February Council Minutes 2013

Church Council Meeting

Monday, February 11, 2013

Attendees:  Mike Fonte, Charlie Yund, Terri Bellanca, Paul Sipson, Nate Lange, Tom Burkman, Fred Claus, Gail Conschafter, John Jones

Nate Lange opened in Prayer.

God Sightings:  Beautiful snow, safety of Tim Dzierba and his auto accident.  Saturday’s event and the great attendance.  Fred reported that there were over 30 people present on Saturday morning and about 15 in the evening for the seminar on Forgiveness.  Tom reported that one of the new members that had been in attendance went home and made amends with a family member that he had been “at odds” with for several years.  Charlie reported that he and a few were at Asbury for the Hand of the Plow seminar.  There were 75 people there for the peer to peer training session.  The majority of the meeting was “people talking to people.”  There are a few openings if anyone is still interested in joining the group. 

Approval of January Meeting minutes: Motion to approve minutes as presented by Fred Claus       seconded by Terri Bellanca.  Minutes were approved as presented.

Paul reported that One Starry Night will be in Historic Trinity this year.  There will be some vignettes on the sides with spotlights on them at the appropriate time as the story is told. It will be two nights, December 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday).  As they walk across from Historic to Main building, the three wise men will guide them and speak with them as they cross the parking lot.  The double door room will be Harrod’s room and the move into the family room for the Market Place.  There will be a sign up sheet to prepare well in advance.

Paul Sipson reported that next years’ fall festival will require a better system for record keeping of finances. Charlie said he thinks there may be $500 for Mission Trip with more to possibly become available.

Changes to Agenda

Major Calendar Events:

            Shrove Pancake Dinner        Tuesday, Feb. 12

            Good Friday fish Fry            Good Friday, March 29
            Lenten Luncheons
            VBS                                        July 28 – August 1 - evenings
            Crop Walk                            
            Dominican Republic             Youth Mission Trip - July 10 - 17
            Fall Festival
            Women’s Retreat
            One Starry Night?                 December 6 - 7

            Fred reported that the CROP walk may not be in October. No date has been set as of yet.

SPRC – Tom reported that Chris Sipson was honored as office manager yesterday.  Committee met with Dave Cole as to how to manage the janitorial services when he is absent.  Details are being worked out.  As of now, Chris’ position will be replaced by volunteers.  

Youth:  Nate reported that they are on the brink of starting a second night for meeting with youth.  It has grown over the past years.  There is a stable group of middle schoolers – Wed will be middle school night and Thursday nights will be high school youth group night. 

Nate asked for a few more volunteers for Hand to Plow.

Fred asked that if anyone has an interest in a particular type of seminar, please let Fred know.  New ideas are always welcome.

Hospitality:  Charlie and Larry met with the team to discuss some of the issues.  There are a good handful of new people coming into our building and need to respond to them.  We also need to be sensitive to those members that are returning after an absence.  New visitors need to feel welcome.  Nate and Larry need the phone numbers to call after the service.  Yellow cards need to be collected so we can follow up.  (See handout for meeting outline)  More ushers may be needed to assist with hospitality.  Libby Ponton is calling weekly to find greeters.  All services have different needs.  Fred suggested that a slide be posted on the last powepoint inviting all for free coffee following the service.  We need to concentrate on being hospitable to one another.  Perhaps a once a month pot luck dinner to get together and socialize with one another.  Fellowship dinners is another way! 

Linda put together a chart depicting attendance for the three services.  WE don’t want to focus on head count alone, but we do need to see the trend.  We are doing some things, but are not getting the response we had hoped for. This is where Hand to Plow will help!  We are losing by age and member transfers.  The new folks coming in are primarily here with the kids.  Let’s be welcoming and try to meet their needs.  We also need to be growing spiritually here at TUMC… which we are doing.  “WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF OUR CHURCH?”   This is something to think about! 

Unfinished business:   No report on the organ and music committee.  Mike has not heard from anyone on the committee.  Fred said that Dennis has submitted some information regarding the costs for purchasing new vs. repairing.  Charlie will keep Mike informed.  Fred announced that he where all equipment will be locked up.  There will now be a process to follow if you need any kind of AV equipment.  A form is available on the website to reserve anything you need regarding AV.  Fred will make sure it is all set up and ready for you to use. It was suggested to put that in the Tidings.

Mark VonWald feels led to enter the United Methodist Ministry.  He will not leave his job here, but would like to follow that calling.  The process will begin, but will take about 2 years to “begin.” 

Next meeting will be March 18, 2013.
Closing prayer by Charlie.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter