- The Vestry met on April 10, with nine Vestry members present, plus the Reverend Skip Hutton. The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius presided.
- The checking account balance as of April 10 was $44,178.80.
- March income was $27,346.00 and expenses were $38,644.11. With 25% of the year complete, total budgeted income is at 32.26 %, but pledges are slightly below, at 21.57%.
- Donations of $685.00 were received for Easter memorials.
- Easter Baskets were purchased and delivered by the Mission and Outreach Committee. Each family received a grocery store gift card and Easter candy for the children.
- John Chiasson is taking inventory of who has keys to the church buildings.
- Skip Hutton’s fourth lecture on the History of St. John’s will be held on Tuesday, April 17th.
- The 2006 Parochial Report was discussed and approved by the Vestry. There was no change in total membership from 2005, as our roles decreased and increased by 24 individuals, for a total of 556 members. Ninety members are less than 16 years of age. Average Sunday attendance is 190 versus 191 in 2005. There are 79 children enrolled in Sunday School. Easter attendance for 2006 was 437; 402 for 2005, and 380 this year.
- Donna-Mae Siderius hopes to hire an interim youth minister to work with the EYC through December 2007.
- Vestry reviewed and discussed the current issue of “Vestry Papers”, whose topic for March/April was Christian Formation.
- Vestry was encouraged to attend the meeting of the Newcomers/Greeters Committee on April 18. An orientation for individuals new to St. John’s will be held between the services on April 22, with leadership from Sanford Pankin and Bettyrene Pope.
- Donna-Mae Siderius has been attending the Sunday morning Journey to Adulthood class in preparation of her joining the J2A on their pilgrimage to Belize from June 16-25.
- Jane Price averages 18 pastoral visits per month, not including time spent calling and sending cards, even though she is on the payroll for only five hours per month. This is a very special and most appreciated ministry.
- Donna-Mae Siderius and Harper Lewis will be at CREDO from April 29-May 7. There will be 22 young clergy (ages 40 – 54) attending.
- The following mission statement was adopted by the Vestry – “St. John’s is an historic parish living the challenge between tradition and innovation. In this sacred place, we are striving to uphold unchanging gospel truths and values in the context of a rapidly changing community.” This statement was developed by the Vestry during their March retreat in response to three questions – Who/what is St. John’s today; What are the challenges; and What is the role of St. John’s Vestry. The retreat was excellently facilitated by Claire Poole, a spiritual director and former Christian Educator.
- St. John’s will host the Anti-Racism Commission of the Diocese on Friday night, April 20 through Saturday, April 21. The theme of the event is “Seeing the Face of God in Each Other.” Bob Harper is the chairperson. Vestry was encouraged to attend.
- As part of the Explore Hampton 2007 weekend, and in conjunction with the Citizens Unity Commission, there will be a Faith and Diversity interfaith ceremony at Mill Point Park on Friday, April 27 from 6-8 p.m.
- Kevin Eley passed the Vestry Tacky Light to Bettyrene Pope, and Betsy Clark passed the Mission Tacky Light to Sandy Smith. Bettyrene and Sandy will keep their lights burning until the next Vestry meeting, praying for the Vestry, mission and outreach.
Sandy Smith, Registrar