The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, met on July 14, 2009. The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius opened the meeting at 6:35pm. Present were Bob Harper, Senior Warden, Bettyrene Pope, Junior Warden, Kay Olson, Registrar, Suzanna Stephens, Jay Hogg, Ruth Simmons, Charlie Edmonson, Kevin Van Sloten, Betsy Clark, Peggy Hayes, Kevin Eley, Nick McMahon and The Reverend James “Skip” Hutton. Absent were Parkie Rice and Treasurer Connie Heath.
Suzanna Stephens provided refreshments and led in the devotion “Encountering Difference.
There was no 2010 Committee report.
The commemoratives committee has asked for “Seed” money in the amount of$8,000.00 to enable them to begin the purchase of items to be sold during the 2010 celebration .. The money will be paid back by the committee when profits are made from the sell of the commemorative items. Kevin Van Sloten made a motion and Ruth Simmons seconded to borrow money from the Memorial Fund to go to the Commemorative Committee for “start-up” funds. Action taken: Kevin Van Sloten made a motion and Ruth Simmons seconded to borrow money from the Memorial Fund to go the Commemorative Committee for “Start-up” funds.
Minutes of the last meeting were approved with spelling corrections.
The treasurer’s report was passed as printed.
The Renovation Committee asked Higgins and Associates Stained Glass Studio if their painter could strip down the windows to the bare wood, Mr. Higgins asked his painter for a price for the extra work, the price came in at an additional $3,777.84. In an e-mail from the Renovation Committee to The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius on June 24, 2009, the Vestry was asked to vote on approving the additional cost, so that funds could be requested from the Mary Williams Trust in a timely manner before the next scheduled vestry meeting. The vestry approved the additional cost of$3,777.84 for the extra work by e-mail vote. Action taken: The vestry approved the additional cost of $3,777.84 for the extra work by e-mail vote.
In an e-mail from the Renovation Committee to The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius on June 24, 2009, the vestry was asked to vote on approving the hiring of James R. Walls Contracting Company in the amount of$39,326.00 for the slate roofing repairs to the church building. The vestry approved via e-mail the hiring of James R. Walls Contracting Company for the repairs to the slate roof on the church building in the amount of $39,326.00.
Action taken: The vestry approved via e-mail the hiring of James R. Walls Contracting Company for the repairs to the slate roof on the church building in the amount of $39,326.00.
Renovation Committee Report: Submitted by Bettyrene Pope A meeting was held on June 23, 2009. Six companies were sent the roof bidding packages. Three Companies submitted bids. James R. Walls Contracting Co. from Clinton, MD gave a bid of$39,326.00 and was recommended by Restoration Engineering -Co. The committee voted to award the contract to this company for the slate roofing repairs to the church building.
Stained glass contract had been signed but suggestions were made to have the painters strip the wood and repair the windows where necessary so a change order needs to be added and the money appropriated.
Approvals will be sought from the vestry by e-mail for sending the funding to Mary Williams Trustees for (1) the change order of the stained glass and (2) the slate roof repair contract.
Junior Wardens’ Report:
Hampton Fire Department did an inspection on the Parish house and the Church. Fire extinguishers were out of date and some covers were missing from electrical boxes. New fire extinguishers have been purchased and installed and the covers will be placed on the electrical boxes.
Conley Bros. have fixed the North door of the church so it is reattached to the brick molding.
Senior Warden’s Report: Bob Harper reported there are 12 people signed up for the senior’s trip to the Jamestown museum. The group will leave the church at 8:30am and will leave Yorktown around 2pm for the return to Hampton. Bob also reported that our Sunday Sexton’s vehicle is in fairly bad shape and is looking into helping to fix up his van.
Associate Rector’s Report Skip will be retiring from the priesthood on August 23, he said he has loved St. John’s and has appreciated the vestry during his years here presently and in the past as the interim. He said he is confident about the future of this parish and also for his own future.
Rector’s Report: The Reverend Siderius talked about the youth of this parish and how the members of the parish support the various activities of the youth programs.
Much of the staff will be taking vacation time the first weeks in August, Skip and Jane Price along with the Wardens will be available for any emergencies that may arise.
A letter was mailed to the parishioners concerning the voting of the Deputies to General Convention. The vestry should be prepared to react to questions by asking themselves “what is my response as a leader of this congregation”, to be more able to have conversations without “labeling” and to respect the dignity of each individual in conversations.
There were no tacky lights given out this month.
Kay Olson, Registrar