The regular meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on January 6, 2004 at 7:00 pm. The Reverend Donna Mae Siderius presided. The meeting was opened with a prayer.
Vestry members present were William Andrews, Greg Brauer, Linda Curtis, Frank Edgar, Sr. – Senior Warden, Peggy Hayes, Connie Heath – Treasurer, Vestal Lewis, Bill Kirkland, Denine Miller, Elizabeth Phillips, Bettyrene Pope – Registrar, Jim Shoemaker, Sandy Smith, Eric Stewart, and Bill Terrill – Junior Warden. Also present were Susan and David Copley – Assistant Rectors, Bill Rhode- Finance Committee Chairman, and Bill Boyer – Financial Administrator.
Devotions were given by Vestal Lewis – a reading of the “The Other Wise Man” and prayers.
The agenda items were changed to accommodate the Presentation of the 2004 Proposed Budget. The vestry determined last month our focus for the direction the church would take would be:
Core Values Priorities
- Prayerful Worship
- Responsible Caring Ministries
- Integrity Outreach
- Risk-Taking Christian Formation
In keeping with these charges, the Finance Committee under the leadership of Bill Rhode, Bill Boyer – Financial Administrator, and Connie Heath – Treasurer, a Proposed Balanced Operating Budget of $430,000 was presented. The church members have come forward with an outpouring of giving of money to make this budget possible. Total pledges currently are at $350,000. Discussion followed and some more indept researching of particular items will be looked at by the Finance Comm. Bill Andrews moved the adoption of the Proposed Balanced Operating Budget 2004. Jim Shoemaker seconded the motion. Prior discussion had taken place. The vote was taken and the motion passed. It was noted that Bill, Bill, and Connie had done a great job to make this budget a reality. A special thanks was given to Connie for her perseverance with the monies. Thanks also go to the members of the Finance Committee for their hard work.
Action Taken: The vestry approved the Operating Budget 2004 for St. John’s Church.
Treasurer’s Report
Connie Heath reported an income for the year of $412,792.28. Expenses were $464.962.51. The current bank balance is $23,241.35 with all expenses being paid. The treasurer’s report was moved for approval as presented. It was seconded and voted on favorably.
Registrar’s Report
Sandy Smith had taken minutes for Bettyrene Pope, Registrar. They were approved as written.
Sound System Report
Greg Brauer, our sound system “guru” reported that if there was an overflow of people from the church to the parish house, it is now possible to transmit the sound from one place to the other. He wants to add two more speakers in the room outside the offices and fix a speaker switch for the other room. A third wireless mike has been repaired. Speakers under the organ balcony in the church are operating as is the system for the hearing impaired. He plans to investigate the cost of the purchase for a wireless mike and report at a later date. Greg was given accolades for his outstanding work on the sound system and for the countless hours he has spent making things happen.
Vestry Nominations & Annual Meeting
The Epistle will go out at the end of this week and the vestry nomination papers will be included. They are due back by January 18th. Vestry Orientation for potential nominees will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 7-9 pm.
The Annual Meeting will be held on February 1st following one service at 9:00 am. Linda, Sandy, Frank, and Jim will work on the agenda items with DMS. Elizabeth, Peggy, and Vestal will help coordinate the breakfast. It will be the job of the outgoing vestry members to count the ballots.
Senior Warden – Frank Edgar, Sr. – no report
Junior Warden – Bill Terrill
Bill received a letter dated the 16th of Dec. from John R. Lawson of W. M. Jordan, Inc. confirming an agreement with his company to provide labor and materials for the repair or renovation of the Parish House for cost plus ten percent (10%) not to exceed $100,000. The superintendent for the job will be Jeff Ambrose, experienced with older structures. The work will be prioritized as to jobs. Frank Edgar, Sr., Jim Tormey, and Bill Terrill feel that stablizing the floor is the first thing to be done as suggested by the Structures Group. The town meetings’ input will also be incorporated in the prioritization. The trustees of the Mary Williams Trust took a walking tour with Bill around the grounds and buildings. John Holt would like to be an overseer when the work is being done as much as he can when his work will allow. G. T. Houston will be repairing the roof on the church and the parish house. The Structures Group is preparing a preliminary report for the church building.
Reports of Rectors
Susan reported with David that their Ordination was fantastic and that they were grateful to the vestry.
To allow the vestry to see how the rectors use their time, DMS encouraged them to keep a journal of their activities. Susan reported on her very busy two and a half days. David gave a similar journal packed with more hours than he is being paid for. He has found that his calling is to work as a parish priest and not be into fund raising. DMS gave a rendering of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and she had already logged 38 hours with the rest of the week to complete.
The time and talent of our ministers is being taxed to the maximum and they are doing an outstanding job performing the tasks given to them as priests. We are truly blessed as a parish to have these terrific people.
Winter Dinner
Our winter dinner will be held on Saturday, January 24th. Happy Hour will be at 5:30 pm and the “Great Chili Tasting and Judging” will begin at 6:00 pm.
Night’s Welcome
This endeavor was a success thanks to the efforts of overseer, Joe Drewry. Everyone that participated felt it was a worthwhile project. A thank you will be written by Bettyrene to Joe. It was suggested that perhaps next year, the vestry should volunteer as a group to take a day to provide the meals, register people, give out the bedding, then serve breakfast and clean up. The staff took their turn helping this year.
Tacky Light Award
The award was given to Susan Copley and a second light was given for David to have his very own. Both were “thrilled “? Bill Kirkland also gave them some not so tacky lights for their house accompanied by an Official Policy and Procedure Manual for Tacky Lights.
Good of the Order
Denine Miller was given kudos for her many refreshments provided for the night.
David, Susan and Donna Mae were complemented on their recent sermons.
Compliments were given to David for his outstanding job of composing and delivering a Memorial Service which was the his first in his career.
The meeting was adjourned with a prayer by David at 9:00 pm.
Bettyrene Pope
Registrar
Minutes: Approved: Approved as corrected: