The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on November 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Jay Hogg, Treasurer Linda Curtis, Registrar Lynn Kirkland, Anne Abraham, Bill Beach, Dan Clark, Jim Klotz, Doug Perry, The Reverend Mark Riley and The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander. Absent: Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope and Elizabeth Zimmerman
The meeting opened at 6:33 p.m. with a reading from Luke 23: 33-34
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
Linda reported that we are in good shape and that actual expenses were less than budgeted expenses. We have 6 new pledges to date and the non-pledge offering plate income is up. November and December are the months where we see a big increase in the actual pledge amounts. The two CDs that were purchased will be moved to the balance sheet as assets.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes were approved
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander
Use of Discretionary Funds – The funds were not used by the Virginia Coalition on Solitary Confinement Committee as requested by Beth Shumate. Another funding source was found.
Update on Prayer Cards – Everyone completed the assignment and had favorable feedback.
Nominees for Charitable Trust – Charlie Edmonson, President of the Charitable Trust, has asked for our approval of the appointment of Mary Pat Croft and Emily Klotz to the board of the Charitable Trust for a 5-year term. A motion was made by Jay Hogg to accept the nomination of Emily Klotz and Mary Pat Croft to the Charitable Trust Committee and seconded by Doug Perry. The motion was approved unanimously.
Property Wish List – Dan Clark provided a wish list of projects we may wish to pursue for funding from Mary Williams Trust or Endowment: 1. Refinish floors in Parish Hall – have an estimate
2. Put glass in interior doors to church – Proposed quote $3200.00 and can start in January if approved. Mary Williams would agree to having this done but we need approval from Vestry to ask Mary Williams for payment.
3. Seal outside bricks of church with sealant to prevent water seepage in building walls
4. Level flooring in choir loft
5. New lighting in choir loft (have replaced one light fixture already)
6. Install security cameras on inside & outside of church (DONE)
7. Refinish floors in Church
8. Refinish pews & add new cushions for kneelers in pews.
9. Additional items from Samantha:
- Be able to live stream from church to Parish House
- Improve microphone system on pulpit & lectern
A motion was made by Jay Hogg to add glass to the interior west and north doors of the church and to ask the Mary Williams Trust to fund the project, seconded by Dan Clark. The motion was approved unanimously.
Vestry Retreat – Reminder the retreat is scheduled for December 2-3, 2022. The theme is Invite, Welcome and Connect. Bettyrene will send out the sign-up sheet with food items.
Tent Donation – Sarah Messersmith has donated 2- 10×20 tents to the church
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Mark will be putting together a book of Advent Prayers and a Reverse Advent Calendar with donations going to the Food Bank.
Mark has been voted onto the board of HELP
Rise Against Hungry has been confirmed for January 22, 2023
Red Cross Blood Drive – February 12, 2023
Mark participated in the Welcome Home Initiative for veterans dealing with PTSD. Most were from the Vietnam time frame. Counseling is provided to reconnect with spouses and families.
Warden Reports
Senior Warden, Jay Hogg
Jay will be providing us with information on gifting with peoples IRAs and an update on the dig
Junior Warden, Bettyrene Pope
A Fire Inspector came & several things are being required to be in compliance. The Red Notebook in the Copy room has all fire regulation copies of current reports. He will return in 15 days as a follow up. Suggestion was made to install new emergency exit LED lights – Ordered 6 lights to be installed by my assistant (Jack Pope)
Had fire inspection of smoke detectors in Parish House by SCAT Security & Sentry Security in church.
Hood system in kitchen inspected & passed
Replacing missing ceiling tiles in Copy Room
All fire extinguishers checked both Parish House, Church, & Hoffman House & tagged with current dates.
Copy of current Backflow Test of Sprinkler system (done in July) placed in red notebook.
Testing of sprinkler system in church- scheduled for Dec. 5th
Security cameras are installed & working around the church. Installed one camera on the Parish House facing the church.
****Requesting Vestry approval to ask for payment from Mary Williams Trust to pressure wash walls around the cemetery. Received 2 bids – $3675.00 EnviroWash was the cheapest & come highly recommended ****** RECOMMENDATION for this came from the Cemetery Committee. A motion was made by Jay Hogg to have the cemetery walls cleaned and to ask the Mary Williams Trust for the funds to cover the project and seconded by Anne Abraham. The motion was approved unanimously.
Night’s Welcome Dinner this week – Nov. 17th – Kay Perry is in charge – Helping is Elizabeth Zimmerman, Jay Hogg, Pamela Martin, Nancy Adams, Mark Riley. Susan & Charlie Edmonson are preparing the breakfast bags for Friday Morning.
Committee Reports
Outreach – Doug Perry reported that Commonwealth Catholic Charities have received 200 new refugees and they will be hosting an Angel Tree to provide gifts for these families. The Outreach Committee will provide St. Anne’s Guild with funds to shop and wrap the gifts that will be delivered on December 20, 2022.
Christian Formation – Jim Klotz reported that the youth will be presenting a Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve. The theme is between Super Heros or Star & Angel. Samantha noted that 5-7 people have been attending the Episcopal 101 course for confirmation. Maybe 3 will be confirmed on December 11, 2022.
Dan Clark reported that THRIVE has reached about 90% of their Christmas fund goal. He noted that St. John’s has been very supportive. This Sunday the families will be coming to the Parish Hall between 12-3 to pick up gift cards and have pictures taken with Santa by Bob Harper.
New Business
There will be no Vestry Meeting for December.
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 7:57 p.m.