Present: Brian Tison, Wren Howard, Robin Bewley, Penny McLanahan, Tom Odom, Allison Clements, Amrey Harden, But Bush, Dave Woodruff, Jay Shinn, Lee Gaby, Hal Cofer, Robin Krause, David Kidd, Mother Mandy Brady

Absent: Lee Albright (foot surgery)

Guest: Scott Goodwin

Mother Mandy led the prayer and song. Amrey gave the devotional about total forgiveness.

Scott Goodwin reported on church’s choir/music activities

• One of the main functions of church’s the music ministry is leading congregational singing.

• On St. Cecilia’s Day, November 22, 8 PM, there will be a concert which include people from around the area.

• There will be a joint concert with Friendship Presbyterian Church in the spring. It will include the Bach Easter Cantata.

• Current music of the church will include traditional and new material using Royal School of Church Music.

• Children will be integrated into the choir so that they can get involved in serious music.

• There is a possibility that a choir from St. Petersburg, Russia, will come to Emmanuel to participate in the music and to visit the parish.

• Music in the church is chosen at staff meetings and by Scott.

• Evensong will be held on the 2nd Sundays..

• Compline will be held on Sundays during Advent

Wren thanked Scott for leading the choir.

Announcements

The following 11 names are to be submitted for vestry election:

Kathrine Byrne, Robin Krause, Gillian Ball, Rustin McAlister, Keith Cowne, John Ballard, Betsy Turner, Curt Collier, Ann Darby, Rob Winthrop, Johnny Terrell.

9 of the nominees have agreed to serve if elected; two have not yet replied.

Priest in Charge report

• Bob Wood will stand for election as lay-person-at-large for the standing committee of the diocese. Election will be in the spring.

• Bethlehem Ministry wants to have a meeting at Emmanuel in February.

• 10 people went to Baton Rouge under parish auspicious to help with hurricane victim relief.

• October 2 will be the parish hoedown.

• October 9: 10:30 service will include the blessing of the animals; 5:30 will be Evensong.

• Anti-racism training will be in October for those vestry members who have not already attended.

Finance Commission: Amrey Harden, Butch Bush

Minutes of the commission meeting were distributed.

The deficit is down and pledges are up. The budget is still $29,000. behind.

Butch suggested possible names for the Endowment Board trustees to replace Jack Copeland: Mike Fitzgerald, Cissie Hutchinson, and Rob Winthrop.

Parish Life Commission:

Letter about functions was distributed.

Stewardship Commission: Brian Tison

• Brian suggested that Stewardship Commission and vestry build a sense of community;

• Committee has sent out two letters about stewardship

• Brian urged the vestry to turn in pledge cards and to increase their pledges by 10%.

• Everyone is invited to the hoedown; so far 115 have signed up.

• Brian encouraged vestry members to attend the diocesan training on stewardship.

• Lee G. thanked Mo. Mandy for giving lesson on stewardship to adult education class.

• Butch asked what tithing means—monetary or time and talent contributions?

• Hal suggested that the new vestry look into a campaign for increasing stewardship.

• Brian is retiring as stewardship chairman

Architecture, Gifts and Memorials Committee: Tom Odom

Tom distributed the committee report.

He distributed the third draft of the Mission and Operating Procedure. Among the suggestions are

• that committee members could have a second consecutive term in order to provide consistency.

• “maintenance” should be moved to the Facilities Committee

• two parishioners should be present to supervise work such as the carving of the stones outside the church.

Tom said that good work had been done on the draft which should be completed soon. Committee Chair Peg Wood is retiring. Nominations for replacement will be made by the clergy.

Jay said that there need to be more specific property and circumstance (which buildings and redecoration vs. re-building or new construction).

When David K. asked about procedures which are used by committees,

Lee G. said that the committees have not met for a while; Tom O. agreed that it is difficult for the committees to get together.

Rector Nominating Committee: Hal Cofer

Hal reported that so far 12 rector applicants have been processed. The committee has read applications and made conference calls. More names are to be processed. The Bishop and Canon Calloway have been a great help.

Property Use Committee

The Committee distributed its report.

Lee G. distributed the cottage removal report and photographs.

Executive Committee: Lee Gaby

Lee read several letters which were addressed to the church.

He asked for comments about hosting a staff appreciation luncheon.

Jay commented that the vestry needs more help on vestry cooking evening.

Jay said there needs to some kind of recognition for elderly parishioners who have helped the parish for so many years.

Lee reminded vestry commission chairs that first draft of commission reports are due October 10.

The vestry needs to elect a member to the Pope Street Association Board. Mo. Mandy asked that it be done before vestry election if possible, and that this election be put on the vestry agenda for November.

Action Items:

Approval of Minutes for August 24:

Robin B. moved that Jay’s directly quoted motion, as written in the August minutes, stating that a vestry member be included on the Pope Street Association Board be approved. Seconded and approved.

David Kidd moved that the 11 vestry candidates be approved, including the two persons who have not yet answered. They will be included on the slate if they agree to run for office. .

Motion seconded. 13 voted yes; Robin Krause abstained.

Ratify E-mail voting:

David K. asked how e-mail voting will be added to the minutes. The Executive Committee will discuss the matter and report back to the vestry.

Diocesan Expenses for delegates to annual meeting

After discussion, Penny moved and Wren seconded that parish spend up to $1850. for lodging and per diem for the delegates and alternates attending diocesan meeting in the spring. (#650180 line item in budget) Passed.

Archival of Web Documents

Mo. Mandy said that Peter’s correspondence will be moved to the parish archives.

Rector Nominating Committee

The Vestry approved the following resolution:

“In the event that the Rector Nominating Committee has not completed its work by the end of the current vestry term, it is agreed that Hal Cofer will continue to serve as the Vestry representative to the Committee until completion.”

Mo. Mandy

• reported that some people with physical disabilities cannot get into the church. A committee is looking into the options to develop easier access., primarily at transept doors.

• announced that Trey and Vanessa Beasley and family are joining Emmanuel.

Good of the Order

Mo Mandy has not yet made definite plans for her future assignment.

Brian reminded everyone to bring “square dancing togs” to the hoedown.

Lee G. announced that Dry Bones continues working together for the future good of the parish.

Penny thanked Allison for organizing the vestry’s parish meal for the Wednesday night supper.

Lee G. gave thanks for the Thanksgiving altar.

David K. announced that Lena Watkins is retiring from her Thanksgiving dinner preparation. The Outreach Committee is working on continuing the tradition.

Jay said that vestry should continue reading the parish website because the rector candidates will also read the website. Vestry members should be prepared to give answers to candidates.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:25.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the vestry