Council Minutes from July 2015 Meeting

July 13, 2015 Church Council Minutes  

Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm. 

Attendees: Pastor Sung Ho Lee, Donna Lavallee, Laura Mason, Chris Hipp, Paul Sipson, Jan Garrison, Sheeri Schaus, Sue Kaiser, Sheila Rader, Mike Fonte, Terri Bellanca, Sue Fadel, John Harbison, Charlie Yund

Opening prayer by Sung Ho.

Major calendar events:

            Seneca Street Reading camp weeks of 7/20 & 7/27

            Young Life Camp  July 11-17

            UMW Vender craft show July 18

            Youth spaghetti dinner July 22

            Vacation Bible School  July 26-30

Proposed Work Camp in Niagara Falls   August 2-7

Youth Stockholder meeting  August 16

     Partnered through NU and St. Francis of Assisi

 Gus Macker Basketball Tournament August 29-30

Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat  October 24, 2015

Church Charge Conference at Lockport Emmanuel UMC, Nov. 15 3:30 pm

The Gus Macker parking lot fund raiser for the youth which was approved by the church council was rejected by the trustees.  The church council again approved the use of the lot and wanted Trinity to be seen as a welcoming community member.  Charlie Yund will discuss the issues with George Deglopper in an attempt to reach a consensus. 

           

Chris Hipp reported apportionments have been paid 100% year to date.  Church finances show giving is down slightly as are expenditures.

            The cemetery trust fund has been input into a separate Frontier Foundation account.

            Donna Lavalle reported that Kelly Petrie has applied for the Children’s Ministry Director position and being interviewed.  Her selection would provide stability to the children’s program.

            The worship committee reported that the plan is to continue with 3 worship services for the immediate future.

            Jan Garrison reported that the Trustees have completed the installation of new external lighting. 

            Sherri Schaus reported that Chat and Chew and Turtles will continue in the fall.  The senior ministry team is continuing to be formed.

            John Harbison shared that the Haiti Clinic is changing its mission and a new way forward is being formulated. The Mission Commission is still using the “Monthly Mission Opportunity” approach for the upcoming year.  There may be opportunity for new refugee mission activity in 2016. 

            Pastor Sung Ho Lee commented that there is concern that the chancel organ may need attention.  There are several approaches from repairing the exiting to replacement.  The options range from several thousand to $200,000.  John Gast has called for a meeting to discuss the details and options and will report back in the future.

            The stewardship approach was discussed and a plan forward will be developed.

The 150^th Anniversary will occur in 2016.  What approach will we take to celebrate?  Since it is a significant event we should consider a celebration possibly as a home coming and invite past members.  Paul Sipson, Donna Lavalle, Laura Mason and Charlie Yund volunteered to help with planning.  If the Bishop is to be invited we should establish a date and issue the invite soon.

            The 150^th may also be an opportunity to consider a capital campaign for the roof replacement, organ and other soon to be required needs.  It could also focus energy on helping the less fortunate. 

             What is our “purpose?” During upcoming meetings we will need to look at our church mission and establish our leadership approach moving forward.

            The next meeting will be September 21, ay 7:00 pm in Historic Trinity.

Meeting was closed in prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlie Yund