Minutes of the Vestry Meeting
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
November 19, 2008
Present: Gillian Ball, 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 Ballard, John Becker.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Father Robert.
The devotion was given by Father Robert based on an excerpt from Thanksgiving: The Jewish Perspective. The message was that giving God the first of our fruit is the only way to properly thank God for all we are given. The Vestry then shared personal thanks for special events, people, and gifts in their lives.
Information/Discussion Items:
Stewardship:
Gillian reported that post-campaign follow-up calls are on hold for now since pledges were due later than in previous years. The Stewardship Committee will meet to decide the next steps in the process. Progress with the pledge campaign is encouraging. Father Robert commented on some specifics of the pledge figures. Nancy added that on the average over the last twelve years, 3-4% of pledged dollars were never received.
Annual Meeting:
In preparation for the Annual Parish Meeting on December 7, most reports have been submitted to Melissa for printing for the meeting. Katherine, chair of the Vestry nomination committee, will present the slate. John Albright will serve as head teller. Father Edwin will work with the youth to deliver and collect ballots to those voting members serving in the nursery and Sunday School. Mike Fitzgerald will speak to the state of the Endowment Funds. The Reception Committee will host the brunch.
MEMC (Mission and Extended Ministries Committee):
Lisa and Vince presented the recommendation from the MEMC for grants for this quarter. A correction to the report submitted before the Vestry meeting was that the grant to the Athens YMCA is $10,500.
In response to questions posed to him by parishioners, Phillip asked what other hands-on projects there are at Emmanuel after the Habitat house is completed in mid-December. Some are the Interfaith Hospitality Network, Our Daily Bread, the Northeast Georgia Food Bank, Thanksgiving Dinner, and the Thrift House. Hands-on opportunities are also listed on the Website. We are also working toward the beginning of the Habitat Village once county approvals are given. Emmanuel will be cautious in determining the status of the endowment funds for outreach in these economic times.
Reports:
Questions/ Comments on Submitted Reports:
For Facilities:
Will there be fencing installed along the wall between the Day School and the Youth Center?
Father Robert stated that a fence probably would need to be added, but we should wait until final plans are made for the building housing the youth, the Thrift House, and the Potter’s House. Father Edwin added that steps between the youth building and the side of the church would be helpful.
Service Award:
Betsy asked if more progress has been made to develop the proposed Outstanding Communicant Award. The committee is still to meet to develop a proposal.
Emmanuel Legacy Society:
Nancy asked about the status of the Legacy Society. Rob Townes, the consultant to the capital campaign, will review the document creating the Cornerstone Society and will advise us on introducing the society to the parish. Father Robert clarified that anyone who leaves a bequest to Emmanuel or any church in the diocese is automatically a member of the Bishop Justin Child Heritage Circle.
Junior Warden’s Report:
Katherine said she would work with the next Junior Warden on the transition.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Naomi said there were no additions to her submitted report except that she will send a letter to the Potter’s House stating that when their lease expires on January 31, 2010, our intention is not to renew the lease. This will give them time to make other arrangements for their thrift store.
Rector’s Report:
Father Robert noted that the next Vestry meeting will be at the Vestry Retreat January 23-25, 2009, at Lake Logan. The outgoing class will join the retreat to aid in the transition. Rob Townes will also attend on Saturday. The “Hail and Farewell” gathering of the old and new Vestries will be December 14 at his home. This will be the first official meeting of the new Vestry, the beginning of their term.
The Huddle House proposed to tow cars from our parking lot next to their store on Sunday mornings. After discussion with Father Robert, the Huddle House will mark their spaces and he will remind parishioners not to park in them.
The lights in the parking lot behind the Music Building have been restored.
Father Robert stated that more liturgical ministers (readers and L.E.M.s) are needed. In January he will hold a Day of Recollection on which every ministry will meet and review their duties and procedures. This would include the ushers. He will also be instituting a Guild of Vergers.
Emmanuel is one of four churches in the Diocese of Atlanta that responded to the request from the diocese to increase their parish pledge from 10% of their NDBI (Net Disposable Budget Income) to 11%.
Financial Review:
Nancy highlighted the budget report through the end of October. She noted that parish programming funds expended are within budget as well as the grants of the MEMC.
It was emphasized that the only entity that can deal with monetary issues in the parish is the Vestry. Individual groups in the parish can not be asked for money for certain projects without Vestry approval.
Action Items:
Motion: From the MEMC, that the recommendations as reported be approved (with the grant to the YMCA being $10,500).
Seconded and approved unanimously.
Motion: Nancy moved that at the request of the Finance Committee all funds used by the MEMC until the end of 2008 should come from endowed funds unless prohibited by the funds.
Seconded and approved unanimously.
Good of the Order:
Bill asked for the Vestry’s prayers for his daughter Cindy who is undergoing chemotherapy at Emory. He also gave thanks for Father Robert.
Kudos were given for the excellence of Emmanuel Episcopal Day School.
Lisa reported talking with Katherine Leonard on a Habitat workday and rejoiced at her excitement over their new house as the family begins to see it as their home. Plans are to have the house ready before Christmas.
Delegates to the Diocesan Annual Meeting in Decatur relayed that the procession from the conference center to Holy Trinity Church was glorious as was the service.
Matthew gave thanks for Dr. Patricia Lyons who gave two sermons, an Adult Forum, and a luncheon presentation on developing spirituality in youth. She was wonderfully received by the parish.
Nancy and her husband will be traveling to Prague to visit parishioners Tom Holland and Myra Blackmon who are living there for Tom’s Fulbright Fellowship. They are not only attendees of the only Anglican church in Prague, but both serve as readers.
Father Edwin urged all to talk to Bishop Whitmore when he comes for confirmation in March about his excitement over what is happening in the Diocese of Atlanta.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.
Next Meeting:
Hail and Farewell – December 14 at Father Robert’s home
Vestry Retreat – January 23-25, 2009, Lake Logan
Submitted by Lee Albright, Clerk of the Vestry
Approved by: : Gillian Ball, Anne Brightwell, John Ballard, John Becker, Katherine Byrne, Phillip Cofer, Bill Connerat, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Robin Krause, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Betsy Turner, Lisa Yarn