The Vestry of St. John’s Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on August 18, 2026, at 7:02 p.m. by Rev. Lisa Erdeljon. Present were Scott Curtis – Senior Warden, Ellen Griffith – Registrar, Wendy Cumming, Anne Rutherford, Jon Wallner, Andrew Mackey, Bob Harper – via video, Linda Curtis – Treasurer, and Rev Lisa Erdeljon. Dory Holder and Bettyrene Pope – Junior Warden were absent.
The meeting opened at 7:02 p.m. after a prayer and social gathering.
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 Jon Wallner to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report, Linda Curtis
June income was high due to non-pledging parishioners donating and $40,000 from Endowment. AA gave a donation as well. Expenses include Lisa’s Yacht Club dues, security charges, and Q2 Diocesan pledge. 2nd payment of the Organ reimbursement was paid out in June.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the June Treasurer’s Report. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
July income showed the normal summer decrease, however the plate was over-budget, mainly due to Baptisms. Expenses included the Q3 property insurance, Outreach expenses, and Dominion bill. Dominion bill was high due to rate increase and normal July usage. Music Foundation paid for 2 concerts.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the July Treasurer’s Report. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
We received the audit on the 2025 Financials. Recommendations from auditor were to continue work on written policies and procedures and need of a complete written inventory. It was noted that we did adopt a Disaster Recovery Plan and implemented the requirement of 2 signatures on the A/P vouchers.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to accept the Audit Report. Seconded by Wendy Cumming. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to adopt the recommendation that St. John’s Church continues completing a complete inventory of all of the church’s contents. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Anne Rutherford to adopt the recommendation that St. John’s Church continues completing an Operating Manual. Seconded by Jon Wallner. The motion was approved unanimously.
Senior Warden’s Report, Scott Curtis
Charlie has finished the Financial portion of the Operating Manual and they are already implementing corrections to potential holes in the existing policy.
As the Chair of the Stewardship Committee, the Stewardship Committee consists of Scott Curtis, Senior Warden, Betsy Clark, Brooks Holder, and Emily Andrews. They have already met and are working on what will go out to the parishioners.
Junior Warden’s Report, Jon Wallner filled in
Sunday school requested large rolled paper holders, which have been ordered and installed. Yearly back-flow test was conducted on the Fire Sprinkler System.
HVAC system in the church needs some repair work, as the mini-split has a bad compressor and inverter board, currently awaiting a quote. Mary Williams Trust has asked that we look at replacing the HVAC system in the church, as they feel as if the system has never been adequate for the space.
The Safety and Security Committee have met and are progressing on Outdoor Lighting.
Panic bars and door viewers for the West and South doors have been quoted at $15,753.00. The North door currently has a panic bar.
Rector’s Report, Rev. Lisa Erdeljon
Personal Updates
Lisa will be on vacation Sept 14 – 25. Marlow is doing great and keeping Lisa active.
Worship Updates
- Sept 13 – kick-off Sunday.
- Sept 20 – Lisa is on vacation and Derek Pringle will preach.
- Sept 27 – Lisa has invited Canon Willis to come and give the Sermon
Staffing
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to go into a closed session at 7:40. Seconded by Wendy Cumming. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Lisa Erdeljon to end the closed session at 7:51. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion was approved unanimously.
Ja’ron’s 10 week internship ends on Thursday. One of the things he’s worked on is a video of Music Camp.
Project Updates
- Accessibility and Welcome: Awaiting quote from 3rd Architect.
- Children’s Faith Formation: No new information
- Lay Pastoral Care: Visitor Schedule will start in the Fall.
- Community Engagement: Digital Directory will go live in September. The Golf Outing is scheduled for Saturday, October 17.
- Sacred Storytelling: HU is starting this week, so the dates for shooting the video will be finalized soon. Please send Andrew 3 names of people to include in the interviews.
- Policies and Procedures: Met in July, we’re in need of 1 or 2 more members.
- Music Ministry Stewardship: Organ was removed and the choir loft floor project will begin in Sept. A/V equipment is also being looked at for a new permanent home. Sanding the wood floors under the pews is dependent on finding a company to do them and receiving the funding.
Ministry and Other Requests
Security Upgrade to Church Doors
A motion was made by Andrew Mackey requesting that the Junior Warden get a 2nd quote for the panic bars and door windows within 30 days. Seconded by Ellen Griffith. The motion passed 6-1.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to approve the funding of $15,753.00 for the panic bars and windows on the church doors from the Building Maintenance Fund. Seconded by Wendy Cumming. The motion was approved unanimously.
Book Gifts Funding – It was requested that we start a Ministry where children receive a book on their Birthdays from St. John’s Church until age 5. The action of creating a ministry falls under the Rector, who can fund the first 1-3 years from the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, Vestry would only be voting on committing to fund it at year 3.
A motion was made by Andrew Mackey to table this vote until the funding is needed in year 3. Seconded by Ellen Griffith. The motion passed 6-1.
Storage of Grand Piano – It was requested that St. John’s Church stores a privately owned Grand Piano for an indefinite amount of time.
A motion was made by Anne Rutherford for St. John’s to adopt a policy that St. John’s Church does NOT store the Personal Property of anyone. Seconded by Ellen Griffith. The motion passed unanimously.
Removal of Modesty Rail – It has been requested that we remove the Modesty Rail on the right side of the altar for placement of a loaner organ.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to NOT remove the Modesty Rail. Seconded by Anne Rutherford. The motion passed unanimously.
Temporary use of Electric Organ – Music Director has arranged for the use of an electric organ during the organ refurbishment project.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith for Lisa to work with our Chancellor to draft a contract for the rental of the loaner organ for $1 per month for a period not to exceed 24 months. Seconded by Jon Wallner. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Ellen Griffith to adjourn the meeting at 9:04. Seconded by Wendy Cumming. The motion was approved unanimously.