The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on September 17, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Stephen Rous, Ruth Simmons, Charlie Edmonson, Denine Miller, Greg Brauer, Emily Klotz, Youth Representative Darius Rowe, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Guests: Canon Lynn Farlin, Deborah Carr, Shannon Olson, Parkie Rice and Frank Edgar, Sr. Those absent, excused: Bob Harper, Pat Dennehey and Linda Curtis, treasurer.
Samantha Vincent-Alexander opened the meeting with a reading and discussion of Luke 16.
Deborah Carr presented the new St. John’s Music Academy programs starting October 1. These include a preschool choir, bucket band, guitar ensemble and flute ensemble. The Academy is also planning to start a show choir for kids with special needs.
Lynn Farlin talked to the vestry about the importance of Safe Church training and some of the recent changes to the program. She explained that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our spaces safe, including all those with key and/or code access to the buildings. Options for training are Universal Training, which is a 90-minute “cliff note” version and Specialized Training, which is needed by the vestry, clergy and staff. While both versions may be taken online, Lynn stressed the advantage of taking the class in person.
Frank Edgar, Sr. proposed to the vestry that we use the money received from Tommy Sinclair’s estate to create an endowed scholarship that would fund summer camp at Camp Chanco for two boys from the Boys Home of Virginia. Motion by Bettyrene Pope, seconded by Emily Klotz: The vestry would like to thank Frank Edgar, Sr. for his thoughtful proposal, but is going to continue pursuing the playground at St. John’s. Motion approved unanimously.
Rector’s Report, Samantha Vincent-Alexander
Direct Deposit: Staff has requested the option for payroll to be provided by direct deposit. Motion by Stephen Rous, seconded by Ruth Simmons: Payroll will be processed by direct deposit, not requiring two signatures. Motion approved unanimously.
Financial Policies: Vestry discussed the procedures for collection handling.
Website: Samantha is meeting with a web designer about creating a new design for St. Johns.
Sacred Ground: Twenty-one people attended the first class of Sacred Ground.
At 8:30 p.m., Motion by Denine Miller, seconded by Stephen Rous: Continue vestry meeting past 8:30 p.m. Motion approved unanimously.
Assistant Rector’s Report, Mark Riley
Canoeing the Mountains is the Fall Christian Formation class that will start September 22.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope
Bettyrene reported that she has received a proposal for a new security system in the church. Motion by Stephen Rous, seconded by Ruth Simmons: Vestry accepts the proposal for the new security system. Motion approved unanimously.
Committee Reports
Youth/Christian Formation: A Christian Formation meeting is scheduled for September 18.
Newcomers: Seven newcomers attended the reception.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.