Trinity Church Council Meeting
Monday, March 16, 2015
Attendees: Charlie Yund, Pastor Larry Baird, Gail Conschafter, Linda Mason, Mike Fonte, Abby Cole, Shiela Rader, Tom Burkman, Jan Garrison, Terri Bellanca, Donna LaValley, Fred Claus, John Harbison, Bobbie Cap, Chris Hipp, Brenda Baird, Christian Nole.
Meeting opened with unison reading of Mission Statement. Guests at meeting are Pastor Sung Ho Lee and his wife, Jung. All members introduced themselves to Pastor Lee and his wife.
Pastor Lee shared his joy to be present at the meeting. He stated we will face any challenged with a positive attitude. Pastor Lee will pray for the congregation. Jung shared they have two children, a daughter, 32 living in California, and a son, 29, who lives in Virginia. She majored in music in college, and will join the choir. A question was asked how we can get to know Pastor Lee between now and July 1. He suggested e mail, and facebook. They currently live south of Utica, and will welcome visitors. The conference will contract with the moving company to move them up here to Grand Island. Jung is a cat lover. When asked about hobbies, Pastor Lee stated he likes sports – tennis. He used to play basketball and volleyball. He also enjoys reading and studying theology and culture. He also likes to go to the gym and run. As DS, he had 86 churches, and is looking forward to preaching at all three services. As you preach, it uses energy, and is very uplifting. Pastor Lee is very excited about being part of Trinity, and knows the strong leadership, and the strong faith and heritage. Working with Larry on the Cabinet has been a privilege. Pastor Lee went to UB for his studies, and passed over Grand Island to go to Niagara Falls. He stated he felt a feeling of peace while driving over Gi. He has a great vision for the congregation, and wants to grow with it also. He has no specific vision, but his heart is here at TUMC and his ministry is to grow the congregation. Pastor the church in three ways: 1. Be part of our lives, build a relationship, and grow deep in faith. 2. Priest role: bringing to God to our life here. 3. Profetic role: growing in God. Helping see the future in the area of social justice; forsee the future of the church and congregation. Lead the congregation to the future. “Where do you draw your inspiration?” Pastor Lee commented that his father in law is a retired Bishop of the Korean Methodist Church, and has been a great inspiration. Science is also a good way to experience and understand God.
Charlie stated that our church is growing a bit and are bigger we were 5 years ago, and would like to continue for it to grow in the upcoming years. Pastor Lee stated that he has no intention of making changes abruptly. District learning day is this Saturday. The title of his speech is “What can we do to reverse the current trend so we can grow?” Pastor Lee commented on what a great job Larry has done. Larry commented that he is excited to hear that Pastor Lee has some great ideas on working on what we have been trying to work on. Larry is excited and knows that TUMC will be in good hands.
Larry’s retirement service will be June 7. Sung Ho’s welcoming will be July 12.
Brenda shared that she and Jung are very much alike. Discussion on the rooms in the parsonage. One thing that was helpful was a pictorial directory. If no directory is in the works, group pictures with names is a good thing for them to get to know names. A good idea is to have the refrigerator filled on the day they move in.
Minutes from January and February were submitted for approval. Motion by to Fred Claus accept Jan. and Feb minutes as presented. Seconded by Terri Bellanca. Passed unanimously.
Major Calendar Events:
May 2 (10-2) Health Fair w/Kaleida
Aug 2 – 7 Proposed Work Camp in Niagara Falls
Partnered through NU and St. Francis of Assissi
October 24 Fall Festival
April 19 UMW Luncheon (Salad Luncheon)
May 17 Laity Banquet – selection will occur this week.
Choir fundraiser raised over $800 which was well attended.
Pastor Comments: Attendance in February and March has been down. This is partly due to hard winter, and quite a few that are away.
Finance/Stewardship: Finance committee reported to the March 16 Church council meeting. Through February General Fund giving was $49.9K and expenses $52.3K, including our February apportionments payment. Since the GF balance is $6.2, we will be making a March payment. Church was cancelled for weather related reasons on Sunday in Feb. which negatively impacted giving.
SPRC: Julie O’connor has resigned as Director of Children’s Ministry Co-ordinator as of April 1. Donna Lavalley has been talking with members that might be able to fulfill the role. She feels Sung Ho should be involved in the hiring process. We will try to work through May and spend time selecting the “right” person for the job. VBS plans are on the minds, and no decision has been made regarding that. SPRC is looking for a person that will be energetic and has the ability to delegate. Larry feels that the Board should decide whether we want VBS to be offered this summer. VBS is a huge investment of time. The position is 20 hours a week with a $13,000 salary. Kid Zone attendance has declined. Larry suggested that if we are going to do VBS, we need to use the money we would not be paying to pay an interim. The one week, evening program has shown to be successful. Options for VBS were discussed. A vote was taken as to whether we should move forward with VBS. The vote was taken to have VBS. We will have funds available for May, June and possibly July. A vote was taken to take the unused portion of Julie’ salary to pay a stipend for an interim. There will be a void with KidZone. The curriculum goes through the end of May. A question was asked as to what children’s activities will be available through the summer? Motion to spend Julie’s excess salary for an interim or someone to do VBS and/or Kidzone, was made by Chris, and was seconded by Fred. Discussion followed. An addendum to the motion was made for SPRC along with Larry to do a search for this person and give them authority to hire expeditiously. Motion and addendum were passed unanimously.
Committee Reports: Christian reported there were some AV and issues, but will work with Fred and the committee. We are supportive of the move. The issue of not moving, is all the gear and time for practice before hand is used for moving equipment. This is very time consuming. It would be nice not to conflict with choir, handbells, and might then be able to leave some of the equipment set up.
Sheila Rader reported that Hospitality is coming up. March 26 at 6 PM is the next meeting. If anyone is interested in helping can join them at Pizza Amore on Grand Island Blvd.
Donna could use help with the coffee sign up.
Next meeting is April 20, 2015 in the Historic Trinity East Room
Christian Nole closed in prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Conschafter
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