December 16, 2025 The Vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on December 16, 2025, at 6:44 p.m. by Rev. Lisa Erdeljon. Present were Darden Barrett – Senior Warden, Bettyrene Pope – Junior Warden, Ellen Griffith – Registrar, Bob Harper, Andrew Mackey, Brad Norris, Scott Curtis, Anne Rutherford, Rev Lisa Erdeljon, Linda Curtis – Treasurer. Ron Kindley was absent. The meeting opened at 6:44 p.m. with a prayer. Ascertainment of Quorum: A quorum was present. Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the agenda as written. Seconded by Andrew Mackey. The motion was approved unanimously. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Scott Curtis to approve the minutes of the November 18 meeting as amended. Seconded by Bob Harper. The motion was approved unanimously. Housing Resolution:
Lisa is requesting an update on the portion of her salary that goes towards supplemental housing allowance.
A motion was made by Bob Harper to approve the amount of $40,000 of Lisa’s Salary be designated towards her supplemental housing allowance. Seconded by Darden Barrett. The motion was approved unanimously. Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: As of November 30, we are $41,600 behind on pledges for the year, however pledge statements were sent out last week. December tends to be when people make large payments towards pledges. It was noted that parishioners have until January 15 to complete 2025 pledges.
Our expenses in November were lower than our income, also our year to date expenses are lower than our year to date income.
The 2 line item funds that were requested by Mary Williams Foundation were created and are the Organ Refurbishment Fund and the Parish Improvement Fund. Both funds have received deposits from Mary Williams Foundation.
The church received $10,000 from the Hoffman House account. THe Hoffman House paid property taxes in November.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
2026 Budget: There are 4 version of the budget being presented all 4 version are the same except for the following notations, version 1 includes a Curate and a COLA raise of 2.8% for the staff, except Lisa who is getting no change; version 2 includes a Curate and no COLA raises for the staff, except Lisa, who is getting no change; version 3 includes no Curate and 2.8% COLA raises for the staff; version 4 includes no Curate and no COLA. Versions 1 & 2 has the budget pulling over $100,000 from the reserve, and would require our annual financial audit be performed by a CPA. Versions 3 & 4 have the budget pulling less than $15,000 from the reserve, which it was noted that this amount is normal and in the last 3 years we haven’t had to pull any from the reserve. It was noted that hiring a Curate assuming that income didn’t increase substantially, would deplete our reserves in less than 3 years. Lisa mentioned that Endowment and Mary Williams are still working on how and by when they will be able to fund the Organ project. Endowment is not allowed to spend their principal and Mary Williams originally requested that Endowment pay for half of the Organ project. It was also mentioned that if we do not fund a 2nd priest, it will be hard for the church to grow. There is also a way in which Vestry could amend the budget to hire a Curate at any point during the year if the financial outlook changes. A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve version 3 of the budget giving the staff 2.8% COLA raises with no Curate. Seconded by Darden Barrett. The motion was approved unanimously. A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to adjourn the meeting at 7:34. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously. A closing prayer was given by Rev. Lisa Erdeljon.