March 20, 2018 The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on March 20, 2018 at 6:30 PM. Members present were Junior Warden Whiting Chisman, Jr., Duncan Garnett, Senior Warden Bob Harper, Rosemary Hobart, The Reverend Mark Riley, Stephen Rous, Ruth Simmons, and The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander. Those absent included Bill Brown, Pat Dennehey, and Lloyd Thomas. The Reverend Samantha-Vincent Alexander opened the meeting and said that she will lead our Vestry meetings as we go forward. The Reverend Mark Riley opened with scripture from Luke about the rich man and Lazarus. Linda Curtis, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report, indicating that we are still ahead as expenses are in line for the year and we are under budget for February. The software cost was more because it was for three months rather than one. January bookkeeping expenses were high due to end of the year. We have $1000 left from Easter offerings in 2016-17 and $1500 left from Christmas offerings in 2016- 17.The 2016 offerings were originally designated for the operating fund. There was unanimous approval that 2016 and 2017 offerings go to the operating fund. The 2018 Easter offering will go to the operating fund. Phyllis Henry was recommended and approved to be a member of the Finance Committee. The Reverend Samantha Vincent- Alexander, Rector, reported the following: Jim Tormey has stepped down as a Trustee. David Bishop, who has been serving as care giver for the cemetery was nominated and approved as a Trustee and member of the Cemetery Fund Committee. He joins Whiting Chisman, Jr,,Bill Hudgins, and Robert Shuford on both. On April 8t , Bishop Hollerith will be here for confirmation. He will meet with the Vestry at 9:15 AM for conversation, questions and answers. We will have a Vestry retreat May 4th and 5th. Bob, Rosemary, and Ruth will secure a location. The minutes of the February meeting were approved with the correction of a typo on “diocesan” and the addition of the fact that it was discussed that we take under advisement that we consider attending the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Churches. The Reverend Mark Riley, Assistant Rector, reported: Virginia Beach is making a comprehensive plan to approach homelessness. Mark has been told that First Presbyterian and Bethel AME will join St. John’s as partners for the Habitat for Humanity House that St. John’s will cover half the cost to build. First Baptist is also sponsoring a house, but we do not know whether it is separate or with us. The City has not given permitting approval for the house at Union and Armistead. The Good Book Club has had five to six members in attendance, and they have had good discussions. Mark hopes to consolidate the forums for the study of Acts. Bob Harper, Senior Warden, reported: The Parochial Report is complete. It was presented and approved. Bob highlighted what was covered at the Vestry training:
We are board members. Our by- laws must conform to church cannons. Care, obedience, and loyalty are duties. We should hold an annual retreat. We are responsible for the church’s finances. We are responsible for the church’s property. We must take Safe Church training. We are a legislative body and should provide leadership. We should have a gift acceptance policy for the church. Whiting Chisman,Jr.,Junior Warden, reported: He asked that we accept the report and the cost for maintenance and repair of the church windows at approximately $9,950. We must ask Endowment to pay for the work so that it can be started. Q Design will supervise the work. The person doing the work has requested a $4,9754 deposit. Duncan asked about mission statements for each committee. We should have those and should work with the committee chairs and be sure that they are meeting. At 8:30 PM, Duncan moved that we extend the meeting so that we could generate some discussion regarding fellowship and Bob could share some remarks which included:We talked at the last Lenten dinner about increasing fellowship through such things as having monthly or quarterly dinners, have dinner together out somewhere, field trips, doing Alpha or something like it Stephen asked if we had a Stewardship dinner. He also said that at the church he attends in Nice there is a monthly luncheon that people pay for and raise money for charity. Samantha would like us to consider the Alpha program and Mark would like to continue “Come and See” and add Alpha. Mark would also like to see us tie in projects and field trips with dinners. Whiting raised concerns about increasing the numbers at Coffee Hour. Bob suggested that we move it outside in warmer weather. Mark suggested that we do it in the church in cooler weather. The meeting was adjourned with a prayer by Bob.