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| January 10, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes |
Back to Council Main
Councilors present: John Bausch, Kimberly Brya, Cynthia Churchwell, Steve Dyer,
Carol Fessler, Rich Franklin, Chris Hurley, Heidi Law, Joanne Miner, Jodie
Stewart and Janet Van Zuiden, and Assistant Treasurer Clyde McGregor.
Councilors absent: Susan Gillette, Will McLean, Peggy McNamara.
Pastors and Staff attending: Joseph Shank, Connie Stewart, Jenny Gleichauf, Floy
Schrage and Brooke Heerwald.
Call to Order and Opening Business
Cynthia Churchwell, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. She welcomed
Brooke Heerwald, seminary intern, to the Council meeting. All recited the
Church’s Mission statement and Senior Pastor Joseph Shank shared the cares and
concerns of the congregation. Interim Associate Pastor, Connie Stewart, offered
a brief devotion and the opening prayer.
Minutes from the December 13, 2005 Council meeting were amended to note that the
Worship Councilors would convene a group with representation from affected
ministries to consider logistics changes necessary because of the sanctuary
renewal project.
New Business
Cynthia noted the need to allow more opportunities for the congregation to
discuss matters of interest or concern with leadership; accordingly, she invited
Councilors to be available to the congregation for at least some of the Sunday
fellowship times from January 15 through February 5. John Bausch suggested every
member of Council invite or encourage 4-5 people to (continue to) attend
services during displacement from the sanctuary. Discussion followed about
keeping the congregation informed about the construction work and how it affects
our activities.
The assembly suggested names for the four at-large positions on the Nominating
Committee. Executive Committee is to suggest the committee list for Council
approval. The leadership positions to be slated are known now, thanks to
Councilors’ conversations with committee heads.
In the absence of Treasurer Will McLean, Clyde McGregor commented briefly on
preliminary 2005 budget results and presented the proposed 2006 budget for
Council’s deliberation. He noted that the church continues to have a good
balance sheet and that we can raise ‘bricks & mortar’ money; it is the income
statement that demonstrates the pressing issue. Notwithstanding an excellent
canvass result, we need more of our membership contributing to the operations of
the church. During discussion it was noted that a sense of connection leads to
intention and commitment, so nurturing members’ engagement remains critical.
Council received the budget for 2006 as prepared by the budget committee. After
discussion and minor adjustments, a budget that anticipates a deficit of about
$16,000 was approved unanimously for presentation to the congregation. As soon
as resulting recalculations are reviewed, the budget will be published. Cynthia
thanked all who were involved in the Budget Committee for their careful
consideration of requests and priorities.
Carol Fessler reported on recent meetings of the worship transition task force.
Their recommendation is to hold worship in the Alsdorf Center, establish the
music director’s office in classroom 201 and move choir rehearsals to LL2.
Cynthia noted that discussion and testing of this plan will comprise an
important part of the leadership meeting on January 29. She noted an adjustment
to that meeting time, now 1:00-3:30 P.M.
Carol requested direction from Council about the music budget, as special funds
previously available to augment worship spending have been depleted. Council
reiterated that the budget provides resources for both services and for other
programming as may be possible. This is no change from the prior two calendar
years.
In addition to several written reports distributed prior to meeting, Pastors and
Councilors offered brief comments about upcoming events and the status of
various programs. Kimberly Brya advised that Little Chapel finally has been
approved by the fire department for occupancy again.
There being no further business, all present moved to Little Chapel to admire
the renovation and gather for a closing prayer and adjournment.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Dyer for
Peggy McNamara, Clerk
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