The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, Hampton, Virginia met on April 20, 2010. The meeting was called to order by Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius at 6:40 pm. Vestry members present were Bob Harper, Senior Warden, Bettyrene Pope, Junior Warden, Ruth Simmons, John Chiasson, Parkie Rice, Dave Foster, Kay Olson, registrar, Jay Hogg, Sukey Stephens and Eddie Clark, Youth Representative. Connie Heath, Treasurer, was also present.
Jay Hogg presented the reflection for tonight’s meeting with scripture readings from the Book of John on how Jesus appears to the disciples and asks the same question three times, “do you love me” with response of ”feed my sheep”. This passage asks us the question can we feed and nourish others if we ourselves are not also being fed through the word of God?
Rector’s Report: Our parish historian, Beverly Gundry, passed away in the month of March. Reverend Siderius asked approval of a resolution to be written in honor of the work Beverly did for the parish; approval was given for Reverend Siderius to have the resolution written.
A letter of Agreement between the Reverend Robert G. Gay, Deacon and St. John’s Episcopal Church was read and the vestry gave approval of the wording of the agreement to be signed by the Bishop, Rector, Senior Warden and the Deacon. The Reverend Gay will begin his ministry at St. John’s on May 9, 2010 with a reception in his honor to follow the 10:30 AM service. Action Taken: Bob Harper made a motion to accept the Letter of Agreement between the Reverend Robert G. Gay and Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the motion was seconded. The motion carried.
The downtown churches have been discussing a combined Pentecost Picnic for May 23. The First Presbyterian Church is planning a Pentecost celebration for that date and has asked the downtown churches to join with them on May 23, 2010 from 4 PM until 6 PM for a Celebration of Pentecost. Parkie Rice will be St. John’s liaison to co-ordinate with First Presbyterian Church for this event.
Reverend Siderius asked for vestry volunteers to provide hospitality at the church and Crowne Point Plaza on Saturday night July 10, 2010, prior to the Celebration Dinner. Those persons volunteering are Bob Harper, Kay Olson, Parkie Rice, Dave and Cathy Foster, Bettyrene Pope, Eddie Clark, Sukey Stephens, John Chiasson, and Ruth Simmons.
Monies to pay Insurance, utilities and maintenance have been requested of the Endowment Board.
Vestry members were asked to present their 3 choices of which Vision choices each wanted to participate in with the parish.
New comer’s names were given to vestry members to add to their Care Groups.
Senior Wardens Report: Bob Harper is prepared tonight to take Photographs of the new vestry members.
Members of the Mary Williams Trust, William (Chippy) Martin, Bill Terrill and Jim Shoemaker will be invited to the May 11 vestry meeting.
Junior Warden’s Report: Bettyrene Pope continues to finish the painting in the Ladies bathroom in the Parish House. New curtains have been put up in there. There still has to be some plumbing and electrical work (hired out) done to be able to place the washer/dryer combination beside the new double sink and vanity base, along with new lights, mirror and new faucets. Upon receipt of quotes, new bathroom partitions will also be installed to replace the old ones.
Bettyrene has made and put up two new valences in the small nursery and three valences in the bigger room. Shelves were installed in the smaller nursery with a curtain cover-up.
The renovation of the Ladies’ bathroom upstairs at the Hoffman House has been started. The wallpaper has been stripped and painting will begin on Wednesday. A new vinyl floor with quarter round shoe molding has been installed. Upon the completion of the painting, the commode, sink and a cabinet will be installed. The men’s bathroom is next to be renovated, that work will start in about two weeks.
Bettyrene is also working downstairs at the Hoffman House cleaning debris from the floor where tiles had been installed. Bob Harper is ready to rent the space for a photography studio and we are preparing that area for his build-out. His move in date is July 1 st.
Bettyrene said she cannot let a report go by without reporting the changing of light bulbs in the church, Sunday school wing and the Hoffman House.
New Episcopal Church signs have been purchased, one of which has been put up by Jake Pope. His twin brother Jack is anticipating putting up the other two signs in the next few days.
Renovation Committee Report: The committee met on March 25, 2010 with eight members in attendance and two absent. Billie Einselen attended as a guest. The stained glass window work and the painting of the exterior wood, trim, windows and doors have been completed. The contractor was paid by the Mary Williams Trust. An invoice for the brickwork was also paid by the Mary Williams Trust for $4,400.00. Additional brickwork needs to be done and completed to our satisfaction with some of the brick surrounding the round windows. George Cornwell has contacted a contractor in Williamsburg and is in discussion with him about our dismays with the brickwork already done. The cemetery wall is also on the list for reconsideration to “repair the repair”. There are some issues with the slates on the roof having been disturbed by the severe weather occurring over the winter. John Chiasson and George Cornwell are looking into those roof concerns that are “outside as well as on the underside” of the roof.
Additional work to be done inside the church is needed before “company” comes such as: Church vestibules cleaned and painted where needed, places on walls in church that are chipping badly to be touched up lightly, altar railing needs caulking and under cushions and a new coat of paint.
Proposals to be sent to the Mary Williams Trust for payment are:
- Bell tower on Parish Hall painted
- Wrought iron fence around church yard, rust removal and fence repainted
- Wrought Iron Lamp Post cleaned and repainted (hoffman House) CertaPro Painters proposal $5,680.83
Handicap walkway from west door to north door reworked-remortared and sealed to prevent water damage Pearce Contracting Company $1,200.00
Refinish floor in parish Hall, both large and small halls – $5,200.00 Repair floor in church where heating pipes were replaced – $800.00 Virginia Floor Specialists total cost for both church and parish hall $6,000.00
Replace commode in downstairs bathroom in church sacristy Mason & Son Plumbing & Heating $572.80
Total of request from Mary Williams Trust. $13,453.63
Bettyrene Pope made a motion to make a request to the Mary Williams Trust for $13,453.63 for the renovations to be made to the church, fences, walkways and parish hall. The motion was seconded by Ruth Simmons, the motion carried. Action taken: Bettyrene Pope made a motion to make a request to the Mary Williams Trust for $13,453.63 for the renovations to be made to the church, fences, walkways and parish hall. The motion was seconded by Ruth Simmons, the motion carried.
2010 Committee: the committee met to go over plans for the Dinner to be held on July 10, 2010, those present included Nancy Lecuyer, Kim Shoemaker and Vestal Lewis. The banquet room will seat between 400 and 500 guests.
Baxter Simmons is catering the reception to be held on July 11 at the Air and Space Museum, the cost is to be $5,000.00. Jay Hogg made a motion to pay $5,000.00 for the cost of the reception; the motion was seconded, the motion carried. Action Taken: Baxter Simmons is catering the reception to be held on July 11 at the Air and Space Museum, the cost is to be $5,000.00. Jay Hogg made a motion to pay $5,000.00 for the cost of the reception; the motion was seconded, the motion carried.
Jay Hogg is in the process of getting a contract for a trolley for our use on the Signature Week-end.
Minutes of the March Meeting were approved as printed. Treasurer’s report was accepted as printed.
The mission Tacky Light was given to Ruth Simmons by Bettyrene Pope and the Dr. Chuck Tacky Light was given to John Chiasson from Dave Foster.
Meeting adjourned with prayer at 8:05 pm. Submitted by Kay Olson