For April 2002
The regular meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on April 9, 2002. The Rev. Keith N. Adams, Rector, presiding.
Vestry members present were Marian T. Blount; Nelson T. Durden, Registrar; Billie Einselen, Senior Warden; Bob Harper; Linda Lashley; Connie Heath, Treasurer; Bill Mace; Bettyrene Pope; Mary Ellen Sawyer; Eric Stewart; W.L. (Bill) Terrill, Junior Warden; Richard Hayes; and Keith N. Adams, Rector.
Absent: Hansi Haufler and Vestal Lewis.
Devotions – Mary Ellen Sawyer.
The minutes of the March 2002 regular vestry meeting were approved as corrected.
Pastoral issues – none.
The Treasurer’s Report was given by the Treasurer who distributed St. John’s Episcopal Church Income and Expense Statement as of March 31, 2002; Special Accounts Report; and Hoffman House report. She also stated that the bank balance was $48,939.55 as of April 9, 2002; and that St. John’s has received 177 pledges totaling $344,240.00 as of April 9th, 2002.
Bill Mace distributed a handout entitled 2002 Budget – Revisited, and asked the Finance Committee to revisit the 2002 St. John’s Church budget based on the information in the handout and make a report to the vestry. A motion was made and seconded, and passed that the Finance Committee revisit the 2002 budget based on the information in the handout and make a report to the vestry.
A copy of the 2002 St. John’s budget is attached.
Junior Warden’s Report – Mr. Terrill reported that no report has been received from a structural engineer about the parish house; and that the parish house carpet is to be cleaned.
Senior Warden’s Report- Billie Einselen reported on 2002 Bishop’s Days with vestries and wardens. She advised the vestry that Kay Gardner is planning a reception for the Suffragan Bishop on Sunday, April 14th, 2002. She discussed a donation to the music fund in memory of the father of John Siderius. The silver loan agreement was also discussed because the Hampton University Museum wants a time limit on the contract and asked that the silver be photographed. A motion was made, seconded and passed that the executive committee continue to negotiate with the History Museum about the use of the silver. The Senior Warden also discussed a fence for the rest of St. John’s property that will be similar in appearance to the present fence. She then referred to a letter from Linda Lashley resigning from the vestry and asking that Dennis Long replace her on the vestry at the May 2002 regular vestry meeting as decided at the 2001 annual congregational meeting. A motion was made that Dennis Long be elected to fill the un-expired term of Linda Lashley as expressed by the congregation at the 2001 congregational meeting. The motion was withdrawn. Lastly, the Senior Warden made remarks about the state of the vestry.
Old Business – The Rector reported that the confirmation class has cleaned up the area outside of the Rector’s office and he also reported on the progress of the project in regard to the Blackiston Memorial Garden. A motion was made that up to $2,000.00 be allocated out of the $5,000.00 Blackiston bequest to be used to restore the area for a memorial garden in memory of the Blackiston family. There was a second and the motion passed.
A motion was made that Ann Ward be elected Assistant Treasurer. There was a second and the motion passed.
Finance Committee Election. Ann Ward and Bob Harper were elected to three-year terms. Nelson Durden and Bill Rhode were elected to two-year terms. George Neal and Bill Boyer, Jr., were elected to a one-year term. Bill Rhode was elected chair.
The rector advised the vestry that the plaque for Willie Parker has been ordered for a cost of $549.00 and it will be here by June 2002. He also announced the following chairs, to-wit:
Parish Life – Hansi Haufler, and Evangelism and Discipleship – Skeeter Brauer.
New Business. The Rector announced that Pat Saunders resigned as parish financial secretary as of the end of April 2002.
The annual Parish (congregational) Meeting will be held on May 5, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. and vestry nominations will cut off on April 30th, 2002.
Journey to Adulthood presentation – Linda Lashley gave a description of the program and made several comments. There will be a meeting for all interested person on April 21, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish house.
Bishop Gallagher will visit St. John’s to confirm the current confirmation class.
Bishop Bane will visit on April 17, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the parish house. The purpose of the visit was to meet with the vestry. Nelson Durden announced that there will be a Jail and Prison Ministry conference at St. Paul’s Church, Richmond, Virginia beginning April 10, 2002.
Connie Heath mentioned the subject of St. John’s crosses for the senior acolytes and Marian Blount also said that she received her last epistle late.
Eric Stewart commented on space needs for Christian education and suggested partitioning the stage into two rooms.
Mary Ellen Sawyer commented on some type of recognition for Sylvia Edgar for her many years as parish secretary.
Bob Harper again, asked about the status of the purchase of the Horseman building by St. John’s Church. There was a discussion.
The vestry went into executive session.
Adjournment, Nelson T. Durden Registrar