The January meeting of the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order by the Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius at 6:35 pm. Present were Bettyrene Pope, Junior Warden, Bob Harper, Senior Warden, Kay Olson, registrar, Jay Hogg, Dave Foster, Ruth Simmons, Parkie Rice, Bill Rhode, John Chiasson, Peggy Hayes, Sukey Stephens, The Reverend Anna Noon and The Reverend Bob Gay. Also present Connie Heath, Treasurer, vestry nominees Randy Devlin, Mark Stephens, Erin Pfeil, Brian McMahon, and Rachel Pankin.
Refreshments were provided by Donna-Mae Siderius.
Jay Hogg made a motion seconded by Parkie Rice that the nominees be given seat and voice during the meeting. The motion carried.
Action Taken: Jay Hogg made a motion, seconded by Parkie Rice, that the nominees be given seat and voice during the meeting. The motion carried.
Donna-Mae opened the meeting with prayer and reflections. Scriptures from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, concerning Jesus calling His Disciples, were read and discussed. Each nominee and sitting vestry member was asked to reflect on how they were called and responded to the call to become vestry members. Discussion was held on the work of the vestry; according to the canons of the church, the work of the vestry has two faces…LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT and what each involves.
A visioning committee meeting was held on January 6. The Reverend Larry Crowell led the committee in setting priorities for each of the Core Value Groups. Much discussion was held and a decision was made to have only the chairpersons of each group meet and go over the criteria of overlapping goals for each Core Value. That meeting will be on January 12. The next Visioning committee meeting will be January 20, 2011. A presentation of the Visioning Committee’s work will be presented during the Annual Meeting on January 30, 2011.
Charitable Trust Annual Report: (A copy of the report is attached to these minutes). The annual report was presented in printed copy form by The Reverend Donna-Mae Siderius. During the calendar year 2010, the Charitable Trust made the following disbursements:
- $1,800.00 from the charitable Trust Fund to Episcopal Relief and Development for assistance in rebuilding the Cathedral in Haiti.
- $5,000.00 from the Charitable Trust Fund to St. Paul’s (Newport News) Outreach Ministry
- $5,000.00 from the Charitable Trust Fund to H.E.L.P.
- Contributions to the Charitable Trust for 2010 totaled $346.50
- The balance in the Charitable Trust Fund account at December 31, 2010 was $599.56
- The Trustees of the Lucille Williams Endowment Fund did not disburse any earnings from the Fund to the Charitable Trust in 2010. Funds are expected to be disbursed in 2011.
- The five (5) year term of Scott Curtis expired December 2010 and the Charitable Trust Board unanimously recommends Denine Miller be elected by the vestry to serve a term to begin January 2011, and expire December 2015.
Ruth Simmons made a motion seconded by Sukey Stephens to elect Denine Miller to the Charitable Trust Board effective January 2011, and to expire December 2015. The motion carried.
Action Taken: Ruth Simmons made a motion, seconded by Sukey Stephens, to elect Denine Miller to the Charitable Trust Board effective January 2011, and to expire December 2015. The motion carried.
Stewardship Report: Ruth Simmons reported one hundred thirty eight (138) pledges have been received to date with pledges totaling $359,055.00. A total of 153 pledge cards have been returned. Ruth reports that only a very few people who have not returned a pledge card will have to be contacted.
Senior Warden’s Report: Bob Harper read a thank you letter from Bishop Hollerith for our 2011 pledge to the diocese. (A copy of this letter is attached with these minutes.)
Junior Warden’s Report: Bettyrene Pope reported:
- The basement under the stage has been thoroughly cleaned.
- John repaired the leak over the grill in the kitchen; the leak was coming from one of the fans in the hood system.
- Renovations to the Ladies Room have been completed with new light weight partitions; new ground fault receptacle installed; new rug purchased. Installment of new lighting above the sinks is to be done to complete the renovation.
- The new handicap ramp into the parish house is halfway completed. The weather has hindered the progress.
- Flood and other lights have been replaced where needed.
Jay Hogg made a motion, seconded by Bill Rhode, for Bettyrene Pope (Elizabeth C. Pope) to sign the grant application on behalf of the vestry. It was voted on and approved.
Action Taken: Jay Hogg made a motion, seconded by Bill Rhode, for Bettyrene Pope (Elizabeth C. Pope) to sign the grant application on behalf of the vestry. It was voted on and approved.
Renovation Committee: by Bettyrene Pope
Q Design has been busy working on the Design/Master Plan for the Church Renovation. Different engineers have been doing reports needed for the preparation of the architectural plan.
The report for the asbestos/lead/mold/hazardous material has been received. Asbestos is present in the pipe insulation in the crawl space in the basement, the floor tiles in the sacristy and choir rooms, and treads on the stairway. Lead based paint was indentified [sic] on most plaster walls, painted wood windows and doors and associated trim surfaces in the main sanctuary and all three floors of the sacristy. Moderate mold growth was detected in the second floor choir room.
The weather has delayed the return of the slate roofers for warranty work completion and additional repairs.
Jack and John will replace the hot water heater in the sacristy due to this project not being completed in 2010.
Bettyrene Pope was appointed to serve as the contact person between the Quinns, the contractors and the church.
The next Renovation Committee will be on January 13, 2011.
Deacon’s Report: Bob Gay reported:
- Bob may be taking some time off to help his son who is moving to Raleigh, NC.
- Bob has been ask [sic] to serve on the Diocesan Outreach Committee
- Bob has been asked to be the head teller during the General Convention February 11 and 12.
Assistant Rectors Report
- Anna Noon reported June 26-30, 2011 has been scheduled for Vacation Bible School.
- Anna is working on a calendar of events for the Youth.
- Anna is Thankful for all the love and support she is receiving from the parish.
Rector’s Report
A Lenten program including the five (5) Episcopal churches who participated in the program in 2010 is being considered for Lent 2011. The program is entitled “Anglican Covenant: Who are we becoming” is being planned and speakers will be people who have had some experience speaking on this topic. The program with a simple supper will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 PM to 8 PM in a different church each week.
The Memory Book, Melodye Dorst, has been compiling is 170 pages long and is ready to be printed. The cost is estimated to be $2,000.00.
Jay Hogg made a motion, seconded by Dave Foster, to pay for the printing costs out of the Memorial Fund. The motion carried.
Action Taken: Jay Hogg made a motion, seconded by Dave Foster, to pay for the printing costs out of the Memorial Fund. The motion carried.
Re. inclement weather. In cases of bad weather where the authorities are urging people to stay off the roads, the clergy will cancel Sunday services.
Financial Secretary’s Report: Bill Boyer reported St. John’s ended the year very well financially with a balance of $17,817.20. We were able to fund the 400th celebration without having to resort to any special fundraising which helped make the celebration even more special. We achieved this positive balance by faithful stewardship, planning, and cost management. Bill Boyer’s analysis will be attached to these minutes.
Announcements
The Annual Chili Cook-off will be combined with the awarding of donations from the Sole to Soul 2010 Project on February 19, 2011. Appetizers will begin at 5:30 PM and the Tasting of Chili will begin at 6:00 PM, there will also be a 50-item salad bar. Bring your dollar bills for voting, the proceeds will go to the St. John’s Feeding Ministry.
Fifty-two (52) new folding chairs have been ordered and will be delivered within the next week.
Tacky Lights
Bettyrene Pope handed the Dr. Chuck light(s) to Bob Gay. Sukey is holding on to the Mission light one more month.
The meeting was closed with Compline lead by Deacon Gay.
Submitted by Kay Olson, Registrar