The regular monthly meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, VA was held on June 8, 1999. The meeting was called to order by Letia Drewry, Senior Warden and the registrar was present.
Those present were Richard Hayes, Vestal Lewis, Rick Harman, Leo Vaisvil, Keith Hatch, Mac McKinney, Lew Vermillion, Billie Einselen, Jane Heiby, Marian Blount, Nancy Adams, Letia Drewry, and Warren Spratley. Also present and given voice were Judy Moore, for Kathy Dansey, Director of Christian Education, and Donna-Mae Siderius.
Those absent were Frank Edgar, Connie Heath, and Dan Clark.
Devotions: Nancy Adams.
Donna-Mae Siderius spoke about change and the trust process. A vestry in transition needs to be non-anxious with the congregation– a time for maximum conversation within the vestry but minimum with the congregation. It is a time of prayer and reading the Scriptures. She also spoke about Rick Vinson’s interim ministry at Emmanuel, a time of healing and reconciliation. She felt the vestry needed to conduct the Church Profile – it needs to develop the vision for the Church, and hear what the congregation is saying, especially after having a long term minister. If any surprises occur, the process can pe slowed down. The search committee should be ready to begin its work when called. Communication with the congregation is essential and the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Interim minister, and Vestry Consultant should meet regularly.
The vestry voted on John Eidam as Vestry Consultant.
REGISTER’S REPORT
Correspondence was read and the minutes of the regular May vestry meeting and the special meeting at the Well on May 22, 1999 were approved as mailed. Minutes of the special vestry meeting of May 18, 1999 were distributed and approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The report was given by Warren Spratley, Treasurer. The bank balance is $29,071 as of May 31, 1999. The income is down and he suggested a plea in the bulletin to encourage the congregation to pay their pledges during the summer. The Nickerson Fund has spent $6,000 and should receive an additional disbursement from the Nickerson Trust in June. The income and expense statement for the month of May and the special accounts statement were distributed and discussed.
The owners of Hoffman House have signed the deed and St. John’s should have title soon. There is a possible new tenant and the accountant needs to be contacted about any tax problem or change in the nonprofit status.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMISSION Judy Moore, on behalf of Kathy Dansey of Christian Education, requested the purchase of a new TV stand. A motion was made and seconded to increase the Christian Education budget by $500 for this purchase. The motion passed. She also reported Christian Education is having a picnic at Buckroe Beach for the teachers and that the rental application needed to be signed. Letia Drewry signed the application.
1999-2000 COMMISSION CHAIRS Hansi Hoffler will be the evangelism Commission chair and Dan Clark and Robert Claiborne will co-chair Property Planning. The training for commission chairs is June
VESTRY COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP CHOICES Six people have signed up for the Finance Commission and no one has signed up for Christian Education or Stewardship. The list was passed around and people were asked to reconsider their commission choices. Every commission needs to have at least one vestry member.
CONSENT AGENDA
PENECOSTAL MINISTER Letia passed out the July 19, 1995 contract with the Pentecostal Minister. It was supposed to be reviewed after six months, but there is no documentation that it has ever been reviewed with him. There have been no complaints or inconveniences by St. John’s but the purpose was to build a congregation and there are no apparently members of his Church. It was moved and seconded that this contract be terminated July 19, 1999. The motion passed.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESOLUTION FOR THE REV. FRANCIS W.HAYES
Frank Hayes’ family requested that contributions be made to St. John’s Parish Improvement Fund or to Virginia Theological Seminary. This notice will be put in the bulletin. It was also recommended Nelson Durden be asked to write a resolution in memory of The Rev. Hayes.
WARDEN’S REPORTS
SENIOR WARDEN Letia Drewry handed out a final accounting of the reception for Elisa Wheeler.
Letia offered Hampton Baptist Church the use of our church after their steeple fell into their sanctuary. Chester Brown thanked her and will contact her if needed.
The Women of the Church are putting together a welcoming basket for the Vinson family and are asking for any favorite recipes to be included in the basket. The Vinson’s address was printed incorrectly in the bulletin – should be 150 Chicamauga Pike.
Rick Vinson’s farewell address to Emmanual Episcopal Church was handed out.
JUNIOR WARDEN Lew Vermillion reported the new pew racks have been installed. The old ones will be sold for $10 each.
The windows in the doors of the choir room, nursery, and Christian Education have been installed. The cost was $15 per door.
Lew made a motion to request from the Endowment Fund $7,000 to paint the outside of the Church and $1,200 to repair the foundation leak on the south side of the Church. The motion was seconded and approved.
The 3rd Site on Pembroke Ave. has tree roots growing up into the walkway.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Parishioner Bill Rhode invited the vestry to a picnic that his employer, Scott and Stringfellow, is sponsoring featuring the Virginia Opera at the Vineyards in Williamsburg. Letia passed out information on this event.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Nancy Adams, Registrar