July's Church Council Minutes

Trinity United Methodist Church
Church Council Meeting
July 19, 2010

Nate called the meeting to order at 7:05 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, Charlie Yund, Sheila Rader, Bobbie Cap, Paul Sipson, Chris Bidell, Mark VonWald.
Excused: Judy Maurer, Kathy Stisser

Opening devotions: Nate asked for joys and concerns so we could direct our time of prayer. A time of joint prayer was led by Nate. Concerns for friends with illnesses, Nate’s new church, Ginny’s family, Karen Bullock and Lee, Sheila’s arm and granddaughter’s 3rd birthday were shared and prayed for. TUMC’s attendance and where God is leading us. Praise for July 4th’s activities!

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:
Chris reported we have fully paid our apportionments, have $19k in our General Fund balance and have under spent our budget by $7.6k. There is $40.6k in the Capital Fund. This is a significant improvement from 2009, where our General Fund balance was negative and we had paid only 17% of apportionments.
July and August will be critical since worship participation is lower.

Prayer: Sue reported THE PRAYER PLACE: ECUMENICAL PRAYER GROUP TO BEGIN AUG. 17TH AT TRINITY
After months of discussion and waiting for the right timing – a follow-up group to the April Prayer Event with Dr. Roy Miller will begin a monthly ecumenical prayer group, August 17th, from 7-9pm in the Prayer Room at TUMC.
The present Island Ministerium has been consulted about this and agreed that it would be a good way to encourage unity among the churches.
On behalf of the group I will be sending letters of invitation to all of the churches on Grand Island which will be sent this week with a return post card enclosed for a response from those who will attend an initial meeting. Although there has been a special request made that we pray particularly for Island Churches and agencies which do humanitarian work here, it is thought that those who come together may want to expand to other areas of prayer. It would be one of the issues discussed…but we would be primarily praying for God’s Spirit to lead us as we begin this venture in shared prayer time. (A copy of the letter is available)
We’ll welcome those who are interested and have some genuine desire for unity among Christians…we will not be discussing differences but common Christian love and trust in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit for guidance, healing and hope.
FALL PRAYER POSSIBILITIES: Also once VBS and the mission trip for the teens has been completed, I will be approaching the Von Wald’s and Ginny Wilkinson about whether they have good prayer resources in their present curriculum or may need additional ideas for incorporating prayer in their classes.


Unfinished Business: Motion to accept May’s minutes as written by Chris Hipp, seconded by Charlie. Minutes were approved as written.

New Business: Women’s Room: Sue Kaiser reported that it will be up and running by late summer, early fall.

Worship: Paper was distributed with options for priorities for worship. Chris compiled the votes. Recapping, Nate spoke on the vote that we take will be our plan for the fall as far as worship goes. We have three primary options: 1. Leave as it has been in the past 2. Both large services to 10:30 3. Move to a full time blended service (similar to our summer schedule)
Nate’s service at Ontario St is at 10 AM which is a conflict with our services. The ideal would be if the Ontario Street’s service would be moved to 11:00. There are some options depending on how we vote. All alternatives have unresolved issues. Other options were discussed. Feedback on current service (blended with one time) was questioned. This weeks’ service feedback was “unenthusiastically positive.” Some are thinking that this is temporary, just for the summer. Several of the “older” people expressed their feelings that they would like to return back to the way things were. Concern is that we will lose both sides of the spectrum; from the Contemporary and Traditional. This past week was not a true Contemporary without the drums and guitars. There were a lot of questions about how this came about when so many were not in favor. Paul explained it was a decision based on circumstances. Charlie commented on numbers from last year compared to this year. Nate commented that the numbers for the 9:00 service during the summer were up.
Chris reported Growth and church worship participation had the most votes with multiple worship opportunities coming in 2nd. 3rd – Target younger families with children. 4th – Contemporary Service. This informs us as to where our focus should be. Floor was open to discussion. Fall line up is the final goal for the evening. Bobbie suggested based on her hearing others, she feels we need two different services to suit everyone’s needs. It helps everyone’s worship experience and their faith journey. Combining services will dilute those attending. Combined fellowship should possibly be a priority. Paul commented that leadership is a big thing. Having two services at the same time is a challenge for the leadership (Jeff and Nate). Both services need ministerial leadership and should be taken into account. Two services are a clear need. Nate commented on the scheduling, and would be easier if the services would be at different times. Should they end up at the same time, it would be “doable.” Nate could possibly take off 1 week a month from Ontario Street, and there could possibly be a simulcast for one week. Jeff commented that having 3 services at different times are challenging and doable, and having 2 at the same time could be challenging, but it could be done. Chris suggested there could be rotating coffee schedules between churches. We should listen to what the congregation wants. Chris suggested asking both groups “What time would you like to worship and have Sunday School?” Bob Kaiser commented that he feels the main sanctuary should be filled with an intergenerational congregation. Mark commented that the positive aspect is that we have two different services. Filling the sanctuary with a blended service may have to be done in baby steps. Concern for losing members is an issue. Ginny feels that our goal is to fill the church, but it won’t happen overnight, and there is a process to get us to that point. Separate services at the same time might be a good idea for Sunday school teachers now have an option, and the kids also have an option. Sue questioned the changing of the times. Fundraising would be much easier if all services were at the same time. Kidzone would be during the worship service. It would be ideal to have a rotating staff of teachers and crib room. ___________ felt the pull between two services. She is in favor of having the one hour for Sunday school and then it would free her up to do what is necessary. Sue asked what the concerns for the Contemporary worshippers were. The style, feel, and format of the service was the priority. There were some that felt the time was important. The location issue was an issue in the sense it had on the impact of closeness and community. Charlie said that closing off one side has been a big help. If both services were at the same time, Sunday school would be at 9:00 and kidzone at 10:30. Anne stated that she felt that the growth is coming from the Contemporary service. After attending the 9:00 service, she was surprised about how refreshing it is. After attending the blended service, she liked seeing the critical mass of people. She was understanding that the blended was supposed to be 70% contemporary and 30% traditional. She was not sure that was the way it was. She feels we should build the enthusiasm for change and coming together for a service once in a while. Sue commented that Pendleton Church’s services are all contemporary, based on a decision they made. The pastor has been there 20 years and has come through that. His philosophy is to build leaders to take care of the different “parts” of the service. Communication is the key as to what the process is and where we are going. Chris stated that Christ was something different to all he touched. The people he ministered to were also very different. He sees that in our church. He wants us to reach out to people in any way we can to hear the good news of Christ. It takes different ways to reach that goal. There is no reason for the traditional service to decline. He wants us to be all things for all people. Jeff asked “How is it that we can offer what everyone needs to worship and grow close to God?” Can we give those people the place to search what they are looking for. His hope is that we can do better this upcoming year. There was conflict with timing, and he hopes not to keep everything separate. We need to make a decision as to where we are going and when do we make that move?
Nate thanked all for sharing. The general concensios is thatg we maintain separate services and the issue is the time of each service. Same time services simplifies Sunday school, fundraising, teachers, yet has downfalls when it comes to leadership. Bob suggested we decide on either the same time or different times, but leave the actual times to the leadership. Charlie made the motion to do a contemporary service and traditional service in separate locations at 10:30. Chris hIPP seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Jeff added that there would still be an 8:00 service. The Sunday School would still be at 9:00. Charlie accepted the two above amendments to his motion. Details for when we start the new schedule would be a separate motion. Chris accepted to his seconded. Call to stop discussion – passed. Vote called on Charlie’s motion. Vote taken and motion passed unanimously Chris motioned we transition to the new structure asap or conveniently possible. Nancy Hayes seconded. Discussion followed –next Tidings goes out in August. Mark encouraged us to continue to be a positive leader for all regardless of our own personal feelings. This would probably be the first or second Sunday in August. We will communicate with everyone when this date is set. Nancy called the question. Discussion ended with unan. Vote. Vote called and carried with one nay.

Charlie motioned we accept June’s minutes as presented, Sheila seconded. Passed unanimously.

Nate closed in prayer.

Next meeting August 16, 2010


Meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM.