The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on February 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Present were: Senior Warden Charlie Edmonson, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Anne Abraham, Bill Beach, Greg Brauer, Lynn Kirkland, Jim Klotz, Registrar Emily Klotz, Treasurer Linda Curtis, and The Reverend Mark Riley. Absent: Dan Clark, Doug Perry, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander.
The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. with prayer.
Welcome New Members: Mark welcomed newly elected vestry members: Bill Beach, Lynn Kirkland, and Jim Klotz. He thanked the members leaving vestry: Greg Brauer, Charlie Edmonson, and Emily Klotz.
Samantha Update: Samantha’s health continues to improve. Mark appreciates all of the assistance while she is recovering.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis: See attached report.
The January minutes were approved.
Assistant Rector’s Report, The Reverend Mark Riley
Covid Updates and In-Person Worship: The diocese will be handing over decision-making to individual parishes. Health groups in each parish will meet to make requirements for safely regathering. St. John’s health group has decided to reopen for in-person worship, requiring masks for now. Sign-in sheets will not be required. Groups, such as Christian Formation, may start meeting again.
Vestry discussed their approval for regathering and is supportive of Christian Formation making plans for youth gatherings (taking into account comfort levels of families).
Outreach Updates
Mark Riley: There are people checking on the Little Free Pantry every day. Mark would like to start up Stop Hunger Now once we can safely gather to do so. He also noted a surge in requests for assistance from Thrive last week, over 20 per day.
Bettyrene Pope: Bettyrene continues to lead groups who are preparing and serving dinners and breakfast bags for Night’s Welcome, which St. Johns takes on every second Thursday of the month.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope: See attached report.
Senior Warden’s Report, Charlie Edmonson
Asset Documentation: Charlie plans to finish this by the end of March.
Second Site Update: Mary Williams Trust has agreed to fund the repair of signage at the Second Site (on Hampton University grounds). Vestry adopted a resolution to approve a limited investigation of the site (see attached). Motion by Jay Hogg, seconded by Anne Abraham: The vestry appoints Charlie Edmonson as representative of the investigation on the second site, as stipulated in the attached resolution. Approved unanimously.
New Elected Officers for Vestry:
- Senior Warden: Jay Hogg
- Junior Warden: Bettyrene Pope
- Registrar: Lynn Kirkland
The meeting concluded with a prayer and adjourned at 7:50 p.m.