Emmanuel Church Vestry Minutes August 22, 2007
Present: Amrey Harden, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Betsy Turner, Naomi Norman, Robin Bewley, Katherine Byrne, Penny McLanahan, John Becker, Robin Krause, Gillian Ball, Phillip Cofer, Tom Odom, Father Robert
Absent: John Ballard, Wren Howard
Father Robert called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Father Robert gave the devotional based on the writings of Carolyn Myss. He quoted from her Anatomy of the Spirit which describes the sense of wholeness. The power of love together with truth, justice and integrity will create communal choices that will go along the tracks God has made.
Additions to the agenda: Amrey asked about the church loan now that the Cobb House is sold. It will be discussed under Action Items.
There were no comments about Commission Reports which were filed electronically.
Information Items:
Outreach Summit (September 16) Update: Naomi
· It is the vestry members’ responsibility to attend the Summit.
· Parishioners will be divided into small groups for Outreach Discussion. Vestry members will be facilitators in the groups; they should be versed in the issues so that they can keep discussions going.
· There are now sheets in the church so that parishioners can make comments and suggestions prior to the Summit.
· Ivy Adams and the Parish Life Commission will plan and serve lunch.
· Gillian will be in charge of obtaining child care providers.
· Results of the 2nd Outreach Survey were not yet available.
· There will be continued publicity about the Summit encouraging parishioners to attend.
CASA and ALT Update: Naomi
· Father Robert and the Committee met with CASA and ALT who are very happy with the agreement about their taking over the cottages.
· The contract term “right of first refusal” which gave Emmanuel the right of first refusal should either CASA or ALT decide to sell the buildings has been changed to the reversionary clause “the property would revert to Emmanuel.” Father Robert said that “this will control whom we give it to next time.”
· Both organizations are “anxious to get moving.”
Stewardship Update: Gillian
Gillian distributed pledge cards to the vestry and asked that they be returned during the meeting.
She displayed the new logo for stewardship which will be used on invitations to neighborhood meetings. The logo may also be used for other parish correspondence, including thank-you notes for pledges.
Gillian distributed the outline and explained the procedures for the “All Hearts and Hands Neighborhood Meetings,” the 2007 Annual Stewardship Commitment Program.
· Vestry members should attend the stewardship training dessert, September 6, 7:30 P.M., at Emmanuel and be present at the Commissioning at either of the services on Sunday September 9. Mal Underwood, diocesan consultant for stewardship, is coming to do the adult forum and both homilies.
· The Parish has been broken down into neighborhoods, and everyone will receive invitations to neighborhood stewardship meetings.
· Hosts will provide homes, coffee and dessert for neighborhood meetings to be held between September 17 and October 5 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM (approx.). A group of 15-20 parish members will be invited to specific events in their neighborhoods. Facilitators will be either vestry members or stewardship committee members.
· October 28—“Crunch Breakfast”: the Stewardship Committee will provide breakfast for the parish. It will be the last opportunity to pledge before the budget is set.
· November 4—Commitment Sunday to bless pledge cards.
The neighborhood groups may be kept intact after Stewardship Sunday and serve other purposes in the parish. They may also be tools for more communication.
Faith Formation Search Update: Father Robert and Katherine
Katherine reported that five candidates have been interviewed for the Faith Formation position and the committee is “thinking of a very strong candidate who has a great background in Christian education".
Further Information for Nominating Committee: Amrey
Amrey reported that the committee would like to get nominee candidates who can cover gaps in several areas of the vestry commissions; the nominee candidates should give preferences of what they would like “to work with".
Senior Warden’s Report: Robin Bewley
Nominating Committee:
Robin B. “wants this vestry to hand a forward movement to the next vestry.” She would like the vestry nominees to sign the current vestry code and stewardship statement.
Fr. Robert said that the love for Emmanuel has to be the motivating factor for nominees.
Accomplishments for the year:
· There has been incredible progress in stewardship including a year-round focus.
· The by-laws are being revised.
· Funding for two full-time staff has been approved.
· Communication between vestry and the parish has been improved.
· The website has been improved.
· Estate planning and planned giving has been introduced.
· There is now a prayer chain.
· The Atrium of the Good Shepherd was begun and is functioning.
· “Getting Father Robert.”
· Father Robert said, “There has been blurring the lines of division.”
· The church has gotten several new furnishings and facelifts.”
· There is revised fund management.
· The parish has stronger bonds with the diocese.
· The parish retired the debt (voted on in action item later during the meeting).
Rector’s Report: Father Robert
Father Robert reported that the Community Connection lease is up at the end of the year. He suggested that the building could be used for the Youth Program’s expansion. It was decided by the vestry that Father Robert and the wardens should discuss how to proceed with the Community Connection lease.
Action Items:
Cobb House Sale
· Amrey reported that the Cobb House sale closed for $500,000.00.
The vestry had promised 10% of the sale to the Pope Street Association to help with its re-location. So far, the Association has not found suitable property. Father Robert suggested that the $50,000.00 be put into a fund for the Association’s future use and that the interest will revert to the parish.
· The vestry discussed whether or not to retire the parish debt of $418,000.00.
· Betsy moved: Money from the Cobb House sale shall be used to retire the parish debt of $418,000.00. $50,000.00 from the sale shall be put in escrow for the Pope Street Association, the interest from which will go to the church. Seconded. Approved unanimously.
Robin K. asked whether or not the vestry agenda should be posted on the website. It will be posted in the future.
Good of the Order:
John Becker said that the work on the bathrooms will be completed shortly.
Bill said that there will be a change for the vestry’s Holy Cookers’ date.
Erwin announced that the Newcomer's Dessert will meet at Beverly Sligh’s home, 490 Rutherford Street, Thursday, September 13. The vestry is invited.
Naomi thanked the vestry “in advance” for their good work on September 16.
Father Robert announced:
- Naomi is “on hiatus” for her treatments.
- Balfour Hunnicutt has had a heart attack.
- Elsie Fletcher has a broken femur.
Father Robert closed the meeting with a prayer at 9:15 P.M.
Next meeting: September 26, 2007
Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, Clerk of the Vestry
Minutes electronically approved on August 29, 2007 by: Robin Bewley, Amrey Harden, Penny McClanahan, Tom Odom, Gillian Ball, Katherine Byrne, Robin Krause, Betsy Turner, John Becker, Bill Connerat, Phil Cofer, Erwin Greene, & Naomi Norman
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