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Minutes of the Vestry Meeting
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
September 24, 2008
Present: Gillian Ball, John Ballard, Anne Brightwell, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Robin Krause, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Betsy Turner, Lisa Yarn, Father Robert Salamone, Father Edwin Beckham.
Absent: John Becker.
Guest: Nancy Stangle, Athens Land Trust
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Father Robert.
Naomi introduced Nancy Stangle of the Athens Land Trust (ALT) who expressed appreciation to Emmanuel for the cottage, to Naomi for seeing the process through, and to Father Robert for all his support. The ALT has started the renovation and will be meeting with the architect the following week to finalize their plans. Naomi thanked the ALT for taking on the cottage to renovate for their use.
Naomi announced she has looked at the lease to be sent to CASA and hopes to hear from them soon so that project can go forward.
Betsy gave the devotional on remembering the blessings of the past at Emmanuel and looking forward to the future of the parish.
Information/Discussion Items:
Katherine reported for the Vestry Nominating Committee that the first contact calls were almost completed. Fifteen parishioners had expressed interest in being considered for the Vestry and all had wanted to talk about the questions they were asked. The committee will propose ten candidates for the slate.
Naomi expressed that an Alternate Vestry Forum had been proposed for some Wednesday Night Suppers to further inform the parish and include more people in the information process. Discussion followed about the format of such a program while serving dinner. A nursery is now provided during the supper hour. There was some reservation about duplicating the same program as the first Sunday Vestry Forum and some thought that it might be better to have different programs on Sundays and Wednesdays.. Father Robert suggested that the first couple of months the Forum information be repeated on Sunday and on a Wednesday night, then the process be evaluated.
Gillian reported for the Stewardship Committee that Karl Woltersdorf from the Diocese of Atlanta would speak to the Adult Forum on September 28 as well as deliver the homily at the 10:30 service. All involved with the stewardship program would be commissioned on October 5 at the 8:30 and 10:30 services. The Neighborhood Wine and Cheese Gatherings will take place October 6-16. Gillian will deliver the homily at both services on October 12. November 9 will be Commitment Sunday and the pledge cards will be presented at the altar. A stewardship letter has been prepared to include in the Welcome Packet along with a pledge card. Gillian and Father Robert have revised the pledge card which will be ready soon. The Vestry was urged to turn in their cards right away.
Father Robert announced that he, Katherine, Naomi, and Robert Townes met to give R. Townes all the information from the Vestry mini-retreat needed to prepare the narrative for beginning the planning, architectural drawings, and money figures for the capital campaign. The renovation of the strip mall was discussed (to use the existing building or to tear it down and build a new building). Issues considered were: cost, aesthetics, building a second floor, putting in solar panels, tearing it down, getting an idea from the architect about using the building or starting over, and making the renovations as “green” as possible. There was a general consensus that we should instruct the architect to attempt to reuse that space if feasible, and if not, to give us other options.
Commission Reports:
There were no questions or comments about the reports submitted by the Commissions.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Katherine reminded the Vestry that they are serving as “Holy Cookers” for the Wednesday Night Supper on October 29. The Vestry will serve as greeters on November 2 and 9.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Naomi noted that all her information was included in the distributed Senior Warden’s report. Betsy commented that the Vestry should go about the renovations and building with ecological concepts in mind. This should be in the Philosophy and Principles Statement. This point should be added to the “Must” statements in the proposal. The term “LEED Certified” means that the elements of the project are ecological and green.
Rector’s Report:
Father Robert announced that the Vestry Retreat will be the third or fourth weekend in January. Consultants will be brought in to lead the continuing process of planning.
His October Tower article will review the pledge status in the parish. Our income is behind what was pledged. It is the Vestry’s responsibility to be conscious of spending in the face of this situation.
Financial Review:
Nancy presented the Day School budget for 2008-09. EEDS has a separate account, but it is run through the Emmanuel Financial system.
She reviewed the August Income and Expense Statement. Currently our income is less than our expenditures. In the proposed budget for 2009, we must have more pledge income to meet the budget.
Action Items:
Motion: With Nancy’s recommendation, Naomi moved to approve the Emmanuel Episcopal Day School’s budget with the stipulation that they cover the operating deficit from EEDS reserves.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Motion: Nancy moved to amend the resolution from the July meeting regarding the Diocesan Pledge and to stipulate that the additional 1% be taken from the MEMC line in the operating budget, rather than from “endowment funds earmarked for outreach” as originally stipulated.
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Nancy reported that Father Edwin’s moving expenses were $6400. Father Robert requested the Vestry approve a reimbursement of $3250.
Motion: Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was moved that $3250 be expended to cover half of Father Edwin’s moving expenses.
The motion passed with one abstention.
The Philosophy and Principles Statement will be discussed at the October Vestry Meeting.
Good of the Order:
Vince announced that Emmanuel will host the IHN October 5-12.
Father Edwin noted that we have many children and youth in the formation program and we need more teachers.
Betsy will host a Vestry potluck on October 19 at her home. She thanked Naomi for hosting the previous potluck.
Naomi shared from her reading of Vestry minutes since the first services in the current sanctuary on October 15, 1899
Father Robert offered that November 2 will be a significant day. Maya Ballard will be baptized. There will be a choral Evensong for the annual memorial to the dead. This will be followed by an organ concert and a small reception
The Blessing of the Animals will be celebrated on October 5 at 4 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 pm.
Next meeting: October 22, 2008
Devotion: Robin Krause (John Ballard in November)
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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