The December Meeting of the Vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish Hampton, Virginia, met in the home of Peggy Hayes. Present were Peggy Hayes, Charlie Edmonson, Betsy Clark, Bettyrene Pope, Parkie Rice, Sukey Stephens, Ruth Simmons, Jay Hogg, Nick McMahon, and Kay Olson. Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius presided. One guest, Laura Stephens, was present.
Peggy Hayes gave the devotion, “Transitions, A Good Theme for Advent”.
Laura Stephens presented a proposal to have parish dinner to welcome the Presiding Bishop to St. John’s 400th Anniversary celebration on July 10. Her proposal included rental of a large tent to be located in the parking lot on Franklin Street for a hot buffet. The church yard to be decorated with strings of lights to encourage attendees to enjoy the church and the churchyard. Laura’s presentation was well planned and appealed to the vestry. However, after considerable discussion the vestry felt it would be better to keep the dinner at the Crowne Plaza and take advantage of Laura’s proposal in the fall of 2010. A copy of Laura’s proposal will be attached to these minutes.
A motion was made by Parkie Rice to pursue a parish wide function utilizing Laura’s proposal be held in the fall of 2010. The motion was seconded by Jay Hogg and was passed. Action taken: A motion was made by Parkie Rice to pursue a parish wide function utilizing Laura’s proposal be held in the fall of 2010. The motion was seconded by Jay Hogg and was passed.
A report on the 2010 Celebration by Linda McMahon was presented ( a copy will be attached to these minutes) the week-end of July 10 and 11 will be a busy time in the downtown area. The City of Hampton has moved their June Pirates Festival to the Celebration week-end and in conjunction with the Air and Space Center will have streets blocked with normal parking areas turned over for other activities. Also in the planning by the City is a waterfront reception to be held on Saturday evening, July 10.
Discussion was held concerning the 2010 report; ideas included investigating with HRT whether we could rent the Trolley to carry dinner guests to the Crowne Plaza from a designated parking lot at St. John’s.
Bettyrene Pope made a motion to pursue using the Crowne Plaza as the site for the Celebration Dinner to include the required $500.00 deposit at contract signing. The motion was seconded by Betsy Clark. The motion carried. Action taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion to pursue using the Crowne Plaza as the site for the Celebration Dinner to include the required $500.00 deposit at contract signing. The motion was seconded by Betsy Clark. The motion carried.
Some of the other 2010 events include: The Legacy of Weyanoke: an a cappella vocal ensemble in February, a reading by our own Resident Poet, Pat Vermillion in March, Music stories presented throughout the year .. one to feature Jim Tormey and John Siderius with a history lesson and music. A dinner planned and served by the Youth will feature a lecture by John Quarstein.
The Minutes of the November minutes were passed as amended. The Treasurer’s report was passed as printed.
The Nickerson Fund Account will be used to make additional charitable donations, leaving a balance of $2,000.00 in the account.
Willie Parker cannot return to work at this time due to illness. We will need to increase the hours of the Assistant Sexton to 20 hours a week, and continue with the Rowe’s for the cleaning services.
Charles Edmonson made a motion to increase the hours of the assistant Sexton to 20 hours a week with an increase of $5,000.00 being added to the budget. Motion was seconded by Jan Hogg. The motion passed. Action Taken: Charles Edmonson made a motion to increase the hours of the assistant Sexton to 20 hours a week with an increase of $5,000.00 being added to the budget. Motion was seconded by Jan Hogg. The motion passed.
Discussion of a line item for Outreach will be tabled until the January meeting.
Visioning discussion and process will continue for the next two Sundays, December 12 and 19, 2009.
Stewardship Report: Pledges are coming in at a steady rate.
Renovation Committee: Rain has caused delays on site work. The window installation and cleaning is to be complete by December 21.
Night’s Welcome Report: Bettyrene Pope reports the program is a very well organized this year. Everything is running well and the volunteers are happy about the way things are going.
Junior Warden’s Report: Bettyrene Pope reports the renovation to the handicap rest room is complete and the workers did a really good job. This is a beautiful addition to the parish house.
The first clean-up day was cancelled, but workers showed up and work was done in cleaning the kitchen. A Portable Potty has been set up on the edge of the parking lot for the convenience of the guests of Night’s Welcome.
Rector’s Report: Donna-Mae Siderius reports that Bettyrene Pope needs to be thanked for all she does. She has been a great leader for the Night’s Welcome program.
Baptisms are scheduled for January. Our Sexton Willie has had a stroke. Lessons and Carols will be held on December 19 at 5pm and there will be only one service on Sunday December 27.
No exchange of tacky light took place __ _
The meeting was closed with prayer.