The Vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on May 20, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. by Rev. Lisa Erdeljon. Present were Scott Curtis – Senior Warden, Bettyrene Pope – Junior Warden, Ellen Griffith – Registrar, Wendy Cumming, Bob Harper, Anne Rutherford, Jon Wallner, Dory Holder, Andrew Mackey, Linda Curtis – Treasurer, and Rev Lisa Erdeljon.
The meeting opened at 6:35p.m. with a prayer.
Ascertainment of Quorum: A quorum was present.
Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the agenda as written. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Bob Harper to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Dory Holder. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
April pledges and plate were over budget, which is expected with Easter. Expenses on the year remain under budget as well. A $1,471.36 pledge was accidentally recorded as a gift and will be moved to the current year pledge account.
Including CDs and Money Market accounts, we have over a million in cash right now. Part of that is due to MWT giving $100,000 for the Curate position and $300,000 for the Organ Refurbishment Fund.
The Guest Musicians line item is $1,075 over budget for the year’s budget. The treasurer agreed to reach out to the Music Director, to confirm additional planned spending.
A motion was made by Bob Harper to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
Senior Warden’s Report, Scott Curtis
Things are going well. Music Sunday was nice. Security was good on Sunday, private security is half the cost of a Police Officer.
Junior Warden’s Report, Bettyrene Pope
Panic bars and peep holes are going to be added to the South & West doors. The hood system in the kitchen was inspected along with some fire extinguishers. There was a meeting last week of the Kitchen users, they cleaned out the kitchen and took a lot of items to Goodwill.
MWT has committed to $60,000 this year for the building maintenance fund.
Southern Bay Race Week is next week, don’t ask Bettyrene to do anything until that’s over.
Rector’s Report, Rev. Lisa Erdeljon
Personal Updates
On vacation June 28 & Sept 20, Derek Pringle will fill in for Lisa.
Worship Plans
The church office will be closed on Tuesday, May 26.
- May 24 – Pentecost
- June 1 – Parish Picnic & end of Sunday School
- June 21st – Derek & Pam Pringle’s 50th Anniversary vow renewal
Starting in June a member of the Vestry will be doing the announcements on the 2nd Sunday of the Month.
Job Description
Minor edits are needed. Lisa will update and send out via email, you have until May 31st to reply.
Staffing
The curate candidate that Lisa met accepted a position in Indianapolis. The time for a Curate is over as Seminary gradation is happening right now.
Options are to wait until next year’s Curate cycle, hire a 1 year Assistant Rector, or hire a 1 year lay staff position. Lisa is looking at all 3 options and will give an update next month.
Project Updates
- Accessibility and Welcome: MWT has requested that we begin looking at an ADA bathroom.
- Children’s Faith Formation: No new information
- Lay Pastoral Care: No new information
- Community Engagement: There will be a Pilots game this summer and some fall events.
- Sacred Storytelling: HU Professor has proposed 2 Saturdays in October to do 15-20 time slots for recordings. We’ll need to give the students doing the work a small token of appreciation.
- Policies and Procedures: We’ve met and have a small group. Will meet quarterly for updates.
- Music Ministry Stewardship: No contract yet, lawyers say it should be any day now. To date MWT has given $300,000 towards the Organ project, and has pledged to give another $400,000 over 2027 & 2028 time frame. The Organ project will include the choir loft floor project, as well as relocating the A/V equipment out of the choir loft.
A motion was made by Dory Holder to adjourn the meeting at 8:48. Seconded by Wendy Cumming. The motion was approved unanimously.
A closing prayer was given by Rev. Lisa Erdeljon.