The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on October 18, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Treasurer Linda Curtis, Registrar Lynn Kirkland (Virtual), Anne Abraham, Bill Beach, Dan Clark, Doug Perry, Elizabeth Zimmerman, The Reverend Mark Riley and The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander. Absent: Senior Warden Jay Hogg and Jim Klotz
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. with a reading from Luke 18: 9-14,
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
Linda reported that we are in good shape with expenses under budget and plate offerings up over the yearly budget of $3000, so far receiving $3,682.00. Generally, November and December are the months when we have an increase in revenue.
Aflac made a payment of $4000.00 in error for Samantha’s disability insurance. We will need to return the funds once we receive a letter stating the error.
Fund Consolidation – Linda provided a report, Proposed Changes in the Restricted Accounts (Funds). Together, Samantha, Jay and Linda went through each account listed on the report and made the recommendation to eliminate these line items no longer used and redistribute any remaining funds. (See attached). A motion was made by Dan Clark to eliminate the line items no longer used and redistribute the funds as listed in the report and seconded by Bettyrene Pope. The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: The September minutes were approved with the correction of the cost of the security cameras from $85,043.13 to $8,543.13 and the correction of the spelling of First Christian Church.
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander
Vestry Retreat December 2-3, 2022 – Bettyrene will be sending out the food sign-up sheet
Newcomers – Social event scheduled for 11/20/22 at 6:00 PM. Due to a large interest from church members, the vestry isn’t required to attend.
Use of Discretionary Fund – Samantha was asked by Beth Shumate, a St. John’s member, for a donation of $1000.00 to the Virginia Coalition on Solitary Confinement Committee (VCS). The non-profit organization along with about 50 other organizations have conducted a Human Justice Project to eliminate solitary confinement that will be presented to the General Assembly in January. The funds will be used to make copies of the report for each General Assembly member. The vestry recommended that a $500.00 donation would be more appropriate.
Updates on prayer cards – The project is going well with favorable responses from members.
Clergy Conference – Samantha will be attending the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Clergy Conference October 24-26, 2022.
Budget – Linda will be putting together next year’s budget so contact your committee chairs to see if their needs have changed.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Mark will be on vacation October 19-26, 2022
Rise Against Hunger is scheduled for January
Red Cross Blood drive is scheduled for February
Mark met with HELP and has been nominated to their board and is waiting on approval by the current board.
Mark has applied for a ride-along emergency program with the Hampton Police Department.
Warden Reports
Senior Warden, Jay Hogg (Absent)
Junior Warden, Bettyrene Pope
Nights Welcome runs November through March and our days are the 3rd Thursday of the month beginning November 17, 2022. Our dates are 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/16 and 3/16. We will provide dinner and breakfast bags. November and December will be held at First Christian Church on Todds Lane.
The cameras were to be installed this week. Some tree trimming needs to be completed first.
An alarm sensor issue is being looked into.
Warwick Mechanical presented a proposal to convert the oil burners to gas for $22,874.00. Last year the cost of oil was $16,000.00 and this year is expected to be $24,000.00 with the cost of oil increasing. The conversion would be paid off in 2 ½ years with an $8000.00 savings. Question to consider is when the leftover oil is pumped out can we sell the oil back. A motion was made by Dan Clark to convert the oil burners to natural gas and was seconded by Elizabeth Zimmerman. The motion was approved unanimously. A motion was made by Elizabeth Zimmerman to ask the Mary Williams Trust Fund to pay for the conversion of oil burners to natural gas and was seconded by Anne Abraham. The motion was approved unanimously.
Committee Reports
Bill Beach commended the Stewardship Committee for doing a wonderful job with the Back To Basics Breakfast. Letters and pledge cards will be mailed out October 19, 2022.
New Business
All Saints Evensong service will be November 6, 2022 at 4:00 pm.
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 8:17 p.m.