The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on March 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Jay Hogg, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Registrar Lynn Kirkland, Treasurer Linda Curtis, Anne Abraham, Bill Beach, Dan Clark, Jim Klotz, Doug Perry, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Absent: The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander.
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. with prayer.
Samantha Update: Samantha joined in via Zoom to give the vestry an update on her recovery. Her last surgery went well and she is now attached to a wound vac for approximately one month. The vac allows her to be mobile and gives her some much needed freedom. She is currently participating in physical therapy twice a week and can walk half a block with her cane. She hopes to return by Easter if not sooner.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: See attached report. There are currently 102 pledges.
Linda shared that the Endowment Committee is scheduled to meet soon and that the bank card for the Nickerson Trust needs to be updated with the passing of Gwen Cumming.
Finance Committee, Linda Curtis: Linda asked that Charlie Edmonson be appointed to the Finance Committee. A motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Jay Hogg: The vestry votes to appoint Charlie Edmonson to the Finance Committee. Approved unanimously.
The February minutes were approved.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Updates on the Parish: The bishop along with the Health Advisory Panel has determined that congregations may resume sharing communion with some specific guidelines. St. John’s health group will be meeting to discuss these guidelines within the coming weeks. We will continue to use the prepackaged hosts and wine until Samantha returns.
Dana will be participating every Sunday during Lent.
We have 6 people interested in baptism during the Easter season.
Outreach Updates
Mark Riley: Mark will be working with Patrick to develop a mailing card to send to members that we haven’t seen on a regular basis. Mark ran comparison numbers between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services since January 2, 2022 and found that the average Sunday attendance was about 70.5 with 33.75 attending the 9:00 a.m. and 36.75 attending the 11:00 a.m.. Fourteen family units logged into Sunday’s worship service on 3/13/22. This number can vary during the week.
Bettyrene Pope: Bettyrene continues to lead groups who are preparing and serving dinners and breakfast bags for Night’s Welcome, which St. Johns takes on every second Thursday of the month. Thank you to Charlie and Susan Edmonson, Kay Perry, Parkie Rice, Elizabeth Zimmerman and Janice Markahm who helped to assemble and service approximately 40-45 guests.
Dan Clark: Dan explained the role that Thrive Peninsula plays in the lives of the working poor and how the program has grown over the past five years. They provide food, financial planning and aid, contacts for transportation, housing and furniture needs and so much more. Approximately seven families meet with a Thrive volunteer at St. John’s every week.
Doug Perry: Volunteers helped to move more Afghan families recently and all are now located in apartments rather than hotel rooms.
Senior Warden’s Report, Jay Hogg
Asset Documentation: Jay reminded everyone to turn in their Asset documentation to Charlie Edmonson.
Committee Liaison: Jay asked that all new vestry members sign up for the vacant vestry liaison positions. Jim Klotz signed up for Christian Formation, Lynn Kirkland signed up for Heritage, Bill Beach signed up Stewardship/Planned Giving, Anne Abrams signed up for Newcomers/Evangelism and Mark Riley signed up for Youth. Dan Clark remains on Liturgy, Doug Perry remains on Outreach, Jay Hogg remains on Music Academy and Elizabeth Zimmerman remains on InReach & St. Anne’s Guild.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope
Bettyrene reported that she had attended to normal maintenance items such as changing light bulbs and batteries in the security system.
Two opossums have been caught in the cage under the Parish House.
Painting of the church interior has been postponed until April 25th.
Potential projects in the coming months: To be approved by Vestry and sent to Mary Williams Trust (funding source):
- Putting glass in interior vestibules doors
- Refinishing the floors in the church
- Conduct research concerning putting cameras inside and outside the church building
- Level floors in the choir loft – safety concern
- Change lights to LEDs in the choir loft
Bettyrene asked that she be contacted directly if the church alarms are set off.
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 8:01 p.m.