Emmanuel Episcopal Church

September 23, 2009

Present:  Father Robert Salamone, Father Edwin Beckham, Anne Brightwell, John Becker, Joe Clements, Phillip Cofer, Curt Collier, Dee Forester, Chuck Galis, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Matt Humphrey, Marty Kemp, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Lisa Yarn

Visitors:  Diane Wahlers, Jamaica Miller

Fr. Robert called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm and welcomed the guests.

Erwin gave the devotion saying he and his wife Erika were drawn to Emmanuel through the music.  He then played the hymns “Abide with Me” and “Be Thou My Vision” as a meditation.

Information/Discussion Items:

Lee Albright and Diane Wahlers reported on the Interfaith Disability Summit they attended in Atlanta on August 9, 2009.  It was agreed that many changes need to be made at Emmanuel both in structure and programming to accommodate persons with disabilities.  Discussion followed on how we fix this at Emmanuel and what we do for the short term.  Jamaica Miller serves as an excellent model because she is not shy about speaking about her needs and ways she can participate.  Erika Greene, a special education teacher, has adapted the Atrium program for some of the children.  We must be attuned to the range of disabilities that exists in our parish.  Education must be reciprocal: we learn what the disabled persons need and they learn what the culture of our worship entails.  We must find ways a person with a disability can give to the parish as well as receive accommodations.  Would a summit for disability needs be a useful mechanism at Emmanuel?

Suggestions made included:

• Creating training programs (e.g., sighted guide that was done with Jamaica) to train some parishioners in accommodations and some “guides” to sit with people in church.
• Reaching out to the elderly who have disappeared because of disability issues, forming a group of people to visit them and remember them to the parish.
• Taking inventory of those with needs, what their needs are, and those with talents to address those needs.
• Taking out two pew rows on one side of the church for wheelchairs.
• Training the Lay Eucharistic Ministers to accommodate the people with disabilities and being sure those with disabilities know there is someone there who can do this.
• Thinking of a “Universal Design” in our long-term planning.

The Vestry called for a Task Force on Disabilities to include Lee Albright, Diane Wahlers, Jamaica Miller, and Diane Miller.  Naomi asked that a call be made to others who would volunteer to serve.  A call was also made for a Summit at Emmanuel on these issues.

Joe gave an update on the fall Stewardship campaign.  The Vestry Forum on October 4 will have a discussion on pledging.  Homilies will be given on October 4 and 11 by Paul Anderson and Robin Bewley.  Joe and Lee Gaby have planned a Week of Quiet Contemplation October 5-9 with self-directed prayers and scriptures provided for a quiet moment in the sanctuary.  Pledge cards are to be returned by November 1 and will be dedicated on November 8.  Joe asked that the entire Vestry be in the sanctuary sometime during the Week of Contemplation.  Naomi suggested that the time on Wednesday (10/9) be 6:30-8:30 pm.

Matthew reported on the Formation expenses after adding the Level 2 and Level 1 Atria.  There is $1800 remaining in the Children’s Formation budget and $3000 in invoices (which is almost 100% for furniture and catechesis materials).  The Adult Formation budget has about $6000 remaining, so he asked that $4000 be transferred from the Adult budget to the Children’s budget.  It was asked if pledge information is given to newcomers since they bring many new children to the program.  Fr. Robert said this should be in the newcomer’s packet.

Matthew gave an update on phase 2 of the structural audit.  Reed Sheats, structural engineer, evaluated the structural issues in the sanctuary and was asked to create a monitoring tool for keeping up with structural problems.  Mr. Sheats noted each crack on a drawing of the footprint of the church buildings and provided photos of each.  Matthew also gave a report on what needs to be repaired and will ask three contractors to bid on these repairs.  There will be a pre-bid meeting with Sheats, Matthew, and another planning committee member.Matthew met with Charlie Upchurch (realtor) and Robin Smith (owner) about the Huddle House property.  The appraisal we commissioned set the value at $210,000 and Upchurch and Smith set the value at $308,400.  Smith believes that the Huddle House wants to remain on the property for about two more years until the end of their current lease and that they will not use their option to renew the lease.  Smith would sign now for a purchase price of $210,000 which would mean that Emmanuel would be a landlord for two years.

Vince and Fr. Edwin reported on the progress of the Creation Keepers.  Vince had attended the Creation Keepers Workshop at St. George’s Episcopal Church.  A discussion of environmental stewardship has been mandated by Bishop Alexander.  He advocates an energy audit in each parish to identify ways to be good stewards (recycling, energy efficient appliances).  This would also save money for the parish.  We should develop a Creation Keepers scorecard.  Georgia Interfaith Power and Light can provide the audit to us as members.  Emmanuel should pledge to “go green” in new construction, recycling, and use of energy efficient light bulbs.  Vince advocated a commission be created for this initiative and he would be willing to serve as our Creation Keeper.  He suggested when the Vestry turns off lights and locks up they empty the recycling bins.  The diocesan website is www.greenguild.episcopalatlanta.org.  Erwin noted that the Athens-Clarke Co. Recycling Dept. is looking for a church to be an example church.  Fr. Edwin and Naomi recommended that the Resources and Finance bubble on the organizational chart is the best placement for the Creation Keepers because it is a stewardship issue.  The Vestry agreed with this organizational placement.  John agreed that the Vestry should take on the responsibility of emptying the recycling bins.

Naomi postponed the issue of the size and make-up of the Vestry in the interest of time.  She noted that an idea from the General Convention was to have one seat on the Vestry for a young adult (age 16-18).  This would be a Bylaws issue for Emmanuel.

Anne gave a Ministry Review of the Pastoral Care Commission.  She reported that Emmanuel needs a van for pastoral care functions, outreach, etc.  Fr. Robert said he wants to determine why some parishioners disappear – what are the issues and how can they be addressed.  Fr. Edwin noted that we need to make everyone aware of the Prayer Ministry, both to pray and to ask for prayers.

Fr. Robert outlined the next steps in the Capital Campaign.  Naomi gave out a revised list of capital campaign consultants.  She had contacted churches in the area that have had capital campaigns in the last 15 years and asked who their consultant was.  Fr. Robert and Naomi proposed that a small screening committee be formed to contact these resources and interview them to narrow the list.  The Vestry would interview the firms on this short list.  Naomi appointed Lisa, Curt, Matthew, and Marty (chair).  The goal is to choose a firm by the end of November so it can be announced at the Parish Meeting in December.  The Vestry agreed that we will not pay the expenses of the firms to come interview.  We will interview three firms.  A common set of questions is needed for the three interviews.

Reports:

Communications – Phillip noted that electronic media is the way the younger generation communicates so we need to interact with them in this way.

Parish Life – Dee announced that the Vestry Cooking Team serves on October 14 for the Wednesday Night Supper.

Nancy McDuff clarified the procedure for responding to the clerk about the minutes.  Comments or corrections on the first draft sent to everyone should be sent to the clerk even if you have no corrections.  The corrections will be made and the final draft will be sent for your vote on approval of the minutes.  She requested that replies not be made as “Reply All” on the first draft, only on the final draft sent for a vote on approval by the Vestry.

Junior Warden – John said that he hoped the roof and gutters would be completed in the next week barring more rain.

Senior Warden – Naomi announced that the Vestry is serving as Greeters on November 1 and 8.  She asked everyone to let her know at which service they could serve.

Rector – Fr. Robert made the following comments:

• For the delegates to the Annual Council in November, Dean Doug Dailey is offering workshops on September 26 and October 3 to prepare for the Council.
• Changes in service schedules:
  • The Thanksgiving Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday evening, November 25, to encourage better participation.
  • The Christmas pageant will be on the 4^th Sunday of Advent (December 20) at the conclusion of the 10:30 am service<
• October Forum – Joan Prettie of Project Safe will speak.  Emmanuel will highlight domestic violence in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Emmanuel has many baptisms in the near future.
• Fr. Robert is meeting tomorrow with Bob Wood about insurance issues.
• The Vestry needs to look again at how key codes are distributed.

Financial Review:

Nancy reported that the Endowment Fund began the fiscal year with $5.5 million and had at the end of August $6 million.  Payments of pledges have come up some, but we have not recovered what we have lost in earlier months.  Payment of pledges is lower that what it should be.  She asked commission chairs to let her know if they will not spend their entire budget and how much will not be spent.

Action Items:

Motion:  Matthew requested that the Vestry transfer $4000 from Adult Formation (line 650115) to Children’s Formation (line 650110).

The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Good of the Order:

Edwin highlighted the book, Jesus Was an Episcopalian.

Chuck commended the Tower article by John Albright about being a part of the music at Emmanuel.

Matthew reported that CASA had raised $30,000 in cash and $15,000 in kind.  They hope to raise $100,000 in cash and then get a loan.

Curt said that there are some new ushers to begin serving in the next six months.

Joe encouraged everyone to take health precautions, especially now in the flu season.  He is seeing some very serious cases in his practice.

Nancy gave thanks for the Prayer Shawl Ministry for the comfort the shawls bring to the recipients and the love that goes into the knitting of the shawls.

Fr. Edwin closed with a prayer.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:48 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Lee Albright, Clerk of the Vestry

Approved by:  Anne Brightwell, John Becker, Joe Clements, Phillip Cofer, Curt Collier, Dee Forester, Chuck Galis, Erwin Greene, Matthew Hicks, Vince Howard, Matt Humphrey, Marty Kemp, Nancy McDuff, Naomi Norman, Lisa Yarn