The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on November 20, 2018 at 6:31 pm. Present were members The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, Ruth Simmons , Stephen Rous, The Reverend Mark Riley, Pat Dennehey, Senior Warden Bob Harper, Duncan Garnett, Rosemary Hobart, Jr. Warden Whiting Chisman Jr. and Charlie Edmonson.
Check In and Absences
- Bill Brown
- Darius Rowe
Mr. Allen Outlaw from the CNU Archeological depart gave a report on findings from excavation work done at St. John’s second site which is located on the campus of Hampton University.
The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander opened with scripture.
Minutes from the October Vestry Meeting Vestry were reviewed. Motion made by Stephen Rous to accept minutes. Junior Warden Whiting Chisman Jr. seconded. Vote was called and motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Linda Curtis reported the following:
- Not a bad month overall.
- Budgeted income below actual income due to money being moved from Hoffman House.
- Expenses were a little high in October, but actual income over the actual expenses is still ahead.
- In October the last quarter of property insurance was paid, balance of audit fee, and last quarter of diocesan pledge were made.
- Other expenses include monies to Heath Families Outreach, Book Club, new sign, and some minor building repairs.
- Small expenditure to the funds.
- Non pledge offering for October was higher than was budgeted, but we will not make the $40,000 that was budgeted for 2018.
- A subcommittee is being formed to go over the 2019 Pledge amounts and start crafting a budget for 2019. Charlie Edmonson and Ruth Simmons have been asked by Senior Warden Bob Harper to be part of that group.
Committee Liaison Reports
- Youth – No report from Darius Rowe
- Stewardship – Stephen Rous reported a total of 101 pledges had been received for a little over $325,000. This leaves a possibility of a potential 30 pledges still outstanding. Stewardship to craft several letters. One letter to be sent to those who have pledged in the past and have still not pledged and another to members who have never pledged.
- Evangelism/Newcomers Ministry – Nothing from Bill Brown. Mark Riley reported with regards to Newcomers Group the pulling of the addresses from the Daily Press and looking at new moves in Hampton and Newport News and reaching out to those people new the area. Positive feedback about how welcoming St. John’s is.
- Outreach – Ruth Simmons reported of upcoming meeting in either December or January to go over their budget.
- Christian Formation/ Youth – Rosemary Hobart will meet with Shannon Olson the Wednesday after Thanksgiving to go over questions Vestry members were to ask their respective committee chairs.
- Liturgy – Pat Dennehey reported on the committees November 7th meeting. Reported positive feedback on the “secret” church service. Discussion with the Vestry the development of a “house church” service probably once a month. Discussion of upcoming events in December.
- Finance/Planned Giving – Duncan Garnett planned meeting in January.
- In reach – Rosemary Hobart talked about the insert in the bulletin that had all the information a congregant would need to know what was going on in St. John’s.
- Music Academy- Charlie Edmonson had no report.
Rector’s Report
Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander reported the following:
- Church attendance last month has been doing well.
- Discussion of changing the health insurance plan for Reverend Samantha Vincent Alexander and have her develop a Health Savings Account ($6,900) which would result in overall savings to the church.
- Nomination of a Church/ Cemetery Trustee. This is to fill vacancy left when Jim Tormey stepped down. Junior Warden Whiting Chisman Jr. recommended Larry Cumming for the position. After discussion a motion was made by Charlie Edmonson that a copy of the Church Trustee by-laws be distributed to members of the Vestry for further review to see if there may be other candidates for nomination, and the Vestry to vote at their December meeting. Duncan Garnett seconded the motion. Vote was called and motion passed.
- Change of next month’s Vestry Meeting to Dec. 11.
- Met with members of the Mary Williams Trust to discuss their request that the Vestry provides them specific information when money is requested from them which would include what the money is to be used for as well as what would be other options if they Mary Williams Trust were unable to provide the money. Also the development of a long range plan on handling future expenses. Also the need to have a congregational meeting to discuss the church’s financial difficulties and what the Trusts were doing and what the Trusts are capable of doing. After discussion of when to have this meeting it was decided to do this at the Annual Meeting, with the venue being the church with breakfast following in the Parish House.
Assistant Rector’s Report
- Vicky Lane the homeowner of the Habitat for Humanity’s house s presented her story at the forum hour.
- Was approached by Doug Perry to see if St. Johns would possibly help sponsor another house.
- Introduction of the ‘Way of Love’ Program during Advent at the Formation hour time.
Motion made by Jr. Warden Whiting Chisman Jr. to extend Vestry Meeting beyond 8:30. Rosemary Hobart seconded. Vote was called and passed.
Junior Warden Report
Request that the Endowment replace the north door of church.
Senior Warden Report
Senior Warden Bob Harper reported the following:
- Discussion of Diocesan Pledge and how the church will respond. It was a sense of the Vestry that we postpone making a decision until December Vestry meeting.
- Will have our next Vestry meeting on December 11th.
- Men’s breakfast scheduled for February 23, 2019
New Business
None
Reverend Mark Riley led us in closing prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm
Submitted by Patrick Dennehey, Registrer