Church Council Meeting
Monday, January 21, 2013
Charlie began meeting with unison reading of the mission
statement.
Welcome and Roll
Call……… Gail Conschafter
Attendees: Pastor Larry, Charlie Yund, Fred Claus, Gail
Conschafter, Sheila Rader, Chris Hipp, Jan Garrison, Tom Burkman, Mark VonWald,
Bobbie Cap, Anne Hipp, Paul Sipson, Sue Kaiser, Terri Ballanca, Mike Fonte,
John Jones, Laura Mason.
Mark Von Wald opened in prayer.
God sightings:
Fred Claus shared about his Aunt (diabetic) who had low blood sugar. A good Samaritan bought her lunch and made
sure she was ok. He refused payment for
his gesture, and went along his way. Tom
Burkman shared about a phone call he received, and asked the caller for a
prayer request. Terri Belanca shared
about an answer to prayer about a friend that was almost going into labor 5
weeks early. After prayer, she went full
term and delivered a healthy baby. Mark
shared that the kids in Sunday school led prayer. Paul Sipson reported that Sister Mary JO was
here on Saturday, and the spirirt was definitely in the building!
November Minutes: Correction as noted in minutes for
November under SPRC Chris HIpp moved to approve as submitted Fred Claus,
seconded the motion. Minutes were
approved as corrected by a unanimous vote.
Changes to Agenda: Tom Burkman would like to report.
Major Calendar
Events:
·
Shrove Pancake Dinner – Tuesday, February 12,
2013 – The Tollers will be in charge.
·
ACE Seminar – February 9 – Dr. Tim Chambers and
Dr. Tom Burkman
o The
topic is Forgiveness
o Fred
reported that this will be divided into 2 parts. 9 AM to 3 PM – Dr. Chambers
will present. (Personal forgiveness is the focus) 7 PM Saturday will be a
discussion with Tom Burkman. (Internationl Forgiveness is the focus.) The form is online or you can see Elaine
Johnson after the 10:30 service.
·
Feb 13 – 12 hours prayer vigil.
·
Good Friday Fish Fry - UMW
·
Lenten Luncheons are all set up with the
exception of the coordinator. Martha and
Judy have done it in the past, and that position is now vacant. Our week is set up, this person is the key
contact for the other churches. Churches
involved are the Catholic, Island Pres., Lutheran, and the Episcopal churches.
·
Sub Sale & Souper Bowl – February 3
o Jan
could use help the morning of Feb. 3 to assemble subs.
·
There will continue to be Wednesday night Bible
Study during Lent.
·
Spring concert will be in between Easter and
VBS.
·
Confirmation was discussed as to whether this
should be every year vs. every other
year.
·
Youth activities are in the planning.
·
VBS is the last week in July. July 28 – August 1
·
Mission Trip -
Summer
·
Rally Day – September
·
Crop Walk - October
·
October 11 – Women’s Retreat
·
Fall Festival – Will we have another one this
year?
·
One Starry Night – Committee will meet
tomorrow. It has been suggested we do
two days instead of one. We may do this
the first weekend of December. Fred
suggested the shifts be shortened. Sheila remarked that it was had to get the
actors. Tear down between Sat and Sun. might
be avoided if we have it Friday and Saturday.
Sheila reported they are thinking of moving it to Historic Trinity.
Finance and
Stewardship:
Chris reported:
FROM THE BLOG:
We
ended 2012 with General Fund giving at $358.2k vs. $364.8k in 2011. Expenses
were $357.9k vs. $368.6k last year. There is a $10.2k balance in the General
Fund going into 2013, preserving the practice of starting the new year with a
$10k.
Our
giving model forecast giving at $360k, within about 1% of what actually was
given.
Capital
Fund giving was $41k in 2012 vs. $33.4k in 2011
$42.6k (75%) was paid to
Apportionments.
There
was a question as to whether those that move continue to give. Chris reported that most people that move,
continue to meet their pledge commitment.
Larry said that rarely do people continue to give beyond the current
pledged year. Jan commented that the
distribution of envelopes went very smooth!
A great savings in mailing was recognized. Chris thanked Jan for her help and
support! Larry reported that Jan is in
the office as if she were employed… a true gift to the church. Charlie expressed his sadness in not meeting
apportionments, but was amazed we sent $42,000 off to the bigger church. We probably also gave another $40,000 in
missions. Our focus needs to hone in on not duplicating our efforts. (Giving to an additional mission where our
apportionments also cover!) There is a divergence where our funding goes. Larry reported he was talking about Capital
fund vs. General fund. As he spoke to
someone, there was some confusion.
Perhaps during a brief moment of stewardship, Larry can clarify some of
the misconceptions. (Basic utilities
come from the General fund and not the Capital Fund.) Capital fund is used for maintenance of these
facilities, equipment. If we were to
have a capital campaign, would the accumulated funding contribute to the
campaign? If there was money available,
it might be transferred to the Campaign.
Finance and the Council should talk about it and then relay to the
congregation. One way is to periodically
inform the congregation during each service with brief statements.
This building has been maintained the best it has been in
50 years. We have a tremendous staff
along with the funding! Mike Fonte commented that if there was money in an
account for the roof, and the roof was already put on, he felt the account
should be closed. He expressed his
feeling that this is something the congregation might want to know. Charlie will send the December finance report
out this week to the Council. Thanks to
Jim Winter for all he has done! Sheila
asked if the minutes might be available prior to the meeting. They are posted to the Blog a week before our
meeting, but the link from the Web site has disappeared. The link to the blog will be once again put
on our website under members.
Larry would like to reiterate that our campus is
maintained very well! Also, our members
should be fully informed about the finances of our church.
Committee reports:
Tom Burkman shared a concern regarding Music.
Our organ in the sanctuary is not holding up well. It cannot be “dampened.” This does not harm the organ, however, it is
not allowed to be used to its total capability. To incorporate it into a newer
one would be approx. $50,000. To
repair/fix it might be $4000 to $5000.
Tom suggested a committee be formed to present the options to either
Trustees/Council. Options include:
Capital Funds, Bequeaths, or part of the next Capital Fund Campaign – whenever
that may be. Fred asked if there might be some kind of fundraiser for the
organ. Charlie asked if there was a
suggestion for a head or chair of this task force, and to keep in mind we did
not meet our apportionments. The music
committee raised funds for a new piano years ago. That money raised did not come out of the
budget! Bobbie reported that there is an
organ fund that housed donations, and questioned if there was anything left in
the account. Anything having to do with
the Music Dept should be funneled through the Director of Music. Fred offered to help with the research. We are looking for a chairperson to form a
committee and investigate the organ and upgrade vs. replacement. Jan reported that Trustees would listen, but
would prefer there were something in mind.
She doesn’t remember that it was presented before Trustees. Creation of task force should start with
Council. Larry suggested this chair
should be part of the Worship committee.
Charlie stated that he will sit down with Tom, and Paul to put together
some of the alternatives, and then update this group. Larry suggested that someone like Mike – who
has strong feelings about worship, but has no personal interest in whether it
be “fixed” or “replaced.” Names for
committee should be submitted to Charlie.
Sheila suggested the contemporary worship team member(s) might be
included.
History and
Records Committee:
The committee is decreased in size, and could use some
more members. Larry noted that the Lay
Ministries committee will take that.
CE:
FROM THE BLOG:
We
want to review our most recent event, our annual CE sleep over. We had over 41
people in attendance and all had a good time. We made crafts; we played at the
gym, had fun with two wii’s and also had a bible study. Everyone left there
looking forward to next year’s sleep over.
We do not have much to
report, but here are a couple events we would like to highlight:
On Sunday February 10th right after our 10:30 service we will
our first VBS meeting. The whole church is welcome, even if you are not willing
participate during week of VBS, we need help with set up and prep work as well
many other needs that may be up your ally.
On Sunday March 10th during our 10:30 am service it is our
annual Bible Sunday where we give out Bibles to our students.
Mark your calendar as this year’s VBS will be hosted
July 28th threw August 1st. Our theme this year is “EVERYONE
FUNFAIR”. This year’s VBS will highlight countries from around the world as
well many fun events for all.
SPRC:
Chris Sipson is officially retiring and will be honored
on February 10 during the traditional service.
Tom would like some information on her so she can be properly
honored! Larry will share this at the
other two services as well.
UMW Sunday is February 3rd.
Missions:
Larry reported that the mission team is working hard at
refining the multiple fundraising issue.
They are carefully moving forward and this issue should be resolved this
year! Charlie reminded us to make sure
our fundraisers are on the calendar so we do not overlap each other – hence –
decreases frustration. Jessica Skelly is the person to submit the request for
fundraising! Please be diligent in
submitting your forms. Sue commented
that perhaps we should be more informed as to where our apportionments go. Charlie stated that this will happen in
February.
Changes in the
Tidings:
Larry shared that was discussion on how the Tidings
should be distributed. Tidings will be
in the Bulletin on one Sunday. There will be notice that they will be available
on the other Sundays. It will be posted
on the Web page. There were favorable
comments on the Sunday in January they were put in the Bulletins. It was suggested that a simple postcard be
mailed stating the options of way of receiving them. A suggestion was that the postcard be a
bright colored cardstock.
Nate:
Old Business:
Fall
Festival Funds distribution was tabled as of Nov meeting. Originally, we stated
$3700 was for apportionments and $1000 was for the youth mission trip. Chris reported that the money is still in the
General Fund budget. $3700 was shifted
to apportionments. According to the
minutes, finance and Festival committee suggest to the Council how the money be
allocated. Charlie asked Paul if he had
a recommendation. Discussion
followed. Sheila asked how many kids are
going and how much it costs. 9 kids from
the church with 5 chaperones are already signed up. The total cost is approximately $1500 per
person. The goal is to fund the kid 100%
s and help as much as possible for the chaperones. Whatever would be given from Fall Festival
would go into the account and divided between the kids. A variety of fundraisers have been set
up. Biggest is support letters to
friends, family, coaches, teachers, ect and ask for help in funding trip. Bobbie confirmed that $3700 already went to
apportionments. The net income from Fall
Festival was $3700. Paul was interested
in the expenses. Charlie requested a
final accounting of the Fall Festival funds be acquired. We have time to make this decision. This will once again be tabled until
February’s meeting. Paul will get a
detailed listing of the expenses. Larry
commented that we firm up our policy on the Fall Festival and make the
decisions quicker. Perhaps we can
earmark the money BEFORE the festival.
Nate: Nate has been approved with Ontario Street for the
“seed” (Hands to the Plow) program. It
is a three year process. First year is a
peer learning session. Read books and
gather to discuss and how to implement into the church. Discuss how it is applicable in our church. It’s an opportunity to get together and share
what is working in our church and what is working in another church; and what
can we learn. Gather with other lay
people around the conference and share what is going on in our church. It is primarily about learning. Second phase is only taking two churches per
district per year. That involves a coach
coming into our church and survey the community and return with results. (IF we
are one of the two churches) Phase three
is a back and forth communication of accountability and working into the goals
set. Practical and measurable goals will
be set. Dates for meeting are
available. Feb 9, April 13, Sept and
Nov. are the four sessions. Larry is all
in favor of this. We have to have the
laity involved for continuity, since it is spread over three or four
years. Larry suggested the volunteers
come from the 9:00 service. Nate needs 5
people from our congregation! Three
volunteers have already signed up from Ontario Street, and we would like to
have 5.
Pastor’s
Comments:
·
Larry reported we are currently working on a
hospitality plan. It’s hard to recruit
people that will stick to the plan.
There are new people here very frequently! We have to develop a team who are able to
catch the new people.
·
Next team is Evangelism – Hands to the plow may
serve this purpose.
·
Larry is Recruiting people for a Long Range Planning
Committee to look at a variety of items needing attentions.
·
Needs for Gifts inventory. That will take at least a year to do it well.
·
Church conference will be coming up soon. Those of you that have areas of
responsibility, please be prepared to write a report and we can compile a book
for the congregation.
·
Larry is concerned about worship
attendance. We have an increasing number
of people that are travelling south a lot.
He believes there is steady of young visitors. WE are very haphazard about the way we greet
them and respond to them. The 9:00 service is the toughest one to catch the new
visitors.
·
Suggestions for names of Welcome people will be
accepted.
·
Tom volunteered to take any newcomer to
breakfast.
·
We are in a race to embrace evangelism. God is putting them in our midst and we need
to be inviting. (New member outreach!)
Sue suggested that splitting up the schedule might be helpful in getting
people involved.)
·
Larry asked that we talk to him and communicate
with him.
Next meeting is Monday, February 11, 2013
Closing prayer was given by Pastor Larry.
Meeting adjourned at 9:11.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter
