Emmanuel Episcopal Church Minutes, November 14, 2007

Present:  John Becker, Bill Connerat, Betsy Turner, Robin Bewley, Erwin Greene, Gillian Ball, Naomi Norman, Tom Odom, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Penny McLanahan,  Phillip Cofer, Amrey Harden, Robin Krause,  Father Robert, Reverend Nancy Malloy

Absent:  Wren Howard

Father Robert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

Erwin gave the devotional based on Meditations for Vestry Members by Colleen McMahon.  He said that “whoever does the will of God is Jesus’ brother, sister or mother,” and he encouraged the vestry to incorporate the values of Jesus into everyday life.

Father Robert welcomed The Reverend Nancy Malloy, the new Rector's Associate for Faith Formation.

Commission Reports

There were no additional comments on the commission reports which were filed electronically.

Stewardship: Gillian announced that both the Crunch Breakfast and Pledge Card Dedication were successful. Father Robert distributed an analysis of the parish pledges; 239 families have pledged $610,326.00.  Forty-five families have not yet pledged.  If these 45 members  pledge the same amount as they did last year, last year’s amount of $663,838.00 will be surpassed.

Father Robert and Robin B. will write a letter to those who have not yet sent in their pledges asking them to renew last year’s commitments.

Outreach:  John Ballard reported that the Thanksgiving dinner plans are going well.

IHN will be at Emmanuel on December16.

Information Items

Locking the Church

Robin announced that it is the vestry’s job to see that the church is secure, and at present no one is assigned to securing the building at 12:30 on Sundays.  The vestry members will take this responsibility from now on.  If members do not have keys, they can get them from Melissa.

Cottage Update

Robin said that our lawyers are waiting to hear from ALT and CASA to bring the cottage issue to conclusion. 

Holy Cookers Arrangements

Katherine passed a sign-up sheet for volunteers for the  vestry’s turn as Holy Cookers on Wednesday,  December 12.

Senior Warden’s Report

Robin B. has met with Joyce Hudson  and Agnes Parker to discuss the parish’s involvement with Natural Spirituality.  Its publication The Rose began at Emmanuel and is now distributed worldwide through Joyce’s efforts.

Father Robert said,  “Natural Spirituality would love for the parish to embrace and support them as our own.”

The vestry unanimously passed the following resolution:  “Be it resolved that the vestry of Emmanuel Church accepts and embraces Natural Spirituality as a vital ministry of the Emmanuel parish.”

Rector’s Report

Father Robert announced that the retiring vestry members and the other vestry nominating committee members will be the tellers at the election during the annual meeting.  John Albright will be the head teller.

Father Robert presented two action items:

·    The rector requested a $35,000.00 housing allowance.

·    Reverend Malloy requested a $16,000.00 housing allowance.

John Becker moved to approve these amounts for housing allowances.

Seconded.  Approved unanimously.

Father Robert welcomed Nancy who now makes the church’s staff complete.  He said, “All the pieces are coming together for Emmanuel parish.”

The Annual Meeting will begin in the church on December 2 at 9:00 a.m.

Action Items

Adoption of 2008 Budget

Amrey explained that the preliminary budget is needed to be adopted to set the salary

of the rector and to allow Karen to pay bills.  The final budget will be adopted in January.

He presented the following figures:  Budget expenses: $901,202.84.  Pledges needed: $725,000.  The difference will come through various other sources such as the escrow account.

Amrey announced:  The finance committee brings the preliminary budget to be accepted.  Passed unanimously.

A January business meeting will be held if further adjustments to the budget need to be made.

The vestry will ask Mr. Jordan, the auditor, to bring his report to a future meeting.

Good of the Order

Father Robert said that “today’s meeting is the last formal meeting of this vestry.  It is  a distinct entity filled with God’s grace. It has been a pleasure to share this ministry with you.”

Phillip:  Pray for rain.

John Ballard announced that he was re-elected by the Diocesan Council to serve on the Camp Mikell board.

Dates:  December 2—Annual Meeting

            December 9—Outreach planning—3:30 p.m.

Father Robert gave the closing prayer,  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by Clairelis Baxter, Clerk of the Vestry

Approved 11/28/07: Robin Bewley, Amrey Harden, Tom Odom, Gillian Ball, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Robin Krause, Betsy Turner, John Becker, Bill Connerat, Phil Cofer, Naomi Norman