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Emmanuel Episcopal Church Vestry Minutes August 23, 2006 Present: Lee Albright, Katherine Byrne, Wren Howard, Betsy Turner, Penny McLanahan, Father Robert, Brian Tison, John Ballard, Gillian Ball, Butch Bush, Amrey Harden, Tom Odom, Robin Krause, Mo Mandy Absent: Robin Bewley, Allison Clements, David Woodruff Guests: Duncan Krause, Bob Wood, Naomi Norman, Jay Shinn Junior Warden Brian Tison called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Butch led the devotional which concerned stewardship. He pointed out that if you reach for earthly riches, you don’t have time for God’s gifts which should be shared with others. He said we should get into the habit of giving things away; the Kingdom of God should be our primary concern. Reports: Duncan Krause of the PUMP Committee recapped the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of Emmanuel’s request to relocate one of the cottages (the Youth House). • Jim Warnes presented Emmanuel’s case, and several members of the parish spoke either for or against the move. • The Historic Preservation Commission had no discussion and there were no questions. • The Commission unanimously denied the request. Duncan asked the vestry if the church should appeal to the Athens-Clarke County Commission. The appeal must be made by 30 days from August 31. Gillian asked PUMP if they had the energy to proceed with an appeal, and PUMP said that they would follow through if the vestry so decided. Bob Wood suggested that PUMP and the vestry should invite commissioners to hear their request before the Commission meeting; the vestry should be as informative as possible. Naomi said, “We need to let the commissioners know that this is a win-win situation” Duncan explained, “This is a win-win situation because 1) we gain the use of the property; 2) The Boulevard Historic District wins because the house stays in the District; and 3) the county wins because the house becomes part of the tax rolls. Jay Shinn said that this must be a lobbying effort. Butch asked, “Who are the pivotal votes on the County Commission? We need a plan to address them.” Naomi suggested that “we put sheets together for talking points.” Lee said that the commissioners should know that instead of spending money on renovations of the cottages, we could put the funds into other programs. Fr. Robert had heard that the Historic Commission believes that we did not address the parish’s inability to use the cottages. Brian asked PUMP to continue the appeal if the vestry votes to do so (an action item). Amrey asked if the Land Trust proposed in a letter to renovate and use the property. There was no discussion of this at this time. Finance: Butch Report was submitted by e-mail The Finance Committee received a notice from the Diocese that suggested that the 2007 pledge from Emmanuel should be $58, 654 (10% of current budget). The most recent pledge was $40,000. If the parish contributes the $58,000+ pledge there will be less money for Outreach. Fr. Robert said that the diocese gives much back to the parishes. The finance committee believes that Emmanuel needs to get its pledges up to $650,000.00 Butch suggested that the parish go with the $58,640 pledge to the diocese. Fr. Robert said that the pledge builds healthy relations with the diocese. Brian said that the budget amount is $62,626.00. Extended Ministries: John Report submitted by e-mail. Communications: Wren Report submitted by e-mail. Resources: Tom No report Stewardship: Gillian Report submitted by e-mail. Gillian hopes that pledges will be returned by October 8 to have a final pledge number to the vestry by November 6. Pastoral Care: Penny Report submitted by e-mail. Parish Life: Lee Report submitted by e-mail. Lee thanked Ivy Adams and her committee for helping with the youth ministries fair supper on September 13. She said that the name tags in the vestibule are a spin-off from the Welcoming Committee. Worship: Robin K No report Faith Development: Report submitted by e-mail. Day School: No report. Junior Warden’s Report: Brian The procedural training for spending/communications for Commission Chairs was August 22. The next meeting will be August 29 at 1:00 PM. Action Items: Cottages Tom moved and John seconded: The vestry directs PUMP to move forward with an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of the COA to relocate the cottage (Youth House) at 685 N. Pope Street. Discussion: Amrey asked if there had been feedback in the parish about the decision. Brian and Betsy have heard pros and cons. Gillian said that she was under the impression that the HPC’s decision would be the last step. PUMP said that was the first step of getting permission to relocate the cottage. Father Robert said, “We have the right to do this. Does an outside organization have the right to say how we do our ministry and how we contribute to the community? This is part of our long-range planning.” Naomi asked the vestry to share the long range planning with PUMP. Lee said that putting money into the cottages would cut into our outreach to the community. The vestry voted unanimously to proceed with the appeal. Diocesan Pledge John moved to pledge the $60,626.00 allocated in the budget to the diocese. Betsy seconded. The vestry voted unanimously to do so. Setting date for part two of Long Range Planning Session Father Robert said that the cottage issue is part of the long range planning issue. The vestry set September 24, 12:30, for the session; place to be determined. Vestry Cooking Team Leader: John and Katherine volunteered. Anti-racism Forum: August 26 in Oakwood. Vestry Forums September 10 Parish Life—Lee October 1 Extended Ministries--John Topics for vestry retreat January 19-21 Father Robert suggested long rang planning and/or leadership Vestry (by consensus) decided that the retreat should be mostly about long range planning with some time also devoted to leadership. Topographic Map AGM requested $1250.00 to design a topographic map of the parish area. The request was tabled because there already is a map. Rector’s Report: Father Robert distributed a handout from Patty-Freeman Lynde, director of IHN. He said it was good to have Mo Mandy back. Property Use: He said it will be good to have a clean slate once the cottage issue is settled. Planning: “We need to look at the structure of the authority in the church. The Vestry is charged with authority and responsibility. Perhaps the AGM charter may need to be changed because everything on church property now goes through AGM. It should go through the vestry.” He hoped that “what we do is done in a prayerful way.” He said that with the parish going to the ACCC for the cottage relocation appeal, we would have completed the process which would allow us to go forward with a clean slate after the ACCC vote, either to use them or find another purpose somewhere else for them and we have to be confident that what we do is right. John asked how much lobbying the parish should do? The vestry should: • Speak why this relocation is good for us (Fr. Robert) • Say that the governing body has decided to go with the appeal (Brian) • Before the meeting target 6 commissioners who will vote for it (Butch) • Meet with the commissioners and have a single voice (Amrey) Good of the Order: John reported that IHN will be the week of September 24 The fund raising for the Camp Mikell pool is going well. Lee commended Katie and Katherine B. for the success of the youth fair. Tom has a young man who has to do community service and will work with the community fair. Gillian asked that the vestry members return pledge cards by September 10 and to search their hearts and minds about the amount they pledge. Robin K. announced that there will be a concert by the Meridian Women’s Chorus to benefit IHN, 7 PM, August 31, First Presbyterian Church. (Robin and Wren are members of the chorus.) Budget worksheets are due at the end of September. Tom announced that the cooling/air conditioning work will be done throughout the next year. Carter will give an estimate, and The Resource Commission will start the process of getting it together. Betsy advised that everyone look at their insurance policies to see if there is mold protection. Dates: Vestry mini retreat, September 24 location TBA Next vestry meetings—September 27, October 25; November meeting moved to November 15; parish retreat—December 2. Fr. Robert offered the concluding prayer. Meeting adjourned 9:30. Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, clerk of the vestry August 30, 2006 Approved September, 2006 by : Lee Albright, Betsy Turner, Katherine Byrne, Butch Bush, Amrey Hardin, John Ballard, Tom Odom, Wren Howard, Robin Krause, Brian Tison, Penny McLanahan, Gillian Ball Abstentions: Robin Bewley, Allison Clements, David Woodruff |
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