Minutes from December 2011 Council Meeting

Church Council Minutes

Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, 7:15 p.m.

Present:  Rev. Larry Baird; Charlie Yund, Chairman; Rev. Nate Lange; Jan Garrison, UMW President; Paul Sipson, Worship Committee Co-Chair; Chris Hipp, Finance Committee Chair; Anne Hipp, Sr. Adult Ministries Coordinator; Sheila Rader, Hospitality and Outreach Committee Chair; Bob Kaiser, Trustees Chair; Elaine Johnson, Lay Leader; Liz Von Wald,  Mark Von Wald, Christian Education Directors; Tom Burkman, Pastor Parish Staff Relations Committee Chair; Fred Claus,  John Jones, Council At Large Member Ginger Mason, Communications Committee Chair  

 Minutes

 I.           Charlie Yund called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., followed by a unison reading of Trinity’s Mission Statement: Empowered by God, Trinity Church will Follow Jesus, Develop Disciples, and Transform the World.

II.       Rev. Baird opened the meeting with prayer followed by recollections of God Sightings by those attending: Mark Von Wald - Children’s presentation & taking the kids to Elderwood for Christmas caroling; Jay Martin’s Memorial Service;  Tom Burkman – a Singapore Methodist immersion baptismal service

III.    Major Calendar Events: Dec. 31, 2011 New Year’s Eve youth event, 5-8 p.m., and a bowling trip in January, date TBD, Von Walds; Jan. 8, 2012 Laity Sunday – all three services; Feb. Jr./Sr.Youth Overnight, date TBD, Nate and Angie Lange; ACE weekend, Feb. 25, 2012, 9 a.m. to noon. Fred Claus and ACE committee organizing.

IV.    OLD BUSINESS:

a.       February ACE weekend. Fred Claus spoke about plans for the Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 ACE (Adult Christian Education) Event weekend. Tom DeLoughry to speak on the spiritual benefits of reducing stress. Elaine mentioned making an effort to entice teens (12+) and their parents. There will be an optional follow-up session on March 24, 2012. Child care will be provided, if needed. Estimated costs are expected to be minimal: Speaker, printing, childcare, and will be covered/supplemented by ACE budgeted $$ and registration fee. Elaine Johnson so moved and Mark Von Wald seconded. VOTE: Passed unanimously.

b.      Clarification – 2015 is Trinity’s celebration of the 50^th year anniversary of the dedication of the new sanctuary.

c.       Bob Kaiser, for Sue, requested the council’s support to commit Trinity to one or two 24/7 prayer vigils in 2012.  Five churches in the Grand Island Ministerial are expected to support this state-wide effort. A motion was made and seconded. VOTE: unanimously passed.

V.       REPORTS:  All reports are available on the Church Council Blog @

http://trinitychurchcouncil.blogspot.com/

a.       SPRC - Charlie Yund highlighted items from the online report:

                                i.      Joseph Martino has been hired as Music Ministries Director effective January 2012.

                              ii.      Trinity has higher staff expenses than similar-sized UM churches.

                            iii.      Need for more volunteer help for the custodial staff, especially set-up and break-down for events.

                           iv.      Beginning in January 2012 half-time staff will no longer have health-care allowances.

                              v.      Job descriptions are currently being reviewed and updated.
b.      Finance Report: Chris Hipp reiterated the Finance Committee’s work to learn and perform all the tasks that Jay Martin did so efficiently. He reported that as of this date there are 102 pledges of which 19 are new. Several 2011 pledges have not yet been renewed for 2012. The 2012 budget will be presented to the council at the January 2012 meeting, and will be balanced.

c.       Christian Education: Mark V.  is planning a Passover Celebration with the youth.

VI.       NEW BUSINESS:

a.          Liz Von Wald requested approval of a subscription to Ministry-to-Children.com @ a monthly fee of $5/month. Liz and Mark have found it useful to for on-line resources - lesson plans and event planning. They will look into whether or not the fee allows access to others on the Christian Education team. The recommendation was made and passed, with the stipulation that all copyright restrictions be honored. 

b.      There is not yet a date for 2012 Vacation Bible School.

c.          The Council requested that the ACE committee meet in March 2012 to plan for the February 2013 ACE event.

VII.          Rev. Baird reported that he is enjoying his ministry at GITUMC, and that he and Rev. Lange are working well together.

VIII.      All committee heads are asked to bring scheduled and prospective event dates, through December 31 for the 2012 church calendar

IX.    Next Church Council Meetings:  January 23, February 20, March 26, 2012

X.       Rev. Nate Lange closed the meeting with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Ginger Mason, secretary pro temp