The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on September 17, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Bill Beach, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Treasurer Linda Curtis, Registrar Lynn Kirkland, Darden Barrett, Scott Curtis, Ellen Griffith, Ron Kindley, Jim Klotz, Brad Norris and The Reverend Lisa Erdeljon.
The meeting opened at 6:32 p.m. with a prayer.
Ascertainment of Quorum: A quorum was present.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: Linda presented the August budget, see attached. It’s a typical end of summer report; pledges are behind. The electricity bill continues to be high due to warm temperatures and making sure that the organ is kept at a constant temperature. The water bill is actually settling down a little. Deborah’s medical insurance was paid. In her contract it states St. John’s will pay up to $10,000.00 a year but because she is on Medicare we don’t pay nearly that much.
Linda suggested that we purchase a new CD with $100,000.00 while the interest rates are still high. A Motion was made by Ellen Griffith that Linda purchase a CD in the amount of $100,000.00 with Old Point National Bank while the interest rates are high and seconded by Darden Barrett. The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the August meeting were approved with the following correction to the Treasurer’s Report section, second paragraph, $10,000.00 for 48 months at 4% should read, $100,000.00 for 48 months at 4%.
Rector’s Report: The Reverend Lisa Erdeljon
- Discretionary Funds – The Rector’s Discretionary Fund has been signed over from Bill Beach to Lisa. There is an Associate’s Discretionary Fund that remains in Mark Riley’s name. Lisa will be meeting with Mark to start the process to transfer the fund in her name.
- Finance Committee – Reminder that Margo will be rotating off of this committee and we need to nominate a new member.
- Stewardship – Betsy Clark will be heading up stewardship this year. The theme will be, Gifts and Gratitude. The drive will run September 29, 2024 – October 20, 2024 with pledge cards due on October 20, 2024. We will have an in-gathering with cake after both services to turn in the pledge cards. Lisa asked the Vestry to think of their 3 favorite things about St. John’s. These favorite things will come up during the drive.
Warden Reports
- Senior Warden – Bill Beach – No Report
- Junior Warden – Bettyrene Pope
- The electrician fixed the exhaust fan on the dishwasher
- The door to the parish hall has been looked at and it’s their opinion that it sticks due to the alarm system
- Bettyrene will continue to look into the purchase of a new safe for the sacristy
- Still looking for someone to provide a safety inspection for the playground equipment
- It has been reported that the AC in the Sunday School wing may not be working properly. It may just be a time scheduling issue.
Committee Reports
- Outreach – Dan Clark will be providing a tour of THRIVE for Lisa, along with Doug Perry and Scott Curtis. Doug will be having lunch with Lisa to share information about the feeding program the Men’s Group supports.
- Music – Upcoming events include 2 Evensong events, Phantom of the Organ and several outside events
- InReach/St. Anne’s Guild – Ellen will be reaching out to these groups to see if they would like to participate in a youth advent wreath making activity
- Newcomers – Invite, Welcome, Connect with meet October 3, 2024 at 6:30
- Liturgy – The Liturgy Committee will meet monthly until Easter
- Christian Formation – The Christian Formation team met with Lisa to get to know one another. Classes for youth began September 15, 2024
Old Business
- Visitor Cards – The cards have been updated and are in the pews
- Accessibility to the church – Access to the bathrooms in the church are an issue for the elderly. This will be a long range project to think about
- Plastic Collection – We have collected 1000 lbs. of plastic with the help of outside agencies. This is enough to receive our first bench for the playground and the youth will be picking out the color. We will continue to collect plastic in hope of a second bench.
New Business
- Vestry Nomination Committee and Protocols – Bill suggested that those rotating off Vestry in January form a committee to put together a protocol for nominating new vestry members. Those on the committee would be Bill, Jim and Lynn.
- St John’s Protocol Handbook – Lisa would like to make a book that has the protocols for how all things happen at St. John’s. This would be helpful to her and anyone in case of emergencies.
- Oyster Roast – Darden would like to reinstitute the Oyster Roast in January. He will work with Ron Kindley, InReach and the Men’s Group to see how we can make it happen.
- Annual Meeting – Lisa shared that the Annual Meeting is usually held the last Sunday in January. A Motion was made by Ron Kindley to hold the Annual Meeting on January 26, 2025 and seconded by Ellen Griffith. The motion was approved unanimously.
Adjournment: A Motion was made by Scott Curtis to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. and seconded by Darden Barrett. The motion was approved unanimously.
Closing Prayer: Lisa provided a closing prayer.