The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on January 21, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Bill Beach, Jr. 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 with a prayer.
Ascertainment of Quorum: A quorum was present.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes: A motion was made by Scott Curtis to approve the agenda and the minutes of the December meeting with the correction, changing fulfilled to fulfill, in the Charitable Trust paragraph and seconded by Darden Barrett. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: Linda reported that we ended the year in excellent shape placing $108,214.25 into reserve. See the attached budget report. A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to accept the Treasurer’s Report for January and seconded by Ron Kindley. The motion was approved unanimously.
A CD in the amount of $100,000.00 at Old Point National Bank matured and instead of renewing at 1.29% it was placed in a money market account earning 2.58%. A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to roll over the CD for $100,000.00 to a money market account at Old Point National Bank earning 2.58% and was seconded by Bill Beach. The motion was approved unanimously.
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Lisa Erdeljon
- Personal Updates – Lisa is a proud new homeowner. There is still no movement on the house in NC. Lisa will be leaving for Tuscany, Italy on January 30, 2025 returning February 6, 2025.
- Worship Plans – Derek Pringle will cover services February 2, 2025.
- Policy & Procedure Updates – There is no policy for the church office closing during inclement weather. We will follow Hampton City Schools directive and will create a policy stating so. There is also no policy for Sunday services being cancelled due to inclement weather at this time but a policy will be created.
Warden Reports
- Senior Warden, Bill Beach – Bill had no report but thanked everyone for their service to St. John’s and shared his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Sr. Warden.
- Junior Warden, Bettyrene Pope – The heat was out for a week in the church due to a boiler not working but it has been fixed. A new thermostat has been placed on the 2nd floor Sunday School wing. The water fountain on that floor is currently not working. A digital lock has been installed on the safe in the Sacristy.
Committee Reports
- Outreach – Ron reported the Oyster Roast was held January 11, 2025. About 70 people were in attendance and over $1000.00 was raised which will go to the Men’s Group. All of the oysters were donated
- Music – Scott reported that Deborah is on vacation in Chicago
- Inreach/St. Anne’s Guild – No report
- Newcomers/Invite – No report
- Liturgy/Worship – The next Liturgy meeting will be held in February to plan for Lent and Easter
- Christian Formation – Ellen reported that she and Linda have moved their class to the bell tower. They will be doing a little decorating with curtains and such. The children have asked if it were possible to do outside activities/field trips. A new age appropriate Sunday School curriculum will be chosen this summer.
- Finance/Stewardship – Darden reported the stewardship campaign is complete
Old Business
- Vestry Nomination Committee and Protocols – Bob Harper, Andrew Mackey and Anne Rutherford have accepted invitations to serve as new vestry members
- Annual Meeting & Annual Report – The Annual Report will be emailed to church members prior to the meeting as well as hard copies being made available. A copy of the agenda will be placed in the church bulletin with the theme of gifts and gratitude. Bob Shuford, Sr., David Bishop, Jim Shoemaker, Susan Edmonson and Charlie Edmonson will speak at the annual meeting giving a brief synopsis of all funds.
- Vestry Retreat – The Vestry Retreat will begin on Friday, February 21, 2025, around 5:30-6:00 at the home of Lisa with Dana Epstein catering the meal. Day two of the retreat will commence on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the parish house. The facilitator that was scheduled unfortunately double booked so Lisa is looking for a new facilitator to help the vestry with strategic planning for the future. What is our identity? How will our budget carry us the next 5-8 years?
New Business
- Personnel Updates – Patrick has accepted full time employment beginning February 15, 2025. He will continue to do the many things he does but in addition, he will be the contact person for Outreach, maintain history and record keeping, and oversee communication and social media. His hours will be M-Thur 9:00-5:00 and Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and will cover both services. Lisa will cover the office on Fridays 9:00-12:00. Lisa would like to recommend a curate position to begin in the summer. A curate is a student right out of seminary that assists a senior priest to gather experience to become a priest. This is usually a two year commitment with a paid stipend.
- Charitable Trust Annual Report – Scott Curtis presented the Charitable Trust Report. A motion was made by Ron Kindley to accept the Charitable Trust Report and was seconded by Ellen Griffith. The motion was approved unanimously.
Adjournment: A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. and was seconded by Ron Kindley. The motion was approved unanimously.
Closing Prayer: Bill Beach provided a closing prayer