Special Meeting of the Vestry of St. John’s Church
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
A special meeting of the vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 7:00 PM with Bob Harper, Senior Warden, presiding.
Vestry members present were: Nelson Durden, Frank Edgar, Sr., Bob Harper; Senior Warden, Hansi Haufler, Connie Heath; Treasurer, Bill Mace, Elizabeth Phillips, Bettyrene Pope; Registrar, Mary Ellen Sawyer, Jim Shoemaker, Eric Stewart, Lew Vermillion and W. L. (Bill) Terrill. Absent – Bill Kirkland
Guest – Bill Rhode, Chairman of the Finance Committee
Devotion given by Bob Harper.
Bob passed out Vestry nametags. Everyone is encouraged to wear them to all church functions. A request had come to Bob concerning the loan of the church’s chairs and tables. He will look into this. Bob thanked the vestry members for their daily presence in the parish office.
Discussions followed about the severance package for Keith Adams. Three members received contacts that were negative and that members would withhold their pledges. Two members received phone calls to the effect that the vestry be fair in dealing with the parishioners’ money.
Different versions of severance packages had been drawn up by the Finance Committee and were presented by Bill Rhode. They were discussed at length. A motion was made and seconded that the vestry offer Keith Adams three (3) months salary with one (1) year of medical benefits not to exceed $27,165 of which $17,001 salary be paid in three (3) equal installments beginning June 1, 2002 and the $10,164 which is one year of medical benefits be paid monthly beginning June 1, 2002 through May 31, 2003. This will all be suspended when Keith is actively employed. The motion was voted on and passed.
Skip Hutton from St. Andrews in Norfolk is amenable to being our interim minister. The Bishop is agreeable to this arrangement. Skip will attend our June vestry meeting.
The possible dates selected for the vestry retreat are July 12, 13 or July 19, or 20. Let Bob know your date preference. B. J. Taylor is being considered as the facilitator. Agenda items are to be submitted to Bob.
Skip will be at the services on June 2nd and will do the new member vestry recognition. The parish picnic will be held after the 10:30 service.
The plaque for Willie Parker will be presented to him by Jim Tormey on June 16th at the 10:30 AM service.
Visitation of parishioners: The Reverend Molly Douglas of Bruton Parish – Office: 229-2891 Home 220-1764 will coordinate rector services and be our point of contact for parish emergencies. Molly will facilitate training for those lay persons interested in going out visiting people in their homes, in nursing homes, and the hospital.
Betty Allen had been the Coordinator of the Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM) and is turning the duties over to Charlie Edmonson. By general consent, the vestry will acknowledge Betty for her many years of service with a proclamation.
The definition of Executive Session was discussed. It is a closed session where issues talked about are not disclosed outside the vestry unless action is taken. The results of the action are made known to the parishioners.
Bob stated that he feels the vestry is doing what is right for St. John’s to move ahead. Again the statement was reiterated by Elizabeth Phillips that “We, the vestry are not all of like mind but we are all of like heart.”
The next vestry meeting is on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 at 7:00 PM.
The meeting was adjourned.
Bettyrene Pope Registrar
Approved as corrected June 11, 2002