Governance

Annual Congregational Meeting – Feb. 5, 2012

The 193rd Annual Meeting
United Church of Christ, Congregational
Medina, Ohio
Sunday, February 5, 2012 11:30 am

We are called to live our Christian faith daily, loving God, growing spiritually, and serving others.
Matthew 22:36-39

Moderator Mark Woodling called to order the 193rd Annual Meeting of the United Church of Christ, Congregational, Medina, Ohio.  With 96 voting members in attendance, a quorum was present to conduct business.  The order of the day began with the Invocation delivered by Pastor Neal Sadler.

The Minutes from the February 2011 Annual Meeting were offered for review.  There being no comments or corrections, a motion was made by Stewart Jones, seconded by Stuart Root, to approve.  Motion carried and minutes will be filed.

Review of Staff and Leadership Team Reports
In the interest of brevity, reports from staff and Leadership Teams were clustered for review as follows:
Moderator, Church Clerk, Senior Pastor, Youth & Family Life Pastor (including Youth Fund financial reports), Director of Discipleship & Education, Director of Music, Hobby Horse Preschool.  No comments or questions.
Purpose Focused Leadership Teams: Worship Team Report (plus Joyous Message Ministry Report), Evangelism Team Report, Caring Team Report (plus Circle of Caring, Esther Circle, and Craftmakers Group Reports), Discipleship & Education Team Report (plus Library Team Report), Mission Team Report.
Mark Woodling clarified that the absence in the Annual Report of a report from the Justice & Witness Team is not an oversight.  No report was submitted by the J & W Team, with only small organizational steps having been made here in its first year of existence.
Barb Hubal noted that no Gathering Team Report is included in the Annual Report.  Mark suggested that this will be addressed next year.
Resource Focused Leadership Teams: Treasurer Report, Finance Team Report, Property & Grounds Team Report, Staffing Team Report, Stewardship Team Report.  No comments or questions.
Additional Leadership Teams: Reconciliation Team Report, Endowment Team Report, Memorial Gifts Team Report.  No comments or questions.
Attention was also drawn to the Annual Report of the Ushers in the Supplement to the 2011 Annual Report.

Review and Approval of Proposed 2012 Budgets
Members present were directed to the proposed Mission Budget for 2012 on page 44 of the 2011 Annual Report.  No questions were raised on the Mission Budget.

The Operating Budget for 2012 appearing in the Supplement to the 2011 Annual Report was reviewed with the following clarifications made and questions raised:
Treasurer Ron Greinke noted that total expenses budgeted for 2012 are 1% lower than total expenses budgeted for 2011.
Ron pointed out that the new arrangement with the part-time staff custodial team causes a shift in budget categories with Property & Grounds expenses reduced by approximately $9,000 and Staffing expenses increased by a similar amount, as the expense for the new custodians falls under staffing, whereas last year’s expense for service provided by contractor Mark’s Cleaning Service was a Property & Grounds expense.
Ron highlighted that the line for Utilities in the 2012 budget is down approximately $5,000.
On the negative side, Ron noted that pledged income for 2012 as of this date is down approximately $24,000.  On the plus side, he noted that the church generally spends about 6% under budget (about $30,000 under budget in 2011).  The church also has reserve funds that can be used, if necessary, to help close this gap.  Our cash reserve currently stands at 19% of the operating budget total.  Ron reviewed the church’s cash reserve guidelines as follows: the goal is 15%, not to exceed 20% or go below 10%.  While the proposed 2012 budget does contain a faith component, it should not be seen as an unrealistic stretch.
Mark Woodling noted that the Congregational Council, in a special poll completed on February 3, did approve the proposed budget by a 10-0 vote.
Finance Team Leader Pete Metzloff added reassurance that income and expenditures are reviewed monthly.  The Finance Team will raise concerns and suggest adjustsments, should the need arise.
Sam Lindsley asked how it happens that utility costs are decreasing.  Ron noted that the new insulation in Fellowship Hall has helped in this area (with thanks to the Property & Grounds Team for its efforts on this project), coupled with lower gas prices and the milder weather.  Dave Weber added that the Property & Grounds Team is now engaged in a study with First Energy with the aim toward further reducing electricity costs.  Dave thanked the P & G Team, the Finance Team, the Treasurer, and the Stewardship Team for all their faithful and diligent efforts as stewards of our church’s building and finances.
Bill Neal asked why our guidelines discourage reserves from going above 20%.  Ron explained that as a nonprofit and as a church, our goal is not to amass cash, but to support missions and programs.  That said, modest reserves do help the church weather income and expense fluctuations.

Barb Hubal made a motion that the proposed budgets be declared the Mission and Operating Budgets for 2012.  Shirley Nowak seconded.  Motion carried.

Other Business
The Roster of Leadership Teams, appearing in the Supplement to the 2011 Annual Report, was reviewed.
It was noted that Gil Brucken, last year serving as Council Liaison for the Stewardship Team, in 2012 will serve as Council Liaison for the Worship Team.
Mark Woodling highlighted other significant Leadership Team vacancies.  A new Clerk is needed; also needed are individuals to fill openings on the Stewardship, Caring (where a Council Liaison is needed), and Worship Teams (with a particular need on the Worship Team for a Gathering service representative).  The Time & Talent Team went unmanned all last year and its roster remains empty.  Individuals will hopefully come forward in 2012 to activate that Team.
Ken Hubal asked who one should see to learn about a particular Team or to volunteer.  Mark suggested that members could contact him, Carl Skorepa, Pastor Neal or Pastor Mariah.

Mark asked for a motion to approve the Leadership Rosters as presented, with a notation adding Gil Brucken as Worship Team Council Liaison.  Deb Waldron so moved; Matt Yates seconded.  Motion carried.  The installation of new and continuing Team Leaders was led by Pastor Neal.  The congregation acknowledged all the leaders with applause.

Pastoral Comments—Pastor Neal Sadler
Pastor Neal stated that it’s a joy to serve as pastor of this unique and diverse church.  With diversity comes challenges, a fact recognized even way back in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.  It is our reliance on God’s spirit, our dedication to service, and our shared worship that makes us one.
Pastor Neal highlighted the upcoming Leadership Team Retreat (February 25), inviting those who will be participating to come prepared to explore these questions: What is the compelling vision that joins us as a congregation?  How do we share the Good News?

Outgoing Moderator comments—Mark Woodling
Mark thanked the congregation for its kindness and support.  Specifically, he expressed gratitude to Pastor Neal, Pastor Mariah, Cindy Korecky, and Kelly Charnley for their guidance and patience throughout the past year.  Mark wished that he could take time to hold up many programs and individuals for recognition.  That being impossible, he did cite the following: Syd and Pete Benson for their work with the Circle of Caring, Nick North for his work with the Joyous Message Ministry, Dave Sinclair for his leadership of the Gathering Team, and Jane Langol for her dedicated service the past three years as Moderator Elect, Moderator, and Immediate Past Moderator.
On behalf of the congregation, Gil Brucken spoke words of thanks to Mark for his service and great focus as Moderator.  Dave Weber added words of thanks to the entire staff.

Incoming Moderator comments—Carl Skorepa
Addressing the congregation for the first time as Moderator, Carl asked for the congregation’s prayers and expressed excitement, on behalf of the whole church, in looking ahead to the coming year of working for and with God.  Recalling the words of the angel to Mary, Carl reminded all gathered, “With God, nothing shall be impossible.”

There being no additional business, Carl Skorepa declared the Annual Meeting adjourned.  Pastor Mariah led the congregation in a closing prayer, and all joined hands to sing “God Be With You.”

Respectfully recorded and submitted,
Dan Hunter
Clerk

Draft of Proposed New Constitution and Bylaws

For over 3 years, our congregation has been in the process of reviewing and revising our Constitution and Bylaws as directed by the Cabinet and the Congregation in its Visioning Process. A Constitution Revision Committee looked at the effectiveness of our present structure of Cabinet, Boards and Committees to determine if a new structure might better advance the work and mission of our church. Last May, the Committee presented to Cabinet the draft of a revised Constitution with a new organizational structure.

Over the summer months the draft of the Constitution was made available to congregational members and new Bylaws were written by the Boards and Committees for the proposed new Leadership Teams. During the fall, sermons by our pastors have focused on the mission of these new Purpose and Resource Leadership Teams. On Thursday, October 28th, the Cabinet voted to send the revised Constitution and Bylaws for action by the Congregation. A Congregational Meeting date is set for Sunday, November 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary for the purpose of adopting the revised Constitution and Bylaws. An information and discussion forum open to all members will be held on Sunday, November 14, at 11:30 a.m.

To view .doc (Microsoft Word) versions of these document, please click one of the following links (you can download .doc versions after clicking through): letter to the congregation,  Constitution, Bylaws.

To view .pdf (Adobe Reader) versions of these document, please click one of the following links (you can download .pdf versions after clicking through): letter to the congregation, Constitution, Bylaws.

You can also download .pdf versions directly from here (you’ll need to have Adobe Reader installed to view these files; if you’re not sure if you have Adobe Reader, please use one of the above links to read these documents online): letter to congregation, Constitution, Bylaws.