The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia, met on June 9, 2009. The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius opened the meeting at 6:33 pm. Present were Bob Harper, Senior Warden, Bettyrene Pope, Junior Warden, Kay Olson, Registrar, Jay Hogg, Ann Rice, Ruth Simmons, Kevin Van Sloten, Nick McMahon, Youth Representative, Charles Edmonson, and Susanna Stephens. Also present were The Reverend James Hutton and Treasurer Connie Heath and Brian McMahon.
Parkie Rice led the devotional, “What is your relationship with God” and furnished delicious refreshments.
Brian McMahon was present and gave the 2010 update for Linda McMahon, each vestry member is asked to write a statement on his/her perspective on St. John’s now and into the future to be included in the memory book, with new vestry members, elected this fall, to have a message included also. Suggestion by Donna-Mae is to have the vestry as a whole write a message and each vestry member submitting memories of someone influential in his/her life of St. John’s.
The three top logos selected by the congregation were voted on and the winner was entry number 9, with modifications that will enable the commemoratives’ committee proceed in getting quotes on merchandise to be sold.
The city has given St. John’s a check to cover the cost of the Birthday Cake.
Donna-Mae showed the vestry a PowerPoint presentation, put together by Trudy O’Reilly, showing the itinerary of the J2A pilgrimage. The youth and their advisors will be leaving Norfolk on Saturday June 20. While on their journey they will be looking for the Face of God in all they encounter, some challenges will take place in Back Alley Chinatown, seeing God in different faces, they will visit Grace Cathedral, Chinatown. During devotional every evening discussion will be held on the experiences of the day. The trip to Yosemite will be a time to reflect on God and Nature and caring for God’s Creation, learning the Stations of the Cross and showing their artistic side with “Blue Glop” pictures, before returning on Sunday June 28.
Selection of Delegates to Council, three names were submitted as alternates to the Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, they are Bettyrene Pope, Lloyd Thomas, and George Cornwell, selection was made by drawing names, the alternates are Bettyrene Pope and George Cornwell. Delegates to Council are: Senior Delegates, Kay Olson and Terrey McKinney Junior Delegates, Bob Harper and Greg Brauer Alternate Delegates, Bettyrene Pope and George Cornwell
The Nickerson Trust is a trust to be contributed to organizations that primarily cater to children. The trust was asked to donate $1,000.00 to Camp Watonga, a camp in the Diocese that is for children with HIV and their families, a $3,000.00 donation was asked to be donated to the Downtown Hampton Childhood Development Center, the Center has rented space at the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Center for several years, the SBHC is going to raise the rent to the DTHCDC this fall and the Childhood center will not have funds to pay the higher rent. The $3,000.00 will aid them in finding another location in the same -area for childcare.
Charles Edmonson made a motion, seconded by Parkie Rice, to donate from the Nickerson Trust, $1,000.00 to Camp Watonga and $3,000.00 to the Downtown Hampton Childhood Development Center. The Motion Passed. Action Taken: Charles Edmonson made a motion, seconded by Parkie Rice, to donate from the Nickerson Trust, $1,000.00 to Camp Watonga and $3,000.00 to the Downtown Hampton Childhood Development Center. The Motion Passed.
Renovation Committee: Repairs have been made to the roof over the stage part of the parish house. Stained Glass windows: After interviewing other Stained Glass restorers, the committee has decided to use Higgins and Associates Stained Glass Studio for several reasons, over 30 years experience restoring stained glass, on site supervising of employees, and providing a 10 year warranty on materials and workmanship. The committee met with Gene Higgins, owner of the company, and he spent a significant amount of time onsite and prepared an in-depth ”to do” list for each window including a keyed plan, detailed pictures and analysis of repair and replacement costs. Included in the cost is painting of each window’s exterior woodwork and installation of vented laminated glass panels (for protection against breakage, UV blocking and for energy conservation). The proposal submitted by Higgins and Associates Stained Glass Studio was $98,729.02. Mr. Higgins has stated that the Pocahontas window needs immediate structural reinforcement. He plans to send a craftsman to St. John’s on June 8 and 9 to provide these enhancements. Two windows will have to be removed and taken to Front Royal for re-leading, dates for removal of windows August 3 -5. Windows are to be returned and reinstalled in September.
In order for the work to begin before the next vestry meeting on June 9, Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius asked for a vote via e-mail for money from the Mary Williams Trust, A vote was taken via e-mail on May 21, 2009, for the amount not to exceed $100,000.00, be requested to the Mary Williams Trust. The vote passed. Action taken: A vote was taken via e-mail on May 21, 2009, for the amount not to exceed $100,000.00, be requested to the Mary Williams Trust. The vote passed.
The renovation committee is requesting Vestry approval for $6,500.00 to complete the brick repairs of the major cracks in the east and south walls of the church building. The final task in the plan of work laid out last year is to do some spot tuck pointing of mortar joints in the church building walls to repair certain areas of deterioration.
In order for this work to continue before the next vestry meeting on June 9, Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius asked for a vote via e-mail for money from the Mary Williams Trust. A vote was taken via e-mail on May 29, 2009 for the amount not to exceed $6,500.00, be requested to the Mary Williams Trust. The motion passed. Action taken: A vote was taken via e-mail on May 29, 2009 for the amount not to exceed $6,500.00, be requested to the Mary Williams Trust. The motion passed.
Junior Warden’s report: Bettyrene Pope reported maintenance issues have been attended to as they arose. Repair to the faucet next to the coffee machine in the kitchen was made. Light bulbs were replaced in the arch at the altar and over the pulpit. The Hoffman House remodeling project is completed for Suite 102 and the tenant Bob McCracken, Fulton Graphic has move in as of June 1st. He signed a two-year lease. Renovations to Suite 101 will take place over the summer. Bettyrene stated she met with the stained glass contractor along with other members from the Renovation Committee Monday June 8. Approval for using this contractor, Gene Higgins, was expected from the Mary Williams Trust June 9th. Mr. Higgins craftsmen did some temporary repair to the Pocahontas window while he walked the group around discussing the windows and the anticipated repairs.
Senior Warden’s Report: Bob Harper reported the Vestry received a graduation announcement from Megan Tiller on her graduation from High School. The Reverend James “Skip” Hutton will retire on August 23, 2009. The first “Seniors outing” trip will be to the Jamestown museum, to view our communion silver on display, on July 18. Cost of the trip and lunch will be announced at a later date.
Associate Rector’s Report:
Skip reported the Adult Forum class will continue into the summer in order to complete the study of the Book of Mark.
Rector’s Report:
Donna-Mae reported there has been a lot of pastoral care in the past couple of weeks.
Donna-Mae also brought up a ”vestry care” concern she has had, she said the role of the Vestry is to be a safe place for each person to be able to present views that may have to be worked through with our values. A way to do this is “IAG”
I= Identify A=Analyze G = Generalize “IAG” is a better and more constructive conversation to support and it is important to us as a value. A way for views to be brought out and thought through. Good of the Order There were no Tacky Lights to be passed tonight.
Kay Olson, Registrar