Charles Edmonson, Senior Warden, called the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, to order at 6:30 PM. Present were Dan Clark, Junior Warden, Linda Curtis, Treasurer, Brian McMahon, Sylvia Edgar, George Cornwell, Kevin Eley. Our clergy, Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander, was present. Absent were Bill Brown, Carrie Quinn, Kay Olson, and Vestal Lewis. In the absence of the Registrar, Linda Curtis took the minutes.
Linda Curtis opened the meeting with prayer and provided the refreshments.
Minutes of the November 19 meeting were corrected to reflect the Sylvia Edgar was absent and approved.
Reports
Treasurer’s report: Linda Curtis presented the financial statements for October and November, which are attached to these minutes. There are still some details in the report to be corrected by the bookkeeper, including the separation of Hoffman House accounts from the Operating accounts. The Finance Committee continued to work on the budget at its meeting last week and will have a budget to present in January.
Charlie Edmonson announced that the Vestry will meet on January 12 at 2 PM for a special Budget Meeting. He has written to the Endowment Board for additional funding for 2014.
One of the $5000 loans will be paid at maturity on December 25, 2013.
Heritage Committee: Sylvia reported that the committee hopes to start on the Gundry room in January.
Stewardship Committee: Report is attached to these minutes. As of today, we have received 117 pledges for $315,888, and 17 of the pledges are new pledging units, although some have been consistent givers.
Renovation: Report is attached to these minutes. We are still hoping for an early to mid-February completion.
Building & Grounds: Dan had nothing new to report.
Rector’s Report: Samantha will be on vacation starting December 26 and will miss 2 Sundays. There will be a Morning Prayer service on 12/29 and a supply priest on 1/5. She is running for General Convention in 2015. On February 12, we will celebrate her new ministry and the Bishop will be present. The committee has not yet met to develop wedding and funeral policies, but hopes to start shortly. It is recommended that any policy involving use of the parish hall should require liability insurance for the rental of the parish house.
Senior Warden’s report: Delegates to Council will cost $125 for registration. Given the financial situation, it was decided that the Alternates will not be sent to Council. As a followup to the Stewardship Campaign, several good ideas have been advanced. Charlie indicated that the ideas will be discussed and a plan developed beginning in February, following completion of the renovation work. The J2A pilgrimage was discussed at length; Shannon and/or Samantha are to meet with the group to discuss potential fallout from their decision to travel to Ireland.
Action Group Reports: None
Old Business: The parish profile is not on our website at the moment. It contains a nice historical summary of St. John’s but also contains other information which may no longer be appropriate to keep on the website. All vestry members are asked to peruse the profile and we will discuss it at our next meeting.
Night’s Welcome was reviewed by Brian McMahon. Over 100 volunteers assisted, and we averaged 40 guests per night, including 9 children. Brian was pleased with how smoothly the week went. The most requested item from our guests was underwear.
New Business: The voting on the issue of reducing the number of vestry members will take place on January 12 at the conclusion of each service The Annual Meeting and Vestry Election will take place on January 26 after the 9:30 service (1 service that day) and the vestry will provide breakfast. Bill Brown, Frank Edgar, Jr., and Brian McMahon will be the counters.
It was decided to dispense with snacks in 2014. Prayers to open and close the meeting will be handled by Sylvia Edgar in January.
Linda Curtis closed the meeting with prayer.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Curtis