The regular meeting of the Vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia, was held on April 11, 2006. The Very Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius, Rector, presided, calling the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Vestry members present were Bob Harper, Sr. Warden, Bettyrene Pope, Jr. Warden, Connie Heath, Treasurer, Kay Olson, Registrar, John Chiasson, Scott Curtis, Greg Brauer, Ben Ferris, Whit McKinney, Sanford Pankin, Bob Wind, Charles Zimmerman, Charles Edmonson, and Bill Forinash. Clergy present were The Very Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius and The Reverend Susan Copley.
The Reverend Susan Copley opened the meeting with prayer, Kay Olson gave the devotions.
Minutes of the March minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer, Connie Heath reported end of 1st quarter receipts are at 22.47%, this is where we should be as of March 31st. Concerns were voiced about Income and Outflow figures not matching in the report, this is due to some of the pledges being paid in advance before the end of 2005, therefore reflecting differences in the income and outflow of monies. The Finance committee is to keep track of this and if any deviation is significant the problem will be looked into. Bill Boyer is asked to look back to 2005 figures for first quarter to see if there are any deviations for the first quarter of 2006. Details of the Parish Trusts and Funds were given to each vestry member.
Finance Committee Report
Charles Edmonson, Chair, met with committee on May 6, 2006, Remind parishioners to keep pledges current for the summer, receipts of rent for the Hoffman House to be used for improvements to the Hoffman House. This committee was asked to see if there was money available from any funds to pay for the improvement to the rear parking lot, $7,000.00 is needed at this time to start the parking lot expansion. The report is that no money is available from any other resources of the Parish, therefore we will need to look elsewhere for money for this project. Thank you Finance committee for all your work.
St. John’s Church is fortunate to have several Funds and Trusts, there are rules and regulations on each of the funds as to how the money can be used. The operating budget is the only means of income we have available for the everyday running of the parish. Each month in the “My Offering” packet of envelopes is a “Special Offering” envelope, these extra envelopes may be used to give to ” Parish Improvements” or any of the other funds, (e.g., “Discretionary Fund,” “Cemetery Fund”) just mark on the front of the envelope to what fund you are designating the offering. It was suggested we highlight information on one fund per month in the epistle as a way to keep parishioners informed about what funds we have here at St. John’s.
Senior Warden’s Report
Bob Harper reports concerns of vestry of long term pledgers who had not pledged this year need go no further than this at this time. Bob is looking toward the future with the Neighborhood Lunch program, the Media committee, and the Mission Trip to Mississippi.
Junior Warden’s Report
Bettyrene Pope reports that routine maintenance problems have been attended to, Fire exit signs and lighting inside installations is complete, pavers have been leveled on walkways, replacement of door facing and new door into kitchen is complete, all outside doors to the church were given a new coat of white paint and railing at south side door repainted black. Many thanks to David, Greg, Charlie, Ben, John, and, Jack for all their help. The vestry also thanks, Bettyrene for all she does. (Bettyrene’s full report is filed with these minutes.)
The Very Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius requested she be allowed to continue with CREDO, in her capacity as Conference Leader, and that Harper Lewis be her Administrative Assistant.
Action taken The Very Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius will continue in her capacity as Conference Leader of CREDO, and Harper Lewis to be her Administrative Assistant.
Donna-Mae and Harper will be away the week of May 7.
The May vestry meeting will be held on May 16, 2006, Terry O’Neill and the City of Hampton Planning Commission will be at this meeting to address the concerns of the parish. Vestry representatives to correlate questions to be asked about the Downtown redevelopment and how it will affect our church. Representatives will be Jack Pope, Ben Ferris, Bettyrene Pope, Charles Edmonson, Whit McKinney, and Chuck Zimmerman. If you have questions submit them to one of these members. The parish is invited to attend this meeting.
A Pre-Council meeting will be held at Bruton Parish on June 4, 2006 from 4pm-6pm. Interim Bishop Robert Johnson and the Executive Committee will be there to answer questions or concerns about The Annual Council Meeting.
Post Council meeting will be held at St. John’s Church on July 16, 2006 from 4pm-6pm. Interim Bishop Robert Johnson will be present at this meeting. “How we lead through time of conflict, cradling through it.” There may be some rough times ahead.
Bishop Robert Johnson will be visiting St. John’s on April 23, 2006. He will conduct the rites of Confirmation at the 10:30 service. The Reverend Skip Hutton will also be with us for this service. A breakfast will be served between the early and late services, with an open informal forum. A reception will be held following the 10:30 service.
Committee Reports
Media Committee (Sanford Pankin)
The first Media Committee meeting was held on March 27, the committee consists of Sanford Pankin, Chair, Greg Brauer, Bob Harper, Kay Olson, and Harper Lewis, Donna-Mae Siderius was also present. Committee will be working on getting our NEWS out there and into the Newspaper. Working on getting brochures into some of the businesses and offices downtown, and ways to get new residents in the area to join us. Anyone interested in joining this committee is welcome, next meeting will be April 24th.
Downtown Neighborhood Lunch (Kay Olson)
We will again be “doing” Lunch in our parish house this summer. Our new day will be Wednesdays, beginning May 31 through August 30. This change of day will also be more convenient for the Bread Ministry. We will have four teams cooking, but not being on a team does not mean you cannot be a part of the ministry, we will need greeters, eating companions, servers, and other helpers, so come on out to be a part of this Downtown Lunch Program. All are invited and all are welcome.
Mission (David Copley)
Our Mission team to Mississippi will be leaving on May 6 and returning on May 13, to Camp Coast Care in Long Beach, MS. The following persons are traveling to the Gulf Betty Boykin, David Copley, Frank Edgar, David Foster, Bob Harper, Whit McKinney, Kay Olson, and Debbie Williams. So far we have raised approximately $3,500. to donate towards construction materials, and are hoping to reach $5000.00 before we leave. Please keep this team in your prayers as they prepare for the trip and as they travel.
It is hoped that St. John’s will be able to send another team to Mississippi in the fall. Please speak to Debbie Williams if you would be interested in going sometime this Fall.
Katrina Family No report available. (Our adopted family from New Orleans are going through some tough times, keep them in your prayers. We may have to look at extending our time of caring for this family.) FIO
Care Groups (Susan Copley)
Keep in touch with your Care Teams, call with up coming events, send cards for illness and birthdays. New additions to the list were given to us by The Reverend Susan Copley, be sure to make the changes to your list.
New Business
Focus on Parish Organization. The vestry set the following as priorities for 2006:
Vestry Priorities, 2006
- 2010 Celebration
- Church Renovation
- Outreach with focus on diversity
- Mission Efforts … other ministries?
- Improved communication within the parish/external (media)
- Sound fiscal plan
- Role of St. John’s as a downtown church
- Role of St. John’s in diocese and greater church
- Increase membership
The old commission system was reviewed and the name changed to “Ministry Programs” Vestry persons are to be leaders of the ministry programs with the chairpersons of each ministry program to be leaders of each one’s committee. Vestry persons to meet with Donna-Mae with ideas and plans prior to a leadership event to be held in August, before the start of the new church year, to bring chairpersons up to date.
Vestry Leaders of Ministry Programs:
- Administration: Bob Harper, Sr. Warden, Bettyrene Pope, Jr. Warden
- Liturgy: The Clergy
- Christian Formation: Sanford Pankin, Scott Curtis
- Parish Life: Greg Brauer, Kay Olson, John Chiasson
- Outreach: Ben Ferris, Charles Zimmerman
- Church Growth: Whit McKinney, Charles Edmonson
Charles Zimmerman nominated Robert Shuford, Jr. as new member of the Charitable Trust.
Action Taken, Robert Shuford, Jr. will become new member of the Charitable Trust.
KUDOS
Thank you notes to be written to the persons who did a wonderful job putting on the Mission Dinner. Frank and Sylvia Edgar, Debbie and Evan Williams, John Chiasson, David Copley.
Next meeting will be on May 16, 2006, 7:00 PM, with the Hampton Planning commission and Terry O’Neill.
Good of the Order
Devotions and Snacks for remainder of year:
- May Greg Brauer
- June Bettyrene Pope
- July NO MEETING
- August Bill Forinash
- September Bob Harper
- October Charles Edmonson
- November Whit McKinney
- December Bob Wind
- 2007, January Scott Curtis, Charles Zimmerman
Tacky Light:
Tacky Light from Charles Zimmerman to Charles Edmonson. Mission Tacky Light to appear in someone’s mail box.
Meeting closed with prayer at 9:50 PM. Kay Olson, Registrar
Junior Warden’s Report for April, 2006
Routine maintenance problems have been attended to. Fire Exit signs and lighting inside installations is completed. Exterior four pack lighting on SS wing is completed.
New outside dusk to dawn lights have been installed – SS wing – outside fire escape in SS wing, porch on Parish House door light replaced. Two additional lights are to be replaced w/ dawn to dusk fixtures – Parish House Museum door and Handicapped entrance door Lights on outside Sacristy and Parish House fixed so they come on at night -awaiting new sensor replacement (purchased but not installed)
Pavers were leveled on walkways- David & Charlie Edmonson Replacement of door facing and new door to kitchen – John Chiasson. New paper towels dispensers placed above sinks in kitchen. Fixed doorway to Office by placing support material underneath flooring- John Chiasson
Greg Brauer – rearranged and tidied up AV closet and added some new equipment -DVD player.
Replaced door lock on Susan’s office
All outside doors to church were given a new coat of white paint and railing on South side door repainted black.
Met with Callye Bowling about design and painting of Toddler Room.
New carpeting will be installed on May 10th in the Office area. Need help pulling up old carpet and putting down plywood on Mon. & Tues. May 8th & 9th.
Signed new yearly leases with Books Ahoy and Jan Peters. For Hoffman House rentals Many thanks to David, Greg, Charlie, Ben, John, and Jack for all their help.
Bettyrene