A special meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held on April 19, 1999 in the parish house, the Sr. Warden being in the chair and an acting registrar present.
Those present were Nancy Adams, Elizabeth Brauer, Dan Clark, Wendy Cumming, Peter Dolezal, Letia Drewry, Frank Edgar, Sr., Rick Harman, Keith Hatch, Connie Heath, Bill Mace, Mac McKinney, and Lew Vermillion.
Absent: Nelson Durden
Guest: The Rev. Richard L. Vinson
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by Sr. Warden Bill Mace. He began with an opening prayer and indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to interview The Rev. Richard L. Vinson, the candidate for Interim recommended to St. John’s Church by the diocese.
In addition to answering questions from the vestry regarding his qualifications, his strengths and weaknesses, his relationship with youth, and his approaches to Christian Education, liturgy and visitation, The Rev. Vinson commented on his Trinitarian belief – “I place my heart in, my whole being in God as Father/Creator; this brings me out of the worst of who I am into the best of who I am;” an intentional interim process; the importance of the vestry’s willingness to do the “challenging but joyful work of the interim period;” and measuring the health of a parish in terms of outreach, evangelism, and stewardship. He asked questions of the vestry regarding conflict resolution, vestry issues/problems, congregational land mines/skeletons, staffing issues, parish strengths/weaknesses, expectations/preconceived notions about the interim process, and the power and presence of God in the parish.
A motion was made and seconded that The Rev. Richard L. Vinson be hired as Interim at St. John’s Church. The motion passed unanimously.
The Rev. Vinson will begin his duties July 4, 1999. Bill Mace will forward to him the sample contract from the diocese.
The next meeting of the vestry will be May 3, 1999 at 7pm on the parish house stage. It will be convened by Sr. Warden Bill Mace.
Letia Drewry
Acting Registrar