The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on January 18, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Charlie Edmonson, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Greg Brauer, Dan Clark, Doug Perry, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Registrar Emily Klotz, Treasurer Linda Curtis, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Absent: Anne Abraham, Jay Hogg.
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. with prayer.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
St. John’s ended the year with a surplus of $56,113.59, which will be added to the reserve fund. The goal is to have six months of operating expenses in the reserve fund, and after this addition it will grow to approximately $160,000.
Linda then presented the 2022 budget. Vestry discussed Deborah Carr’s request to hire a singer for the choir. Motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Bettyrene Pope: Increase the Music Ministry budget total from $6,350 to $9,850. Approved unanimously.
Vestry then discussed St. John’s diocesan pledge; recommended to be 10% of St. John’s plate and pledge amount, which would be $32,300. Motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Greg Brauer: Vestry commits $30,000 to the diocesan pledge for 2022. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Bettyrene Pope, seconded by Dan Clark: Vestry approves the 2022 budget as amended. Approved unanimously.
The December minutes were approved.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Annual Meeting & Vestry Election: The Annual Meeting will be postponed until Samantha is able to join us. The vestry election will take place via email vote by January 30. There are three open slots and three candidates: Bill Beach, Lynn Kirkland, and Jim Klotz.
In-Person Worship: Mark submitted a request to the diocese for St. Johns to reopen for worship. When approval comes, Mark will put out a notice that St. Johns will be open for both services with safety measures in place: wearing masks, signing in for contact tracing, and seating by household.
Outreach at St. Johns
Doug Perry: Doug has been working with Commonwealth Catholic Charities in resettling Afghan refugees. He has been assigned to help with moving families into apartments. In December, Angel Tree donations and Outreach funds allowed the committee to purchase winter clothes for about 50 people, delivered to 30 households. They also bought toys for all of the children. St. Anne’s Guild members shopped for items and wrapped them, and Jack Pope, Bill Beach, and Brian McMahon helped to deliver them.
Bettyrene Pope: Bettyrene especially wanted to thank her team of helpers (Charlie Edmonson, Pamela Martin, Kay Perry, and Elizabeth Zimmerman) who prepared and served about 50 dinners and breakfast bags for Night’s Welcome, which St. Johns takes on every second Thursday of the month.
Mark Riley: December’s Reverse Advent Calendar program was successful, allowing St. Johns to donate to the Food Bank and the Little Free Pantry. St. Marks notably increased their contribution, donating about $3,500 in goods.
Dan Clark: Thrive and St. Johns exceeded their goal to give 400 gift cards to local children for Christmas. They ended up distributing enough gift cards for 437 children.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope: See attached report.
Senior Warden’s Report, Charlie Edmonson
Asset Documentation: Charlie asked to retain the task of compiling St. John’s assets, and he will report back to vestry upon completion.
Second Site: Charlie reported that Archeologist Allen Outlaw contacted St. Johns about continuing his work at St. John’s second site (on Hampton University grounds). He believes he discovered Charles Fort and would like to return for further research. He has asked St. Johns to apply for a grant and supply the funding. Any findings would belong to the church.
New Officers for Vestry: Mark reminded everyone that Greg Brauer, Charlie Edmonson, and Emily Klotz will rotate off vestry next month. New officers will be elected at the February meeting.
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 8:22 p.m.