Emmanuel Church Vestry Minutes October 24, 2007
Present: Penny McClanahan, John Becker, Bill Connerat, Amrey Harden, Gillian Ball, Wren Howard, Erwin Greene, Robin Bewley, Betsy Turner, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Naomi Norman, Tom Odom, Robin Krause, Father Robert, David Wagner
Father Robert called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Wren gave the devotional. She distributed small stones and spoke about traditional prayer rocks which are used in many places to remind worshipers about the importance of prayer in life. She recited three prayers, including the Prayer of St. Francis, and asked each vestry member to take his or her rock and silently recite a prayer also. Then she asked that the rocks be given to Robin Bewley in thanksgiving for her work on the vestry.
Additions to the Agenda
Tom said that he would nominate two new members to the AGM committee.
Commission Reports
Commission reports were filed electronically and there were no further additions.
Father Robert introduced Youth Director David Wagner who told the vestry of his previous services to the diocese. He has served on the youth staff of Camp Mikell and was part-time youth director at St. Aidan’s in Alpharetta before coming to Emmanuel. He said that he wants to go to seminary in approximately a year and hopes that the vestry will submit a letter to the diocese supporting his candidacy for postulancy. Father Robert and Robin B. will fashion a letter for the vestry to sign in David’s behalf.
Information Items
Budget Matters
Amrey announced that the finance committee has completed the first draft of the 2008-2009 budget. Based on the current requests, the parish will need an income of $725,000.00.
So far there have been 155 pledges in the amount of $415,000.00
Some expenses will increase; the operating funds will be lower because the loan has been paid off.
The vestry reviewed the various parish funds through which the budget is financed.
The vestry will decide what to do with the Williams Rhodes money at the November 4 vestry retreat.
Amrey announced that Mr. Jordan, the auditor, will be at the November vestry meeting and will have specific recommendations about the office account.
Stewardship Update:
Gillian announced that the “Crunch Breakfast” celebrating the annual pledges will be Sunday, October 28, at 8:45. Lindsey Payne will cater.
Senior Warden’s Report
Cottages
Robin B. reported that the vestry committee is working with CASA, ALT and Emmanuel’s attorney to find a way to relinquish the cottage property to the agencies and at the same time to protect Emmanuel.
Vestry Slate
The 2008 Vestry Election Slate was distributed: Anne Brightwell, Nancy McDuff, Matthew Hicks, Frances Doherty, Paul Anderson, Matt Humphrey, Patrick Cline, Vince Howard, Terri Tillman, and Lisa Yarn.
Outreach Retreat
The Outreach Retreat will take place after the November 4 parish potluck lunch which will introduce The Rev. Nancy Malloy, the parish’s new Director of Faith Formation. Robin B. asked vestry members to familiarize themselves with the Outreach Report before the retreat.
Gratitude
Robin B. asked about people in addition to staff to whom we should express gratitude. As the list of parishioners grew, the completeness and fairness of such recognition ensued. The vestry might want to develop some guidelines for such a program in the future.
Rector’s Report
Father Robert thanked Katherine for organizing the pot-luck “welcome lunch” for Nancy Malloy.
He distributed “The Prayer for the Diocesan Episcopal Relief and Development Fund.” He has asked Blue Wood to be the parish representative to the Fund; she will share information with the parish.
He will bring up an action item requesting that the Bloomfield Fund revert to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund from the Outreach Fund. (see below)
Action Items
1. Adoption of Bylaws
Amrey presented the revised by-laws as submitted on line. Several additional revisions were suggested by Father Robert and vestry members.
John Ballard moved to adopt the revised bylaws which will include the additional changes made by the vestry at the October 24 meeting. Seconded. Approved unanimously.
2. Tom moved to approve Allen Stovall and Mark Wheeler for membership on the AGM committee. Seconded. Approved unanimously.
3. There were two budget overspend requests:
Robin K. moved to add $900.00 to the Communication Commission budget; this additional amount will be sufficient to last through the current year: for our ad on the UGA visitors map, to cover the increase in the Athens Banner Herald/ Daily News ad fee, and to cover advertising for the Advent season. Seconded. Passed unanimously.
Amrey moved to increase the EYC budget by $1000.00 which will be sufficient to last through the end of the year. Seconded. Passed unanimously.
4. Betsy moved to allow the Bloomfield Fund to come back under the direction of the rector, as was its original intent. Seconded. Passed unanimously.
[Clarification: This fund is a memorial to James C. Bloomfield, M.D. The income is used to aid sick and crippled children of Athens. At its December 1995 meeting, the vestry passed a resolution asking the Emmanuel Parish Endowment Fund, Inc. to administer the Bloomfield Fund. The vestry decided that the Outreach Ministry will decide how the income on this line (#451300) should be spent. The vote at this vestry meeting, October 24, 2007, puts the spending of this fund back under the discretion of the rector (its original intent). The rector frequently receives requests from schools, social workers, & healthcare practitioners to take care of children who are sick in Athens/Clarke County.]
Good of the Order
Gillian praised the Welcome Matters Lunch. There was an influx of young adults who contributed ideas.
Father Robert asked the vestry to pray for Mark Stewart, Jenny Denson, and Andy Permar who are ill.
Personnel Matters
Amrey distributed a review of pledges from 1996-2006. There has been a great increase in contributions in the last several years.
He also distributed options for increasing Father Robert’s salary in 2008.
After discussion, Phillip moved to give Father Robert a 10% raise effective January 2008. Seconded. Approved unanimously.
Robin Bewley closed the meeting with a prayer at 9:30.
Next meeting: November 14.
Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, Clerk of the Vestry
Minutes approved 11/7/07: Robin Bewley, Amrey Harden, Wren Howard, Penny McClanahan, Tom Odom, Gillian Ball, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Robin Krause, Betsy Turner, John Becker, Bill Connerat, Phil Cofer, Erwin Greene, & Naomi Norman
Robin Krause, Communications Chair
|