Emmanuel Episcopal Church Vestry Minutes, May 17, 2006

Present: Robin Krause, Katherine Byrne, Betsy Turner, Allison Clements, Gillian Ball, Brian Tison, Wren Howard, Robin Bewley, John Ballard, Lee Albright, Father Robert, Tom Odom, Penny McLanahan, Amrey Harden

Absent: Butch Bush, David Woodruff

Senior Warden Robin Bewley called the meeting to order at 7 PM.

Robin K. led the vestry in the song, “Presentation Hymn.”

Father Robert led the devotion and Bible study citing The Ragamuffin Gospel; he spoke about the power of love.

Changes to the agenda: Amrey will present the financial reports.

Reports:

PUMP Update:

• Robin B. reported that Duncan Krause had spoken with Bob Wood about the Meeting house. Bob said that George Sniff may be interested in obtaining the Meeting House and is looking into the property.

• The Vestry set a special meeting on facilities at 7 PM, Wednesday, June 7.

Amrey distributed a summary of revenues. He reported that revenues exceeded expenses for April by $11,000+, but that revenues are $70,000.00 below where they should be for the year. Robin B. said that the revenues are on a slightly upward trend.

Communication: Wren announced that Mo. Mandy will be co-chair of the commission.

Pastoral Care: Penny said that Elaine Crowne will co-chair the commission.

Day School: Allison announced that Director Amy Wraga will be paid by the Day School. She opted out health care and will at some point be compensated for that amount.

Outreach: John said that the Commission will work through the system to help the Godfrey family with shelter and other needs.

Junior Warden Report: Brian Tison

• Brian thanked Lee for all the work she has done for arranging the desserts welcoming Father Robert.

• He urged the commission chairs to find out which committee chairs are responsible for different line items in the budget.

Senior Warden Report: Robin Bewley

• Robin B. distributed the list of names of those who needed “Safeguarding our Children” and “Diversity Training.” Wren volunteered to co-ordinate the “Diversity Training.”

• Robin asked how the church plans write the membership check to the Samaritan Counseling Center. Father Robert said that he will take care of it.

• She read the poem “You’re It.”

• She said that the vestry needs to start planning the 2007 budget which will be approved in December. She also indicated that “we need to dream about things to be approved in September 2007. The budget can reflect our dream.”

Rector’s Report: Father Robert

Father Robert

• feels that “we need to revalidate Dry Bones.’

• would like to have program software for the budget so that that there will be a month to month record of where the budget is supposed to be.

• found attending committee meetings “helpful.”

• Feels that there is a need for Inquirers’ Classes and for Catechumens Classes.

• Will change some “setups” in the services.

All readings will be from the same side.

All other announcements will be from the eagle side.

There will be two lay readers for each service in order to get more people involved and to separate the liturgical readings from the announcements.

There will be no printed readings, but there will be references to the Bible which are in the pews.

Tom asked if we may soon have three services. Father Robert said only if there is need.

Father Robert distributed “Strategic Planning at Emmanuel Church.”

He feels that Planning has to happen soon because “people are ready to move. We need to be pro-active.”

Robin B. wanted to know the difference between “Vision” and “Mission.” Father Robert said that “Vision is God’s plan; the Mission is our answer or response.

Amrey asked Fr. Robert to share his thoughts about strategic planning. Father Robert answered that he believes that the vestry has a role of “raising the parish up.” The vestry should implement the strategic planning rather than being only commission chairs; it should be liaisons and reevaluate the structure of the parish. He sees the vestry as being the group that helps other groups understand their roles.

There was a discussion of the different functions of parish committees, such as the Endowment Board. Father Robert believes that the vestry should ultimately be in charge; the vision, mission and goals should be long range.

Gillian asked how to get information and objectives from different committees of the parish. Father Robert believes that the vestry should get accountability. He thinks that the trustees of the Endowment Board and the vestry should get together, possibly two times a year.

Brian suggested that nominations to the Endowment Board be made public ahead of the vote of the vestry.

Father Robert reiterated the importance of the vestry’s being in the Common Room one Sunday a month to answer questions and to inform the parishioners of what is happening in the parish.

Robin B. said the plan will take a while to build with the schedule as follows:

June 4, 9:30—no specific focus. The vestry will be present and answer questions.

July 2, 9:30—Gillian will present “Stewardship.”

August 6, 9:30—Katherine will present “Education and Spiritual Formation.”

Lee said that the parish needs a focus for volunteers.

There will be a Strategic Planning (Vision) Workshop for the vestry on July 16.

Father Robert asked how vestry retreats are planned. He suggested that there be a focus on servant hood or planning.

Action Items:

John moved and Brian seconded that the $8000.00 received from the insurance company for the flooding in the Common Room be used to replace the floor. Passed.

Good of the Order:

John said that he loves going to church at Emmanuel.

Fr. Robert announced that Mo. Mandy is going on sabbatical leave in June and July.

Katherine hopes that everyone is healthy and happy.

Allison announced that her 11-year old said, “Church is really for old people.”

Wren said, “Change is good.”

Next meeting: June 28.

Closing prayer: Robin B.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the vestry.