The Vestry of St. John’ s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia met on August 12,2008. The Reverend Donna- Mae Siderius opened the meeting at 7:05 PM. Present were Bob Harper-Senior Warden , John Chiasson-Junior Warden, Betsy Clark, Scott Curtis, Whit McKinney, Sanford Pankin, Parkie Rice, Ruth Simmons, Megan Tiller, Connie Heath-Treasurer, and The Reverend James Hutton. Absent were Kevin Eley, Kay Olson, and Kevin Van Sloten. Parkie Rice led the Vestry in prayer and in a discussion of examining our baggage.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayers were offered for members of St. John’s and for their friends and families for healing and in sympathy for the families of those who are recently deceased.
REPORTS
Church Renovation Committee
John Chiasson reported that the committee would meet tomorrow to discuss matters of bricks, paint, plumbing, and electrical concern. Members of the committee have been getting bids on possible work.
Junior Warden
John Chiasson reported that Betty Rene Pope is working on issues with bricks and walls in the Hoffman House.
Work has been done on the men’s restroom and upstairs water fountain and sinks in the parish hall. There is more work to be done on the roof, doors, and floor. There are people who want to work on the exterior of the parish hall. Donna Mae thanked John or “keeping up this old house.”
Senior Warden
Bob Harper said that we have had a relatively quiet summer but, unfortunately, there have been a number of deaths.
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation has requested to borrow our communion silver. They will insure it for our stated value. Bob made the motion that we lend it from March through October. Scott Curtis seconded the motion which was approved.
The James River Institute for Archaeology would like to review artifacts from our Second Church site. They will provide a written summary and assessment of these items. Scott Curtis moved that we approve the request. Parkie Rice seconded the motion which was approved.
Bob read a letter from Metta Delk thanking Donna-Mae and Jane Price for their visits and for bringing communion.
Bob also reminded us that we have requested an estimate for repairs on the needlework.
Assistant Rector’s Report
Skip said that he would be moving one of his offices from St. Andrews to St. Paul’s-Norfolk and his Richmond office to a place yet to be determined.
OTHER BUSINESS
Megan Tiller reported on and showed pictures of the Episcopal Youth Event in San Antonio whose theme was “Sewn in the Heart of Christ”.
Donna-Mae reported on her conference in Minneapolis and on the attendance at Conversations in July and thus far in August. She also reminded the Vestry of the walkabouts scheduled for the bishop’s selection at St. Andrew’s on Sept. 13th and the election on Sept.27th.
The Vestry has been given the yearly planning calendar. Some of the highlights were discussed. The Vestry will have the opportunity to serve at the Sept.14th kickoff breakfast. Betsy Clark discussed the Oct.4th J2A Auction Dinner. Oct.12th will be Children’s Sunday with even children under 6 participating and Harper Lewis preaching.Nov.2nd, All Saints Day, there will be a celebration of 15 years of the pipe organ.
Vacation Bible School had a theme each day which will be used during the year.
This year the readers for our special Advent service will be leaders of the community organizations which St. John’s supports.
Donna-Mae asked for and received Vestry support to work with the Little Singers (preschool) on Wednesday afternoons.
John reminded us that we will have Night’s Welcome again in December.
August 20th the Rector’s team will again be responsible for the summer lunch, and help will be welcome.
Donna-Mae gave the Vestry the seven habits of highly effective and highly ineffective churches.
Donna-Mae received a copy of a letter written to Bishop Buchanan advising that the Presiding Bishop’s Office would wait for the election of the bishop of our diocese before proceeding with an invitation to the Presiding Bishop for our 1610-2010 celebration.
Other upcoming events were mentioned.
TWO NEW INITIATIVES
An introduction to the Episcopal Health Ministries /Parish Nursing program was presented to the Vestry by the rector. More discussion will take place at a later date.
The rector also received support to continue conversations with a parishioner regarding a private program to provide meals out of St. John’s kitchen.
MINUTES
Minutes of the June 10, 2008 vestry meeting were approved as written.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Connie Heath presented a management letter and the audit for 2007.
Cash flow has been good and we have a bank balance of $10,028.
Connie said that the line of credit was paid off in May.
The July financial statement was accepted as presented.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Megan Tiller will apply to go to the House of Deputies meeting in Anaheim, CA next summer.
Research has not been completed on the prospect of taping sermons.
Thanks to Harper Lewis and Betsy Clark for a very successful Bible School.
Thanks to John Siderius who had seven participants in music camp with him.
Jane Price was commended for preaching the sermon at the ordination of a new priest at Christ and St. Luke’s.
Megan Tiller gave the mission tacky light to Betsy Clark. Kay Olson kept hers.
Skip closed the meeting with prayer.