Minutes of the Vestry MeetingPresent: Gillian Ball, John Ballard, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Robin Krause, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Betsy Turner, Lisa Yarn, Father Robert, Mother Nancy Absent: John Becker, Anne Brightwell The meeting was called to order at Naomi gave the devotional based on the writings and files of her mother from her devotions guild. She ended with the belief that the most important religious possession in our homes is “faith”. Father Robert called on Bette and Nancy to present what they had learned at a week-long retreat at Kanuga about Health Ministries within the Parish. Both have extensive experience in the areas of adult and geriatric health and see the purpose of the Health Ministry as serving as an advocate and resource for assistance available within the community. The Vestry Forum on June 1 will explain the program and encourage parishioners to complete a survey at that meeting or on the Emmanuel website to determine the needs and desires of the parish. The approach will be holistic (mind, body, and spirit). There will be an advisory council and confidential records will be kept in a locked file. There were no additions to the agenda. Commission and Committee Reports: Resources Commission: Phillip gave an update on the recycling program. The city will deliver the recycling dumpsters soon, one for paper and one for cans, glass, and plastics. Collection containers will be placed in strategic places around the church buildings and a chart will be developed of who will collect the recyclables and take them to the dumpsters and when the materials will be collected. Extended Ministries Commission: Vince reported that the MEMC is proposing a Habitat for Humanity house to be sponsored by Emmanuel as the “principal Builder” with a financial commitment of $65,000 to build a house in 2008. There is also a plan to build a house in 2009 and to work with Habitat to spearhead a “Building on Faith Community” with other groups in our local faith community. MEMC would help coordinate this activity with Habitat for Humanity. Father Robert suggested that Vince and Lisa pass on to the MEMC that the parish adopt the family for the 2008 house and assist them in other areas with our talents and expertise. Vestry Election Process Committee: Matthew presented the work of the committee to propose a redefined Vestry selection process. Discussion and clarification followed. An article will be published in the Tower outlining and explaining the process. The nomination committee for the new 2009 Vestry members will be appointed as close to June as possible and will include the five outgoing Vestry members and around five parishioners. Questions about Reports: Father Robert asked for questions or comments on the reports submitted by the commissions. Phillip added for Facilities that they are working on building steps to the Youth quarters, consulting moisture control experts for the roof of the sanctuary, and continuing repair of the stained glass windows. Father Robert reported that a new problem with termites has been discovered. Junior Warden’s Report: Katherine announced that the rekeying of the master keys and the new coding of the key pads will be done on June 2. Work is being done on a security audit with attention to the Episcopal Security Programs to develop a security checklist. Erwin suggested that the Athens Police be contacted to visit and give suggestions. Senior Warden’s Report: Naomi announced that the topics of the June 1 Vestry Forum would be: the Health Ministry, the MEMC (including our support of the church and school in Emmanuel is now waiting for details from CASA and the Athens Land Trust concerning the cottages. Naomi is collating results from the survey on strategic planning. Father Robert suggested a summer retreat for the Vestry to consider long-range plans. Naomi recommended visiting churches that have just completed major capital campaigns and then going into an off-campus retreat after church until The formation of the Emmanuel Cornerstone Society is in process. Rector’s Report: Father Robert reported that he has been receiving many requests from the Based on the survey from the Diocese concerning disability accommodations, much needs to be done at Emmanuel. Father Robert distributed copies of the Diagram of the Polity of the Episcopal Church. Finance Report: Since Action Items: Motion: The MEMC recommends approval of a grant request to fund $2000 per year, for three years, as a scholarship for David Wagner as he attends General Theological Seminary in Betsy Turner moved to accept. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Motion: The MEMC recommends that Emmanuel partner with Athens Habitat for Humanity to sponsor one home during the summer of 2008. Specifically, it is recommended that Emmanuel be listed as the “Principal Builder” for this home, with a financial commitment of $65,000. The project is to begin as soon as possible. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Motion: The MEMC recommends that Emmanuel spearhead the ‘Building on Faith Community” (formerly referred to as the “ a. Emmanuel would serve as the Principal Builder ($65,000) for one of the seven homes that will comprise this planned Faith Community, which we would begin no earlier than b. Emmanuel would collaborate with Spencer Frye, Executive Director of Athens Habitat for Humanity, to build a coalition of entities from the faith community in The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Nancy McDuff offered thanks to the MEMC for putting this project together. Motion: Father Robert nominated Nancy McDuff for Vestry approval to fill the vacancy on the Endowment Board as a new trustee. The motion was approved unanimously. Good of the Order:
The serving of lemonade on the Madonna terrace after the The Interfaith Hospitality Network survey is on the Emmanuel website under Extended Ministries, News of the Parish. Paper copies are also available. Thank you to the members of the MEMC for all their work. Coffee and refreshments will be served at the June 1 Vestry Forum. The search for David Wagner’s replacement as Youth Director is progressing well. Thank you to Ann Joye McLeod, Katherine Byrne, and Brian and Marty Kemp for a wonderful parish picnic at the Kemp farm. The Kemps would like to host every year. There was a great turnout for the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Emmanuel Episcopal Day School. There is a summary of the ideas for strategic planning from 2003 compiled by Naomi. Father Robert recognized four great events for the parish in the last month: the parish picnic, the blessing of the mothers on Mothers’ Day, the blessing of expectant mothers the following Sunday, and the presentations of the young people on Youth Sunday. The picnic provided a real gelling of the parish. The meeting was 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, Robin Krause, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Betsy Turner, Lisa Yarn
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