Minutes from May's Church Council Meeting

Church Council Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2014

Meeting opened with unison reading of the TUMC Mission Statement.

Attendees: Jan Garrison, Fred Claus, Larry Baird, Laura Mason, Paul Sipson, Bobbie Cap, Sheila Rader, Tom Burkman, Terry Bellanca, John Jones, Mike Fonte, Charlie Yund, Sue Kaiser, Gail Conschafter

Larry opened in prayer

God Sightings:   Laity banquet honoring Jan Garrison was a huge success and well deserved.  Thankful that Laura Mason is not seriously injured in a recent car accident.

Approval Of April's Minutes:  Minutes will be approved next meeting.

Calendar of Events:

            Piano Concert                                                May 30           

Departing Staff Recognition/church concert     June 8

Grad Recognnition                                          June 22

            Joyful Noise Concert                                      June 29

            VBS                                                              July 27 – 31

            Fall Festival                                                   October 25 with set up October 24

            One Starry Night                                           December 5 – 6

Finance: Year to date general fund giving is $112.7k vs. $107.8 in 2013. Spending is $108.5k vs. $116.7k last year. This leaves the GF with a $11.7k balance vs. $0.9k in 2013. All of this is encouraging, as is the forecast of $350k in General Fund giving.

$3.7k of the reduced spending results from the absence of the Office Manager for much of the year. The Office Assistant and Youth Ministry positions will be filled, which will increase spending by $1.5k/month.

Apportionments were paid for one month in 2014 vs. nothing YTD last year. Given the positive balance in the GF we will make monthly payments when prudent.



Chris Hipp Chair Finance Committee

Discussion on non payment of apportionments. The projections are that we should be able to catch up by the end of the year.

SPRC:       The SPRC is grappling with staffing changes brought about by

1) Need to strengthen our professional and volunteer leadership to effect the church’s mission.

2) Church financial constraints.

3) Staff termination, transfers, and resignation.

The status of current searches for staff replacement:

1    1)      Administrative Assistant to the Pastor.  Hired Alice Mock.  Began in salaried capacity May 5

2    2)      Youth Ministry Coordinator.  Hired Abbey Cole.  Transition in June, full compensation from July 1

3    3)      Senior Adult Ministries Coordinator.  Applications are being received until May 26.  July 1 start.

4    4)      Children’s Ministries Coordinator.  Applications are being received until May 26.  Transition in July, full compensation from August 1.

Annual evaluations will be submitted to staff members in June. 

Sunday, June 8.  Departing staff will be recognized in three services, a reception following the Traditional Service, and a tribute concert by the music ministries at 12:15.  Pastor Lange will preach at all three services.

Sunday, June 22.  A party for staff will be held 3:00-6:00 at the Lavallees.

Pastor’s Comments:  Larry has met with Christian Knowl and talked in detail about the Worship band for the 9:00 service.  Both Larry and Christian have ideas that are going to be implemented.  Abby Cole – new Youth coordinator – may also be interested.  Bobbie asked if Music Chair would be included in the planning.  8:00 service continues to grow on a regular basis.  The young kids at that service are confirmands.

Additional Committee Reports:  Question about Ann Hippe’s vacated position.  Is the committee looking to fill that position exactly.  Larry commented that it would depend on the person(s) filling that position – depending on their qualifications and interests. There were some recommendations and Tom reported he has spoken to some of the members. Tom asked if anyone had Yolanda Hasselbeck’s number in hopes she might be able to have any recommendations for any of our positions.  Tom will stop and talk to Yolanda. Deadline for Children’s ministry position is May 27.  If we do not have the right person, we will not hire.  Larry said we have enough competent people in our Ed dept that we could go a bit into the fall without replacing Liz and Mark. Another concept stressed in the hiring is the team concept – all ministries will work together so as children move from one age group to the next, the transition is seamless. Mark and Liz will be moving to Jamestown to a full time position with a house, so this is a new, God-given opportunity, and we are very happy for them.

Charlie commented that we are moving forward in a positive direction. Tom said that suggestions came in that the reason not to combine children and youth position was that the committee felt it would be better to keep them separate.  The times they all met overlapped, so there would have been a conflict for one person. We would like to involve our teens into all worship services. Fred reported he has a few teens willing to work the slides.

If there are accolades available, Larry would like to have them.  If there are not going to be any, Larry would like to know so we can plan accordingly.  It is possible that summer is an influx of new people. Last summer we had a number of new people as visitors from the campgrounds.  There is a color brochure that the ministerium puts out that has all the Island churches listed. The shirts that identify key members are key.  Coffee hour could use some clarification.  Donna Lavalee is working on putting together a meeting with anyone interested in helping out. If anyone has time, help would be appreciated. As we go forward, we need to find a way to integrate the new people into our “house.”  It is so important to make them feel welcome.  We need to coordinate our efforts so we don’t turn people away.

Bobbie reported we have a few anniversaries upcoming.  History and records - 50 years for the new building.  Fred has been in contact with Historic Trinity to put together a video.  We need to have a place to display the history of TUMC.  If this is something we want to do, we need some volunteers to work on this.  2015 is the year for this.  There needs to be a place in the perhaps we could put some display cases in there. Kay Long’s brother in law passed away and the service will be at a later date. Should there be a specific location, Charlie requested it still be a multipurpose room.  Bobbie would like to see all the information displayed, and available to be seen by all.

Jan reported the Trustees will carpet the family room. There are two bids that are close, and Trustees will decide on which one to go with.  They will be 36” carpet tiles that will not show stains.  Carpet tiles work better with stains – which can be lifted.  There is a 15 year guarantee with each company.  They can be replaced one at a time if need be. The carpet in the lounge is very dirty.  Dave has cleaned that carpet, but is showing its wear.  The carpeting will be laid in August.  We will do a walk through when Nate and Angie leave on the second parsonage.  Most needs are cosmetic and are minor.  Cole’s are available to move in in August.  SPRC will talk about the timing of them moving in and when their compensation begins. Charlie asked Jan to perhaps recommend to Trustees upgrading the lounge.

Next Meeting: Monday, June 16 – 7 PM in Historic Trinity.

Closing prayer by Larry.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Conschafter