After Snow delays in February, Charlie Edmonson, Senior Warden called the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, to order on March 3, 2015 at 6:30 PM. Present were new members Bettyrene Pope, Mary Pat Croft, David Edmonson, Dan Clark, Junior Warden, Kay Olson, registrar, Sylvia Edgar, Valerie Bowen, George Cornwell, Doug Miller and Ann Templeman, absent were Treasurer Linda Curtis, Kevin Eley and the Youth representatives, Jess and Thomas Miller.
Sylvia Edgar open with the Psalm reading.
The Senior Warden, Charlie Edmonson welcomed the new vestry members, Mary Pat Croft, Bettyrene Pope, and David Edmonson to the meeting. Jess and Thomas Miller were unable to attend because of School commitments.
Minutes of the January 26, 2015, vestry meeting were not included in the vestry packets and will be approved at the next meeting. The December 7, 2014, special meeting minutes were approved and the January 7, 2015, special vestry meeting minutes were approved as corrected (the word more changed to less in the financial report.) Motion to approve by Dan Clark second by Vestal Lewis.
Financial Report: The financial report was submitted and approved as printed.
A revised budget was submitted by Linda Curtis. Doug Miller made the motion to approve the revised budget, Dan Clark seconded, and the revised budget was approved.
The vestry broke into the three ministry groups for discussion, Doug Miller gave a report of the “Connection to Others” group, members of this group had met with a core group of members of Old Donation Episcopal Church. Doug Miller reported on how Old Donation has retained membership by providing a variety of 4 separate church services, including a contemporary service in the parish hall, welcoming visiting potential members by delivering bread the week after attending a service and other events done to keep church members interested in attending services. Old Donation’s congregation is larger than St. John’s and they have 3 priests, a youth minister and a Christian Formation leader on staff.
Rector’s Report: Samantha Reported the installation of the donated piano is on hold because of renovations that need to be done to the area.
A vestry retreat is being planned, Samantha wants feedback as to the best dates in June for members. Either the weekend of June 5 and 6 or weekend of June 12 and 13, please contact her as to your preference of date.
Talbot Hall update; the new diocese offices will be moving to Oyster Point in Newport News and Talbot Hall will be sold.
This year’s Lenten program will include St. John’s, St Cyprian’s, and Emmanuel Churches on Wednesday evenings with a simple Supper and talk on Telling our Story. Program begins at 6pm with supper and will end by 7:30 with compline.
Brian McMahon will continue with the Web Site and make needed upgrades to the site.
Junior Warden’s Report: Dan Clark Reported a pest control specialist was hired to find the source of an odor penetrating the parish house. A dead possum was found to be the problem and was removed. A door has been repaired in the church. Dan thanked everyone who came out on February 28 to clear snow from the sidewalks leading into the church and parish house. A person was hired to clear the parking lot at the rear of the parish house, the cost was $300.00.
The Endowment, Inc. members are in the process of reviewing the document of rules governing the Endowment Fund to get a better understanding of what the monies generated from the fund can be used for.
Senior Warden’s Report: The HVAC problems in the church building have been addressed with a letter to Mr. Donald Adams, president of Virtexco, from Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander. We have received a good report that action is being taken to get the system fixed for good, it is still under warranty and was not programed to manufacturer’s recommendations when installed. A copy of Samantha’s letter and a copy of an email from Q-DESIGN, P.L.C. are attached to these minutes.
The vestry received a letter from David Bishop asking approval of a grant from St. John’s Endowment, Inc. for the purpose of repair and/or replacements of brick sidewalks in the churchyard. Doug Miller made a motion to approve a grant for the replacement of brick sidewalks, not to exceed $15,000.00, seconded by Dan Clark, The vestry voted to approve the request. The letter from David Bishop is attached to these minutes.
The vestry will host dinner on March 10, for the “Night’s Welcome” program, Ann Templeman will coordinate the dinner. Doug Miller made a suggestion that a list be made as to what happened during the week of “Night’s Welcome” to be kept on record for the next time we host this program.
Dan Clark will Chair the vestry meeting on March 17, 2015. Elections will take place for Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Registrar, and Treasurer at the meeting that night.
Charlie Edmonson was thanked for all is dedication to this church, for his serving as Senior Warden for the last three years. St. John’s is very fortunate to have him as a member of the congregation.
Sylvia Edgar Closed the meeting by having all say the prayer from the New Zealand Book of Prayer.
Submitted by
Kay Olson, registrar.