June's Church Council Minutes

Trinity United Methodist Church
Church Council Meeting
June 21, 2010

Nate called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM with the unison reading of the mission statement.

Welcome and roll call by Gail. Attendees: Bob Kaiser, Sue Kaiser, Ann Hippe, Chris Hippe, Nate Lange, Nancy Hayes, Sheila Rader, Ginny Wilkinson, Tracey Swartzmeyer, Jeff Childs, Gail Conschafter. Debby Hays, Charlie Yund.
Excused: Judy Maurer, Kathy Stisser, Bobbie Cap, Liz and Mark VonWald, Paul Sipson, Ellen Baker.

Opening devotions by Jeff: Psalm 100 was read. Discussion on worship and what is important to you. If there were something missing, what would make it not feel like worship. Several items/actions were shared. “Without this, I am probably not worshipping God – engaging with God.” Discussion on communion and frequency.

Changes to the Agenda: UMW would like to be added in between visioning and Blog.

Email Lists: Nate would like to create an official e mail list. A sheet was passed for everyone to write their current address on to update what we currently are using.

Action Points:
Finance: Through May the General Fund status is:

2010 2009 Difference
Givng $160.1k $151.8k +$8.3k
Spending $146.1k $165.1k -$19k
Balance +$20.6k -$2.9k +$17.7k*
GF Giving vs. forecast +$5.8k
Capital Fund giving $14.2k $20.5k -$6.3k
(* this looks like an error, I think it should be +$23.5k- Nate)


The positive GF balance does not reflect several thousand dollars in accrued gas heating costs (which will be spread over the year), but does include the $10k which we started the year with (as has been our practice).

This situation is very positive, particularly in comparison to recent years, which has permitted addition of $9k to the GF budget: Also, we anticipate our heating costs be be about $5k lower than budgeted.

2010 Budget additions
Employee healthcare $3k
Part-time Contemporary Worship leader starting in June $6k

Based on our favorable financial position, the Finance Committee voted to contribute $3.7k to Apportionments to make up our year-to-date shortfall and to begin giving 14.6% of our monthly GF income to Apportionments (vs. our current 10%) starting in June. We will continue this as long as our financial position permits. This will increase our monthly cash outflow by $1 - 1.5k.

The FC then considered $9k in requests for recommendation for additional spending, submitted last month by Pastor Childs. The Finance Committee is not charged with choosing how spending increases are allocated (that being the responsibility of the Church Council and Pastor Childs). Given that, the Committee was asked for input on recommending a $3k increase to the General Fund budget.things are looking good, financially. There is an anticipation of extra income, and Chris distributed a suggestion as to where we could possibly spend the extra income. Chris recommended that money go to the General Fund Budget – about $3000 to restore the budget for Children and Youth. Jeff reported that there are costs that are being reduced. Our waste disposal bill has been cut in half. We will have no property insurance bill for the second half of the year. These have a positive impact on our budget! So far, our income is good. Jeff would like to work with Charlie and work with the staff’s finances. Sue questioned the increase in Health Insurance for Jeff and Robin. Jeff reported that Robin now currently has health insurance, but when her job ends in August, so does the insurance coverage. If you are a full time clergy, the church has to pay for coverage. Payment begins in July, but we can defer until January 1, 2011. The time from September – December will not be covered. Call to vote by recommendation from Finance for the $3000 to restore the cuts to the Children’s program, Music and Youth Ministries. Motion was carried. (Increased the budget spending by $3000).
Trustees: Bob Reported:
Information:
Heavy rains in early May and early June left water in the basement. We are looking for causes and solutions.
Shingles blown from HT bell tower were replaced, but installer’s lift damaged the lawn.
An anonymous donor replaced the refrigerator in the small kitchen with a new one.
We still have unneeded John Deere spreader and plow blade attachments for sale.

Projects Completed:
Fire extinguisher system in main kitchen refurbished ($1310).
New water cooler installed in main entryway ($460).
Bringing electrical power to equipment garage dropped; too costly ($3275)

Projects Planned or In Process:
Three cross-and-flame logo mats on order and nearly complete
Parking lot repair/sealing/striping started by Del Prince Co.
Chevron window was inspected. Leak appears to be result of faulty installation.
Switching telecommunication services to Time Warner from Verizon put on hold.
Expanding small double door room approved by Trustees. Capital Fund will pay.

Church Council Decision Needed:
Trustees approved mounting large wood decorative structure from HT on Family Room wall PENDING Church Council approval and selection of location.

Bob reported in addition to his blog report that the capital fund would pay for the expansion of the double door room. Wooden crest window in Historic Trinity needs to be relocated. There was a suggestion to reinstall it somewhere in the Family Room. Trustees is recommending the crest be refurbished and mounting it on the wall somewhere in Trinity’s family room either than over the kitchen door or the family room door. Bob moved we mount the wooden crest from Historic Trinity somewhere in the family room. Two compiled pictures were passed around for viewing purposes. Motion carried, with one objection. Charlie motioned the crest be placed over the kitchen pass through doors. Discussion. Vote taken and motion passed with two objections.
SPRC: The SPRC has continued to discuss the staff review s and will work with the program staff to define their goals into specific actions that will move our programs forward. While Trinity Church itself does not have well defined goals each staff member has been asked to fine tune their goals with Pastor Jeff. We as the church council should continue to look at the things we as a church must do to successfully meet God’s will. This is an ongoing process to define our future.

The SPRC discussed 2010 budget adjustments suggested by Pastor Jeff. We have previously approved adding Nate Lange as the Contemporary worship leader. Additional items for health insurance for the senior pastor and staff recognition awards were approved if the budget was met. Restoring cuts to the music, youth and children’s ministries is supported to maintain strong tools for the staff to perform their duties.

The proposal to support Jeanine Klock’s summer program was reviewed. It is recommended that Trinity not hire any staff for this project but we agreed it is a worthwhile program for our church to encourage.
Youth: The youth will finish up Sunday School this week with a Party.

~We’re continuing to gear-up for the Workcamp Mission Trip and doing our last fundraiser Sunday May 27th. We’re asking for you to bring your five cent returnables to us, and if you have too many we would love to pick them up on Saturday May 26th. Please contact Ginny by phone (716)480-3114 or e-mail at Ginnylynner@hotmail.com.

~Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support of the youth!

Music/Worship: The contemporary service continues to go well. We said goodbye to Josh and Sarah Lange whose new baby has left them too sleep-deprived to be committed to the music ministry (and who are moving next month anyways); they have been replaced by Kelly Petrie (vocals) and John Gast (drums). We also added a new violin/bongo player, Amy Bidell, who has been a great addition, though we now need to look at investing in a microphone suitable for a violin.

We have been looking at ways to expand our ministry beyond Sunday mornings: on the Fourth of July we will be coordinating an all day event at the church including a joint worship service at 10:30 (with no 9am service) and a concert in the evening before the fireworks. We're hoping to make this an outreach event as well and are planning on advertising the concert and firework viewing in the dispatch and with flyers in the apartments across the road- depending on resource availability we may also advertise the picnic, at least the dinner time portion of it. We're also starting to make plans for an evening of music and refreshments for VBS parents- we would pass out flyers to parents dropping off their kids for VBS throughout the week and, on one of the last evenings, have another concert (with refreshments available) during the the VBS time (so parents can drop off their kids and stay instead of leaving). We are also open to other ministry suggestions.

The finance committee asked about our financial needs (specifically regarding the proposed additional spending for this year)- I am currently working on a budget proposal for the addition of a new line in next years budget, but in the meantime some of our equipment should be replaced and there are several items that would be very helpful if purchased; we would appreciate whatever the church can spare for us. (And, I'll try to have some concrete figures for more pressing needs/desires in mind at the meeting.)

Christian Ed: Well, we are at the end of the school year. This past Wednesday June 16, 2010 is the last Wednesday of children's programming until fall. Sunday June 20, 2010 was our end of the year combined Sunday School and Kidzone Celebration. We will be starting our Summer Children's Church on July 4th at 9am and will also include children's activities for the picnic that day.

July will be focused on VBS preparation. We will kick this off with our float at the parade. We will also be having weekly VBS volunteer and committee meetings with a preparation component. Our VBS registration carnival is July 31st and remember to save the dates for VBS August 8-14 from 6-8:30 PM.


Goals: Discussion on Trinity’s goals for the upcoming year. Sue commented that she feels prayer is essential to every ministry, and it has not had the kind of activity that some other churches give it. It was Sue’s hope to be able to pray with others from other churches. She feels she now needs to be more bold in her approach. Sue commented that there are so many issues that are emerging, and we need to keep those before us as a church and include them in our prayer life. Goal: be more prayerful and missional(global) in our prayer ministry. Sue would like to find a way to work with the Sunday School teachers with some available resources for all levels. She is interested in making prayer “more contemporary” and applicable to all ages.
Nate reported that his goals were practical. One year goals: Membership and attendance increased by 10% from where it is currently. Work towards a stronger sense of unity with all at all three services, including Wednesday nights. To have more of an impact on congregants and our surrounding community. 10 year goals: Healthy growing church with a strong sense of unity. Would like to see a congregation of disciples, living out their faith on a daily basis. This would include being more missional, to include our community and model our social principles more. Would like to see making our service more “greener.”
Charlie: In the longer run, see a congregation growing closer to Christ, intentionally welcoming and friendly. Be a people that others want to enter. Aware of our vitality, and our church and denomination. To always be an outreaching church. Need to be comfortable sharing our Christian beliefs.
Debbie: Increasing size of congregation and minister to others. Help satisfy the people we do have in our congregation already.
Bob: See the main sanctuary attending a robust service filled with intergenerational congregants and be on sound financial footing.
Jeff: Increase attendance to 240. 5 year is 300 in a blended style of worship. Have 3 new adult Sunday school classes. Would like to see a vital men’s ministry. Membership audit is on the list so we know how many members we have. Balancing the budget and paying apportionments. 10 year goals: Begin to re-roof the sanctuary. Implementing air condition into sanctuary and family room. Increase mission giving.
Sheila: Hosp and Outreach: 1 year goal: Welcome center with visitor packet and gift. To train greeters and people in outreach. Develop a more complex welcome packet. Will continue to develop more ideas for outreach. Float in the July 4 parade. Long term goal: Have hospitality training, and have everyone in the congregation tell their story of faith.
Anne: Beginning goal of visiting the homebound has been met. A vibrant visitor’s group has developed. Would like to personalize the visit by asking if there is something we can do spiritually for them as well, and help integrate them into a church. Would like to look at how to give those being visited a sense of worth.
Nancy: National Goal: going green and support the ministry of help by doing things in your own home and church. Also to get younger women into UMW. Every woman in the church is part of the UMW, but more involvement is the goal. Short term goal is to get the double door expansion done.
Chris: Shared sense of priorities. It would be helpful if everyone in the church had some sense of what the priorities are.
Nate shared: Goals for trinity and council: Council: for us to become an active guiding body – we need a vision and a motive force. (We should be that force). Be active, set goals and moves the church in that direction. Growth and outreach seem to be a common factor. For next time, try to think of one specific thing you can change or improve upon to move towards the set of goals.

UMW: There have been problems at the SERV store and hardly nobody has been using. As of July 1, 2010 the store will be open for Holidays, luncheons and special events. A notification will be in the Tidings and a sign will be put on the cabinet. Nate will talk to Linda to inquire if there is a link so people can order on line. Mission work with Women Veterans. A step down program was supported. Nancy passed pictures of their ministry. Diane Bloom designed a card to be inserted in the Pink Bags. Judy Maurer typed up a report that was shared by Nancy. At Christmas time, the UMW helps the Neighbor’s Foundation.

No comments on reports.

Jeff posed the question about fall Worship. Sheila questioned the timing of worshipping and conducting Sunday school classes and the space needed for it all to happen. We would be adding 2 classes. There are two classrooms in the basement that would become available. East room is available. Balcony and kitchen could also become available. Depending on the Sunday school enrollment, some classes may be combined. Nate feels that moving the time for the Contemporary service to 10:30 would increase attendance. Mark and Liz struggle to find Sunday school teachers because of the conflict of wanting to attend the Contemporary service! Bob commented on his desire for ONE robust service. (filled to near capacity with a mix of ages). Discussion on two worship services at same time vs. combining followed. Chris suggested we need to effectively poll members of group to get some sense of where our views are. Nate and Chris will work on a survey and then vote to prepare us for what the next move should be. Nate reminded us that we have a blog and two different facebook accounts.

Unfinished business: Church on the NF Blvd that has changed their service several times. So change is acceptable.

Minutes from May will be tabled until July’s meeting.

Next meeting July 19, 2010

Ginny closed in prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM.