Approved Vestry Minutes March 22, 2006

Present: Amrey Harden, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Penny McLanahan, Gillian Ball, Robin Krause, Lee Albright, Wren Howard, Butch Bush, Dave Woodruff, Brian Tison, Mo. Mandy Brady, Tom Odom, Allison Clements

Duncan Krause, PUMP Committee

Absent: Robin Bewley, Betsy Turner

Junior Warden Brian Tison called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.

Mo. Mandy led the singing of hymn “Day by Day”

Allison Clements gave the devotional based on the booklet Spirituality and Money. She pointed out that money can be the chief spiritual issue in life. She said that God does not need our giving; rather we need to give as part of our relationship with God.

Duncan Krause of the PUMP Committee presented an update about Emmanuel’s application to relocate the cottages. The Committee had met with Sean Hogan and it became apparent that there are “holes in our request and the Historical Commission would probably turn us down.” PUMP decided to withdraw the application, make changes and come before the Commission in April. Naomi Norman will make the text changes. The revised request may have a better chance of being approved.

• There will be details about the improved site plans once the cottages are relocated.

• The parish will ask the Commission to approve moving both cottages instead of just the meeting house.

PUMP will try to win in the first round (before an appeal) because if the Historical Commission turns Emmanuel down, no changes can be made during the appeal process.

Dave W. asked what objection the Historical Commission has to the removal. Duncan said the Commission considers relocation to be the same as demolition.

He said that if the press calls vestry members about the application, they should refer the reporters to Duncan, other committee members, Mo. Mandy or the senior warden. He has invited a reporter to tour the area.

The hearing will be April 19, 5:30 PM, 120 W. Dougherty Street.

Tom O. reported that a neighbor had complained about the derelict condition of the cottages.

Commission Reports

Finance: Amrey Harden

Amrey reported that

• at two months into the new year, income is over expenses by $22,000.

• the new budget will include the new rector’s pay package

• Rev. Britton will be paid through April.

• the budget is not complete because two commissions, EYC and music, have requested additional funds. The Finance Commission will need time to look into the request, and the postponement will give the new rector time to familiarize himself with the budget.

Extended Ministries: John Ballard

• John reported that IHN guests are coming the week of March 26. EYC is helping, but more volunteers will be welcome.

• John said that Linda Ford is concerned that the Thrift House pays rent whereas the Community Connection does not for space in the building behind the parking lot. Brian reported that there are negotiations with the Community Connection about paying rent in the future.

• The William Rhodes committee is making progress.

• John reported that Sharon Rockholt is concerned that there is a narrow, possibly hazardous, railing at the Christian Connection’s fire escape. This could prove to be dangerous to the IHM guests and their children as well as to parishioners who may use the stairs.

Communication: Wren Howard

Wren said that the first draft of the minutes will be e-mailed to the vestry members who can make comments and corrections. Then the corrected minutes will be e-mailed back to the vestry for their votes. She asked that all members respond on time.

Resource: Tom Odom

• Tom announced that copies of the AGM minutes are in the vestry members’

boxes.

• The Facilities Committee is working on an operating procedure.

• Tom would like to have a special session with the vestry about the maintenance of the facilities.

Stewardship: Gillian Ball

• Gillian asked where the posters of the Vestry Stewardship Statement should be displayed. It was agreed that they should be hung in the hallway next to the vestry members’ pictures, in the common room and in the vestry meeting room (white building).

• Gillian announced that Robin K. purchased note cards to give to the nominating committee in appreciation for their work. She and Allison Clements had written notes, wrapped gifts and distributed them to the Nominating Committee. Gillian also said that a joint vestry and nominating committee social would be held at Peggy Allen’s home.

There was discussion about procedures for parishioners getting reimbursed for expenses they may incur. Brian said that Melissa has forms, and expenditures must be approved by commission chairs. He pointed out Karen needs to understand that there are to be no reimbursement without the forms.

Mo. Mandy said that Karen needs records of expenditures. Butch said that commission chairs can get expense printouts every 90 days from Karen.

John suggested that there be a meeting of commission and committee chairs to explain these procedures.

Lee asked who will be responsible for expenses that may encompass several chairs’ committees; i.e. kitchen supplies.

Brian anticipates that procedures for monitoring and spending will be worked out before the next vestry meeting.

Pastoral Care: Penny McLanahan

Penny announced that there will be a Pastoral Care Committee in place before Fr. Robert gets here. She will have a report next month.

Priest in Charge: Mo. Mandy

Mo. Mandy announced that

• April 2 will be Father Gene’s last Sunday at Emmanuel. There will be a reception which will include a purse.

• she has an interview at a parish in New Jersey at the end of March.

Junior Warden’s Report:

• Brian distributed Father Robert’s letter of agreement which is to be discussed as an action item.

• He distributed the Holiness Code that was then signed by the vestry member.

• He asked if there is a procedure for shutting down the kitchen after the Wednesday night suppers. This will be looked into.

• He encouraged commission chairs to find co-chairs in order to get more parishioners involved in the workings of the church. Mo. Mandy can provide names of good candidates.

• He suggested that there be a vestry facilities meeting with Tom after Easter.

• On Robin B.’s request, the vestry agreed to move the May meeting from May 24 to May 17 at 7 PM.

Action Items:

• Vote on the budget was postponed until the April meeting.

• The following amendments were included in Father Robert’s Letter of Agreement:

Section C:

d and e: Medical and dental insurance will include family plan.

g. “Term life insurance in the amount of $50,000.”

Section E.”The Rector’s Discretionary Fund is funded by the Williams Rhodes Endowment Fund and is to be spent in accordance with diocesan guidelines.”

Wren moved and Tom seconded that the letter be approved with the amendments.

Passed unanimously.

• Amrey presented the resolution for Mo. Mandy’s and Father Robert’s housing allowance:

“Whereas the Rev. Amanda Brady is employed as a minister of the Gospel by Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Athens, Georgia, which does not provide a residence for her, the vestry resolves that the total compensation of $63,000 to be paid to her during 2006, that $35,000 be designated a parsonage allowance within the meaning of that term as used in Section 197 of the IRS Cod of 1986.”

The same resolution was presented for Father Robert with the following changes:

Total compensation $105,000. Designated Housing Allowance: $25,000.

Amrey moved and Butch seconded that the resolution be accepted. Passed unanimously.

John moved and Tom seconded that the Transition Committee shall continue its work. Passed unanimously.

Good of the order

Mo. Mandy said that an outside group wants to use the parking lot near the Thrift House. No action was taken.

Robin K. announced that vestry participation day for the Stations of the Cross is

March 31 at 5:30.

Allison C. thanked Tinker Boatwright and Butch for cooking the barbecue for vestry’s Wednesday church supper.

Tom O. showed a copy of “The Pilgrimage,” The Samaritan Counseling Center newsletter. Emmanuel is now listed as one for the sponsoring congregations. Gillian commented that Emmanuel does a lot of outreach and it is “nice to be recognized.”

Lee thanked Allison for coordinating the vestry Wednesday suppers for two years.

Robin K. thanked the vestry for the gift of the cherry tree in memory of her father.

She also thanked Mo. Mandy for providing the dinner during the vestry meeting when the rector nominations were discussed.

Penny will give the April meeting devotional.

Next meeting: April 26, 7 PM

After the closing prayer, the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the vestry