Charlie Edmonson called the meeting of the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, to order at 6:33 pm. Present were Charlie Edmonson (Senior Warden), John Chiasson (Jr. Warden), Brian McMahon (Registrar), David Foster, Carrie Quinn, Bob Harper, Kay Olson, Sylvia Edgar, and Sandy Smith. Clergy present were The Rev. Dr. Paul “Peter” Hogg (Interim Rector), The Rev. Anna Noon (Assistant Rector), and The Rev. Terry Edwards. Absent were Bill Brown, Connie Heath (Treasurer). Ian Edgar (Youth Representative) resigned his position due to excessive absences. The two guests attending the meeting briefly where Dan Clark (Stewardship Representative) and Dee Slade (Sexton Calvin Slade’s wife).
PRAYER, CHECK-IN, & OPENING REMARKS
Ms. Quinn opened with prayers. The Vestry did check-in.
Mrs. Slade provided an inspirational talk of her Family’s journey.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The November 2012 minutes were reviewed. One correction was made: Third paragraph, first sentence, “were” was changed to “was.” Ms. Olson moved to accept the minutes as amended, Mr. Harper seconded. Unanimous approval.
VESTRY COMMITTEE REPORTS
STEWARDSHIP: (given prior to the approval of the minutes) Mr. Clark gave the status of the stewardship campaign (See attachment 1). He also briefed the continuing work of the stewardship committee to provide all parishioners the opportunity to pledge.
FINANCE: Mr. Harper briefed the financial report highlighting the income, expenses, and current deficit for the month of September (Attachments 2 and 3). Bottom line the parish is meeting and barely covering payroll and other expenses, which are higher this year due to the search for a new rector. Consequently, the parish’s deficit for the year is approximately -$16,000. Moneys to cover the monthly deficits come from the Hoffman House.
Both Ms. Olson and Ms. Smith again expressed concern (a concern that was brought up in October regarding operating expenses) that monies for computer services are being used to deplete the Memorial Fund. The Vestry authorized the Memorial Fund for start-up information technology. Mr. Edmonson stated he is still investigating.
RENOVATION: Ms. Quinn submitted the renovation report as written (Attachment 4).
SEARCH: Mr. Edmonson reported that the Bishop has approved the Parish Profile.
VESTRY COMMITTEE REPORTS
NORMS: Ms. Smith reported the Norms Committee had expected to compile the Norms for 2013 into one document by the December Vestry meeting as reported at the last meeting. However, they thought it best to review the Norms themselves as a document before presenting them to the Vestry. Ms. Smith expects the document to be ready by the January vestry meeting.
LISTENING: Ms. Olson had no report.
CLERGY & WARDENS’ REPORTS
DEACON: The Rev. Terry Edwards (now priest) passed on positive comments she received from A Nights Welcome guests.
JR. WARDEN: Mr. Chiasson had nothing significant to report other than replacing five light bulbs.
SR. WARDEN: Mr. Edmonson reported that with the help of Ms. Quinn and Ms. Bettyrene Pope, the vacancy in the Hoffman House would be listed on the downtown Hampton electronic newsletter and electronic directory. He commended Ms. Quinn and Ms. Pope on an excellent write up.
RECTOR: The Rev. Peter Hogg reported there are six adults and six youths for conformation. [The Bishop will visit Sunday February 10th.] The Rev. Hogg suggested vestry members consider reaffirming their baptismal vows.
The Rev. Hogg recognized Ms. Bettyrene Pope’s hard work and dedication as the interim Parish Coordinator.
The Rev. Hogg reported that The Rev. Edwards would be going to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Newport News as the part-time Rector. The Rev. Edwards will report this news to the congregation on Sunday, December 23rd.
He also reported that the church has sent out four welcome letters to visitors who left visitor cards in the church collection plates this month.
ACTION GROUP REPORTS
WORSHIP: Ms. Smith reported the Worship Committee would start meeting monthly after church, instead of a weeknight, starting January 13th. Their newest member is Sarah.
IN-REACH: Ms. Quinn submitted the In-Reach report as written.
OUTREACH: Ms. Olson went on to report that she and Ms. Jo-Ann Mahony went to Menchville House, an emergency housing facility for women and their children, and met with the director Ms. Sylvia Jones and the founder Ms. Carol Masser. Ms. Jones and Ms. Masser briefed Ms. Olson and Ms. Mahony about the Menchville House operations and rules. The Menchville House receives support from various ecumenical organizations as well as the City of Newport News. Ms. Olson and Ms. Mahony presented Menchville House with $150.00 in WalMart gift cards.
Ms. Olson submitted for Vestry approval the Outreach Committee’s proposed disbursements using the Nickerson Trust and the Lucille Williams Trust (Attachments 5 & 6 respectively). These disbursements will come from the funds and be considered monies available and approved prior to 2013 and will not impact 2013 distributions. The disbursements attempt to use past unspent funds for viable and worthy outreach needs.
Mr. Edmonson stated that only the disbursements for the Nickerson Trust would not be voted on tonight. The Lucille Williams Trust falls under the Charitable Trust board of directors and will be considered this Sunday.
Mr. Foster moved the Vestry approve the disbursement of $9,500.00 from Nickerson Trust as allocated. Ms. Smith seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
The Vestry congratulated The Rev. Terry Edwards on becoming a priest in the Episcopal Church and thanked her for her service to St. John’s while deacon.
The Nominating Committee for new vestry members has been finalized. These members are those whose vestry term has just expired, hence ineligible, or have agreed not to run for vestry. The purpose of the committee is to seek candidates. These people are:
- Bob Harper, Chairman
- Greg Brauer
- John Chiasson
- David Edmonson
- David Foster
- Ann Templeman
- Ann Ward
The Rev. Hogg updated the Vestry on Calvin Slade’s job description. Carrie Quinn made a motion that the Wardens hire Calvin Slade as Sexton taking on normal sexton duties plus cleaning duties currently assigned to the cleaning company, as directed by Senior and Junior Warden, and Interim Rector. Sandy Smith seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The Rev. Hogg updated the Vestry on Leeiron Meredith’s health and housing status. He is currently in rehabilitation at Riverside’s Gardens at Warwick, 1000 Old Denbigh Blvd, Newport News.
The tentative date for the party for the retiring and newly elected Vestry members is Saturday, March 2nd. The location is to be determined.
Mr. Edmonson proposed members of the Personnel Committee, and the Building and Ground Committee.
The Personnel Committee:
- Bob Harper
- Linda Curtis
- Charlie Edmonson
- Someone who has personnel experience if possible
The Building and Grounds Committee:
- Jr. Warden
- Parish Administrator
- Carrie Quinn
- Someone from the Heritage Committee
Sandy Smith moved the proposed people become members of the respective committees. Kay seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Carrie Quinn provided closing prayer. The Rev. Anna Noon offered a blessing.
The meeting adjourned at 8:36pm.
Brian McMahon – Registrar
REF \n inreach 7 Attachments:
- Stewardship Status
- September Income & Expense Statement
- September Special Accounts Reports
- Renovation Report
- Nickerson Trust
- Lucille Williams Trust
- In-Reach Report