee:
• Lee Albright will find out which committees will change. She will check with Debra Harden about the teams for Holy Cookers.
• Lemonade, instead of coffee, will be served during the summer beginning on May 29.
• Mo Mandy said the parish may want to sponsor receptions after diocesan ordinations at Emmanuel on June 16 (previous date has been changed) and after Confirmation on July 17.
Lee G. suggested that the committee work out details.
Dry Bones Committee: Lee G. announced that the last preliminary study circle will be June 12, 4-5:30. The facilitators will meet June 15. Penny announced that the Dry Bones recommendations for the new rector search were sent to the rector search committee.
Executive Committee: Lee G. distributed the report of May 10 meeting.
• The committee proposed a $4000.00 annual raise ($2000 in 2005 FY, $4000. in 2006 FY) for Music Director Scott and a $3000. annual raise for Parish Administrator Melissa. (?)
• Lee announced that Young Life may want to use the Vestry Building for activities. This might be negotiated in the future.
• The Parish Profile is not quite ready. The Search Committee has hired a consultant.
• Lisa Yarn has resigned from the PUMP Committee. Lee G. asked for comments and recommendations.
Lee G. proposed that the Education Committee be re-named “Spiritual Formation.” No action taken.
Action Items:
Brian moved, Tom seconded that the April 27, 2005, amended minutes with changes be approved. Approved.
Guiding Principles and Objectives for Property Development:
Proposed Property Use Master Plan of Principles and Goals (May 2005) was distributed.
Penny asked, “If we approve, what does it mean?”
Lee G. explained that it is a preliminary plan which shows the way we may go. He said that we have been criticized for not having a master plan for property use development.
David K. said that the Pope Street Association is not active at this time, a situation which may bring problems with item #13.
Mo. Mandy suggested that Vestry approve the plan for 6 months.
Penny moved and Wren seconded that “we agree in principle to this plan and in 6 months revisit it.” Unanimously approved.
Good of the Order:
• Penny is excited about PUMP and Dry Bones goals.
• Brian asked committee chairs to follow up on lists for rector nominations.
• Robin K. announced that ushers will begin wearing “Usher” medals strung on colored ribbons that coincide with liturgical seasons.
• Tom O. is an admirer of Samaritan Counseling Center and wants to investigate the parish’s giving support to it. David K. will invited Tom Cain of the SCC to the next Vestry meeting to give members insight into the Center.
• Mo. Mandy announced that there are several church facilitators who help handicapped parishioners get to and attend services.
• Anti-racism training will be July 30 (?)
• Mo. Mandy announced that the survey showed that more parishioners want
Sunday morning service at 8:30 rather than at 8:00 and that the majority want music.
She said that the parish will collect a purse for Sarah Fisher’s ordination and will give smaller donations to the other two local ordinants. She said that Sarah has been a member of the parish since childhood.
The next Vestry meeting will be June 22; Lee A. will give the devotional. There will be no July meeting. The Executive Committee will act on the William-Rhodes recommendations in July. Meeting was adjourned at 9:25.
Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, secretary and clerk of the Vestry
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