The regular meeting of the vestry of St John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on February 18, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. The Reverend Donna Mae Siderius, Rector presided.
Vestry members present were: Nelson Durden, Frank Edgar, Sr., Bob Harper: Senior Warden, Hansi Haufler, Connie Heath; Treasurer, Bill Kirkland, Bill Mace, Elizabeth Phillips, Bettyrene Pope; Registrar, Mary Ellen Sawyer, Jim Shoemaker, Eric Stewart, and Bill Terrill, Junior Warden.
Devotions were given by Jim Shoemaker
Rector’s Report The Rector gave the following report:
- Beginning Feb. 24th there will be Daily Prayer from 12:15 – 12:30 in the church, Monday through Friday. The bells will be rung each afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The prayer service and the bells will serve as reminders to people to pray for peace. This helps to acknowledge that the church is a safe place to share concerns.
- Thanks were given to Elizabeth Phillips, Hansi Haufler, Mary Ellen Sawyer and Judy Moore for their involvement in Chili Night with 121 attendees and for the Reception of New Ministry. Both events were outstanding.
- Personnel- Kelly and Eric Reibel will be moving to Richmond and Harper Lewis will be taking Kelly’s place temporarily.
- Jane Price, Lay Spiritual Leader will be spending five hours per week visiting parishioners of St. John’s. She will also be involved in forming a Pastoral Care Team for visiting. She also will be starting seed groups for spiritual direction.
- John Chiasson will be doing some maintenance jobs for the church.
- Six vestry members attended Bishop’s Day.
- Empower Hampton Roads is an interfaith ministry calling together congregations and faith based institutions to become a voice for the voiceless in our community. We will have representatives attending their organizational meeting.
- Possible dates for the Parish Annual Meeting are May 4th and May 11th.
- At the Annual Meeting election of new vestry members will occur. Suggestions for potential candidates will be discussed at the March vestry meeting.
- Vestry Retreat – This will be for the retiring members as well as the new members. Discussion took place as to overnight retreat vs. Friday night and Saturday meetings. A place to have this will also impact the ultimate decision.
- A printout of the attendance of St. John’s since 1991 with a trend projection until 2005 was passed out and discussed. A copy is included. Information about the church can be obtained from the Link2Lead.com website.
- St. John’s may want to pursue joining the Consortium of Endowed Parishes. Information is available to help parishes think theologically about how to use endowments and how to manage them. Website: ENDOWEDPARISHES.org.
The minutes of the January meeting were approved as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report – Connie Heath reported that the current checking account balance is $46,220.25 Receipts for the month of January totaled $53,921.56.
The Christmas offering was divided between Youth Challenge and HELP. Future Discussion will occur with the Endowment Board for suggestions on the use of the capital slowly building in the Hoffman House account. Connie and Donna Mae will draft a letter to small groups within the parish that have checking accounts to have the Treasurer’s name placed on the accounts as a backup signature in case of emergencies.
Junior Warden – Bill Terrill reported that he was meeting with The Structures Group of Williamsburg on Wednesday to review the needs of the Parish House and to prioritize the tasks. After this report is given, a mechanical, electrical, and asbestos assessment needs to be done and immediate needs given priority. John Chiasson will be helping with some of the maintenance jobs. After much discussion, it was decided that he would be paid at an hourly rate for his work. It was suggested that a list of people who use the building help develop a wish list of maintenance jobs.
Mary Williams left her estate to St. John’s and the auction proceeds will go into the Endowment Fund. Another trust has been established that will provide $150,000 per year for maintenance and care of the church property. Donna Mae will be talking with us about the responsibilities that are inherent with this blessing from the Williams Trust.
A committee of Bill Terrill, Jim Shoemaker, Bob Harper, and Connie Heath will develop guidelines and plans to delineate the use of the Endowment Fund and the Williams Trust in church maintenance projects.
Recognition to pay tribute to Ed and Mary Williams for their gifts will be planned for a future date.
Bill Mace at this time reiterated that the Vestry needs to develop a strategic plan for the church and the church’s ministry.
Frank Edgar, Sr. suggested that the vestry may need to meet more frequently than the yearly retreat and monthly meetings to complete such a plan. The vestry has responsibilities that includes a Vision and what process we need to follow to make that Vision happen.
Senior Warden- Billie Einselen’s mother has had some medical procedures. Anyone, who wishes binders for their vestry papers, let Bob know. Current vestry members need to be thinking of potential candidates for the new vestry. Betty McKinney, Hansi Haufler, Bettyrene Pope, and Bob were delegates to Council. Betty Allen and Bill Mace also attended. Donna Mae gave an excellent synopsis of Council in her sermon on the rainy icy Sunday of Feb. 16th. She will include this in the coming edition of the Epistle.
Old Business- The Communion Silver Committee with Nelson Durden, Chairman, Frank, Bob, Billie and Donna Mae will meet on February 26th.
Stewardship Committee- $8000 in pledges has been added. These will be substantial additions to the church income. The budget is in a comfortable position at present.
Celebrations- Elizabeth Phillips reported having $1000 as a line item in the budget. The special events totaled $1266.90
New Business- Elizabeth Phillips suggested that an inventory be made of what the church has possession of in the kitchen. A sign in and a sign out sheet should be used to keep track of the items.
Elizabeth presented recommendations from the Outreach Commission. A motion was moved and seconded that the vestry approve the recommendations as presented subject to the balance of income on hand. The motion was approved.
Good of the Parish – Nelson Durden read the attached resolution for Warren Spratley. It was moved and seconded that it be approved. The motion passed.
The Tacky Light award was given to Mary Ellen Sawyer.
A copy of a closing prayer was distributed and prayed by all.
Dismissal
Bettyrene Pope Registrar
Minutes: Approved: Approved as corrected: