The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on October 20, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Charlie Edmonson, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Greg Brauer, Dan Clark, Denine Miller, Doug Perry, Stephen Rous, Ruth Simmons, Registrar Emily Klotz, Treasurer Linda Curtis, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, The Reverend Mark Riley, and The Reverend Peter Stimpson. Note. This vestry meeting was conducted via Zoom, in keeping with the diocese’s mandate for physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was opened at 6:30p.m. with a reading from Psalm 121.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis Linda reported that our year-to-date income is less than ytd expenses. Pledge contributions are down $23,000, but quarterly pledge statements will be sent this week. Notable income for October includes $30,000 from Endowment and a $5,000 bequest.
The September vestry meeting minutes were not distributed and need to be approved. The minutes of June 16, 2020 still need to be approved.
Confederate Memorial Resolution The Vestry met on October 14, 2020 to discuss the report of the Confederate Memorial Committee. Motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Ruth Simmons: The vestry will rule out removal or relocation of the memorial and look at options for modifications. Approved with one opposition.
Charlie presented a vestry resolution regarding the memorial:
Senior Warden Edmonson, in consultation with the Rector, is directed to assemble a committee, so named the Confederate Memorial Modification Special Committee (“Modification Committee”) to include a member of the Heritage Committee, and other members or consultants as the Senior Warden and Rector so determine. The committee shall examine modifications to the Confederate Memorial to include, but not limited to, partial removal, the application of plaque(s) and free-standing contextual signage. Such examination and proposed modifications shall include considerations expressed in the approved “Report to the Vestry of the Confederate Memorial Task Force Special Committee”, dated September 24, 2020.
The committee shall begin its work as quickly as possible and diligently seek a consensus, with the final report and recommendation to be presented to the vestry. The committee shall submit a monthly report of its progress to the vestry.
Motion by Dan Clark, seconded by Ruth Simmons: The vestry adopts the resolution. Approved unanimously.
Charlie reported that he sent a letter to the UDC in Richmond to make them aware of the vestry’s intentions. Samantha will put a notification in the bulletin and send a letter to parishioners to update them.
Peter stated that Bishop Susan Haynes is happy with how St. John’s and the vestry are facing the issue. He also stated that his time with the vestry is finished, and he admires the calm, thorough, consistent relationships among the vestry and between the vestry and clergy. Peter left the meeting at 7:08p.m.
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander Service Times: Times for services in November will be 9:15a.m. and 5:00p.m. The 5:00p.m. service will move inside for inclement weather and when the temperature gets colder.
Bequest and Request: Maude Judkins left a $5,000 bequest. Since she was involved in flower deliveries, her family would like a small plaque installed in the flower area of the sacristy. The vestry agreed to this request.
The vestry entered into executive session at 7:23p.m. to discuss personnel matters and ended executive session at 7:36p.m.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley Lil Free Pantry: Mark is considering a slight change to the process of collecting donations for the free pantry. He is looking at a free-standing tall box that could accept donations and store them until a volunteer unlocks it and replenishes the pantry.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope The roof repairs are complete and the downspouts will be reattached. Lightbulbs in the office are being replaced with LEDs. The ivy has been cleaned off the Hoffman House and Bettyrene is gathering estimates for exterior painting.
Committee Reports
Outreach: The Night’s Welcome coordinators have requested churches to volunteer one day a month with dinner and breakfast, and have two men and two women overnight volunteers. Vestry discussed the difficulty of finding overnight volunteers.
Charitable Trust already sent $3,500 to the Sleep In Heavenly Peace program to build beds, but St. John’s is not ready to send volunteers. The vestry decided to allow the program to use the money with other volunteers so that the beds will be made.
The meeting concluded with prayer and adjourned at 8:00 p.m.