Church council Meeting
November 21, 2011
Attendees: Pastor Larry Baird, Charlie Yund, Nate Lange, Ginny Mason, Jan Garrison, Chris Hipp, Bob Kaiser, Laura Mason, Elaine Johnson, Liz VonWald, Mark VonWald, John Harbison, Anne Hipp, Sue Kaiser, Gail Conschafter. Excused: Tom Burkman
Meeting opened with unison reading of mission statement. Nate opened with prayer. Committee shared “God sightings.”
The Road Map: Ministry through alignment with core theological considerations. The goal is “one step at a time.” Discussion followed on just taking one step and aligning what we are doing with God. Each step is measured and is pointed toward the goal. Another interpretation is to take one step a day…. But keep taking steps. Live your vision every day. If one of our visions is to follow Jesus, what is it that as a leadership group needs to do to be followers of Jesus? We must remember that we all have different gifts, so our steps are a bit different. We need to connect to the power of God by inviting Him into our lives, meetings, act.. Sue reported that there is an event in place to have a prayer relay 24/7. Sue Kaiser distributed a letter from Dr. Miller with some highlights of what has been happening under THE BETTER PLACE umbrella during the 3rd quarter. Sue read a paragraph about prayer. This is descriptive enough we could move on this at our next meeting. Sue would like to present it to the ministerium on December 1. She is asking we would support a 24 hour of prayer. Charlie encouraged us all to pray daily for TUMC – whether it be directed toward the church, leaders, or some aspect for the next month.
Changes to the Agenda: Sue was added, and completed her report. John Harbison would like to be added.
Major Calendar Events: January 8 is Laity Sunday as reported by Elaine Johnson. Jim Ellson is no longer going to be a Lay Leader after January 1, and would like some help. She asked if someone from the Contemporary service might like to read scripture. Nate shared with Elaine what would be needed for that service regarding the Lay Leader. The same will hold true for 8:00 service. Gail will speak with Elaine for people to contact.
November 22 is the Tidings mailing. They are available on line.
End of January – Catch the Spirit.
February – ACE weekend. Fred Claus has asked Tom DeLoughry and Larry to coordinate the weekend. Tom Burkman usually has some input into it as well. Larry will touch base with Fred as to the committee meeting date. Tom Burkman will be back on December 18.
December 18 – children’s play
December 11 - cantata in Traditional service (10:30)
December 24 and 25
We are planning some regular scheduled combined service after the first of the year. If we get farther out with our planning, we can do a better job in supporting these.
Discussion on Easter and Lenten luncheons.
Long term celebrations – October 1965 was the dedication of this church. There is a committee for the 150 anniversary which is in 2017. Records committee is involved with Fred Claus for celebration. (Bobbie Cap, Grace Cammer are part of the committee) We will pursue this after the first of the year.
Attendance and budget trends: Attendance continues to be fairly flat. Generally total is flat. Good news is that it is not going down. There seems to be a shuffle with any kind of staff change. Attendance may need to be tracked a different way.
Budget: Chris reported: that the review of the General Fund balance through October shows:
The General Fund balance is $4.5k vs. $17.6k in 2010 and significantly below the $13.2k where we started 2011.. The $9.7k improvement over September results from spending $4.2k below giving (no apportionment payment) and $5,7k generated by the Trinity Fair. Apportionments payments ytd are $29k, leaving us $15k below full payment. We forecast giving at year-end to be about $365k, near our budget, but above-budget utility and personnel costs will leave us below our full apportionments commitment.
The Capital Fund has a balance of $33.7k vs. $32.7 in 2010.
The Finance Committee will ask the Church council to act to commit the resources in the Founders Day and Memorial Funds. There is a considerable amount of money in each. Larry stated that the procedure needs to be followed. “Traditionally” Founder’s Day funds were designated by Trustees according to Bob Kaiser. Charlie asked Chris to do some research on Founder’s Day and Christmas giving for future reference. There should be some documentation on what each should be designated to. Chris accepted the task. At the end of the year, the income will be about what we budgeted. Chris asked that any funds that have balances be spent by the end of the year. In the past, the Sr. Pastor has contacted the families that have donated money for specific funds – Memorials – and asked Larry to do that. He accepted. Martha Martin asked Bob that the Founders Day funds be used to fund professional trimming of landscaping. Bob and committee decided that the Founder’s Day funds be designated for the landscaping of the church. Larry reported that there is an accumulation of past years’ funds that will need attention. Larry reported that the verbal history is that Founders Day money is used for property (Capital funds) – which means they then go to Trustees. Chris asked we table this issue and he will come back in December with a recommendation of use of funds.
Ginger asked on clarification for the Christmas offering. John read what was going to be in the Tidings. Larry commented that the actual letter that he writes for the Christmas offering has not yet gone out. Chris will write a proposal for next year and have it ready by December’s meeting.
Chris made a motion to follow the finance committee’s recommendation to use Christmas offering to pay apportionments and before using the funds for anything else. Sue Kaiser seconded the motion. There was discussion about additional resources that might be available. Funds in Memorial and Founder’s Day were not given to pay apportionments. Sue suggested to Larry that we are perhaps trying to fund two areas – apportionments and mission. Vote was taken on the motion. 10 for 3 against, motion passed. Christmas offering will go towards apportionments.
Many thanks to Paul and Chris Sipson and all those who worked to make the Trinity Fair a success. It generated $5.7k for the General Fund and was an enjoyable occasion for the Trinity family.
Stewardship will be addressed on 11/13 and 11/20, followed by a mailing which will include a 2012 pledge card.
Following this campaign, steps will be taken to bring our 2012 spending plan into balance with giving. This could include Staff cuts, reduction in Historic Trinity costs and focus on critical program areas. This process is anticipated to begin in December, when initial results from the pledge campaign are known.
Charlie asked that if a committee has finance issues – please make the recommendation to Finance committee first, then Finance recommends to the church council. After that, we will publish the results.
SPRC: Charlie reported that the SPRC discussed and recommended that Tom DeLoughry be allowed to use the Trinity facilities for counseling and training. He is considered an independent contractor.
The Music Ministry Director search committee recommended Joseph Martino. He has a BA of Music Education from Berklee College and MA of Music from Purchase College. He is a substitute teacher at G.I. school system and is an Island resident. The SPRC recommends adding him to the staff effective as soon as 12/15/2011.
There would be a 3 and 6 month review, based on performance. Elaine Johnson motioned we offer the Music Ministry Director to Joe Martino. (Salary at $9000). Jan seconded motion. Duties are increased to assist with contemporary music as well. . This is a part time position with no benefits except 2 weeks’ vacation and reduced summer hours. SPRC feels that this position is important for at least the traditional service. Jane and Jan are being paid as interims. Nate commented that our budget is indicative as to where our priorities are. Sue questioned as to whether or not drama was included in the interview process. Charlie said it was NOT. Larry reported that the search committee met a second time to discuss the broader ministry of the church. He feels that Joe would be happy to help with children, youth or whoever asks. Vote was taken and motion passed.
MANY THANKS to Jane Faruga and Jan Peters for their interim leadership duties.
Ed Stisser is auditing the TUMC safe sanctuary policy relative to conference requirements.
All staff positions are being reviewed for content and appropriateness to current requirements of the TUMC ministries. The financial conditions will continue to be monitored and 2012 budgets will be adjusted as required.
We will match the staff level to the giving level.
ACE Report: Fred Claus reported that Adult Christian education at Trinity is alive and well. Sunday classes have a variety for everyone. We currently have 4 classes meeting at the 9am hour with an average attendance of 20 adults. Mid week programs are being run by Pastor Larry Wednesday nights and Ginger Mason Tuesday Mornings. Ginger's "Turtles" are working on a video series currently which is expected to bring them through most of the year. The class has about 12 members but always open to more.
The committee will be getting together in December to plan our February seminar. Possible speaker will be Tom Deloughry on the subject of your mental and spiritual health.
Mission Committee: John Harbison shared about his experiences in the mission field. John is now focusing on clean water, and hygiene in the developing world. He plans on taking steps to share his passion and make everyone aware of the conditions. John distributed a letter for us to read and consider. It is not just our church that he is focusing on, but all others. It could begin in Haiti, Africa, and other areas that can use assistance in this area – over 1 Billion people that would make a huge improvement in the general health of the population receiving this filtered water. Nate reported that he has a friend that has been targeting this issue and has a website “let them lol” where you can purchase gifts where proceeds go to clean water.
We have two major events to announce. On December 18th we have will be having our annual Christmas play. We will be having play rehearsals on Dec 4th and Dec 11th starting after Kidzone and going to 2:00pm in the Kidzone room for children with lines in the play. The Christmas songs will be practiced during Sunday school and Kidzone. There will be a rehearsal for all children and on Dec17th from 4-6pm in the Sanctuary. On the day of the performance we will have dress rehearsal from 9-9:45am in the Sanctuary.
Also on December 18th at 2pm we will be going to the Elderwood retirement home to perform caroling for the residents there. All families are invited to participate in this outreach. If you know any Christmas carols you can participate, if you don’t know any we will teach you.
We are also pleased to announce that our department has had some exciting growth recently. We have had eight new children added to our program since the Trunk or Treat event. We are excited about the new things God is doing in the lives of Trinity’s children and believe we are on the verge of something special as we approach the New Year.
CE: Mark and Liz VonWald reported we have two major events to announce. On December 18th we have will be having our annual Christmas play. We will be having play rehearsals on Dec 4th and Dec 11th starting after Kidzone and going to 2:00pm in the Kidzone room for children with lines in the play. The Christmas songs will be practiced during Sunday school and Kidzone. There will be a rehearsal for all children and on Dec17th from 4-6pm in the Sanctuary. On the day of the performance we will have dress rehearsal from 9-9:45am in the Sanctuary.
Also on December 18th at 2pm we will be going to the Elderwood retirement home to perform caroling for the residents there. All families are invited to participate in this outreach. If you know any Christmas carols you can participate, if you don’t know any we will teach you.
We are also pleased to announce that our department has had some exciting growth recently. We have had eight new children added to our program since the Trunk or Treat event. We are excited about the new things God is doing in the lives of Trinity’s children and believe we are on the verge of something special as we approach the New Year.
Trustees Report: Bob Kaiser reported that the programs of all thermostats have been checked and reset for the winter. Rooms are set to 68F when expected to be in use, except the gym which is set to 60F (70F for one user). Historic Trinity rooms are set to 50F when not in use, and Main Church rooms to 55F. All thermostats can be temporarily tweaked by the user through their UP and DOWN buttons—only!—on the front panel. Please report the temperature, time and location of any inappropriately heated areas.
Because the passages to the Naves unavoidably run warmer than necessary, their doors should be kept open to the Family Room in the winter.
The Trustees have reduced the routine inspection and testing of our extensive fire alarm system, saving about $1000 annually. Instead of testing all buildings each year, starting in 2012 the Education Wing and just one of the church buildings will be tested each year—Historic Trinity in even years and the Main Church in odd years.
We welcome other suggestions for minimizing operating and maintenance costs.
Prayer Ministry: Sue Kaiser reported Information on just such participation has come to us from Dr. Roy Miller, a United Methodist minister who has about 8 years ago devoted himself to prayer - meeting and teaching with many diverse churches and groups. He is also is working to build a Prayer Retreat Center on a campus in the Jamestown area. Dr. Miller led us at Trinity (and 40 others) in a wonderful ACE weekend on Prayer Possibilities in April 2010. Since then he sends his The Better Place newsletter – to update us on local, regional and state prayer events.
Those events include a state-wide effort for 2012 to have 52 different regions of the state praying 24/7 in a kind of relay fashion across the state for the whole year. OneHeartCry24/7NYState2012 is encouraging Christian churches to take a segment of time and possibly share a week or more to worship with and pray for their own congregations, areas, the state, nation and world in whatever ways they choose. Any region can sign on at www.adkhop.com. Roger Brown, of the Adirondack House of Prayer in the Lake George region is the organizer of this effort..518/361/1225.
Our hope is to participate in this with other Island churches and maybe help organize the effort.
A suggested time would probably be sometime during Lent when vigils of different sorts are often planned...and people more tuned to such prayerful needs.
Hope we can discuss some possibilities at this Nov. meeting. Pastor Larry and Father Earle King have given it early support. Lani Burkman and Sherry Miller from Trinity also have interest in it Prayerful Blessings for a meaningful Thanksgiving,
Larry and Nate had no additional comments.
Minutes from October were accepted as presented with 4 abstentions.
Please send any changes to Gail ahead of time.
Next meeting is December 19 with leadership meeting at 6:30 and Council at 7:15.
Pastor Larry closed in prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter
