The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on May 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Charlie Edmonson, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Anne Abraham, Greg Brauer, Jay Hogg, Doug Perry, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Registrar Emily Klotz, Treasurer Linda Curtis, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Absent: Dan Clark. This meeting was held in St. John’s parish house.
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m with a scripture reading and discussion.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis Actual income for the year is up. Actual expenses for April were also up, due to two quarterly payments: the Diocesan pledge and property insurance. Next quarter, Linda plans to pay these in separate months. The Payroll Protection Loan was approved and St. John’s will receive $49,667.
Linda asked if the vestry would like to engage an auditor from the diocese this year, at a cost of about $500-$600. Motion by Jay Hogg, seconded by Bettyrene Pope: St. John’s will hire an auditor from the diocese. Approved unanimously.
Vestry minutes of 4/20/21 were accepted. Vestry minutes of 4/28/21 were corrected and accepted.
Rector’s Report, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander
Vestry Mini-Retreat: Samantha distributed an article written by The Rev. Tim Schenck, “Hybrid Church, A Way Forward for Church Leaders,” for discussion at the June 2 vestry retreat.
Summer Schedule: St. John’s will continue to hold its 9:15 a.m. service (which is the usual service for summer), but add a 10:45 a.m. outdoor service. The outdoor service will allow for congregational singing. The schedule will be reevaluated in August to determine plans for the fall.
Pentecost: This Sunday, May 23, will be the first outdoor service. Samantha has sparklers to celebrate Pentecost. Following the service, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Tommy Sinclair playground. Ice cream and drinks will be served.
Communications Position: Jess Miller’s last day will be June 4. Samantha and Mark have found two good candidates, and they are in the process of checking references.
Sabbatical: Samantha shared her sabbatical schedule (June 1 to August 8), and explained that she would not be in contact with St. John’s during that time.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley Mark discussed summer outreach, and how that may look different this year. Last summer, St. John’s provided bagged lunches for H.E.L.P. Presently, H.E.L.P. is securing a lease on a building on East Pembroke, near the Buckroe Shopping Center. This would create a day and night shelter, which hopefully will be in place by Night’s Welcome. The new facility will bring more flexibility in how St. John’s may volunteer.
Senior Warden’s Report, Charlie Edmonson
Charlie ordered the Confederate memorial plaque and contextual sign. He hopes to have it by the end of the month and installed before Samantha’s sabbatical.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope
See attached. Vestry discussed funding for the capital improvements.
Motion by Charlie Edmonson, seconded by Jay Hogg: The vestry approves the expenditures for the parish house: to replace the garbage disposal ($1,200-$1,800), and purchase a new ice machine ($400-$450). Approved unanimously.
Motion by Anne Abraham, seconded by Jay Hogg: The vestry requests that the expenditures in the church and the work in the parking lot be funded by the Mary Williams Trust. Approved unanimously.
Committee Reports
Heritage: Charlie is working with the Heritage Committee to write an article for the e-pistle.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.