The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on January 19, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Charlie Edmonson, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Greg Brauer, Dan Clark, Denine Miller, Doug Perry, Stephen Rous, Ruth Simmons, Registrar Emily Klotz, Treasurer Linda Curtis, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Note: This vestry meeting was conducted via Zoom, in keeping with the diocese’s mandate for physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting opened at 6:30p.m.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
St. John’s ended the year with a surplus of about $56,000. PPP funds account for $44,000 of St. John’s 2020 income, and Linda reported that the loan has been forgiven. The surplus is also a result of the savings received for having the church closed for much of the year. The $56,000 will be added to the reserve fund.
Linda then presented the 2021 budget. Total income and expenses for 2021 are $522,559, which is $31,206 less than 2020. Pledges for 2021 come from 111 pledging units and total $320,252. In 2020, there were 113 pledging units and $353,163 in pledges. Other income changes of note: increases in non-pledge giving, Hoffman House contribution, and Charitable Trust contribution; decrease in Perpetual Honor contribution; and a transfer of $9,807 from the reserve fund. Some changes in 2021 expenses come from cuts to the sexton and communications positions, as well as Christian Formation. Medical insurance has increased.
Motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Ruth Simmons: The vestry approves the 2021 budget. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Bettyrene Pope, seconded by Ruth Simmons: The vestry requests the same amount as requested last year from the Mary Williams Trust: $6,000, which will reimburse the cost of insurance for the parish house. Approved unanimously.
The December minutes were corrected and approved.
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander
New Endowment Member: The vestry needs to replace David Edmonson whose term on the Endowment Committee is expiring. Motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Doug Perry: The vestry appoints Susan Edmonson to fill the seat on Endowment that is being vacated by David Edmonson. Approved with one abstention (Charlie Edmonson).
Annual Meeting: St. John’s annual meeting will be 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, via zoom. Documents explaining how to access the meeting, annual reports, and vestry nominee biographies will be emailed to parishioners.
Pandemic Lent: Due to high Covid-19 test positivity rates, in-person services have been suspended. Pre-recorded services will be available on Facebook and Youtube, and communion will be distributed in the parking lot. In-person services will resume when test positivity rates are below either 10% or even 8% for two weeks. Samantha plans to hold an Easter service, even if it is outdoors. Samantha is considering ways to distribute ashes outside as well as other ways to make lent more meaningful.
Diocesan Pledge: Due to a more positive financial outlook in the 2021 budget, the vestry discussed maintaining the diocesan pledge at $30,000, rather than lowering it to $25,000 which was discussed last month. Motion by Bettyrene Pope, seconded by Dan Clark: The vestry approves the 2021 Diocesan pledge of $30,000. Approved unanimously.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Mark discussed how the level of food insecurity in our area has increased this year, and so St. Johns has participated in collecting food through several programs. Through Knockout Hunger, the Reverse Advent Calendar, and our Little Free Pantry, St. Johns provided much-needed donations. St. John’s provided 10,000 meals to the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and over 30 cases of food to the H.E.L.P. food pantry.
Mark has begun a bible study zoom on the book of Isaiah.
Senior Warden’s Report, Charlie Edmonson
Memorial Monument Modification Special Committee Update: Under the Chairmanship and leadership of Linda Curtis, the Committee had three meetings prior to Christmas. We have heard from Hampton African American leaders, both clergy and lay, and have additional meetings scheduled where we have invited Episcopalians from Emmanuel and St. Cyprians and local citizens. The Committee’s charge is to present a recommendation to the vestry, where the final decision will be made. To accomplish this task, we seek to examine and explore all aspects of this memorial, and as such, we are seeking input not only from our parishioners, but also from others with a variety of viewpoints and opinions. In addition to Linda Curtis, the Committee members are David Bishop, Heidi Wallace, Jay Hogg, Phyllis Henry, Susan Edmonson and William Hudgins. We are interested to hear from you, so please feel free to contact a member of the committee. We appreciate and highly value your support and prayers as we move forward.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope
The alarm in the church keeps going off, so Bettyrene ordered a part to fix it. The maintenance contract with Warwick Mechanical was renewed at the same cost as last year. A water leak was found in the men’s room in the church tower.
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 7:42 p.m.