Minutes from October 2011 Meeting

Church Council Meeting
Monday, October 17, 2011

Charlie opened meeting with unison reading of the mission statement.

Attendees: Charlie Yund, Laura Mason, Jan Garrison, Sheila Rader, Chris Hipp, Paul Sipson, Larry Baird, Elaine Johnson, Mark VonWald, Liz VonWald, Sue Kaiser, Bob Kaiser, Anne Hipp, Bobbie Cap. Excused: Jim Tamsen, Tom Burkman, John Jones.

Discussion on attendance and communication to board members occurred.

Larry opened in prayer. Jan Garrison shared a “God sighting” about what happened at the time ladies were walking Saturday morning. Gail shared about the composition of the 8:00 service and how all are “related” through God. Ann shared an observation about the congregation on Sunday. They were paying attention – unlike other Sundays. Sermons are interesting. Mark shared that the senior Kidzone behavior has improved – and they are listening to what God is saying. Sue reported she has heard quite a few positive comments on the Women’s’ retreat!

The Road Map Ministry through alignment with the core theological considerations was presented by Larry. In order to move forward and take our minds off ourselves, what are we doing that aligns with our core beliefs.
The objective is to make certain what we do actually results in the achievement of our mission statement. Are our present ministries effective? Are we balanced in our emphasis? How many people we impacted by the ministry?

Prevenient Grace:
How do we engage people not already aligned with TUMC or new to the faith in a meaningful and winsome way so as to point them toward the love of God? (“Building Bridges to the Foot of the Cross”)

Justifying Grace
How do we work with people so they can arrive at a decision point as to whether to confess Jesus Christ as “The Way, The Truth, and the Life?”

Sanctifying Grace
How do we be certain we are sustained and mature in the faith? How do we help other people be sustained and mature in the faith?

POINT LEADERSHIP

• Leadership asks the hard questions
• Does our ministry connect with our core theology or are we just doing stuff?
• Is this effective? Is it reaching the target
• population?
• Should our resources be used in continuing this ministry?
Charlie shared that if we are going to go out and share the Gospel, how do we prepare ourselves to actually be able to go out and speak with confidence. The Womens Retreat was right on target and universally well received. Sheila shared that all those that attended shared with others that God had brought together.

Changes to Agenda: none

Major Calendar Events
October 21 – Trunk or Treat – Cars and kids invted. Mark reported that many have already donated candy for this event. A great opportunity for outreach.
November 4- 6:30 PM – Movie Amish Grace – great moving on forgiveness. The movie is rated G
Founder’s Day – is under discussion
Thanksgiving Sunday/Stewardship Sunday – is under review
January 8 – Laity Sunday
February (last weekend) – ACE weekend Fred Claus
UMW Reading program for 2012 is released. Lit and Latte are out as well. It is publicized through the tidings and ministry newsletter.
Long Term Celebration – Oct 10, 2015 for 50 years for our main building. The church was founded in 1867. Larry is currently doing research on these dates and why the people came here. This should be educational and inspiring to us all!!
Perhaps a committee could be started to begin to plan for this event.

Attendance trends/Budget trends
Trend is that we are down just a bit. Adult attendance was not reported. The trend for 2011 is steady – not inclining or declining. The two adult services at 10:30 are steady. 8:30 attendance is on the up. Laura shared that the 10:30 contemporary service is not starting on time; consequently attendance may be declining. This will be addressed. The shift in time from 9 to 10:30 may be the reason for a decline in attendance. Children may be going to the KidZone instead of Sunday School due to times of services. Overall attendance is flat. There was discussion on the composition of those attending certain services. We need a strategy for reaching new people and how we do that. In 1990 there were probably 300 service in a service. Currently we have a total of about 200. (We are declining – and have to ask WHY?) We have to analyze WHY – deaths, moving. Key aspect – what is our retention rate of visitors? Mark and Liz call the kids, and if adults leave enough information, we call adults also. Does Martha still drop a loaf of bread to new visitors? We have opportunity to change how we welcome new people/visitors. We need to work on the follow up. Paul Sipson that the worship committee is starting up again this month.
Finance Report:
Chris Hipp reported: For the month of September, General Fund giving at $24.3k matched spending, leaving the General Fund balance at -$5.3k. Giving through September is at $259.9k, with a year-end forecast of $364.7k. In September we again made no monthly apportionment payment to conserve cash.

The Capital Fund is at $37.1k, vs. $31.2k in 2010.

In 2011 we have 135 pledges, totaling $279.5k for the General Fund. Through September we have received $209.5k, 99% of the pledged amount, ytd.
we have had 250 active giving units so far this year.

The Trustees made several suggestions on how to minimize spending over the remainder of the year. They are considering two:

Paying our winter plowing bill on a monthly basis rather than the historic single payment, and deferring the fire alarm testing/maintenance contract until early in 2012.

The Trustees agreed to pay $1200 for new computers as a capital item, per agreement with the former pastor.

The 2012 Stewardship Campaign will be conducted on two Sundays:

11/13 and 11/20. Two letters will be sent as part of this campaign.

The Christmas appeal will be targeted at fully paying our apportionments.
We have already paid 60% of our apportionments. Larry explained the apportionments are the base of the giving of the church. Keep praying and don’t get defensive! We need to be good stewards of what we have. There is plenty of upside! We did have a few “substantive” givers that moved away that had a big impact on our budget.
Apportionments are based on what you spend on the operations of your church. It is being changed to a straight percentage based on income of the church. It is about 16% of our revenue. Larry reminded us that we need to have a voice in the district and the conference. If we pay all our apportionments, we have a loud voice in what is happening at the district and conference level.

SPRC
Charlie reported that SPRC met on October 10, 2011.

1. The 2012 budget was discussed and the need to review every staff position to see that it meets the churches strategic mission needs in light of the current budget shortfall and changes for the 2012 budget will considered. Any changes will be recommended to the CC as the 2012 revenue estimates become available. At this time it appears we have a staff size and cost that is above the anticipated revenue and what is normal for a church our size.

2. The Music director search is continuing. The committee has several additional candidates that they are auditioning. Jane Faruga is the interim music director and Jan Peters is directing the bells.

3. The SPRC met with the new District Superintendant on October 10. We reviewed our annual agenda and tasks. The SPRC is complying with the conference required activities.

Bobbie reported that there are three gentlemen for the position of Choir director. They are pretty equal. Each are versed on instrumental vs. choral music. Each has had an “audition” during choir rehearsal. Even though none are Methodist, they all agreed they would feel comfortable in our service. The determining factor may end up being the salary for the position.
Committee would like to know if they submit name and salary to SPRC? Yes, submit all to SPRC – and Charlie said they would go by the recommendation of the committee. It has been requested that the candidate be flexible with music styles. Each finalist knew what committee was talking about when ministry was discussed.

There seems to be an issue with the sound in the sanctuary. It will be looked at and hopefully corrected.

Charlie reported that the committee would take a look at the staff and budget for stewardship purposed.

CE Report from Blog
We are please to say the 2011 year is off to a bang. Our 10:30 kidzone numbers are up and there is an excitement in the air that the New Year brings.
We are very happy to say that our regular 9Am Sunday school is doing very well. This year we are doing “Rock Solid” as a curriculum and the students seemed pleased.
Our 10:30 Kidzone has been split up into two separate groups.
Our junior kidzone Starts at Pre-3 and goes to 1st grade. We have had several new students attend this service geared to their ages.
Also our Kidzone ranges from 2rd grade to 5th grade, yet again this is age specific geared to student s needs. We always have a good time learning about Jesus
We also have a wonderful nursery program which is open from Infant to 3 years old. We are sensitive to the children’s needs and always provide excellent care.
This event is coming up quick, but our trunk or treat is this Saturday October the 22rd. The event starts at 3pm and runs to 5pm. We will have several trunks lined up in a row where kids can trick or treat and have a good time. We are Partnering with the Girl Scouts and am expecting a wonderful time.
Thank Mark and Liz Von Wald


Other comments:
Mark commented that we really need to have our own personal prayer time for our church and all concerns us. Charlie encouraged us to share should anyone have ideas for fundraising or anything else.

Paul reported that Fall Festival netted about $4000 profit. Any new ideas for next year are welcome. There is a lot of competition.

Tom DeLoughery and Larry have been talking about his ministry project – a counseling office in Amherst. There has been discussion on having “space” at Trinity. If he were here, it would more Christian related. The cost to the church is nothing. It would be a draw to people as well as a help to our own people. Trustees are in agreement and would help locate space available for him. Larry requested that we consider allowing Tom to do this here at church. Tom is insured, and we need to review our insurance and how this would fit with Safe Sanctuary. He is also interested in going to Sister’s Hospital and taking their counseling course. Tom is developing his counseling model around Pastor Larry’s sermons on grace. He has a very holistic approach and would work very well with Anne Hipp. Motion to proceed to pilot a program for Tom by Sue Kaiser and seconded by Sheila Rader. Motion passed unanimously. Trustees will work with him to find a good space and not to conflict with other people/organizations.

Pastor’s Comments:
Larry encouraged us to continue to pray and not get discouraged! We need to stay spiritually strong. “With God, all things are possible.” The core message is a strong message. Try not to get negative or reactive. We will deal with the bumps in the road as they come up.

Motion to approve September Church council minutes by Chris Hipp, seconded by Paul Sipson. Passed as presented.

Church Charge Council minutes were approved. Motion to approve by Chris seconded by Bobbie Cap. Pass unanimously.

Next meeting is November 21 – 6:30 leadership and Council at 7:15. All are welcome to the leadership.

Sue Kaiser thanked Pastor Larry for his willingness to allow us to pray during our meeting.
She then closed the meeting in prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter