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| July 11, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes |
Back to Council Main
Councilors present: Kimberly Brya, Steve Dyer, Georgie Geraghty, Susan
Gillette, Betsy Holden, Steve Huels, Heidi Law, Will McLean, Peggy McNamara,
Jodie Stewart and Sarah Woodburn.
Councilors absent: John Bausch, Carol Fessler and Chris Hurley.
Pastors and Staff Attending: Connie Stewart, Kris Kelly and Floy Schrage.
Guest: Nancy Santi.
Preliminary Matters
Steve Dyer, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Interim Associate
Pastor Connie Stewart offered the opening prayer after which the cares and
concerns of the congregation were shared.
A motion to approve the June 13, 2006 Council minutes was made by Kimberly Brya,
seconded by Betsy Holden. After a correction (Betsy Holden is Education
Councilor, not Worship), the minutes were unanimously approved.
Treasurer Will McLean called attention to the financial variance report, noting
that summer is a slow time in the budget year of the church. To date 60% of the
pledges are in and expenditures are just beginning to catch up with the budget,
which is fine. 48.5% of the Outreach Budget has been spent. He also noted that
next year’s Budget Committee will form in October so each of the groups should
start thinking about the selection of a representative to serve on the Budget
Committee.
Business
Betsy Holden, Education Councilor, introduced Kris Kelly, Church School
Coordinator, who presented the report and recommendations from the Education
Group regarding a change in the church school program for the year 2006/7. She
began with some background information. (A full report is on file with the hard
copy of these minutes.) During the spring of 2005 forums were held to discuss
the two church schools format (held at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.) and the lack of
attendance. Since the fall of 2005 careful attendance records have been kept
indicating that the average church attendance per individual is only about eight
times of years. Since such attendance clearly did not bode well for a vibrant
church school, it was determined that a re-examination of our church school
program was in order. This process was begun early in the fall of 2005 under the
leadership of Pastor Connie Stewart (her first assignment with us as Interim
Associate Pastor) with the over-riding goal for the church school being to
develop a sense of community among the children and the larger church school
family. After a year of long, intentional and careful study (and with input from
the Senior Pastor), it was determined by the Education Group that to develop a
vibrant church school one church school at 9 a.m. would best serve this goal.
Georgie Geraghty complimented the staff on the great job they have done this
past year. A discussion of the proposed recommendation of the Education
Councilors to offer one church school at 9 a.m. followed.
Senior Pastor Joseph Shank commented on the irony of our currently having two
church schools and two church services when we built the new church wing to have
one church school and one church service on the same site. Previously there were
two church schools, held in Harkness Hall at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and two
services – one held in Children’s Chapel at 9 a.m. and the other in the
Sanctuary at 11 a.m. One argument for building the church wing was to dispel the
feeling of two congregations created by two church schools and two services.
Comments from Council then followed regarding the move to one church school.
They included: how the needs of the church school impact and involve the whole
church, the need to explain the change to all church school families and a
concern over general lack of commitment on the part of the congregation to the
church and its programs. Following a general discussion of some of this,
Councilor Holden directed Council’s attention back to the issue at hand. She
made a motion, seconded by Sarah Woodburn, that the recommendation of the
Education Group to offer one church school program at 9 a.m. for Junior
Kindergarten through grade 6 be approved. Outreach Councilor Jodie Stewart
called the question, followed by the vote of Council to approve the motion
unanimously.
Nurture Council Sarah Woodburn reported that more small groups are going to be
formed. The spiritual life groups already in existence will continue, but other
offerings are in the works.
Support Councilor Kimberly Brya gave an update on the construction progress in
the sanctuary and the work schedule. The current Phase 1, begun April 17, will
be completed by Advent 2006. The sanctuary will then be open from Advent 2006
until May 21, 2007. At that time the sanctuary will again close until October 5,
2007 for painting and initial installation of the organ. At that time only part
of the organ will be playable. But by December 25, 2007 the organ installation
and the project will both be completed.
Pastor Stewart asked that any comments or changes regarding the Calendar for
2006/7 be given to her by July 17th so it can be finalized.
Closing Items
The Chair reminded each group that their goals need to be completed and received
by the Executive Committee by July 19th.
Pastor Stewart announced that the theme for this church year is “discipleship”.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. after a
closing prayer by Pastor Stewart.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy McNamara, Clerk
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