Present: Amrey Harden, Butch Bush, Hal Cofer, Lee Albright, Robin Krause, Wren Howard, Lee Gaby, Jay Shinn, Mo Mandy Brady, David Kidd, Allison Clements, David Woodruff, Robin Bewley, Penny McLanahan, Tom Odom

Absent: Brian Tison

Guests: Monty Montgomery, Jones Drewry, Joyce Hudson

The meeting was opened at 7 PM by Mother Mandy who led the group in song and prayed the Collect for the Feast of St. Andrew.

David Woodruff gave the devotional: “Ten things I have to be thankful for.”

Special guest Monty Montgomery said that he would prefer that the Sunday service use the Prayer Book instead of the booklet that is now used at the 10 AM service. He also would like to return to private baptisms instead of group baptisms.

Special guest Jones Drewry explained that he has been a member of Emmanuel for 67 years and has never attended a vestry meeting. He decided to see what it” was all about.”

Announcements:

Lee A. said that there will be a pot luck breakfast before the annual meeting on December 11. The parish will provide be extra strata for those who want to come but who are not able to bring dishes.

Lee G. announced that Emmanuel will host IHM the week of December 11.

Special guest Joyce Hudson spoke about Emmanuel’s participation in The Natural Spirituality movement. She reviewed its history and explained that it is dedicated to “deepening and expanding Christian life with one’s inner and outer life.”

She distributed both a handout about the movement and the publication “The Rose” which she edits and which and has a large nationwide circulation.

There will be two Natural Spirituality conferences which will host participants from all over the country--one at Camp Mikell February 10-12, the other in the summer at Kanuga.

Joyce thanked Mo. Mandy for her support of the movement.

Lee G. had copies of Joyce’s book Natural Spirituality for sale.

Reports:

Priest-in-Charge:

Mother Mandy said that her schedule may be somewhat erratic because Mica was undergoing radiation at the University Vet School

She announced that she was one of two finalists for the rector’s position in Ohio but withdrew because she felt it was not a good fit.

She commended Bill Hicks and his committee who server 575 Thanksgiving meals.

Worship Commission: Robin Krause

Robin distributed the Worship Committee Report. She announced that Emmanuel will be open each evening for Advent Open Doors through December 23. She asked for volunteers to unlock and lock doors at the church each day.

Parish Life Commission: Lee Albright

Lee A. distributed the Parish Life Commission report. There were no additional announcements.

Day School Commission: No report

Finance Committee: Amrey Harden

Report was distributed. David W. asked if statements of contributions had been sent out to parishioners. Butch said that they should be sent out quarterly.

Stewardship Committee: Robin Bewley

Mo. Mandy announced that the parish has received 230 pledges to date for $506,000. which is about $10,000 more than the entire pledges for last year. She said, “We are doing better.”

Property Use Master Plan Committee: no report

Resolution under Action Items

Executive Committee: Lee Gaby

Lee distributed the Executive Committee report and thanked Jay for taking careful minutes.

Lee announced that there will be a short vestry meeting after the annual meeting December 11.

The vestry retreat will be January 20-22.

He urged the vestry to prepare for questions from rector candidates, especially those questions which concerned the stewardship of the vestry.

Hal Cofer announced that there were several good candidates for rector. The search committee hopes to have a date for the announcement soon. The bishop will interview and meet any candidate who is not from within the diocese. Hal also said that several of the good candidates are also on other parishes’ lists.

Lee G. distributed a draft of the Annual Report “Windows of Love” and urged vestry members to make additions or corrections by Monday, December 5. Terri Tillman is working on the graphics.

There will be a “run-through” for the annual meeting at 10AM on December 10.

Action Items

1. Approval of Minutes of October 26, 2005, vestry meeting. Amended to include clarification of African Bible worship and to include clarification of AGM motion.

Robin B. moved to approve amended minutes. Approved. Allison C. abstained because she was not at the meeting.

2. Appointment of Williams-Rhodes Screening Committee Members:

Mike Chalker is to replace Claire Baxter and Ivey Adams is to fill Chuck Galis’s position at the end of 2005. Approved.

3. Appointment to the Emmanuel Parish Endowment Fund, Inc. Board of Trustees

Butch moved that Mike Fitzgerald be appointed to fill the remaining term vacated by Jack Coplin. He said that the Finance Committee is over the Endowment Board which meets quarterly. Approved.

4. Appointment of Architecture, Gifts & Memorial Committee Members

Tom O. proposed that Mo Mandy’s nominee, David Kidd, be chair of AGM Committee for next year. He nominated Jenny Broadnax and Anna Dyer for terms to expire in January 2009. Approved.

Lee G. suggested that Peg Wood be recognized for her contributions as chair of the AGM Committee.

Tom O. said that the vestry needs to send a letter to the County stating that Emmanuel will cooperate with the County’s tree planting projects.

Tom O. announced that there are only 10 copies left of “Windows of Emmanuel.” He asked if the book should be reprinted, a process that will be expensive.

David K. believes that Harry Yates has the negatives. He asked if the project should be a money-making project or an outreach project if the book is reprinted. Allison K. asked if it could be put on the website. Jay said that there needs to be some control of the costs.

5. Resolution to Authorize the Executive Committee to Approve Williams-Rhodes Grants for the 4th Quarter

No action taken.

6. Resolution to Authorize the Property Use Master Plan Committee to Chose Proposal for Cottage Relocation

Lee G. moved that the following resolution be approved:

“Re-affirm the Vestry commitment to relocate the two cottages located on Pope Street and to authorize the Property Use Master Plan Committee to select the proposal for relocation of the cottages that it feels will best satisfy the needs of the parish and have the best chance of approval by the Athens-Clarke County Government.”

This resolution will give Lee Epting more time to clarify his plan for moving the cottages. The only cost to the church will be site recovery.

David W. seconded. Passed 13 yes; one, no.

7. Resolutions for Spending Authority

Butch proposed that there be guidelines for spending and overspending (as shown in handout) since reserves are dwindling. The committee proposed the resolution because the bylaws about spending are loose and since the Vestry has sole discretion over the budget. These resolutions will give the Vestry a procedure for spending funds. “It is recognized that the vestry can make exceptions to this procedure if emergency circumstances demand it.”

The vestry amended Item 7.2 to read “$100. in non-emergency spending.” It was asked if “clergy” be included in Item 7.2.

Lee G. believes that the parish treasurer should be involved in spending procedures.

The Vestry will try to find time at the Vestry retreat to go over the procedures.

Moved that resolution be approved. Passed.

8. Approval of Tentative Parish Budget

Butch and Amrey distributed draft budget which needed to be approved so that staff can be paid.

The budget is based on pledges. Personnel, upkeep and utilities are the largest expenses. Currently the budget cannot be balanced without dipping into reserves.

Butch announced that the income must be raised because in 2005, $55,000. came from the surplus.

Cobb House restoration is not in the budget.

Cuts in the 2006 budget are based on historical analysis.

David K. asked if the surplus funds are in different accounts such as the escrow

accounts. Does this accounting change the amount of surplus funds?

David K. suggested that the budget figures be given to every parish member.

Penny suggested that there be a 24 month projection of the budget. She also thanked the members of the Finance Committee for their hard work.

Tom O. suggested that there be a special Vestry meeting to discuss the budget.

Butch said that the “Vestry must take ownership of the budget.”

The tentative budget was approved.

It was announced that the McLeod family had donated a marble ambry in honor of Larry McLeod.

Good of the Order

Robin K. thanked Lee for obtaining the “cool tables” in the Vestry meeting room.

Butch commended Brian for doing a wonderful job with the Stewardship Committee.

The Vestry’s ideas about the importance of stewardship should be presented at the annual meeting.

Hal said, “I’ve enjoyed being on the vestry.”

Lee A. thanked the retiring Vestry members for their hard work.

Jay commended the group for its dedication. He said that he will miss the Vestry, thanked the group and thanked Lee for his leadership.

Lee G. distributed “The Devotion for the Emmanuel Episcopal Vestry.”

Mo Mandy led the closing prayer.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the Vestry