The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia met on June 8, 2010. The meeting was called to order by Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius at 6:35 pm. Vestry members present were Bob Harper, Senior Warden, Bettyrene Pope, Junior Warden, Kay Olson, Registrar, Ruth Simmons, Bill Rhode, Parkie Rice, Dave Foster, Jay Hogg, Sukey Stephens, Kevin VanSloten, Peggy Hayes and Eddie Clark, Youth Representative. Connie Heath, Treasurer, and Reverend Bob Gay were also present. John Chiasson was absent.
Dave Foster presented the reflection from the Book of Luke. Dave also provided refreshments.
Rectors Report: Donna-Mae reported the church administrator position vacated by Jenny Brown will be filled with two part-time administrators. Laura Stephens will fill the morning position and Jennifer Devlin will fill the afternoon position. Duties will be split between the two women. Laura will be responsible for the Epistle and Jennifer will be responsible for the service leaflet and other mailings. During the week of Vacation Bible School, Anna Hogg, will work as a temporary in the position. The office will be open in July from 9am to 12 noon. Jenn will work these hours while Laura is on vacation. August 6 is the projected date for both women to begin the split of Administrator duties. Bill Rhode made a motion, seconded by Bob Harper that the salary for the administrator position be split between Laura Stephens and Jennifer Devlin with neither receiving benefits. The motion carried. Action Taken: Bill Rhode made a motion, seconded by Bob Harper that the salary for the administrator position be split between Laura Stephens and Jennifer Devlin. The motion carried.
A search committee has been formed to seek and interview candidates for the position of Christian Formation Leader to replace Harper Lewis. The committee members are Bill Rhode, Bob Harper, Denine Miller, Julia Templeman, Charlie Bowen and the Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius. Eight candidates have applied and as of today six are going to be interviewed on June 9 via telephone. Salary range for ordained seminary graduates start at $47,500 – 51,000 plus pension, and other benefits. Salary for lay persons with Christian Formation experience starts at $40,000 plus social security and other benefits. All candidates being considered have Master Degrees. A clergy person would focus on young families and be able to take a larger role in the Parish. The search committee will be looking for the best person for the position.
Implication to the church budget will not change with the salary already in place for Christian Formation and the money already budgeted for a part time clergy; budget dollars will remain the same.
Bill Rhode made a motion seconded by Bob Harper to proceed with the Salary Ranges discussed. The motion passed. Action Taken: Bill Rhode made a motion seconded by Bob Harper to proceed with the Salary Ranges discussed. The motion passed.
Bill Rhode made a motion seconded by Kevin VanSloten to allot $5,000.00 for expenses needed by the Search Committee. The motion passed. Action Taken: Bill Rhode made a motion seconded by Kevin VanSloten to allot $5,000.00 for expenses needed by the Search Committee. The motion passed.
Microphones used by the parish have been changed to comply with FCC megahertz requirements.
A reception for Harper Lewis will be held on June 27, following the 10 AM service. The parish will give Harper the lap top she now has as a gift and a photograph, taken by Bob Harper, of an Angel sculpture in the cemetery.
Bob Harper made a motion seconded by Jay Hogg, to go into executive session for discussion concerning staff member. The motion to come out of executive session was made by Bob Harper, seconded by Jay Hogg. Jay Hogg made a motion to move Willie Parker to retired status with a benefit of $500.00 per month and to continue to pay his Medicare Supplemental Insurance . . Action Taken: Jay Hogg made a motion to move Willie Parker to retired status with a benefit of $500.00 per month and to continue to pay his Medicare Supplemental Insurance. The motion passed.
Donna-Mae reminded the vestry members to contact their “Care Groups” and remind them to attend the Mozart Mass and the annual picnic on Sunday June 13. She also had some changes to “Care Groups” for some members.
Deacon’s Report: Reverend Bob Gay reported the Jail Ministry will continue with an approved curriculum. The ministry is strengthening and coming ahead.
Pastoral Care Ministry plans to work more as a team with a Wellness Ministry to develop over the next few months; plans include beginning a monthly lunch in September with the theme “Lunch and Learn”.
Get the parish engaged in Outreach Ministry as part of the visioning process.
Senior Warden’s Report:
Bob Harper reported the Downtown Neighborhood Lunch program has begun. Another trip for “seniors” is being planned for August. (Suggested name for the trips “Bobbin with Bob, This Old Trip”)
Two upcoming events planned to benefit H.E.L.P. July 24 is a cruise on the Miss Hampton Harbor Cruise boat cost is $25.00 per person, Bob has tickets available, and the Richard Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament to be held on September 16.
Junior Warden’s Report: Bettyrene Pope reported the ladies’ bathroom renovation in the Hoffman House has been completed. A crushed air conditioner vent in Hudson & Associates office is awaiting repair from E.T. Lawson. The ladies’ bathroom in the Parish House has had the electrical work completed for the dryer connection. The plumbing for the sinks was finished and the new twin sinks installed with a new base cabinet. Lights and mirrors still have to be installed.
Sheet-rock work is being completed. Lights and mirrors still have to be installed. Bettyrene Pope made a motion to ask the Endowment Board for the money to install new low maintenance partitions in the ladies’ bathroom at a cost of $3,470.00. The motion was second by Bill Rhode. The motion passed. Action taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion to ask the Endowment Board for the money to install new low maintenance partitions in the ladies’ bathroom at a cost of $3,470.00. The motion was second by Bill Rhode. The motion passed.
A new handicap commode was installed in the bathroom in the church sacristy.
Cleaning up for company:
*Touch-up painting on the church walls and woodwork *Paint the sacristy bathroom *Paint the first floor walls of the stairwell in hallway to church tower *Repair the floor where heating pipes were repaired is scheduled for the week of June 14. *Bell Tower painting will begin when the boom is repaired for the painters to rent *Repair to the handicapped walkway ramp is scheduled for week of June 8 *Repair ,to the wrought iron gates has been approved by the cemetery committee, when finished the wrought iron fences and railings will be painted.
Many thanks to George Cornwell, Sukey Stephens, Brian McMahon and John Chiasson for braving the heat of June 5 to do yard work. Dead trees and bushes were removed, shrubs trimmed flowerbeds weeded and 4 ½ cubic yards of mulch was spread. Another pile of mulch is waiting to be spread. There is still work to be done before the big event if you have free time Bettyrene can find an area to work in.
Air conditioners have been repaired in the Parish House.
Light bulbs were also replaced this month.
Renovation Committee Report: The committee asked for approval from the vestry for $5,530.00 by e-mail for masonry work from Jack Peet’s Masonry. This work was to include the two circular windows on the North and South walls, repointing of failed joints on the west vestibule, repointing of two window sills on south wall, and replacing vertical joints joining south vestibule to the church building. The vestry approved this expenditure via e-mail vote. Action taken: The vestry approved this expenditure via e-mail vote.
The contract for painting the wrought iron fence was $5,342.04.
A new contract was obtained for the painting of the bell tower in the amount of $3,150.82. Bettyrene Pope made a motion and Ruth Simmons seconded to send a request to the Mary Williams Trust for payment of this contract. The motion passed. Action Taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion and Ruth Simmons seconded to send a request to the Mary Williams Trust for payment of this contract. The motion passed.
Committee members were asked if they wished to continue serving on the committee. Everyone agreed to continue and two new members were welcomed, Billie Einselen and Jay Hogg.
The church questionnaire was discussed. Approximately nineteen surveys were returned. Consensus was the church exterior remain the same, necessary repairs and updating of equipment to be added and general maintenance be attended to.
Next meeting will be June 22nd at 5 pm. An Architectural firm is to be hired to look at what need to be done before renovation of the church begins.
2010 Committee Report: Donna-Mae reported the first draft of the service leaflet for July 11 has been drawn up. Jay Hogg reported the bus has been rented and is to be in place at 5 pm on Saturday July 10 and will shuttle from the church to the Crowne Plaza until 11 pm and on Sunday begin shuttling passenger to and from the Air and Space Museum after the church service.
Vestry members were given copies of the St. John’s Hurricane Disaster Management Plan. Members are to look over this document and e-mail or telephone Dave Foster with any deletions or new ideas for the plan.
Dave is mainly concerned with physical and Historic records and what needs to be done to protect them in case of storm damage.
What needs to be done to provide for parishioners who may not be able to evacuate if necessary. These concerns will be discussed at the July vestry meeting.
Minutes of the May meeting were approved as printed. The Treasurers report was approved as printed.
Delegates for the 2011 Diocesan Council are: Senior Delegates, Bob Harper and Greg Brauer Junior Delegates, Bettyrene Pope and George Cornwell Alternate Delegates, Sukey Stephens and Ruth Simmons Their term begins on June 30, 2010.
Tacky Lights will remain in place until the next meeting.
Meeting was closed with prayer.
Respectfully submitted