The regular meeting of the vestry of St John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on July 16, 2002, Nelson Durden presiding.
Vestry members present were Nelson Durden, Frank Edgar, Sr., Hansi Haufler, Connie Heath; Treasurer, Bill Kirkland, Bill Mace, Elizabeth Phillips, Bettyrene Pope; Registrar, Mary Ellen Sawyer, Jim Shoemaker, Eric Stewart, and Bill Terrill.
Absent: Bob Harper, Senior Warden Also present: Bishop David Bane, B. J. Taylor, and Rev. James “Skip” Hutton, interim rector.
Devotions were given by Bishop Bane.
Conversation with Bishop Bane ensued. Vestry members let the Bishop know of their disapproval of his remarks about the vestry at a prior meeting. He apologized and gave some background for them. He hoped that we would understand the circumstances at the time and would accept his profound apology. He said he was proud of the togetherness the vestry had exhibited and how well we had worked through these difficult times as a group. His comments concerned our search for a new rector and the need to revisit our parish profile.
The minutes of the June meeting were approved as corrected.
Interim Rectors’ Report- Skip expressed his appreciation for the gracious welcome given to his staff, Dr. Anne Brower and Jane Price. The work hours that are committed to St. John’s are being accomplished. Anne and Jane have either contacted or visited every shut in on the list. The staff members are working very well.
Treasurer’s Report – Connie Heath reported that the current checking account balance is $55,570.91. Receipts for the month of June totaled $29,186.89. A check was received from Keith Adams for his Discretionary Fund. The vestry agreed that an accounting of this fund was needed and that Bob Harper would write Keith a letter requesting this information. Discussion followed about the intent to raise the rent of the tenants of the Hoffman house. John Gammel, property manager will be informed by a letter from Bob that he needs to attend the next vestry meeting and talk to the vestry.
Junior Warden Bill Terrill reported that the National Exterminating Company has told him that they cannot treat the parish house under the present contract until the asbestos is disposed of. Tom Pope and Jim Shoemaker will check the asbestos situation and make recommendations.
Senior Warden- Bob sent his regrets for being absent by way of Nelson. He expressed his thanks for the retreat and was pleased with the outcome of the four tasks assigned to the vestry. The tasks were Stewardship, Building and Grounds, Administration/Staff, and Newcomers. Copies of each task report were provided to members. Jim Shoemaker volunteered to chair the upcoming Stewardship campaign. He will meet with the Finance Committee. Skip said he would provide a modest consulting role.
Old Business: A motion was made and seconded that the commissions and committee system, with adjustments made as needed, be adopted. Discussion followed and the motion passed. A committee of Nelson, Connie, Bettyrene, Bob and Skip are to meet and fill in the names of the chairmen. This is to be completed for the August 13th meeting.
Parish Recognitions – This item was tabled for the August agenda.
Church/Parish Hall Security – Bill Boyer, Sr. will be asked to check on the TV monitoring system. The capability is there for the use of a security system needed for both the church and the parish hall.
Shrine Mont Education Conference, July 21-25 – This will be attended by Kathy Dansey.
Visitation Ministry Training – Elizabeth Phillips reported she had received the names of three people that are interested.
Financial Audit – The accountant is in the process of auditing the books for the year 2001.
New Business: Actions from the Retreat —
Bill Kirkland reported that the Greeters lists is still a work in progress.
The Search process was discussed:
Skip gave insight as to how to best handle this. A group needs to be assembled to review the parish profile. A list of steps should be developed on which path is the best – a search with multiple candidates or the decision to interview Donna Mae. The entire vestry wants to be involved in the process not just a representative committee. At the August meeting, a decision will be made to decide specifically which path we will take and what each entails. A letter to the parishioners from Skip should be included in the August Epistle clearly defining the choices for a search.
Skip brought up the issue of his Discretionary Fund. Discussions followed. A motion was made that the $200.00 allotted per month to the rector will go to the Outreach Commission for the period of time we have an interim rector. Elizabeth will make the decision as to the disbursement of the money. In the absence of a specific need or needs, a charity will be designated. This was seconded and the motion passed. The discretionary fund comes from the plate offerings. Elizabeth will give a monthly report to the vestry.
The subject of publishing a new parish directory was mentioned.
The air conditioner in the office is not working properly.
Skip asked about the possibility of changing the time of the meeting. He is having difficulty with the tunnel traffic.
Good of the Parish By consensus, we will discontinue the presence of a vestry person in the office.
The meeting was closed following a prayer.
Bettyrene Pope Registrar
Minutes: Approved: ___ _ Approved as corrected: