The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia, met on November 9, 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, Jay Hogg, Sukey Stephens, Peggy Hayes, John Chiasson and Dave Foster Also present were Connie Heath, Treasurer and the Reverend Bob Gay. Absent were the Reverend Anna Noon, Kevin Van Sloten and Eddie Clark.
The meeting opened with the General Thanksgiving (page 836) from the Book of Common Prayer. John Chiasson furnished refreshments.
The Reverend Siderius began the Formation part of the program with reminders of those with pastoral concerns and asked for prayer in their lives.
Formation discussion continued with chapter two from the book “Leading Change in the Congregation”. Discussion centered on what changes St. John’s will be facing in the next 5 years. The work groups that have grown out of the visioning process are reporting interesting and new ideas.
Stewardship Report: Invitations have been sent to parishioners inviting them to participate in a Work Group of their interest. Ruth Simmons, Jay Hogg and the Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius attended a Stewardship conference at Camp Chanco which was very informative and useful to the Stewardship campaign here at St. John’s.
Senior Warden’s Report: No report.
Junior Warden’s Report: Three doors in the Sunday School wing have been replaced and painted. One is an outside door in the room next to the choir room on the first floor. The other two doors are the entrance door to the second floor and the closet door to the left as you enter the second floor. Two outside dusk to dawn lights have bee [sic] replaced with new lights. In addition, new carpet has been installed in Anna’s office and the windows were cleaned. E. T. Lawson has preformed [sic] a fall maintenance check on the heating system; and light bulbs and floodlights have been replaced
A replacement for the dishwasher rinse dispenser has been ordered. We will be using a different rinsing product in the new dispenser.
Bettyrene is in the process of painting the cabinets in the room next to the choir room and cleaning. Anna wants to have it available as a teacher’s resource room and meeting room.
As ever, Bettyrene states my “faithful husbands” Jack and John have been busy working as I supervised. They haven’t done all the work! All maintenance issues have been attended to as they arose.
Renovation Committee Report: The Renovation Committee met October 27, 2010, with 8 members present. Bill Kirkland has been asked to serve on the committee.
The interior work to the church attic began on November 2nd. A telescoping stair has been put in place in the north balcony. Other work will continue which includes replacing and supporting roof rafters and the roof itself, an electrical plug and light with three (3) way light switch will be placed at stairway opening, and more walkways will be installed. When the attic work is completed, the roofers will be called back to fix warranty roof concerns and other necessary repairs. Contract proposal from Q Design is still awaiting approval by the lawyer.
Bettyrene Pope made a motion to recommend vestry approval of $10,000.00 as a retainer for Q Design to send on to the Mary Williams Trust. The motion was seconded by Ruth Simmons. The motion carried.
Action Taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion to recommend vestry approval of $10,000.00 as a retainer for Q Design to send on to the Mary Williams Trust. The motion was seconded by Ruth Simmons; the motion carried.
Two proposals were solicited for asbestos/lead/mold/hazardous materials inspections. The committee voted to hire Applied Laboratory Services.
Bettyrene Pope made a motion on behalf of the Renovation Committee to seek approval of the Vestry to hire Applied Laboratory Services and the cost of this service not to exceed $3000.00. A funding request to be forwarded to the Mary Williams Trust for payment. The motion was seconded and approved by vestry.
Action Taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion on behalf of the Renovation Committee to seek approval of the Vestry to hire Applied Laboratory Services with the cost of this service not to exceed $3000.00. The funding request to be forwarded to the Mary Williams Trust for payment. The motion was seconded and approved by vestry.
Potential Payment by the Mary Williams Trust if the Q Design contract is signed – Q Design estimate in architectural/mechanical electrical plumbing (MEP) possible structural evaluation services for November and December of $25,000.00
Bettyrene Pope made a motion to recommend Vestry approval of $25,000.00 to send to the Mary Williams Trust for payment. Motion was seconded by Dave Foster and was approved.
Action Taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion to recommend Vestry approval of $25,000.00 to send to the Mary Williams Trust for payment. Motion was seconded by Dave Foster and was approved.
Bids are being sought to replace the wooden handicap ramp with a brick handicap ramp. Vestry approval of a bid recommendation will be sought in the future.
Night’s Welcome Report: Bettyrene Pope, Stan Winarski and John Chiasson will be heading the team for Night’s Welcome to be December 4pm thru December 11am. A meeting for all workers is planned for December 1st in the parish hall at 7 PM.
Deacon’s Report: The Rev. Bob Gay celebrated his 6 month anniversary at St. John’s today ,November 9, 2010. Bob will be helping at St. Paul’s Newport News at times while the Rector is on Sabbatical.
Assistant Rector’s Report
Anna Noon has officially been approved by the Commission on Ministry and the Bishop for ordination to the priesthood, Saturday, December 18th at Christ & St. Luke’s in Norfolk.
Anna is pleased that the Choir of St. John’s has been invited to participate in the service.
The Reverend Noon reported a successful inaugural meeting of Pub(lic) theology, with 7 persons in attendance. Meetings are now scheduled for twice a month on Friday Nights. The next meeting will be Friday, November 19th 5:30pm at the Taphouse.
An initial training meeting with nursery staff has been completed. Nursery workers will be updating/attending babysitting/CPR training classes and providing copies of certification to keep on hand in the church office.
The Reverend Noon met with Rite-13 and J2A teachers – both groups feel that the current classes/groups need to be extended for a third year. More time is needed for increased maturity and service projects that prepare them for pilgrimage. Anna offers a special word of thanks for the dedication and commitment of these teachers who have agreed to commit a third year to the program and the kids they are teaching: Ann Templeman, Paula Hogg, Bill Boyer, Denine Miller, Kevin Eley, and Ann Edgar.
Rector’s Report
A returning member to St. John’s, Becky Chisman Thiebert, has asked permission to use the parish house for a Brownie Troop that has recently formed and needs a place to meet.
Bob Harper made a motion to agree to offer space in the parish house for the Brownie Troop to meet. Motion seconded by Peggy Hayes, the motion carried.
Action Taken: Bob Harper made a motion to agree to offer space in the parish house for the Brownie Troop to meet. Motion seconded by Peggy Hayes, the motion carried.
Donna-Mae reminded vestry to call their Care Groups and remind them of the Thanksgiving Dinner and ask if anyone needs a ride. Bob Harper will co-ordinate getting rides for people to come to the Dinner.
Minutes of the October meeting were approved as printed.
Some questions came up in the financial report concerning the percentage of pledge income received to date. Bill Boyer will be invited to the December meeting to answer these questions.
The financial report was approved as presented.
Bob Harper made a motion that St. John’s pledge 10% of its operating budget to the Diocese of Southern Virginia for the year 2011 estimated at $43,334.00. Dave Foster seconded the motion passed.
Action Taken: Bob Harper made a motion St. John’s pledge 10% of its operating budget to the Diocese of Southern Virginia for the year 2011 estimated at $43,334.00. Dave Foster seconded the motion passed.
One Tacky light was exchanged,. Sukey Stephens received the Mission Light from Ruth Simmons.
The meeting closed with Compline led by Bob Gay.
Submitted by
Kay Olson, Registrar