August 2012 Minutes

Church Council Meeting

August 20, 2012

 Charlie opened the meeting at 7:00 with the unison reading of the Mission Statement.

Attendees:      Pastor Larry Baird, Charlie Yund, Nate Lange, Gail Conschafter, Anne Hipp, Paul Sipson, Jan Garrison, Mike Fonte, Terri Bellanca, Liz VonWald, Donna LaVallee, Fred Claus, Elaine Johnson, Jim Tamsen, Laura Mason, Sheila Rader, Tom Burkman, John Jones
Welcome and roll call – Gail Conschafter

 Nate opened in prayer.

 God Sightings – Terri Bellanca shared about her sons’ wedding and the message that was given at the ceremony.  God’s hand was evident during VBS.  There were many new kids and families that participated.  We had 88 kids total – ranging from 58 to 77.  Summer mission project was a huge success.  Nate reported stories regarding the youth.  Last weekend some students went to a training camp, which was also very successful. 

 Changes:        Sunday’s – beginning Rally Day

                       8:00 Informal service
                       9:00 – contemporary Service with Praise music
                                           Pastor Nate and Pastor Larry preaching
                                           Elementary Grade CE Program
                                           2 adult classes offered
                       10:30 - Traditional service with traditional & Modern choral and instrumental music.
                       ALL WILL BE HELD IN TRINITY’S MAIN BUILDING
                          Financial Peace will be offered in the Fall from 10 – 11:30 AM.  Date to be                                 determined at a later date.
                       WEDNESDAYS:
                            ·         Mid week Bible study/worship may be offered come fall.
                            ·         Momentum youth program

Please keep your ears open should there be any concerns or issues.

Major Calendar Events:

·         Rally Day – September 9 – Laura Mason to chair.

       o   Volunteers are needed for set up, take down, games, ect.  Larry, Nate, Liz, Mark, Laura, and    Charlie will meet to cement plans.  Liz has a Sunday school teacher meeting tomorrow and will mention it to all teachers that volunteers are still needed.
        o   A letter going to all members will be drafted with all changes and special events.

·         Men’s Group Seven Habits Program Sept. 15 and Oct. 13 – this will be once a month.

                  ·         UMW Retreat – October 12 – 13
                  ·         Fall Festival – October 20
                         o   There was discussion between Nate and about kitchen use and conflict.  There are a few kitchens that would be available for all groups.
                  ·         One Starry Night – December 2
                  ·         Laity Sunday is currently set for October 21, but that date may change.  Elaine will keep us posted on the date.
                  ·         ACE Seminar – February 9 – one day seminar.  Tom Burkman will be one of the presenters.
                  ·         Informational meeting for next summer’s mission trip – August 26 following service.  Next years’ trip will be to the Dominican Republic with SCORE International.  Cost per student is approximately $1500 each. 
                  ·         July 10-17, 2013 actual date of trip.
Hospitality Team Creation

            Sheila Rader has just returned from Scotland, so forgive us for putting her on the spot for Hospitality.  We need to be hospitable to all that enter our building.  Welcome station is still in full force.  Please be aware of the new people that may be sitting around us in service.  Sheila and Charlie will get together soon to put a team together.  A suggestion of putting desserts/finger foods out each week for coffee hour.  If each member took one week, we would only have to do it once a year.  Sheila questioned where “follow-up” would fall – under Hospitality or something different. 

 Budget Review:  From the blog:

Through July General Fund giving is $205.3k, $7.2k below 2011. Spending is $200.4k, $28k lower.

pportionments were accidentally unpaid in July, but this will be remedied this month.
The Finance Committee has approved a new reimbursement policy to clarify spending and asks the Church Council to support this effort.
 Chris Hipp – Chair Finance Committee

Reimbursement policy is available in the office. 

Question – will we meet the budget? 
Answer – we are in a state of flux due to the coming and going of members.  Giving appears to be steady, which is a good thing.

Charlie asked that we continue to support the areas we defined as important to us.  He spoke on the success of VBS because we supported what we felt was important. In the long run, we may see these families in September for service and Sunday School.

Right Now

Larry explained what Right Now is and how we anticipate using it and how it will benefit TUMC.
Access is unlimited to the web site.

 Larry explained the process he envisions this happening from the start of the program.   There will be some administration over the entire program, but our energy will go to positively impact our community for Jesus Christ.

Larry introduced it in the Tidings, but there has to be a way to introduce this to the congregation.   Sheila has a lot of the resources for some series at the resource center.

“Team Trinity” was explained.  Charlie encouraged us all to send Larry our e mail addresses    then watch the Bill Hybel study.  A sheet was passed around to update all addresses.  It is about a 90 minute study – “Just Walk Across the Room.”  Larry asked us to stay on the main page and not wander too far out.  Bible Studies would be the section to stay in. 

A worship team is being formed.  A Hospitality team is another important team that needs to be formed also. 

We want to start looking at Evangelism and reaching outside our building. 

We have one of the best Senior ministry in Western New York.  We want our Young family ministry to be as strong.

Minutes from June’s meeting:  Motion to accept by Chris Hipp and seconded by Fred Claus.  Passed unanimously.

Next meeting is September 17 at 7 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Conschafter