The regular meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia, was held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006. The Very Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius, Rector, presided, opening the meeting at 7:05 pm. Vestry members present were Greg Brauer, Scott Curtis, Nelson Durden, Charlie Edmonson, Bettyrene Pope, Jr. Warden, Whit McKinney, Bob Wind, Bill Forinash, John Chiasson, Ben Ferris, Charles Zimmerman, Bob Harper, Sr. Warden, Connie Heath, Treasurer, and Kay Olson, Registrar, Sanford Pankin was absent. Clergy present was the Reverend David Copley.
PROGRAM
Donna-Mae Siderius introduced Ann Garland, PHD, of the Port of Hampton Research Group. Her guest was Dr. Susan Lebo, of the Bishop Museum, in Hawaii, who stopped by on her way to Alaska. The Post of Hampton Research Group and the Vestry of St. John’s signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the non-profit group to conduct Archaeological Investigations at the second and third church sites. The Port of Hampton Research Group’s study is to include public education about historic preservation for all ages, studies of past curatorial contacts, and to re-develop exhibits and curate collections in the church museum. Preservation and Management of Church sites will be done in collaboration with the College of William and Mary, the Hampton History Museum, Virginia Air and Space Center and the City of Hampton Planning Department. The Senior GIS Planner Irayda Ruiz will have oversight of the management plan.
Vestry Support will include Letters of Agreement to research and investigate the church sites on their (the church) property by the Port of Hampton Research Group. Letters of support for funding sources will include reviews of the research designs and research proposals.
A core group will include members of the Vestry and of the Port of Hampton Research Group, all parties will have input into the proposed plans and grant requests.
Scott Curtis made a motion to proceed with the Port of Hampton Research Group. Motion carried. The core group will include members of Vestry, Charles Zimmerman, Charles Edmonson, John Chiasson, and Kay Olson. Beverly Gundry and Jim Tormey also will be asked to be members of the core group.
Action Taken: The vestry voted to proceed with the Port of Hampton Research Group.
Areas of ministry
Reports on Areas of Ministry were given by the Chairpersons of the groups. The reports included Mission Statements for each Area of Ministry, and a brief report of the meetings held with Donna-Mae Siderius. Discussion was held concerning what our next steps will be in this area. Some areas included concerns on how to recruit new members of the various Areas of Ministry. Each Ministry leader will be asked to have two new people join their group. Each leader should be mentoring someone to take over leadership of his/her ministry. Suggested title to replace the old commission system was “Ministries for You at St. John’s.
A “Leadership Event” will be held September 19, 2006, for the leaders of the various ministries. Bettyrene Pope will plan this event, Kay Olson and Bob Harper volunteered to help her with plans. Each Ministry Leader should be prepared to give a report of what opportunities are available on his/her team at the event. Area of Ministries chairpersons should notify each of their ministry team chairpersons of the event and what will be expected of them.
The August epistle will include a Survey of Interest for each parishioner to fill out as to areas they may be interested in working or serving on for the church.
Business Meeting
Minutes of the May meeting were approved with one correction.
Connie Heath, Treasurer, reported that St. John’s is on schedule with the projected income for June.
Charles Zimmerman made a motion the current Finance Committee members stay in place until the August Vestry Meeting. Motion carried.
Action Taken: The current Finance Committee Members will remain on the committee until the August Vestry meeting.
Bill Forinash made a motion for the Vestry to request the Endowment Board reimburse the General Fund for maintenance repairs. Motion carried.
Action Taken: The Vestry will request the Endowment Board to reimburse the General Fund for maintenance repairs.
A Disaster Preparedness Information form was presented for review, Stan Winarski, David Copley, Bob Wind, and John Chiasson will look into getting an information form ready for use for the parishioners of St. John’s to fill out and be kept with the Church Staff for use in emergency situations.
KUDOS
The Vestry wishes to thanks Elizabeth and Ron Phillips, Connie and Don Heath, Judy Moore, Mary Ellen Sawyer, Bill Boyer, Debbie Williams, and everyone else who helped with the T.H.I.S. picnic, without them the party would not have been! !!
Thanks to John Siderius, the St. John’s Choirs, the Bruton Parish Pelham Choir, and the musicians who WOWED us with the Mozart Mass.
Thanks to Betsy Clark for furnishing the door magnets and to Ben Ferris who installed them on the handicapped ramp door.
Good of the Order
Kay Olson reported a donation made for a funeral reception will be used for advertising for church events.
Recipients of the Tacky awards were John Chiasson, the Vestry light and Kay Olson, the Mission light.
Next vestry meeting August 8, 2006, Bill Forinash will be responsible for devotions and refreshments.
Kay Olson, Registrar