The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on March 19, 2024 at 6:30 p.m Present were: Senior Warden Bill Beach, Registrar Lynn Kirkland, Anne Abraham, Jim Klotz, Brad Norris, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Absent: Treasurer Linda Curtis, Junior Warden Jay Hogg, Darden Barrett, Ron Kindley
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. with a prayer.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: Linda was absent but Bill presented her reports. See attached. A $10,000.00 donation was made from Molly Durden’s estate for eleemosynary.
Rector’s Report: On Hold
Associate Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
- Summary/update since last meeting – Sunday Updates and Diocesan Changes – We are still tracking 15% – 20% above last year’s numbers at this time. Coffee hour has helped to make people feel welcome and comfortable. Canon Hoffman will be retiring but will continue to help with St. John’s transition.
- Recent Energy and Refocus Updates – There is a positive energy being felt in the church. Summer activities are being planned with neighboring Episcopal churches and downtown churches. Mark will be moving the mission statement to the cover of the church bulletin where it can be viewed more easily. The vestry shared that we all felt the positive energy was due to Mark’s leadership and efforts to make everyone feel welcome at St. John’s.
- Lenten Suppers and Planning Updates – Included previous reports for reference/updates – The Lenten Suppers were all very well attended.
- Racial Healing Workshop: Scheduling – Please attend a workshop if you haven’t. The next workshop will be held April 27, 2024 at Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown, VA.
- Reporting on Lenten Noonday and Upcoming Holy Week – A small group has been meeting for noonday services. Holy Week post cards with all of the week’s activities are being mailed out and posters have been made to display in various areas of the parish hall and church.
- Service Update: A seminary student from Dublin Ireland will be working with Jane Price the last two weeks of April and the first week of May.
Warden Reports
Senior Warden, Bill Beach
- Bill has been preparing for the annual meeting, April 21, 2024. He would like to show connectivity by talking about hard times and acknowledging families that have been attending for years through good and bad times.
- There are 3 vestry openings. Several people have shown an interest.
Junior Warden, Jay Hogg
- Jay was absent – Major water leak – report attached
Old Business – None at this time
New Business – None at this time
Committee Reports: None at this time
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 8:25 p.m.