Church Charge Conference December 2010

Minutes of the Charge/Church Conference
Wednesday, December 1, 2010

DS Natalie Hansen welcomed the group and asked Pastor Jeff to open in prayer at 7:04.

Natalie introduced the call to mission for the Upper Annual Conference.
The mission statement of the Upper New York Annual Conference:

To live the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.
• Natalie asked for participation for the breakdown of the mission statement. If we are to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to read the Bible and share our experience with others.
• Be loving in your actions
• “Get out there.”
• Be aware of the needy around you.
• Be reconciling and forgiving
• Be joyful and rejoice
Be God’s Love
• Be sensitive
• Open Doors and walk along side
• Be God’s Love 24/7
• The call for everyone of us
• With our neighbors
• Doing things together
• Equality
• Recognizing God’s action in our neighbors
• Our neighbors have something to give also
• Dealing with some that are not like us – may be uncomfortable with that.
• Natalie shared a story of Francis of Assisi
In all places
• Everywhere we are
• Any time of the day or night
• Work place, missionaries
• Across the world
• IN prison
• In hospitals, nursing homes, our own homes
• We would intentionally go to places we would not normally go – even if it across the street. (showing up over and over again!)
• Our emails, facebook pages, and all electronic devices we use.
• May not be a physical location, but may be a state of mind or soul.

Pastor Jeff introduced Richard Crawford as the assistant Supervisor to share what the needs of the Grand Island Community are so we might be able to help meet that/those needs.
Dick shared that “Grand Island is a community that cares.” One item is the Lions Club is putting together a needs assessment study to assess the actual needs of our community. The principal at Kaegebein would like to keep the school open all year to help the kids that might need (academic) help all year round. Talk about implementing a program to reach to our neighbors that are no longer able to keep up their home. HIPPA laws prohibit the publicity of these people; however, we may personally know some people that fall into the category. Adopting a playground or roundabout, might be a possibility. Another idea is to form a group that can do something positive in the community such as clean up an area. He shared some things that the Lions Club is doing currently behind the scenes, because we are a humble community and we love to serve our neighbors. National Night out doesn’t get the publicity it needs. The Lions Club may come back to us and identify urgent needs of the community with ideas as to how TUMC can serve these needs. Question: Is there any concrete evidence of poverty on GI. Dick reported that there are three areas: Marigold Housing, Duplexes and North side of Broadway between East Park and Stony Point and Love Road. There are a lot of Social Services that have gone on to help our citizens. The Neighbor’s Foundation helps those in need and helped 75 people for Thanksgiving. A suggestion was made that a public article be written stating just how many people on Grand Island are at the poverty level. There was discussion on some of the town property that has not been taken care of. A round of applause was given to Dick for coming this evening. Natalie asked if we heard anything that might give us an idea about connecting with our neighbors. John Harbison inquired about an after school program for homework help. Dick commented that there is a population out there that could benefit from a program such as this. Transportation might be the issue depending on the location of the program. The hockey rink is going to happen, and fundraising is in progress. Investors are in place, and the business plan is a sound one. The rink will be on Whitehaven and Alvin Rd. There will be 1 ½ pads for ice and an indoor soccer arena for phase one. Veteran’s Park is the busiest place on the Island. All funding is private money. Gene Kozak has researched this concept for years finding the need for ice is there to warrant this project. Opportunities to minister can be utilizing the gym, along with kids that need more help. Building assets in young people is not only about tutoring but building relationships. It may not just be academic, but also in sports and the arts. Connect with those that need something we can offer and building positive relationships. School nurses and police officers are a wealth of information regarding those that are in need. “Grand Island is a place where you have to drive everywhere.” There may be a way to connect by offering transportation to those that need to get somewhere. On April 3 the entire District, is Don’t Go to Church, Be the Church Day. Every church should speak with Town agencies to do something that needs to be done in the community just for the sheer love of it. We are hoping to get 5000 to 6000 UM’s trying to make a difference. What can TUMC do working together to make a difference, and then get together with others to share your experience of that day!
Natalie thanked Dick for coming and sharing.

Business:
ELECTIONS: Board of Trustees: Jon Gast, Tim Phillips, Carol Dearlove were voted onto the committee with a unanimous AMEN
SPRC: Bobbie Cap, Alice Mock, and Laura Dolan and Tom Burkman as chair and Charlie Yund as co chair. Unanimous voted by YES.
Lay Leadership Team: (nominating team for church office) Nominated from the floor that have the gift of discernment. Dennis Ponton was recommended by Sue Kaiser. John Harbison recommended Chris Bedell, who accepted. Both were voted in with unanimously ABSOLUTELY.
Lay Leaders: Jim Elson, Elaine Johnson, Tracey Swartzmeyer,
Chairs of all committees: Halleluiah was the unanimous vote.
Affirm of all committee chairs and members by a unanimous THANK YOU.
Page 12 in the 2010 Annual Report: Summary of Clergy Compensation for 2011. Pastor is assuming 15% of salary for single medical coverage for himself. Next year, the bill from the conference will be presented in a different manner, but still includes the same aspects as previous years. Charlie shared the comparison from 2010 actual to 2011. Medical is up by $5000, salary is up 3% and pension is less. Total difference is about $3000. Sue Kaiser reported that the retirees are changing to a new health system which means more out of the individual pockets not covered by the church/conference. Approved Pastor Jeff’s compensation with a unanimous AMEN. Natalie thanked Nate for the fabulous job he is doing at Ontario Street. Nate’s compensation was approved with a unanimous AMEN.

Second Reading: Those people that we had tried to contact to ask if they would like to be removed from the church roles. Attempts were made to contact; some successful and some unsuccessful; so will be removed from the church role. Julie Bidell was removed from the list. (Possible name change). Remove Nancy Gorrell and Martha will contact her to ask if she would like to be removed from the church role. Take Dale and Mindi Kratz off the list. Also take David Valenzuela off the list. Once removed from the roles, they will not be notified, as several attempts were made to contact and there was no response.
The inactive list is there for church record purposes. If you have been a member, and removed, the Pastor has the authority to re-instate that person. Pastors cannot remove people from the inactive list. Natalie called for a vote on to remove the remaining people from the active to inactive list: unanimous YES. Pam Helman was removed from the inactive list to the deceased list. Jeff offered a prayer for those that were removed and labeled inactive.

First Reading: Remove John Ellson from this list. Natalie read the list in its entirety. Megan James McKonkey was removed from the list. Remove Robert and Anna Joslyn from the list. No action is necessary. If anyone has contact information, please let office staff know so they can follow through.

Candidates in Ministry: Nate Lange and Rob Dean. Affirmed by a unanimous Halleluiah. Rob is provisional Elder.

Lay Speakers: Tom Volk, Fred Claus, and Mark Von Wald with local Lay Speaker Bobbie Cap. Affirmed by a unanimous YES.

Jan Garrison was publicly thanked for her tireless effort on the two lists.

Paul Robinson commented on the work of Spencer Thompson. He was up here for surgery and Paul spoke with him. His ministry in the jail that he offers is huge. Bob Eldred is the contact if you would like to know more on this ministry.

Pastor Jeff thanked all for coming out for the meeting. This is Natalie’s last Charge Conference.

Closed in unison prayer at 8:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter