Emmanuel Vestry Minutes April 26, 2006

Present: Lee Albright, Gillian Ball, John Ballard, Robin Bewley, Butch Bush, Katherine Byrne, Allison Clements, Amrey Harden, Wren Howard, Robin Krause, Penny McLanahan, Tom Odom, Brian Tison, Betsy Turner, David Woodruff, Father Robert; Lee Gaby and Duncan Krause, PUMP

Senior Warden Robin B. opened the meeting at 7:00 PM

Robin K. and Wren led the vestry in the hymn “Behold”

Penny gave the devotional based on a part in the book Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. She pointed out that God has a message for all of us.

David welcomed Father Robert to the parish.

Father Robert read a portion of the next Sunday’s gospel. He challenged the vestry, as leaders of the parish, to “live in the truth that the light has to offer us.” He said that “we must be authentic to what we are; we can’t be afraid of who we are.”

Robin B. asked for an addition to the Action Items: a vote on the Williams-Rhodes recommendation. Moved, seconded, and approved.

Duncan Krause and Lee Gaby of PUMP presented an update on the cottage removal application.

• The application to the Historic Commission includes three items

1. Move the meeting house cottage

2. Move the cottage to the Barber Street location

3. Move the other cottage (no location involved in the petition)

• The application was not presented at the Historic Commission’s April meeting because the Commission failed to publish the application in the public record.

• Matthew Hicks, who had planned to move the meeting house to his lot on Barber Street if the application had been approved, is not able to extend the purchase offer beyond April 30. The Historic Commission will not meet again until some time in May.

• George Sniff and his partners in DGH Properties may purchase the Barber Street lot from Matthew Hicks and may move the house if the application is approved. Duncan said that it is not clear how this will play out.

• Lee Gaby thanked Matthew Hicks for all he has done.

• Father Robert reported that Hill First Baptist Church in the historic district may be interested in obtaining the youth house in which case DGH will be asked to take the meeting house. The Hill First Baptist does not have the funds to move the cottage.

• Gillian alluded to Joyce Hudson’s letter which opposes moving the cottages. She asked Lee and Duncan why they think the move is the right thing to do. Duncan said that after several parish meetings, the consensus seems to be in favor of the move.

• During a discussion about the cottages, David said that they are not salvageable for the church’s needs. John asked the price of the lot on Barber Street, which is $98,000. The vestry agreed that the church is not in the” building business” and should not buy the lot. Duncan said that he will keep the vestry updated on application and pointed out that until decisions are made; there is “a logjam for the parish’s future development.” Robin B. thanked Matthew Hicks for trying to “make it work.”

Reports

Finance: Posted online: Amrey

• In March, the income was $55,598.00; expenses were $55,838. The total income is still ahead for the year. There are no out of the ordinary expenses. Fr. Robert believes that the annual deficit can be eliminated by the end of the year through an increase in pledges and through home visits to parishioners who have not pledged.

Extended Ministries: John

• John distributed the committee report.

• He announced that the commission is trying to coordinate Williams-Rhodes, Thrift House and Outreach with the Haitian ministries’ requests. Gillian, a

W-R committee member pointed out that the Williams-Rhodes Committee “needs some guidance from the vestry as far as the Haitian ministries are concerned.” She said, ““We would feel better if we knew what we are responsible for.” Robin B. said that W/R chairman Philip Cofer came to the Executive Committee with the same request.

Robin B. suggested that W-R and the Extended Ministries commission chair come up with a solution because the Haitian ministry is a parish commitment. Amrey volunteered to meet with the group.

Fr. Robert said that this issue could be a good example of vestry’s sharing its concerns with the entire parish. He also suggested that on one Sunday each month a different ministry present its mission to the parishioners during a meeting that would be held between services. The time could also be used by vestry members to listen to parishioners’ concerns.

• IHN at Emmanuel will be May 28-June 4. Training will be May 21.

• Outreach: John reported that Lena Watkins, whose house burned down, is now in an apartment until the assessment of her house is completed. Both she and Godfrey and his family from Liberia, are on the immediate list for assistance.

Communication: Wren

Wren asked that the vestry correct and approve the minutes on line in a timely manner.

Resources: Tom

• Tom reported that there will be an SOP for the Facilities Committees involved with the Resource Commission.

• Robin B. suggested that the SOP might include a procedure by which members will rotate off committees. Tom said he will look into this; however, there is a larger issue because some continuity of membership may be necessary.

• The AGM meeting was productive. Alan Stovall and Jay Shinn are liaisons along with Tom on the AGM and facilities committees.

Pastoral Care: Penny

The report is posted and has been sent to Bob Wood for the website.

Worship: Robin K.

Robin announced that the bishop sends communications to people on his website.

She distributed “The Bishop’s Customary for Pastoral Visitations.”

Faith Development: Katherine

The report is posted.

• Katherine thanked Amrey for meeting with her and Katie Lawrence and going over the EYC budget.

• She suggested that the commission looks at different sources to see what the parishioners want. Patrick Cline has agreed to co-chair the committee.

Day School:

• Graduation for 4-year olds will be May 18 at 9:15 in the sanctuary.

• All spaces in the 3-year old classes are filled.

• Teachers will get their contracts.

Parish Life: Lee

• Lee is trying to coordinate receptions and other occasions to welcome Father Robert to the parish.

• She announced that there will be a NE Georgia Convocation Meeting: Pre-Convention Forum at Emmanuel on May 20.

Senior Warden Report: Robin B.

• Robin referred to the January vestry meeting where she had urged each commission chair to get a co-chair from the parish. Lee said Betsy has volunteered for the Parish Life Commission and Allison said that the Director of the Day School will join her commission.

• Robin B. distributed a sign-up sheet to vestry members for “Diversity and Safeguarding God’s Children Training.” (Some members have already taken the course.) Allison said that the vestry should re-affirm its commitment to this course.

• Brian announced that he has begun looking into spending/communication procedures with commission chairs.

• Robin B. asked that there be a special meeting to review facilities.

• Robin B. distributed golf tournament/ sponsorship forms and suggested that the vestry sponsor a hole. Members contributed funds for that purpose.

Action Items

Budget

• Amrey announced that the budget was posted and that there have been several additional requests since the last draft.

EYC will receive $7,000.

Scott Goodwin will receive $7,950 for music, ($2,400. for an assistant for children’s choir, $1,600. for special events, $3,350. for music, $600.for supply organist.)

• The proposed budget has a projected $42,000.00 deficit for the year.

• Robin B. said that the $82, 000.00 escrow account cannot be moved to supplement the yearly budget. She also said, “We need to watch the deficit and may have to rework the budget later in the year.”

• Brian suggested that the vestry share with the congregation how the budget is spent.

• Amrey recommended that the budget be approved. Approved. By 14 members. John needed to leave before the vote.

Stained Glass Window Cleaning

• Tom distributed Maryanne Parr’s estimate to clean and restore the windows.

• Butch said that there is $40,000. in the parish budget for all maintenance needs and $40,000. in the escrow account for maintenance.

• Tom moved to authorize $25,000. out of the escrow account to clean windows in priority order. Brian seconded. Approved by 14 members.

Robin announced that the Extended Ministries Commission moved to approve the Williams/Rhodes recommendations. The motion was passed by 13 votes (John and Brian had to leave early).

Rector’s Report

Father Robert

• needs to give the Bishop a choice of two dates for his installation as rector of Emmanuel. July 23 and July 30 were suggested.

• said that he was happy to be here and that all his expectations have been validated.

• said that his main concerns deal with finances and the future. These include property issues because there is no long range plan. He wants to have a healing role so that we can move forward and best deal with the property issues which divide the parish. He believes that the parish must think of alternatives and where to put resources.

• wants the Prayer Book to be primary in the ritual.

• needs to resolve office space and wants volunteers in the office to help free up the staff.

• wants to meet with all the commissions.

• believes there is a great sense of community in the parish; the members want to do their missions.

• announced that there will be Education Formation Classes.

Betsy asked how soon the vestry will begin meeting with parishioners between services: hopefully soon.

Good of the Order

Robin B. thanked the Finance Committee for their work.

Robin K thanked Betsy for the new frontlet for the altar.

Penny appreciates the altar’s facing the congregation.

May meeting: May 17

Fr. Robert closed the meeting with a prayer at 9:30.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, Clerk of the Vestry