Minutes of the Vestry MeetingEmmanuel Episcopal Church Present: Gillian Ball, John Ballard, John Becker, Anne Brightwell, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Father Robert, Mother Nancy. Absent: Robin Krause, Betsy Turner, Lisa Yarn. The meeting was called to order at Father Robert welcomed the members of the MEMC and commended their willingness to approach the duties with new ideas, to discern a direction, and to carry out the duties intentionally and purposefully. By using the surveys and comments from the Outreach Summit, they have worked to discern what the parish was saying and determine their direction with both vision and reality. He noted it is a pleasure to see the members in action. The chair, Terrie Seward, acknowledged the tremendous help they received from the document prepared by Naomi Norman and her committee. She thanked Father Robert, Naomi, and the Vestry for their support as well as the committee for their work. In an update on the process, Terrie pointed out that there is an application with instructions on the website and that the committee wants to provide “hands-on” opportunities for all age groups in the parish to participate. No additions were made to the agenda. Commission Reports:
Extended Ministries:
Vince reported that he and Lisa are attending meetings of the MEMC, IHN, and the Thrift House. Emmanuel may trade IHN dates with First Methodist to host June 15-22. The Emmanuel chapter needs new coordinators to begin in 2009. The schedule is set in July. We need to evaluate whether Emmanuel wants to continue to support and host IHN. An orientation packet and meeting will be planned to inform the parish of the opportunities to help. They would also like to take advantage of the Wine and Cheese gatherings, the parish picnic, and the Vestry Forum May 4 to invite the parish to discussion of IHN. The Thrift House has now added the step of recommending their grants to the Vestry for approval.
Vestry Election Process Committee: Matthew reported that the committee will meet to consider all the comments emailed to him by the Vestry and will send the report to the Vestry. Questions about Reports:
It was requested that Father Robert outline the process for finding a replacement for David Wagner, Youth Coordinator. He has asked John Ballard and David to search out candidates from the Diocese. He anticipates naming a replacement before David leaves in mid-July. Junior Warden’s Report:
Katherine reported that the keypads have been installed and she and Melissa have been instructed on the operation. The master keys are to be reset and the system announced in the Motion: Nancy McDuff thanked Katherine for all her work. She moved that the Vestry not go forward on an alarm system, but do a security audit to find if there are smaller items that would improve security. The motion was seconded and passed. Katherine gave an update on the Parish Picnic scheduled for May 18 at the Kemp’s farm. Ann Joye McLeod is the coordinator. Plans are being made for 200-250 in attendance. Senior Warden’s Report: Naomi said the topics of the May 4 Vestry Forum would be the IHN (presented by Vince) and the key system (presented by Katherine). Naomi has been in contact with St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in In an update on the cottages, Naomi reported that a meeting with all parties – attorneys, CASA, the Athens Land Trust, and Naomi – was quite productive. All present seem to understand what Emmanuel wants to accomplish in the transaction. Rector’s Report: Father Robert noted that the Diocese of Atlanta wants their candidates for the priesthood to be as debt free as possible at the end of seminary. He would like to contribute $2000 from his fund for scholarships for priests to assist David Wagner. He will ask the parish to support David financially as they can. Motion: Nancy McDuff and Phillip Cofer moved that the Vestry request $2000 from the MEMC (within the existing The motion was seconded and carried. Budget Report: Motion: Vince moved to accept the amendment to the Feb 27 approved budget to reflect the two corrections to the budget. The motion was approved and carried.
Action Items: The alarm proposal was tabled. Funds for the Parish Picnic will be taken from the Parish Life budget. Vince Howard presented the request from the MEMC for the approval of the grant requests as submitted with the Extended Ministries Commission report. Motion: Gillian moved to approve the MEMC recommendation. The motion was seconded and approved. Vince presented the requests for approval from the Thrift House as outlined in the Extended Ministries Commission report. Motion: John Becker moved to approve the requests. The motion was seconded and approved. Motion: Nancy McDuff moved to approve the request from John Ballard to the Vestry to ask the MEMC for $600 for the Mikell Fund. John will submit a grant application to the MEMC. The motion was seconded and passed. Good of the Order: John Becker announced that they need help at the Food Bank of Naomi reported that a questionnaire will be distributed at the Wine and Cheese Parties to gather parishioners’ ideas on the directions for strategic planning for the parish. The questionnaire can also be accessed on the website for those who can’t attend a party. The responses will be of help in the early stages of the strategic planning. Gillian reminded the Vestry to remember to attend their assigned Wine and Cheese Party. Erwin informed everyone that he has a new email address. He will send it to all Vestry members. The meeting was closed with a prayer and adjourned at Next Meeting: Submitted by Lee Albright, Clerk of the Vestry Approved by: : Gillian Ball, John Ballard, John Becker, Anne Brightwell, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman. Reviewed by (abent from meeting): Robin Krause, Betsy Turner, Lisa Yarn.
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