The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on March 19, 2019 at 6:30 pm. Present were members Denine Miller, Greg Brauer, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, The Reverend Mark Riley, Pat Dennehey, Senior Warden Bob Harper, Ruth Simmons, Emily Klotz, Charlie Edmonson, Youth Representative Darius Rowe, and Treasurer Linda Curtis.
Members Absent:
- Stephen Rous Excused
- The Reverend Mark Riley Excused
Samantha led us in scripture and prayer.
February Minutes were reviewed and corrections noted. Senior Warden Bob Harper moved to accept the minutes with corrections. Charlie Edmonson seconded the motion. Vote was called and Minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Linda went over the financials for February and noted the following:
- Budgeted income for February is up over actual February income, however for February actual income was slightly below budgeted income.
- Some things that contributed to income in February were monies received from insurance reimbursement, publications, and from a 2018 pledge.
- Our year to date expenses were higher than budgeted, but actual expenses for February were lower than budgeted. A couple of things that helped with expenses in February were a refund from the CEEP conference and a voided check for instrumentalists which will be reissued in March. The expense the Rector’s Medical Insurance will be off because of the health savings charge in January.
- Year to date pledges are up due to some members prepaying their whole pledge for 2019, but actual pledges for February are down some from budgeted.
- Our non-pledge offering is similar to our pledges with year to date actual higher than expected year to date and actual received for February lower than budgeted.
- Funds were expensed from St. Anne’s Guild for supplies for Boy’s Home. Quarterly Dispersal of Funds from the Nickerson trust. Night’s Welcome spent funds for food, supplies, cleaning expenses, etc.
- There is still a small amount of money in the Diocese of Southern Virginia debt repayment fund.
- Need to appoint a committee for audit of the church’s books.
A motion was made by Charlie Edmonson to appoint Rick Bagley, Jim Shoemaker, and Frank Edgar Jr. to form the Church Audit Committee. Denine Miller seconded the motion. A vote was called and passed.
Rector’s Report
The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander discussed the following:
- The Parochial Report was reviewed and Senior Warden Bob Harper made a motion to accept the report. Greg Brauer seconded the motion. Vote was called and motion passed.
- A date for the 2019 Vestry retreat has been set. It will be on August 23 and 24 at Camp Chanco.
- On the matter of the Sexton, the individual who was being considered who signed a letter of agreement has decided not to take the position. Will continue the search, but in the mean time the Vestry will help with some of the Sexton duties.
- Need volunteers to be in the Church on April 13th for the Hampton Fun Hunt. It is a scavenger hunt with a roaring 20’s theme. Time is from 11 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon.
- With the resignation of Junior Warden Whiting Chisman Jr. from the Vestry a new member is needed to fill the vacancy. Bettyrene Pope has been asked to fill the remaining year of Whiting Jr.’s term. Bettyrene has agreed to this request. Sr. Warden Bob Harper made a motion for Bettyrene Pope to fill the remaining time of Whiting Jr’s Vestry term. Denine Miller seconded the motion. Vote was called And motion passed.
- Nominations for Sr. Warden and Jr. Warden were asked for. Ruth Simmons made a motion that Senior Warden Bob Harper continue in his position of Senior Warden with Bettyrene Pope as Jr. Warden. Denine Miller seconded the motion. Vote was called and motion passed.
- Vestry members wrote down there 1st, 2nd , and 3rd choices as to which Church Committee they would like to liaison with. The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander will report before next Vestry Meeting which Committee Vestry members are assigned.
- The Vestry has been asked to look at the current terms of each member and look at how we can stagger the terms better. This will be discussed at next Vestry meeting.
- Discussion of T.H.R.I.V.E.’s request for helping the working poor with financial assistance. The Executive Director of T.H.R.I.V.E meet with the Hampton Downtown Clergy Association and discussed a request to open a location in Hampton to meet with clients. The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander showed her the Church’s educational wing which showed promise. Would be for only 2-3 hours a week.
- Discussion of Vestry Goals for 2019. Some of ideas brought forth.
- Look at the Church’s Mission Statement, Ways of making St. John’s a “force” in the community.
- Discussion of the Church’s role in performing same sex marriage which is the norm of the Episcopal Church, starting a Dialogue on Race, ways of creating opportunities for members to be involved, and looking at Alpha class again.
Assistant Rector’s Report
No report
Junior Warden Report
No report
Senior Warden Report
- Short report on the CEEP conference in Boston. Ruth Simmons, Stephen Rous, Senior Warden Bob Harper, and the Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander attended the conference. One of Bob’s take away from the meeting was how churches use their Parish Houses as a resource for their community. Ruth Simmons liked the exposure to vendors that could help the church with things like mission work, or stained glass window repair. Ruth liked the discussion of comparing church’s as either tuition (pledge only) driven or endowment driven and how endowment driven churches could be a learning resource for tuition driven churches.
New Business
- Vestry Training Days – Greg Brauer and Emily Klotz attended the Vestry Training Day at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Norfolk. Some of the things talked about: Discussion of The Way of Love Discipline, encourage Vestry members to be good listeners, touched on best practices for our Organization, as Vestry members support the groups decision, and not to let your “Building” overtake the mission of your church.
- Vestry will be commissioned at the 10:30 service on March 24th.
- Looking if there would be support for Maundy Thursday Vigil following the Maundy Thursday Service. This would probably be till Midnight. Will post a sign up for those that may be interested.
The Reverend Samantha Vincent- Alexander closed with prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm
Submitted by Patrick Dennehey, Registrar