The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton,Virginia, met on January 12, 2009. The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. Present were Bob Harper, Senior Warden, John Chiasson, Junior Warden, Megan Tiller, Sanford Pankin, Ruth Simmons, Betsy Clark, Scott Curtis, Kay Olson, Ann Rice, Whit McKinney, and Kevin Van Sloten. Absent was Kevin Eley. Also present were The Reverend James Hutton and Treasurer Connie Heath and guest Melodye Dorst, Deputy Project Manager, 2010.
Melodye Dorst read a report from Linda McMahon concerning the approaching 2010 celebration. Plans are taking shape. Melodye suggested creating an historical memory book from and for the members of St. John’s. This would include memories in print form about a member who the parishioner especially remembers working with or who the member thinks was special to the history of the church. Scott Curtis made the motion which was seconded by Megan Tiller to proceed with a memory book to be created by and about the parishioners of St. John’s with the proceeds to go toward the 2010 budget. The motion passed. Action taken: A motion was made and seconded to proceed with a memory book to be created by and about the parishioners of St. John’s with proceeds going toward the 2010 budget. The motion passed.
Donna-Mae had sent the vestry a questionnaire designed to review the work of the vestry over the past year and our observations as part of the leadership of this parish. The first part of the meeting was spent talking about prayer life, the overview of the entire operation of the parish and discernment. A lively and informative discussion evolved.
Donna-Mae gave a report on the Annual meeting; there are 8 nominees to the vestry to fill four three year terms and one unexpired one year term. Donna-Mae plans to give a brief reflection on the parish, Megan Tiller will give a report about being the Youth Representative to Vestry, Linda McMahon will update the members on the Project 2010, and the Senior Warden Bob Harper will speak. The retiring vestrymen will act as the tellers for the election. Vestry members are to be the clean-up crew after the breakfast and meeting.
Reports
Care Groups
Vestry members were reminded to call care groups with a reminder about the Annual meeting on Sunday January 25, 2009, following one service at 9 AM.
Church Renovation Committee Report
John Chiasson reported on the meeting of the renovation committee. The roof report is in. Another pipe burst under the church building in December. This has been repaired at an estimated cost of $10,000.00. The pipe work under the church needs to be reassessed to see if waiting for the renovation of the Church building can be done or if the work is to be done ASAP.
John Chiasson made a motion seconded by Bob Harper to request payment from either the Mary and Edward Williams foundation or the Endowment Fund for the emergency repair to the heating pipe under the church building at an estimated cost of $10,000.00. The motion passed. Action taken: A motion was made and seconded to request payment from either the Mary and Edward Williams Foundation or the Endowment Fund for the emergency repair to the heating pipe under the church building at an estimated cost of $10,000.00. The motion passed.
Junior Warden’s Report
John Chiasson reported that the historical site sign on Queen Street has been taken for resurfacing and will be back in place soon. The “TO DO” list John started when he became Junior Warden has grown to over 150 items needing to be repaired.
Hoffman House Report
Bettyrene Pope, property manager, reported Jan Peters terminated her lease on December 31, 2008. Wendell Oals of Books Ahoy should be moved out as of January 10, 2009. Two prospective tenants are very interested in renting. Renovations need to be made on both spaces and proposals for the work are being investigated. This may take approximately two months.
New storefront windows are currently being installed. One is still to be replaced. A new gutter system is to be installed at a cost of $3,912.50. The reason for the high cost is that the gutter, leaf guard and downspout have to be commercially produced to handle the drainage from the roof.
Senior Warden’s Report
Bob Harper, Senior Warden, made a motion seconded by Betsy Clark to request the Endowment Board to cover expenses for 2009 including $21,000.00 for insurance and help with maintenance costs of $18,000.00. The motion passed. Action taken: A motion was made and seconded to request the Endowment Board to cover expenses for $21,000.00 insurance and to help with maintenance costs of $18,000.00. The motion passed.
Bob Harper sent a letter to Mrs. Brauer replying to her request concerning a variance of the rules to monuments and stones erected in the cemetery.
Stewardship Report
Betsy Clark, Chairperson of the Stewardship Committee reported a total of 129 pledges with more expected. The budget for 2009 is close to being met. An anonymous donor has given a gift of $50,000.00 toward the operating expenses of the church.
Treasurers Report
Connie Heath, Treasurer, reported the year ended with a positive balance and all expenses were met.
Kevin Van Sloten suggested the vestry to try to find a way to “grow” the budget balance of excess funds by purchasing Certificates of Deposit, for short term gains. Bob Harper made a motion and Kevin Van Sloten seconded the motion to request that the treasurer purchase Certificates of Deposit, at her discretion, using the excess fund of the budget balance. The motion passed.
Action taken: A motion was made and seconded to have the treasurer purchase Certificates of Deposit, at her discretion, using the excess funds of the budget balance. The motion passed.
Associate Rector’s Report
Skip Hutton reported he is working on a proposal for the Newcomer Committee.
Rector’s Report
Donna-Mae reported the Christmas Eve services were well attended. The pageant presented by the Christian Education department was very well received. The attendance at all Christmas services was better than last year’s attendance.
A motion was made by Bob Harper and seconded by Kay Olson to allow $30,000.00 of The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius’ salary for the year 2009 go toward her housing expenses, and that all of The Reverend James L. Hutton’s salary for the year 2009 go toward his housing expenses. The motion passed.
Action taken a motion was made and seconded to allow $30,000 of The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius’ salary for the year 2009 go toward her housing expenses and that all of the Reverend James L. Hutton’s salary for the year 2009 go toward his housing expenses. The motion passed.
Mission Committee Report
Whit McKinney, Chairperson of the Mission Committee reported that he has talked with Reverend Isabel Steilberg of St. Paul’s church in Newport News. They are having a hard time keeping the doors open to serve the people of Newport News and Hampton with the various programs they provide. The mission committee voted to send $500.00 to St. Paul’s Church and is asking if St John’s Nickerson fund can also send a donation. Whit McKinney made a motion and Betsy Clark seconded a motion to send $1,000 from the Nickerson Fund to help St. Paul’s Church in their various charitable efforts. Motion passed.
Action taken a motion was made and seconded to send $1,000 from the Nickerson Fund to help St. Paul’s Church in their various charitable efforts. The motion passed.
Minutes of the December meeting were approved.
The Dr. Chuck tacky light was presented in IOU form to Kay Olson from John Chiasson. The Mission Light was passed to Parkie Rice from Betsy Clark.
The Vestry would like to thank John Chiasson, Whit McKinney, Scott Curtis and Sanford Pankin for their service to Vestry.
Kay Olson Registrar