The regular monthly meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, VA was held on July 13, 1999. The meeting was called to order by Rick Vinson, Interim Rector, and an acting registrar was present.
Those present were Rick Vinson, Richard Hayes, Vestal Lewis, Rick Harman, Leo Vaisvil, Keith Hatch, Mac McKinney, Jane Heiby, Marian Blount, Letia Drewry, Frank Edgar, Sr., Connie Heath, and Dan Clark. Also present was John Eidam, the future Interim Consultant.
Those absent were Billie Einselen, Lew Vermilion, and Nancy Adams.
Devotions: Frank Edgar, Sr.
Review of Minutes and Agenda
Correspondence was read and the minutes of the regular June meeting were approved as amended. Minutes of the special vestry meeting of May 18, 1999 were approved as amended with the eight points on which the vestry agreed deleted.
John Eidam-vacancy/search consultation (contract, etc.)
John Eidam thanked the vestry for thI trust we placed in him by selecting him as Interim Consultant. He said that there were three main things that he would like to discuss with us. They were a Letter of Agreement , a handout titled Who’s In The Interim Process, and a handout titled A Journey of Faith. For information covered see the three attachments. The vestry also voted that his contract be signed at this meeting.
Other topics discussed were how involved does the vestry want to be in the self study, should the vestry or the search committee do the self-study for the church profile, what is a profile, what are the duties of the vestry and search committee, and how many members should be on the search committee. A date for a future meeting with John Eidam was set for July 26, 1999 at seven pm. to continue the talk of the vestry’s role in the search process.
John Eidam once again thanked us for the job. The vestry thanked him for taking on the job.
Registrar’s Report
See Review of Minutes and Agenda.
Treasurer’s Report
The report was sent by Warren Spratley and presented by Rick Harman. The bank balance is $30,319.91 as of JunK 30, 1999. The income is down and he suggested a plea in the Epistle be made to encourage the congregation to give a little more even though the total budgeted income is at 49.6% half way through the year. As for the Special Accounts the Nickerson Estate received a deposit of $2300.00.
The Hoffman House closing date was June 18, 1999. A refund of between $600.00 to $700.00 from the attorneys will appear on the next St. John’s Income and Expense Statement. It was suggested by Mac McKinney that we need a separate line item for expenses to the Hoffman House.
Warden’s Report
Leita Drewry reported that she and Lew Vermillion met with the Pastor Darian Metz, a Pentecostal Minister, June 18, 1999 to terminate his contract. His last Sunday will be Ii July ,-L 1999.
Interim Rector’s Report
Rick Vinson said that he really was glad to be here and he thanked the vestry for the picnic. He said he was in the process of learning what St. John’s is. The vestry possibly could be the visionaries. The vestry needs to have a vision so that someone else will not take control. Maybe the search committee could become the conscience of the vestry. He is now in the process of discovery but by fall he would do some things suggested at the vestry retreat. He wants to hear from the people before he gets into the search process.
Rick suggested the need for goal setting with staff, vestry, and commissions. The key things is the staffing issue. Who does what and who needs to do such things as youth ministry? What has happened in the past with shut ins? Is lay ministry working well? He stressed Christian stewardship in which these words or ideas were stressed: money, commitment in church, planning events in the fall, time, talent and treasury as well as planned giving. The last thing Rick stressed is openness and honesty. He stated the Vestry meetings should be a place where anything can be said without it being repeated. The basic consideration for one another is confidentially. The principle job of the church is to bear witness to good news. One must be able to trust and it is nice to be in a place that you feel trusted.
Rick praised his good working staff. He is investigating copier problems, and he announced that the Parish directory will come out in August. He also told the vestry that he could be contacted at the church or at home if needed. He is now taking Friday as his day off.
Other Business
Candice Byrd needs a space to meet with exchange students to teach English as a Second Language on Tuesday and Thursday. The request was granted.
Pam Martin and Elizabeth Brauer need space to continue the Alpha Program again in the fall and spring. Discussion to be continued.
Pre-Vestry Dinner? Discussion to be continued.
Acolyte problems: Connie Heath reported that 3 acolytes had passed out performing their jobs because of heat.
Suggestions
- note on air conditioner not to cut thermostat up or down.
- fan to circulate air
- maybe sit down more during service
- service observed by Rick Vinson for possible suggestions
- deflector on vents
- cage around thermostat
No need to advertise the Web Page because information is out of date.
Rick Vinson’s E-mail address: ervinson@aol.com
Good of the Order
Rick Vinson would like to share Calendar and Upcoming Events as a part of the agenda for future vestry meetings.
Marian Blount likes the big print of the St. John’s Vestry Agenda.
Junior Warden’s Report
The report was sent by Lew Vermillion and presented by Frank Edgar, Sr.. He presented a service maintenance agreement involving Tidewater Service Agency, Inc. at the annual cost of $607.00 for the heating of the Hoffman House. It was referred to the finance committee for further study.
Concluding Devotions: Rick Vinson
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned around 9:05 pm.
Vestal Lewis
Acting Registrar