The regular meeting of the vestry of St John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on March 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, Connie Heath; Treasurer, Bill Kirkland, Elizabeth Phillips, Bettyrene Pope; Registrar, Mary Ellen Sawyer, and Bill Terrill, Junior Warden.
Absent members were Hansi Haufler, Bill Mace, Jim Shoemaker, and Eric Stewart.
Devotions were given by The Rev. Siderius and Bill Kirkland.
Rector’s Report The Rector gave the following observations of her first three months with us:
- There is a good spirit at St. John’s as evidenced by the Ministry of Hospitality and their social events supported by many hard working and committed parishioners.
- Our Liturgical Ministry is strong and may be built upon to be even stronger.
- The Formation Ministry is going along well with the exception of the Newcomers and Welcomers area that needs strengthening.
- The Stewardship Ministry requires some evaluation and action in order to provide a more proactive role in the church.
- The Service Ministry is a way to grow the parish and invite people to be an integral part of the ministries. Jane Price is doing a wonderful job of visiting. More leaders within the parish need to be identified and use of mentors to encourage people to step up and be willing to be leaders are encouraged. More pastoral care assistance is needed. Outreach is being supported but could be stronger. We have lots of individuals doing things but could use teams of people.
- The vestry seems to be hard working but needs to be developed into a leadership team. We do not have enough contact time with one another. The “how” things are done is just as important at times as the “what” is decided. Management versus leadership. We need to come together other than at vestry meetings.
- Our next vestry meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at 7:00 pm.
- A Spring Schedule was passed out. Saturday, April 26th from 9:00 – 11:00 am in the parish house will be an Orientation for continuing vestry members and all vestry nominees.
- Vestry elections will take place at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 4th at 9:15 a.m.
- At the end of each vestry meeting, there will be an evaluation of the meeting – what went well, what didn’t work, etc.
- Donna Mae has been busy and the new job has been personally satisfying to her but she would like to create a “Rector’s Reflection Group”. This group’s makeup would change quarterly. Their purpose would be to facilitate the introduction of new ideas into the parish life. Composition of the group would be made up from three vestry members and three parishioners.
- Donna Mae discussed the feasibility of hiring David and Susan Copley, who visited us on Mission Sunday, as Assistant Rectors for a two-year period. The National Church would pick up some of their costs including moving expenses, medical insurance, a housing equity, and partial payment for the Pension Fund. A motion was made and seconded that the Finance Committee look into this as to the budgetary impact and report back to the Vestry. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report – Connie Heath reported that the current checking account balance is $41,656.25. Receipts for the month of February totaled $23,458.25. It was moved and seconded to approve the report. The motion carried. Connie attended a Tax Workshop that she felt was beneficial. At the last vestry meeting, it was suggested that the income from the Hoffman House be designated toward payment of the principal rather than accruing interest as it is now. Upon checking with the Endowment Fund members, the money will continue to be placed as per the current policy. Jim Shoemaker, Bill Terrill, Bob Harper and Connie Heath helped write specific guidelines for the Endowment Fund and the Williams Charitable Trust. A copy is attached.
Junior Warden – Bill Terrill reported that The Structures Group of Williamsburg has completed their onsite work and will draft their report in two to three weeks. Bill provided an engineering drawing of the parish house with the distressed locations under evaluation marked. The House and Grounds Committee continue to work on prioritizing maintenance tasks and upkeep. Painting is now in progress in the parish house.
Senior Warden- Bob Harper reported that he, Joe Drewry, and Donna Mae attended an organizational meeting of the group Empower Hampton Roads. The group is a faith based civic organization formed to address emerging community and social issues. A second meeting will be held on March 20th at the Church of the Ascension in Va. Beach. Several members of St. John’s will attend to gather more information on what appears to be a possible ministry for our church.
Old Business- The Communion Silver Committee – Nelson Durden shared a copy of the draft agreement drawn up by Frear Hawkins. Assigning a specific value to the silver is still under discussion.
New Business- New vestry members will be elected at the May 4th Congregational meeting. Donna Mae asked that we consider decreasing the number of members on the vestry. Discussion took place and consideration for this change should be thought about for the year 2004. Potential nominees for the group of 2006 should possess leadership qualities, be a communicant and pledge to the parish.
Nelson moved that we adopt the draft guideline proposals for the Endowment Fund and the Williams Charitable Trust Fund. It was seconded and then voted upon. The motion passed.
Donna Mae passed out copies of the Annual Parochial Report. After some discussion, Bob moved that we accept the report as written. It was seconded and the vote taken. The motion passed.
Good of the Parish – Elizabeth Phillips expressed her appreciation for the remembrances she received upon her father’s death. There will be a concert “Back to Bach” presented by John Siderius on Saturday. The Tacky Light award was given to Nelson Durden.
Meeting Evaluation: What’s good, what’s bad, what do we need to change??
We need to work on communicating better with one another. Each person needs to be heard.
We need more contact with one another other than the vestry meeting. Bill Kirkland suggested the minutes be reformed to include an “Action List”. He has been designated to develop a form for our use.
Following a closing prayer, the meeting was adjourned.
Bettyrene Pope Registrar
Minutes: Approved: Approved as corrected:
Motions made, seconded, and carried:
- Minutes were approved as corrected
- Treasurer’s Report approved
- Guidelines for the Endowment Fund and Williams Charitable Trust approved
- Annual Parochial Report approved