The regular meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, VA was held on October 9, 2001 at the parish house; the Rev. Keith Adams, Rector, presiding. The devotions were given by Leo Vaisvil.
Vestry members present were Marian Blount, Nelson T. Durden, Billie Einselen, Bob Harper, Hansi Haufler, Richard Hayes, Connie Heath, Vestal Lewis, Bill Mace, Bettyrene Pope, Mary Ellen Sawyer, Eric Stewart, W. L. (Bill) Terrill, and Leo Vaisvil
Absent: Linda Lashley
Guest – Debbie Williams, who reported that the Fellowship and Hospitality Committee is coming close to the end of its $1,000.00 budget for the year 2001. It is very important that the committee not run out of money because St. John’s has some very important activities before the end of the year. Debbie Williams requested an additional $500.00 for the rest of this year’s activities. After a discussion a motion was made, seconded, and passed that an additional $500.00 be allocated to the Fellowship and Hospitality Committee for the year 2001.
The Rector addressed a pastoral issue by reporting that Joe Strup is doing well.
Announcements and Diocesan Communications were given by the Rector who reported as follows, to-wit:
- A) The election of a Suffragan Bishop will take place in Norfolk, VA on October 13, 2001.
- B) “A Vision for the Diocese” by Bishop Bane was distributed.
- C) “A response to September 11th” by Bishop Bane, was distributed.
- D) The deadline for the nominations for the February 2002 Diocesan Council is on October 12, 2001.
- E) The Stewardship Chairmen for this year’s campaign will be Bob Harper and Rick Harman.
- F) A thank-you letter has been received from the Canterbury Center for the $500.00 gift from the Nickerson estate.
- G) Henry C. Blackiston’s will left $5,000.00 from his estate to St. John’s Church.
- H) A “Worship in the 21st Century” seminar will be held on November 17, 2001 at Jamestown Presbyterian Church.
- I) Theological Student’s Sunday will be held on February 3, 2002. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that a student from the Virginia Theological Seminary be present on that day.
- J) All Saints Day and All Saints Sunday Services on November 4, 2001 was discussed.
Old Business – None presented.
Treasurer’s Report was given by the Treasurer, who passed out the St. John’s Income & Expense Statement for the month ending September 30, 2001. The Treasurer explained how some of the items were posted and that a lot of the line items are over budget. She reported that there is $19,643.01 in the bank account as of October 9, 2001. There was a discussion about a possible budget shortfall for the year 2001. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that the 2001 budget be referred back to the Finance Committee for a revision to reflect the current fiscal status of St. John’s Church. An asking budget for 2002 was discussed and it will be presented at the November 2001 regular vestry meeting.
Registrar’s Report – The minutes of the September 2001 regular vestry meeting were approved as read.
Junior Warden’s Report – No group has met yet to tour the church facilities, and the bell now works.
Senior Warden’s Report – The installation of Keith Adams as Rector of St. John’s Church will take place on October 18, 2001 to be followed by a reception at the parish house. There will be a kick-off dinner for this year’s stewardship campaign. The next executive committee meeting will take place on November 2, 2001 at noon and the next regular vestry will take place on November 13, 2001 at 7:00PM.
Rector’s Report – “The Rector’s Report: The State of the Church on 9 October 2001, an Outline for Discussion” was distributed by the Rector and each item was explained and discussed. Page four of the handout set forth the first draft of the proposed parish organization chart. After discussion and several changes, a motion was made, seconded, and passed that the parish organization chart be adopted.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed that a committee of two vestry members and the Rector be formed to consider the use of consultants in the future for church growth and church renovation.
The Rector reported that Willie Parker does not expect to retire any time soon. He then reported that the cleaning crew is worthless and that they do nothing. Bettyrene Pope volunteered to look into getting someone to clean the church and parish house.
The Rector further reported that Elizabeth Phillips will resign as the parish communications secretary as of October 31, 2001 and he needs assistance in finding a replacement. He also reported that the salary of Kathy Dansey as Director of Christian Education, is out of line with the Diocesan norm, and that in the area of youth ministry, we need someone who is professionally trained. The clergy time for the Rector and Betty Long was discussed. The Rector then discussed the future staffing needs of the church because the current staffing will shrink the church. The ideal staff for a church the size of St. John’s is 3.5 full-time, trained ministry professionals and 5.83-8.75 administrative and support staff.
The physical plant was discussed and the Rector announced that Robert Shuford, Jr. will head the wirepullers. Computers and networking were also discussed and the Rector advised the vestry that high speed access through Cox Communications would cost $65.00 per month for a two-year minimum. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that St. John’s subscribe to the most cost-effective high-speed access. General repairs and renovations of the physical plant was discussed and the Rector pointed out that St. John’s needs to plan for the future renovation of the physical plant.
Lastly, the St. John’s endowment fund was discussed.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed that the services of the present cleaning crew be terminated.
A letter from Elizabeth Phillips dated October 9, 2001 was distributed and discussed. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that the matters set forth in the letter be tabled.
Marian Blount suggested that someone from the EYC should come and sit with vestry as a representative of the youth of this church. After discussion it was thought to be an excellent suggestion and would be considered in the future.
Adjournment.
Nelson T. Durden, Registrar