Church Council Meeting
March 26, 2012
Attendees: Pastor Larry
Baird, Charlie Yund, Laura Mason, Tom Burkman, Chris Hippe, Ann Hippe, Ginger
Mason, Jan Garrison, Elaine Johnson, Sue Kaiser, John Harbison, Gail
Conschafter, Mark VonWald, John Jones, Donna LaVallee. Excused: Liz VonWald, Sheila Rader, Bobbie
Cap, Paul Sipson, Jim Tamsen, Fred Claus.
Sue Kaiser opened in prayer.
God Sightings: John Harbison
shared about his trip to Africa and how they were welcomed by the people. He also shared about the education for the
children and how the women had to go to the well to get water. There was poverty all around, making him
realize how blessed we are. John also
shared his pleasure with seeing the student of the month here at Trinity. Gail shared about her auction for Christian
Central Academy and how God blessed the school.
Elaine shared her appreciation for being a part of the choir. Tom shared about his wife and her business,
and how the efforts of her business are now “world-wide!” Laura shared that she enjoyed Larry’s sermon
on Sunday, and how it moved and touched her.
Sue shared how her son was so impressed by our sanctuary and the cross.
Minutes from February’s meeting:
motion by Elaine Johnson to accept the minutes as presented and
seconded by Mark VonWald. Motion passed
unanimously.
Changes to Agenda: Several
would like to add to calendar. John
would like to update us on Missions.
New Business:
Election of Officers: Lay Leaders – Mike Fonte and Terri
Bellanca
Motion to accept Mike Fonte – all in favor
and passed
Motion to Accept Terri Bellanca – all in
favor and passed
Trustees: - Jim Linenfelser, George DeGlopper, Carol
Dearlove, Tim Phillips, and John Gast.
Motion to accept Jim Linenfelsesr – all in
favor and passed
Motion to retain George DeGlopper, Carol
Dearlove, Tim Phillips and John Gast – all in favor and passed.
Financial
Secretary: Jim Winter
This is a volunteer position. Ginger commented that in conversation with
Jim, he is enjoying this position. All
in favor – passed.
Charlie stated we will do the
same for the other vacant positions on various committees.
Attendance Review:
Charlie reported that all is good
news. We are significantly up from where we have been in the past four
years. Easter attendance will be
interesting, as it has declined over the past few years. Contemporary service attendance is now being
taken and e mailed to Linda. In total we are up and trends are good. There was a question as to about the
attendance in Adult Sunday School.
Charlie will speak with Fred Claus about that. Sunday School and KidZone numbers are
increasing! Donna reported that High
School is about 6 per week. Larry
reported that Confirmation class is about 15 and is consistent.
Budget Review: Chris
reported that giving review would indicate that giving would be below
budget. WE did not pay apportionments in
Jan and Feb, but will in March and April.
The committee will review things in full after April.
The General Fund is
about where it was at the start of the year, $9.9k. Thus income and expenses
are in balance, but we have not made apportionments payments this year. The
conversion to Paychex for salary distribution is in progress, with positive
results to date. Salary payment by direct bank deposit is now available to
those who wish it.
After some discussion
the FC voted to make 1/12th monthly payments in March and April. At the end of
1Q our financial situation will be reviewed and cost reductions made to keep us
on course, if necessary. Weekly estimates of where the GF will close at
year-end oscillate around $368k, about $10k below the budget total.
The Counters, Posters
and Treasurers list will be published by the Chair by the end of the
month.
It was noted in passing that the
Trustees have voted to pay for the new Finance computer and associated items as
a capital expense. The FC thanks the Trustees for doing so. We do need a
definition of what technology purchases constitute capital expenses. The FC
will work with the Trustees to accomplish this.
Charlie commented and asked
the question as to whether the payment of apportionments should be incorporated
into the budget. The response was that
it SHOULD. Ginger commented that this
budget information will be in the Tidings to inform the congregation. Trends and attendance are up, and there is
hope that we will make up the shortfall.
John feels we should be more pro-active.
Charlie commented that there are two ways to balance – raise more or
spend less. Chris reminded us that this
is a 3% deficit – and is a projection. Sue
asked if there were a more passionate invitation to give. The Council feels that paying the
apportionments is a huge commitment that should be met. There was a question as to whether or not the
congregation is aware of where the money goes. John will work with Ginger to
put an article together to inform the congregation where our apportionments go
to. There was discussion on putting
weekly offering information in the bulletin.
Larry reported that statistics show that people do not give passionately
by the numbers that are posted in a bulletin.
Chris stated that between Christmas and Easter offering the total is
over $10,000. Discussion followed on fundraising and
raising money. Tom shared that he feels
that if a project is highlighted, people may give more money if it for a
specific project. Share what the money
is going to – “shared giving.”
SPRC:
Tom reported on evaluations on
all the staff. He also shared his
appreciation for Donna Lavallee for serving as interim in his absence.
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is continuing a process of
periodic evaluation of the employed staff of the church. This involves
consultation with the staff member, input from congregants who regularly
interact with the staff person, and review of the person's job description.
SPRC
will sponsor a staff recognition event at the Harbisons on Sunday afternoon or
evening, August 19.
During an upcoming overseas assignment of the SPRC chair, Dr. Donna Lavallee
will serve as Interim Chair from May through September.
Major Calendar Events/Changes:
Breakout Buffalo –
July
15 – 19. This is a mission project in the city of Buffalo.
There will be no fundraising for this, as it
is relatively inexpensive.
This is the
week after our VBS. Mark reported that this is an excellent ministry.
Charlie also reported that a Volunteers In
Missions from
Oct 21 – 27 for
adults.
Cost is $350 plus
transportation. Sr. Mary Jo’s Spiritual enrichment could be scheduled for
May 19 from 10 to noon if it did not
conflict with any other activities already on the church calendar. Sr. Mary Jo
was not able to commit to an October date.
Donna LaVallee reported that we have an all wide event to paint Historic
Trinity.
The outside of the church is
beginning to show.
This is designed for
any/all that would like to be a part of this mission.
It would be nice to be an intergenerational
work camp for our own church.
The peak
and steeple are probably not going to be addressed by youth.
The dates for this are tentatively set for
May 19-20. Donna is working on the cost of paint and
specifics.
George DeGlopper – as head of
Trustees – is aware of the project.
Tom
suggested Trustees pay for the steeple so it can all be completed.
Anne Hipp reported that we would like to host
Word Day of Prayer for 2013. The date would be
March 1, 2013. John will
share his mission dates.
April 29 is the laity banquet at
Samuel’s Grand Manor. This year, Elaine is asking for recommendations for the
recipient.
We usually have two or three
tables to support our recipient.
Charlie
and John Harbison have agreed to work on the nominating committee.
If you have any suggestions, pleases see
Elaine.
E mail address for Elaine is
elainerjohnson@roadrunner.com
for you to contact her.
Trustees: No formal report. May 5 is a work day to clean up outside
the .. Please make sure there is no
conflict should you have to place an event on the calendar. Please remember that George is a “proud” non-computer
user, so we will use Sharon Nichols as the Trustees contact. Bob Kaiser is the secretary for that
committee.
Other:
Prayer Ministry: June
3-9 is the 24/7 prayer. Sue Kaiser
reported that there might be an all Island prayer on Sunday, June 10 if the
Town Square is available.
Perhaps one way to explain what’s been going on with the small
Island Prayer Group which had included a few folks from other churches and
several from Trinity is to say that now only a few from Trinity are meeting
monthly. Lani Burkman has been working to keep in touch with some church women
who cannot meet on a regular basis but have had a few meetings at the Burkman
home during the winter. We hope to keep including others but may need more
consistent meeting times or broader advertising...prayer continues however!
Thankfully other groups which meet in the church have taken on
some regular times of prayer as they meet, plan activities and carry them out.
That has happened before, now perhaps the difference is that personal prayers
are offered for those who have needs of various kinds in the church at most
meetings.
On another prayer event that has been planned thru the Island
Ministerium – we’ll have a week of 24/7 prayer planned with 7 Island Churches
for each to take one day during the week of June 3-9. Trinity’s day for 24 hour
prayer is Friday, June 8th. More details will be available at our next meeting
– and probably before.
This is part of the NY Statewide observance during this 2012
calendar year called OneHeartCry – developed thru a ministry of Pastor Roger
Brown in the Adirondack region of the state. This is a vision God has given him
to lead other churches across the state which will be committing to pray for
issues that impact our state: churches, and spiritual renewal, government,
business, education, security, growth and general well being of our diverse
population. There will be biblical guidelines to follow for some of the prayers
people may offer and of course personal issues that face us locally will be
addressed as people feel led in each church or ministry.
Although it is still in the talking stage and not set as an
Island function, there is some discussion in the Ministerium of having a joint
prayer service, perhaps at the Town Commons at the end of the 24/7 week in which
we’ve prayed. More will be discussed on this but inquiry has been made to the
GI Town Board to have such a service to which everyone would be
invited...probably a combination worship of prayer, music, meditation and
thanksgiving...in which all churches would have an opportunity to participate.
A time of prayer will be offered for Pastor Larry in worship (to
be determined) before he goes to serve as a delegate to our United Methodist
General Conference, April 24-May 4th.
Please continue
your daily prayers for Trinity.
Pastor Comments: Pastor
Larry commented that tonight he is revived and renewed by this meeting. Maundy
Thursday service is still in the works. It
will be a communion service. Palm
Sunday, there will not be communion in the Traditional service. Larry is one of the preachers at the Catholic
service on Good Friday at 12:15.
Next meeting is Monday, April
16. Laura Mason will not be in
attendance.
Pastor Larry closed in
prayer. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter
