The May meeting of the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order by the Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius at 6:38 pm. Present were Bob Harper, Senior Warden, Jay Hogg, Dave Foster, Sukey Stephens, Erin Pfeil, Peggy Hayes, John Chiasson, Brian McMahon, Bill Brown, Connie Heath, The Reverend Anna Noon and The Reverend Bob Gay. The Reverend Canon Michael Spear-Jones, Diocesan Transition Minister, was also present. Rachel Pankin, Mark Stephens, Bill Rhode and Bettyrene Pope, Junior Warden, were absent.
Refreshments were provided by Brian McMahon.
A cake, flowers and a card were presented to Donna-Mae to honor the 25th anniversary of her ordination as a priest.
Donna-Mae said that The Reverend Canon Michael Spear-Jones would be present at St. John’s to address questions from parishioners on 5 June. He will be available after each service.
Donna-Mae exited the vestry meeting so the vestry could hear from The Reverend Canon Michael Spear-Jones regarding the transition process.
Dave Foster made a motion, seconded by Jay Hogg, to authorize The Reverend Canon Michael Spear-Jones to contact a consultant on behalf of the vestry to arrange a meeting with the vestry. The motion carried.
The Reverend Canon Michael Spear-Jones said he planned to preach on 7 August, the Sunday following Donna-Mae’s last Sunday at St. John’s, and also on the last Sunday before the arrival of a new rector.
Bob Harper made a motion, seconded by Bill Brown, to with great regret, accept Donna-Mae’s resignation as the rector of St. John’s Parish with the effective date of 31 August. The motion carried.
Bill Brown made a motion, seconded by Jay Hogg, to approve the April minutes. The vestry approved the April minutes as printed.
The vestry received the Junior Warden’s Report as submitted by Bettyrene Pope.
Bob Harper said there would be a called vestry meeting on Wed, 18 May, at 6 p.m. to focus on the renovation plans.
Jay Hogg gave an update from the Renovation Committee. Drawings of the plans from Q Design were distributed to the vestry by email and in hard copy at the called vestry meeting on 3 May.
Jay Hogg made a motion, seconded by Brian McMahon, to receive the April financial reports. The vestry approved receiving the April financial reports as printed.
Bob Harper said there was a request to contribute $500 to the Hampton History Museum event “The Burning of Hampton,” which is scheduled to take place at St. John’s on August 7, 2011. The vestry did not approve the request.
Bob Harper asked for an update on the nominations of action group leaders. He emphasized the importance of keeping the momentum going on the visioning process.
Tacky Lights: no tacky lights were exchanged.
Submitted by Sukey Stephens, Registrar