The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on August 16, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Jay Hogg, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Treasurer Linda Curtis, Registrar Lynn Kirkland, Anne Abraham, Jim Klotz, Doug Perry, Elizabeth Zimmerman, The Reverend Mark Riley and The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander. Absent: Bill Beach and Dan Clark
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. with a reading from Isaiah 58:9b-14
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
Linda reported that we were in good shape with pledges and that we received $68,000.00 from the Endowment Fund and $10,000.00 from the Hoffman House which satisfies their $20,000.00 commitment.
Approval of Minutes – Minutes were approved with the correct spelling of Bettyrene’s name being made.
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander
There will be a total of nine people attending the Vestry Retreat on September 16-17, 2022 beginning on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:00 PM and ending on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM. A sign up list will be sent out the week prior to the retreat to sign-up for dinner, breakfast and lunch items.
Children and Youth Christian Formation will have a Zoom meeting on August 21, 2022 to plan for the upcoming year using an environmental theme. Jim Klotz and Sandy Smith will have the 4-9 age group and Linda McMahon will have 10 year olds and up.
Nursery Update – A second person has been hired for the nursery. The Nursery Coordinator is Kyla and her assistant is Alyssa
Safe Church reminder – There will be an in person course available on October 1,2022 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at St. Georges in Newport News. There is also a two day Zoom course available on October 1-2, 2022. You will need to register for these courses on the Diocean website.
2023 Annual Council Delegates – The following four members have volunteered to be delegates for the 2023 Annual Council: Bill Beach, Susan Edmonson, Beth Shumate, Elizabeth Zimmerman and Charlie Edmonson as an alternate. A motion was made by Jay Hogg to accept the five named volunteers as delegates for the 2023 Annual Council and seconded by Anne Abraham. The motion was approved unanimously.
Pay increase for our Sexton – It was agreed that Michael should receive a pay increase of $2.00 an hour, from $13.00 to $15.00.
Samantha reported that we have had 27 newcomers since the pandemic.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Summer Lunch Update – We have had several new people help out this summer and some that were not members but have benefited from our Lil Pantry. The numbers have been up and down this summer. On low number days, the bag lunches were taken to the bus station and handed out. Due to the heat last week, diners were allowed to come into the parish hall to eat.
Blood Drive – Looking at having the drive in November and tying it in with All Saint’s Day
Pantry updates – The pantry is consistently stocked by members of our church and other outside neighboring businesses like Allstate Insurance.
Future programming and planning – We would like to schedule a Rise Against Hunger event in November
Warden Reports
Senior Warden, Jay Hogg
2nd Site Dig – Jay has written a letter explaining the 2nd Site Dig and the MOU that will be published in the September Newsletter. Charlie continues to be the liaison and will report on findings as they become available. Items that have been found date anywhere from Pre-English settlement times to 1968. There are two areas that they are zoning in on.
Nickerson Trust signers – A letter has been given to Old Point Bank removing the current names listed on the Nickerson Trust as signers and adding Nancy Beach, Wendy Cumming and Bob Harper as the new signers.
Weather sensor – This is a two year project that has no benefit for the city, the environment or St. Johns. All agreed that we were not interested in this project..
Junior Warden, Bettyrene Pope
Security Cameras – We are waiting on an estimate from Sentry Security Systems for 10 security cameras that have motion sensors to be located on each corner of the church pointing out and one to be placed on the parish house pointing at the church. The system will be funded by the Mary Williams Trust.
The wifi in the church has not been working for about 3 weeks. Cox Communications replaced the router and it seems to be working fine.
Jack has replaced the lights in the Sunday School Wing and Copy Room with LED light bulbs. The office will be next.
There was an increase on the port-a-potty lease with EURE. After contacting them I was informed they have added a weekly fuel charge. The monthly cost is now $145.00 a month and compared to Spivey at $165.00 a month, we will continue service with EURE.
Committee Reports
Discussion on committee liaisons
The Heritage Committee has made a good deal of progress in going through and organizing files in the Heritage Room.
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.