Minutes from January 2015 Council Meeting

Church Council Meeting

Monday, January 19, 2015

Meeting opened with unison reading of the TUMC Mission Statement.

Attendees: Larry Baird, Gail Conschafter, Mike Fonte, Jan Garrison, Chris Hipp, Charlie Yund, Sherrie Schaus, Sheila Rader, Bobbie Cap, Sue Kaiser, Terri Bellanca.

Larry opened in prayer

God Sightings: Bobbie reported that Mike’s aunt and uncle’s house burnt to the ground in early January.  They lost everything except their lives.  They are thankful and are looking toward the future.  Paul reported the success of the Children’s play.  One Starry night was another success.   Sue Kaiser said she asked Kelly Pietre about her parents, and that her mom has been restored to health and they are doing very well. 

Approval Of Minutes:  Motion by Charlie to approve the minutes from October meeting as presented and read.  Unanimously approved.

Changes to agenda:               Terri would like to speak on behalf of Laiety. Sue Kaiser has prayer report.

Calendar of Events:

           

            UMW Sub Sale                                               February 1

ACE weekend event                                       February 7

Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil                         February 18

Secret Lenten Love                                         Throughout Lent (Dates TBD)

            Choir Fundraisers                                            March 13 – with Irish Theme

                                                                        (proceeds perhaps to go to organ fund)

            Spiritual enrichment dates                              TBD

Report from One Starry Night: Paul distributed summary of One Starry Night. Attendance was down about 100 from last year.  (See report below)

- December 2014, we completed our third OSN project.

- It was a wonderful time for Trinity participants to work together, and get to know each other
  in new ways.

- Those who attended spoke highly of the event, making it a successful outreach to the 
  community for Trinity.

- Event attendance was down by about 100 people from 2013

- It was more difficult to get actors and participants this year.- The leadership team (see above) met on Jan. 6, 2015 to debrief the event and consider the 
  future.  We agreed on the following:

          -Trinity has many willing workers, but few, if any, willing to take over leadership of the 
           event.

          -The time required of the leaders for planning the drama and family room activities, 
           securing actors and other participants, set-up and take down, preregistration, etc, is 
           overwhelming.

          -OSN, in its present form is no longer a viable option.  Something different is needed to
           attract interest.

          -Brenda will be gone next year and the other three leaders are not willing or able to 
           continue in our leadership as we did in 2012, 13, and 14.

-We sincerely hope that new blood will get excited about creating a Christmas event at Trinity that will demonstrate the true meaning and significance of the story of Christ’s birth.  We hope an event will include the participation of many church members to foster fellowship and outreach.

Terri agreed that the entire project is extensive for a few to do all the work.  Charlie spoke for the group and stated that it has been a fabulous event and the effort it takes to put on this event has been huge.  It will be difficult to replace the leaders that led this wonderful event.  Bobbie stated that sign up to come, is hard to commit, especially because of the holiday season.  Perhaps some sort of an event where pre-registration is not necessary.  Sheila suggested that perhaps a walk through vs something without a script might be a possibility. Sue Kaiser commented that Wilson did a live nativity.  We will revisit this before September. Charlie asked Larry that staff understand the importance of this.  Larry will share this with the staff at a staff meeting. There are all kinds of possibilities and different times of the year.    

Pastor’s Report: Larry reported he is trying to hold things steady, and anxious to hear who is going to be appointed. 150^th Anniversary date is in question.  The 50^th anniversary for the sanctuary is this year.  Lenten luncheon is all put together.  Our team is on board for second Wednesday.  Everyone has been notified. 

Bobbie reported that there are several “anniversary dates.” This would mark 150 years. The actual 150^th would be 2017.   For the 125^th there was a dinner at Rich’s Atrium. The History and Records Committee still does not have a “place” to display interesting records and artifacts. Bobbie has a scanner, laminator, and copier to bring in to use for the History and Records.  A place is needed to keep this equipment and records. There was discussion about using a room in the main building, and perhaps using a room in Historic Trinity.  It would be nice to get a committee for History and Records and the Anniversary Committee.  We are in need of some At Large members for the Council. Sue Kaiser commented that a new At Large member might be interested in becoming more interested in serving – a good reason for a “new face.” The SPRC is working very thoroughly on the profile.  Larry was impressed with all that has been done up to this point.

SPRC: Larry reported that we are coming up for our annual review for our other staff.  Larry will evaluate on his observation.

Finance: 

The Finance Committee is happy to report that Trinity finished 2014 with apportionments fully paid and $8.6k in the General Fund to start 2015.  Thanks to all who made this possible with their faithful financial support.  2015 pledges to date are +3.5% toward the General Fund and +12% toward the Capital Fund.  Givers who pledged in 2014 but haven't yet done so for this year will be sent a follow-up message.

The Finance Committee at its November meeting recommended the 2015 proposed budget to the Church Council for approval.

The M&T Money Market account, which had been generating very little interest, was closed and the funds added to our checking account.  Work is in progress to find a better alternative temporary use for these funds.

The Finance Committee encourages the Church Council to reinstitute weekly collections at children and youth Sunday School to begin to teach stewardship.

Sue Kaiser questioned moving expenses for new pastor.  Charlie commented that it is included in the new budget.  The total budget is the same bottom line as this year. Salary for incoming pastor should be the same. Everyone will get a copy of January budget from Charlie. Historic Trinity is wholly back in to Trinity.  We are meeting expenses at Historic Trinity as well.  Collection during Sunday School is to teach stewardship.  Providing envelopes to the Sunday School children is the easiest way.  A letter should accompany the envelopes explaining the reason for the envelopes.  Cost of envelopes is being looked into.  A Lent Can is an option also.  Larry is looking into other options as well.  A motion was made to agree to teach the children stewardship.  All were in agreement.

Committee Reports:

            Laiety Banquet: Terri asked for nominees for names.  Someone in a non-paid position who has made significant contributions to TUMC.  Donna LaValley, Diane Bloom, Laurie Yarns, were names that were mentioned.  Please submit names to Larry, Mike, or Terry via e mail.  We need to realize there are young people who also make contributions, and not just those that have been here for several years.  A published list of past honorees would be nice displayed somewhere in the building.

Next meeting is February 16.

Closing prayer by Sherry.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Conschafter