Council Minutes – 5/26/2011
Medina United Church of Christ, Congregational
May 26, 2011 Congregational Council Meeting Minutes
We are called to live our Christian faith daily, loving God, growing spiritually and serving others.
Matthew 22:36-39
Council Members Present: Mark Woodling, Jane Langol, Carl Skorepa, Don Canfield, Nick North, Beth Hari, Becky Weber, Dave Weber, Gil Brucken, Ron Greinke, Dan Hunter (ex-officio)
Council Members Absent: Dave Edinger
Staff Present: Mariah Marlin-Warfield
Call To Order & Opening
Moderator Mark Woodling called the meeting to order and opened the meeting with prayer, a reading of Hebrews 12:1-3, and a short inspirational essay about keeping one’s eye on the hole in the golf game of life. Beth Hari moved that the April 28, 2011 Council minutes be approved as written. Jane Langol seconded. Joys and concerns of those present were shared.
Capital Project Strategy
Mark and Gil Brucken led a discussion prompted by a recent request made by Building & Grounds to the Stewardship Team for help with fundraising for capital projects. Approximately $100,000 is needed for near-term projects that include solving the crawlspace water problem and tower repairs. Fundraising approaches could range from a series of mini-campaigns (like the church has conducted in recent years for parking lot replacement and Fellowship Hall repairs) to a larger campaign involving multi-year pledges and aiming toward a goal in the neighborhood of $350,000. This approach would enable the church to tackle a longer prioritized list of projects already identified by Building & Grounds, some of which might be less expensive to address sooner than later. The church has not staged a large campaign since the 1970s. As was noted by Dave Edinger at last month’s Council meeting, Gil again acknowledged the church’s general aversion to borrowing, but explained that with a multi-year campaign, projects can be begun with money paid in the first year and the church could then borrow against funds pledged in the subsequent years of the campaign, enabling further work to proceed. Opinions varied as to whether banks like or dislike loaning money to churches. Dave Weber suggested that we seek guidance from the National, Ohio Conference or Association offices. Jane Langol expressed a preference for the short-term approach, involving a series of targeted, well-articulated campaigns that are within the financial grasp of the congregation. Carl Skorepa asked if we should think bigger, recalling the multi-million dollar strategic model developed several years ago. Pastor Mariah and Don Canfield spoke in favor of a blended approach, something between a one-goal campaign and large multi-year campaign. It was noted that pledge cards in recent years have offered members the option to designate pledged money for capital projects in addition to the traditional operating and benevolence categories. (Unspecified funds are still allocated 80% for operating , 20% for benevolence and 0% for capital projects.) It was reported that 41 pledges now include gifts to the capital improvement fund and suggested that this option should be more heavily promoted in the regular annual stewardship pledge campaigns. Bringing the discussion back to immediate needs, Ron Greinke noted that Bruce Bauer from Building & Grounds has recently stated that the problem of water in the crawlspace really needs to be addressed “right now.” Jane made a motion, seconded by Becky Weber, that Council make a recommendation to Building & Grounds that they move ahead with work toward solving the crawlspace water problem using existing capital funds. The cost of the project, approximately $26,000 will use nearly all funds designated for capital improvements currently in-hand, but the problem is deemed urgent and the seasonal window is here. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion on capital project fundraising will be ongoing. Building & Grounds will be encouraged to share its list of coming projects and costs. Other Stewardship Team concerns: Gil is still “a man without a committee.” Steve Anderson and Debi Peterson have recently been approached about serving on Stewardship and have declined. Mark will make pulpit announcements to encourage prospective Stewardship and Time & Talent Team members. Jane also noted, excepting the band concert ice cream social and mission trip auctions, that we are a church with no fundraisers.
Communications
Dave Weber is temporarily serving as point person in our campaign to improve communications. Dave recently trained with Chris Warfield to learn how to make changes to the website. A specific tab for Leadership Team Updates has been added to the homepage. Dave shared sample “condensed” Team minutes or notes of the sort that will be posted under this tab. These samples should be shared with all Team leaders and scribes; Teams can decide who will handle the writing of these condensed postings. The hope is that these efforts will improve communications between the Teams and the larger congregation and, ultimately, with the outside community. Mark added that Teams still need to keep detailed meeting minutes and that these should always be copied to Cindy in the office. Chris was able to bring us back from a recent website crash and, in doing so, made the suggestion, in consultation with Keith Hagans, that our server be moved to a permanent location at an estimated cost of $5 per month. The Evangelism Team budget will cover this expense. Dan Hunter suggested that we explore a way to measure traffic on the church website. Dave also noted that an effort is being made to monitor bulletin space, to see that blank pages are used and that items repeated too often are removed when appropriate. The idea of an electronic bulletin board is still being explored. Toward the goal of improving communications between Teams as we look ahead toward the new church year, Dave announced that a Leadership Picnic has been proposed for late August (tentatively the 28th) at Neal and Carolyn’s. Council members and Team chairs would be invited to enjoy food & fellowship and to share visions for the coming year.
Brief Resource Team Reports
Finance: Ron Greinke reported that Kelly Charnley and Pete Metzloff have consolidated the church’s banking from two banks down to one (phasing out Wells Fargo, continuing with FirstMerit). In doing so, annual fees were negotiated from $1,100 to $400. Ron also noted that the operating budget, in spite of the current $5,046 deficit, is on target relative to the budget through April 30.
Stewardship: Gil asked for prayers that new Stewardship Team members will come forward.
Time & Talent: Carl voiced a similar hope on behalf of the unmanned Time & Talents Team.
Brief Purpose Team Reports
Evangelism: Don Canfield reported that the Evangelism Team will be serving free lemonade and popcorn in the churchyard at the Memorial Day parade as a means to promote the church. Helpers will gather at 9:00.
Mission: Beth Hari noted that the Mission Team will work on disaster kits this summer. She added that the Team will suspend regular meetings in the summer months.
Justice & Witness: Dave Weber reported that the Justice & Witness Team is defining its mission as one of education and the promotion of discussion. For example, a panel on Senate Bill 5 may be planned for October. The Team will generally try to avoid dividing the congregation by endorsing a particular view, but will seek to deepen the congregation’s understanding of highlighted issues.
Discipleship & Education: Becky Weber noted that Confirmation Sunday will be reviewed with an eye toward increasing participation of the congregation at large. Vacation Bible School is set to kick off on June 13. The Union Square/Let’s Make A Difference VBS runs the following week at Mellert Park, with our church taking responsibility for programming and snacks on June 21. The senior high mission trip is set for July 24-30.
Worship: Nick North reported that lay leaders will cover the 8:15 service on infrequent occasions when both Neal and Mariah have conflicts. Nick and Arnold Ingraham will provide this back-up initially. Andy Honnert has taken over leadership of the JMM worship service at the County Home, with Alice Metzloff providing music. Attendance for this program has gone from 3-4 to 14-15 at each service. Nick also announced that he is working with Miki Saito to develop a musical fundraiser for this fall.
Additional Team Reports
Endowment: Jane Langol announced that the Endowment Team will be selling notecards featuring photographs of our church’s stained glass windows. The objective of this project, more than raising money, is raising awareness about the Endowment Fund.
Pastors’ Reports
Pastor Mariah: Pastor Mariah thanked Mark and Beth for attending the May 1 afternoon Confirmation service and reiterated that the Confirmation service will be reviewed to encourage greater attendance. Medina High School’s Baccalaureate service is June 2. Mariah is one of the coordinators of this event and three of our congregation’s graduating seniors are participating. The middle school youth mission trip to Cincinnati was a success. A report on the trip will be presented at the 9:00 and 10:30 services on June 5. With the high school mission trip to Philadelphia coming up in July, two more fundraisers are planned: a car wash (date TBA) and a Summer Service Day (July 10) where youth will solicit donations for tasks performed around the church’s building and grounds. Lastly, Mariah announced that Karen Leidy completed her licensure interview today and is now officially licensed. In celebration of this achievement, Karen will be preaching at the 8:15 and 10:30 services on Partners in Ministry Sunday, June 5.
Pastor Neal: Mark delivered this report for vacationing Pastor Neal. On Sunday, August 7, our church will host the Homeland Singers. This is the same Sunday that senior high youth will share reflections on their mission trip. There will likely be one unified service that day with the Homeland Singers doing a short performance during the service, a picnic lunch being served at 11:00 in the churchyard (with Cindy Korecky’s husband and others grilling), and then a full program performed by the Homeland Singers at noon. A free will offering will be taken to cover the food and the music. Neal suggests that a minumum $500 honorarium should be given to the musical group. If the offering is inadequate to cover this $500, a source of additional funds should be ready. The music budget was suggested; Jane also suggested that memorial gifts could be approached for this purpose. Neal’s report also provided additional information on the November music event being planned by Miki Saito, mentioned earlier by Nick. Tentative dates are November 5 or 12. A dinner may be part of the evening, perhaps a more casual version of Music Under the Stars from a few years back. Neal noted that Chef Eric Whyard, who led the Gourmet Club that prepared the meal for that event, is no longer in Medina. Beth suggested that she and Lynn Leckie might be able to help coordinate the food for such an event. Neal’s report also suggested that this event could possibly be an Empty Bowls fundraiser, a program the Mission Team has expressed interest in putting on. Beth commented that an Empty Bowls program likely requires more lead time and that the Team may consider doing Empty Bowls in April 2012. Other quick items from Neal’s report: Partners in Ministry Sunday (June 5) will include Leila Jindry and Barb Hubal’s participation in the 9:00 service; a staff planning meeting is set for June 7 (preliminary calendar prep for the coming program year); new members will be received on June 12 at all three services; a coordinator for the June 24 band concert ice cream social is still needed; Costa Rica plans continue (9 are committed); an August 13 Cleveland Indians outing is being planned by the Men’s Group; a Prayer Shawl Blessing is planned for August 14 (Mary Ann Blosser and others); plans are underway for the 50-year member luncheon in September (Syd Benson, Beth Hari).
Important Dates
Sunday, June 5: Partners in Ministry Sunday
Friday, June 10: Ohio Conference Annual Meeting begins
Saturday, June 11: Reconciliation Team Event
Saturday, June 11: Amish Dinner Outing
Sunday, June 12: Pentecost/New members join/Strengthen The Church offering
Monday, June 13: VBS begins
Sunday, June 19: Father’s Day/VBS Sunday
Monday, June 20: Costa Rica departure
Friday, June 24: Band concert ice cream social
Sunday, July 24: Senior High misssion trip departure
Sunday, August 7: Homeland Singers (unified service, picnic lunch)
Sunday, August 28: Leadership Picnic (tentative)
Sunday, September 11: Alive On The Square & community 9/11 observance
Other Comments
With all the recent weather disasters, Carl asked what if a disaster hit Medina? How could we help? How could our building space be used? How could our response be coordinated with other churches? Conversations with the Medina County Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross might be worthwhile. Carl and Mark will do some exploration on this subject.
Closing
Carl led the Council in closing prayer and Mark adjourned the meeting.
Next Council meeting: Thursday, June 23, 2011
Respectfully recorded and submitted, Dan Hunter, Clerk
