The regular meeting of the vestry of St John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia was held at the parish house on September 9, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. The Reverend Donna Mae Siderius, Rector presided. She welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with Evening Liturgy.
Vestry members present were Greg Brauer, Linda Curtis, Frank Edgar, Sr.- Senior Warden, Peggy Hayes, Connie Heath – Treasurer, Bill Kirkland, Vestal Lewis, Denine Miller, Bettyrene Pope- Registrar, Jim Shoemaker, Eric Stewart, and Bill Terrill- Junior Warden.
Absent were William Andrews, Elizabeth Phillips, and Sandy Smith.
Also present was Susan Copley – Assistant Rector and guest Billie Einselen.
Devotions were given by Peggy Hayes.
Rector’s Report- Donna Mae reported that Eric and Amy Stewart have a new daughter Emma and all are doing well. Linda Curtis is also doing well during her treatments.
Donna Mae Siderius, Frank Edgar, Sr. – Sr. Warden, Bill Terrill – Jr. Warden, Connie Heath – Treasurer, Bettyrene Pope- Registrar, and David Copley – Assistant Rector met to revamp our vestry meetings to make them more productive in a shorter period of time. Commissions or committees that need action of the vestry are to report to their Vestry contact person a week before the vestry meeting with a written report. If an outlay of money is needed, specifics need to be presented very concisely. Reports will be placed in everyone’s boxes before the meeting for review.
Donna Mae took off August 31st and had a very relaxing and calming rest. In “administering” the work of the church, she is spending considerable time on business matters in addition to “ministering” to the parishioners.
A draft folder for Ministry Opportunities is being designed and printed which will incorporate all the ministries, commissions, and committees. It will be given out, one per family on Sunday, September 14th. Opportunities will be given for people to sign up for things they are interested in. The vestry has oversight of commissions and should be sure that names that are written down are given to the appropriate committee chairmen.
The clergy will be in a rotation with two rectors at a service. David or Susan will be a presence in the Sunday School area. Once a month, the clergy will be in the Children’s Chapel.
Sunday, September 14th, Frank Edgar’s ” merry band of men” will be serving a sit down breakfast in the parish house following the 8:00 o’clock service. A short program will follow. Susan Copley will speak about growth in the church and the Newcomer’s ministry and Kathy Dansey will talk about the SS Rotation Workshop slated for the new year. Open House in the SS rooms will be afterwards. The Dixieland Band will be at the 10:30 service.
Vestry Meeting Schedule Changes: Tuesdays – October 7th November 4th December 2nd
Assistant Rector’s Report- Susan continues to meet and get to know people. A meeting will be held next week for the Newcomers group. Seventeen of the twenty-two attending the first meeting signed to attend the next meeting. Susan and David both are feeling very welcomed into the congregation.
David is currently in New York for a meeting about Liberia.
Evangelism as part of their assignment here is to look at the unchurched and to nurture the churched who are here.
Susan and David are serving us as part time assistant rectors and David is also part time with the Liberian mission.
Signage- Billie Einselen Bettyrene Pope moved that signage as presented by the committee be accepted and the $6000 be appropriated from the Endowment Fund. It was seconded and the vote taken. It passed favorably. There is some wording in question that needs verification. Billie and Bill Terrill will take this recommendation to Bill Boyer of the Endowment Fund.
Action Taken – The vestry approved the purchase of church signage in the amount of $6000. The money Is to come from the Endowment Fund.
For future Information – St. John’s became known as St. John’s in 1830.
Senior Warden- Frank Edgar, Sr. Frank read a letter received from Betty Long thanking us for the St. John’s cross and her association with us. He also received a letter from Katherine Foley with a check enclosed, sent to the vestry for undetermined use. Frank suggested we purchase ten (10) new tables to replace the old heavy ones. He talked with Katherine and this suggestion met with her approval. Frank moved that we purchase 10 tables with the check. It was seconded and voted on favorably.
Action Taken – Frank Edgar will purchase ten new tables for the church’s use with the money provided by Katherine Foley.
Frank praised the Junior Warden, Bill Terrill for his active involvement in work on the facilities at St. John’s, the Hoffman House, and the asbestos under the Parish House. He is doing a super job and staying on top of things.
Junior Warden’s – Bill Terrill Bill Terrill reported that the Hoffman House had its sewer collapse and repairs have been made. Jan Peters gave her rent back as she is cleaning up her own office. The asbestos has been removed and the pipes rewrapped under the parish house. John Lawson from W. M. Jordan is looking at the project of stabilizing the floor in the parish house. The Structures Group has consented to do a study of the church building similar to the one they did for the parish house. Bill Terrill, all purpose handy man, became the yardman and trimmed the hedges for St. John’s.
Stewardship Report – Jim Shoemaker The Stewardship committee met last week and came up with a proposed action schedule. Oct. 7 – Kick Off Letter Oct. 12 – Talk in church – Identify the need Oct. 19 – Talk in church – Identify the need Oct. 21 – Second Letter Oct. 26 – Loyalty Sunday/Stewardship Sermon Nov. 4 – Tailored Letter Nov. 11 – We Haven’t Heard from You Letter Nov. 17 – Vestry/Committee Calls/Contacts Nov. 24 – Final Letter, Final Calls
A suggestion was made to the vestry that they tithe their income for a month and reflect on the spiritual journey they take during that time period.
Treasurer’s Report – Connie Heath The current bank balance is $16,719.88. According to the budget, we are spending more than we are taking in. Offering and pledges are currently at 62%.
Sound System – Greg Brauer Greg reported that the first phase of improvements to the sound system would be installed by Sept. 11th. An LCD projector and a screen would also complement this system and be very useful in the near future. The ECW is donating a roll- up screen for the parish house. A durable portable screen also seems to be advantageous to purchase at approximately $300. Peggy Hayes moved that we accept the proposal to acquire the projector and screen, costs up to $2300 and the money come from the Memorial Fund. The motion was seconded and the vote taken. It passed.
Action Taken – Greg will purchase an LCD projector and screen, monies not to exceed $2300. The money will be taken from the Memorial Fund.
Diocesan Donna Mae asked Vestal Lewis to serve as a Nominating Committee and present candidates to serve as delegates to Annual Council at the next vestry meeting.
Nomination information for diocesan positions can be obtained from Donna Mae for any one wishing to nominate someone for a position.
Ministry Exploration Day will be on October 11th.
Donna Mae reviewed our hopes for the church. Fears were discussed. Does the future have a church or will we quarrel our life away?
A paper on the brief history of Homosexuality at General Convention was given out. Scripture interpretation is different for everyone.
Letters were discussed that the vestry had received or been sent copies of by parishioners. Frank shared letters he had received by three people.
Donna Mae had everyone around the table express their thoughts and where they were at present in the thrall of this matter.
The vestry felt that a letter or statement should be issued concerning our position.
Jim Shoemaker made a motion that the following statement be issued from the vestry. It was seconded and approved. It will appear in the bulletin each Sunday and the Epistle.
“We the Clergy and Vestry of St. John’s Church wish to affirm that our mission at St. John’s has not changed. While holding differing perspectives on the actions of General Convention, 2003, we maintain our trust that God still speaks, even through the church’s confusion and struggle. We urge the members of this congregation to join us in continuing the vital mission and ministry of this parish and the diocese “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ”. “
The Tacky Light Award was not given. The reading of the minutes of the July 8th vestry meeting were tabled until the October meeting. The meeting was closed with a prayer and adjourned.
Bettyrene Pope Registrar
Minutes: Approved: Oct. 7, 2003 Approved as corrected: