The regular monthly meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held on Tuesday, February 9, 1999 in the parish house at 7:00 PM, the rector being in the chair and the registrar being present.
Those present were: The Rev. Rodney L. Caulkins, Nancy Adams, Elizabeth Brauer, Wendy Cumming, Peter Dolezal, Letia Drewry, Nelson Durden, Frank Edgar, Sr., Rick Harman, Keith Hatch, Connie Heath, Bill Mace, M.O. McKinney, and Lew Vermillion.
P. Warren Spratley Jr., Treasurer.
Absent was: Dan Clark
The vestry thanked Letia Drewry and Peter Dolezal for preparing the vestry dinner.
Devotions: Keith Hatch
CALL TO ORDER
REGISTRAR’S REPORT: Correspondence was read and the minutes of the regular January, 1999 vestry meeting were approved as mailed. The Registrar thanked Letia Drewry for taking the minutes of the January, 1999 vestry meeting in his absence.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The report was given by P. Warren Spratley, Treasurer who reported that the church’s bank balance was $59,211.33 as of February 8, 1999. He also related the computer problems in the church office and discussed how the problems were to be solved. St. John’s income and expense statement for the month ending January, 1999 and the special accounts statement were distributed and discussed.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
FINANCE COMMISSION: Pew Rack Expenditure Report. The Finance Commission recommends that the vestry accept the bid from Tibbetts Church Manufacturing Co., of Clinton, NC to replace all of the pew racks in the church building for $4,800.00 and that the cost be paid from perpetual honorarium memorial fund. A motion was made and passed that the vestry adopt the Finance Commission recommendation.
THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT COMMISSION: The report was given by Letia Drewry, Chairperson, who reported that the low key evaluation has been made of the commissions. Each commission was consulted and everything is on track and moving on.
OUTREACH COMMISSION The report was distributed by M.O. McKinney, Chairman, and discussed by the vestry. A motion was made and passed that the recommendations from the Outreach Commission dated January 30, 1999 be approved. See Attachment One. Mr. McKinney also reported that 15 students would be coming to the area to help build a habitat house. The Outreach Commission and St. John’s Church will be providing housing and will provide certain meals for the students.
STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION: The report was given by Rick Harman who said that the final report on the 1998 Stewardship Campaign will be given at the March 1999 regular vestry meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
The rector distributed the report of the Ordination Exploration Program Committee, St. Andrew’s Church, Norfolk, concerning Amory LeCuyer. See Attachment 2. There will be a called special vestry meeting on February 27, 1999 at 10:00 AM at St. John’s Church for a final interview with Amory LeCuyer.
WARDENS’ REPORTS
SENIOR WARDEN: Mr. Mace gave a report on the status of the purchase of the Hoffman building. The reality of the ownership of the building was again set forth in detail for further consideration by the vestry. A motion was made and passed that William Mace, Frank Edgar, Rick Harman, Lew Vermillion, and Larry Cumming be appointed as special committee to pursue negotiations for the purchase of the Hoffman building.
JUNIOR WARDEN: Mr. Edgar gave Worship Building Ramp report. A diagram (see Attachment 3) was distributed and discussed. Mr. Edgar proposed that the ramp should be taken beyond the point shown on the diagram to the end of the walk. By doing so the ramp would have a much lesser slope. A motion was made that the vestry approve a 32′ designed ramp for a cost not to exceed $5,800.00 including the railing to be located as shown on Attachment 3. After discussion the motion passed.
The rector distributed a Parish Rule of Life which answers the questions “How can we live out our Baptismal Covenant?”
The Senior Warden distributed the agenda for this year’s Bishop’s Day with Wardens and Vestries. This year’s program is entitled “Come On, We’re Busy!” “What’s Jesus got to do with the Vestry?” He also distributed an attendance sign up sheet and encouraged vestry members to attend.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Peter Dolezal distributed a handout entitled “The Real Working Beliefs of Most Anglicans . . .” Mr. Mace reported that parts and pieces of the Columbarium are on order. He also mentioned that several members of the congregation have complained about the church building being cold.
Mr. Durden stated that the old St. John’s Communion silver will be on display at Jamestown beginning in April, 1999. He also referred the vestry to photographs of St. John’s Church and the City of Hampton after the city was burned during the Civil War. The meal before the March, 1999 vestry meeting will again be provided by Peter Dolezal and Letia Drewry.
It was mentioned that there were 26 women for Winter Oasis.
Concluding Devotion: The Reverend Rodney Caulkins
Adjournment