Emmanuel Episcopal Church Vestry Minutes June 28, 2006

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

Absent: Betsy Turner, David Woodruff, Allison Clements

Guests: Lee Gaby, Bob Wood, Duncan Krause

At 7 PM, Father Robert opened the meeting with a prayer.

Gillian gave the devotional which stressed the importance of stewardship. She said that “God is the owner of us all. We must ask ‘What is God’s purpose and vision for us?’ Then we must act in accordance with that purpose and vision.”

The vestry sang the hymn “Take Me as I Am.”

PUMP committee members Bob Wood, Duncan Krause and Lee Gaby distributed

“Proposed Recommendations of the Property Use Master Plan Committee,” which concerned the possible relocation of the cottage at 685 North Pope Street (The Meeting House) to 228 Barber Street.

• Bob explained that the 228 Barber Street location is the only available lot in the Historic District and the house cannot be moved outside a Historic District.

• He said the relocation is contingent on the Historic Preservation Commission’s and the County Commission’s permission to move the property to the Barber Street location. The criterion for moving has changed because of an ordinance change and the chances of getting permission to move the cottage look more positive.

• BonaFide Construction will relocate the house to its lot on Barber Street if the move is approved.

• BonaFide Construction will take the lot off the market through December 2006 in exchange for the following from Emmanuel: 1) payments of $230.00 per month through December (This is ½ of Bonafide’s note payment on the lot.), 2) half the cost of moving the house (not to exceed $15,000.00) and 3) application costs not to exceed $500.00. The total will be approximately $17,000.00.

• The money would come from the property reserve budget with has $90,000.00 in it.

• The PUMP Committee asked the vestry to approve a motion to let the committee go ahead with this plan.

• There will be added wording which would require BonaFide to clear the Emmanuel lot and to make it safe.

• If the vestry approves, the contract would be looked at by an attorney.

Bob said that the other cottage could not be moved unless there is a lot available.

Brian asked about Hill Baptist’s interest in the other cottage, but so far there is no commitment.

Duncan said that the Barber Street lot proposal may still be turned down by the Commission.

Penny asked if Emmanuel “would be out” the $230. per month till January. Bob answered “yes” because for that amount BonaFide will take the property off the market. She asked about liability and what would be an alternate plan if the Commission turns down or postpones the application. PUMP will put an Emmanuel non-liability clause into the contract.

Father Robert asked how the news of expenses will affect the parish because previously members were told that moving the house would not cost anything. He said, “We must communicate with the parish about the plan.”

The vestry will write a letter to all Emmanuel members and will hold a forum between services on July 9 to inform parishioners of the plan.

The vestry asked the PUMP to continue negotiations with BonaFide; the vestry will come to a decision after the July 9 forum.

Bob said the vestry should have an answer by the middle of July if the plan is to go before the commission in August.

Reports:

Finance, Stewardship and Faith Development Commissions reports were submitted electronically.

Communications Commission: Wren

Wren announced that the Communications Commission met with Myra Blackmon on June 11. Myra urged the commission to think of its mission as broader than only providing parish tools like The Tower; it also should decide what its visions should be. She emphasized that communications does not only mean saying something; it also means listening.

Extended Ministries: John

John said that Williams/Rhodes Committee is getting applications.

September 11 is Extended Ministries Vestry Sunday.

Father Robert would like more information on the extended ministries of the parish; i.e. Bloomfield Fund.

Junior Warden: Brian

Upcoming important dates:

• July 2, 9:30: Vestry Sunday: Stewardship

• July 16, 1 PM: Vestry Mini-Retreat on Future Planning

• August 22 and 29, 1 PM. Procedural training workshop for spending/communications for Commission Co-Chairs: Karen will be asked to attend. Amrey distributed budget work sheet forms to vestry. He would like to begin working on the 2007 budget in September.

• There have been no dates designated for Diversity and Safeguarding God’s Children training.

Brian announced that Piedmont College has asked permission to use part of Emmanuel’s parking lots after 5 PM when evening classes are in session. John said that the Huddle House lot is not used much. Brian will pursue this matter with Piedmont College.

Rector’s Report: Father Robert

• Father Robert announced that Mo Mandy is on a 2 month sabbatical—a pilgrimage in Spain and a Spanish immersion study in Mexico.

• He believes that the parish might benefit from fulltime positions for both Youth Ministry and Religious Formation Ministry.

• Katie Lawrence will remain at Emmanuel and Georgia Collier will leave after VBS.

• Emmanuel has gained 23 members during June.

• There were two deaths in the parish in June: Bill Kemp and Polly Bowden

• Buddy Broadnax and Bobby Gibson are in the hospital.

The vestry discussed the PUMP committee report. There will be no vote for or against the proposal to move the Meeting House until after the parish forum on July 9. Robin B. said, “We will be committed if we vote to go with the contract.” Father Robert wants the parishioners to be informed of all the steps as they are taken.

Father Robert distributed printouts of the answers to the Dry Bones Live Groups and the surveys for the rector search. He asked the vestry to read the reports and to ask “What are the assets based on this information when the vestry considers long-range planning.”

The vestry devotionals will be given as follows: August-Butch, September—Penny, October—Wren, November—Brian, December, Tom.

Good of the order:

Robin B. read a thank you note to the vestry for their sponsorship of the golf tournament.

Lee thanked the vestry for their support during her mother’s illness.

Father Robert thanked Lee for her help with the meet-the-rector desserts.

There will be no July 26 vestry meeting.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the vestry