Emmanuel Church Vestry Minutes February 28, 2007

Present: Amrey Harden, Robin Krause, Father Robert Salamone, Phillip Cofer, Tom Odom, Katherine Byrne, Robin Bewley, Naomi Norman, Wren Howard, Betsy Turner, Penny McLanahan, Erwin Greene, John Ballard, John Becker

Absent: Gillian Ball, Bill Connerat

The meeting was called to order by senior warden Robin Bewley at 7 PM.

Betsy gave the devotional.

She distributed two cards with prayers by Thomas Merton and Francis de Sales and , through visualization, reminded the vestry that God’s love is endless. She then led the Lord’s Prayer.

There were no additions to the agenda. John Ballard moved to accept the agenda.

There were no additions to or discussions of the commission reports which were posted online. Robin B. asked chairs to e-mail Bob Wood if they do not have commission reports so that he can post that on the website.

Katherine asked for help on days when the vestry cooks for the Wednesday night suppers and sent around a sign-up sheet for the March 21 supper.

Senior Warden Report:

• Robin B. distributed “Immediate Tasks for Commission Chairs.”

• Vestry Forum: She announced that the next vestry forum is Sunday, March 3, and it will be on property issues. She asked if the parish needs vestry forums every month or should they be every other month.. There was discussion about reducing the schedule during the summer, whether communication is happening during the forums, and doing some that are a ‘social hour’ with the vestry and whether the parish is notified of the topics.

• Cottages: Robin B. said, “The vestry has decided that the cottages don’t fit into the parish plan.”

John Ballard moved that every effort should be made to relinquish the cottages from parish use. Amrey seconded.

Discussion:

The vestry talked extensively about the motion. Comments and questions included relinquishing the cottages and holding the property, some longing to keep them, the cost of renovation, their zoning (commercial), and whether the vestry and parish has the organizational energy to take on a project of renovation. Fr. Robert has bought property in former pastorates and ordinarily would not want to sell the cottage properties. However he thinks that the county has taken away all other options. He asked, “How do we address the physical needs of the parish? How do we get the two sides—those for getting rid of the cottages and those who want to keep them—together? He feels that that there is a “tremendous responsibility to heal the community.”

Tom suggested that there be a small group to look into what to do with the cottages.

The motion to relinquish the cottages was passed.

Robin B. announced that there has been some interest in the cottages expressed by

• Samaritan Counseling Center. Emmanuel could hold the deed to the land and Samaritan could own the house.

• Georgia Land Trust which would renovate the house in exchange for a sale or a long term low rent agreement.

Erwin had suggested at the January meeting that the Housing Authority might restore the cottages and use them for low income housing.

Fr. Robert suggested prioritizing. The vestry decided 1) Samaritan Counseling Center, 2) Housing Authority, 3) Land Trust

Action: Robin B. appointed an ad hoc committee to explore the options: Tom, John Ballard, Naomi, and Fr. Robert. Robin B. instructed them to present an interim report at the March vestry meeting and a conclusive report at the May meeting.

Rector’s Report:

• Fr. Robert read a letter asking for $540.00 (including freight) to re-silver a valuable punch bowl that belongs to the parish. Betsy moved to re-silver the bowl. Naomi seconded. Passed. Karen will have the discretion which fund to use.

• Fr. Robert asked if the parish should purchase additional chairs for an extra table in the common room. No action taken. The proposal was passed to the Parish Life Committee for deliberation.

• Fr. Robert announced that Darius (of Darius Goes West) and his family will be at the parish’s Wednesday night supper on March 7. Further details were not available. John Ballard will contact Suzanne Bennett about the arrangements.

• He said that the parish website needs cleansing of extraneous “stuff.”

• He bought a new paschal candle stand and processional candle holders. He has already received some memorial donations to cover the cost and is looking for an additional donation of $1200.

• He announced that Father Ralph Marsh will have a second hip replacement and that Wren’s ill father needs prayers.

Action Items:

• Revised Budget: Amrey distributed the proposed final budget which has some significant changes.

The budget is based on pledges and the budget presented projects a $42,000.00 surplus.

Fr. Robert said that we may at a later time have to raise the budget for 2 new positions.

John Becker moved to approve the changes in the budget. Naomi seconded. Approved unanimously.

Amrey announced that Karen will acquire a drop box safe for $1200.00 to hold the Sunday collections until Monday. She has found the money to pay for it.

• Outreach: John Ballard made a motion to ask the vestry to allow the William Rhodes committee members to extend their service until other provisions are made. Betsy seconded. Passed.

• Rector’s Housing allowance: Fr. Robert would like the housing allowance extended to $30,000. (The total salary would stay the same.) Moved, seconded and passed.

Robin K. will give next month’s devotional.

Good of the Order:

Fr. Robert will shortly make an offer on a house.

He said that the parish directory is being printed and bound.

Erwin requested that the vestry’s home addresses can be eliminated from the website. Robin K. will also try to get the e-dresses removed and replaced with linked graphics.

Betsy inquired who will chair the AGM committee. Robert said that there needs to be a meeting about it.

Robert closed the meeting with a prayer at 9:00 PM.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, Clerk of the Vestry.