Council Minutes – September 22, 2011
September 22, 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, Carl Skorepa, Jane Langol, Don Canfield, Dave Edinger, Beth Hari, Dave Weber, Ron Greinke, Dan Hunter (ex-officio)
Council Members Absent: Gil Brucken, Nick North, Becky Weber
Staff Present: Neal Sadler, Mariah Marlin-Warfield, Kelly Charnley, Vicki Marty
Call To Order & Opening
Moderator Mark Woodling called the meeting to order and opened with a devotional entitled “Changing Swords” (based on Isaiah 2:4), followed by a prayer. Joys and concerns of those present were shared. Dave Edinger made a motion calling for the approval of both the July 28 and August 28, 2011 Council minutes. Beth Hari seconded. Motion carried.
EOA Church Vitality Event
Pastor Neal shared an announcement about the EOA Church Vitality Roadshow to be held November 18-19 at Trinity UCC in Wooster. Participation of a pastor and at least three laypersons is required. Cost is $5 per person. Mark and Carl expressed interest in attending. Neal will solicit others.
UCC Mission: 1 Update
Beth reviewed Mission: 1 plans being formulated by the Mission Team. A church goal has been set at $1,111, to be split 50/50 between NIN and East African Relief. The Discipleship & Education Team is setting a Sunday School goal of $111, to be announced by 11-year olds. Donations of food items will also be sought. Three local food banks have been queried to ascertain specific needs. Dave Weber noted that the Justice & Witness Team will endorse and promote the letter-writing part of the campaign. Vicki Marty added that Hobby Horse will seek to gather 111 cans of soup. Key dates: Oct 9, campaign kick-off; Oct 23, J & W announcement about letter-writing project; Oct 30, D & E announcement about Sunday School/youth campaign; Nov 6, final campaign plea; Nov 13, announcement of campaign results. Buttons and bulletin inserts will be used throughout the campaign. Neal suggested creating a banner highlighting campaign results; Don Canfield will take this idea to the Evangelism Team. Pastor Mariah will check with Cindy Korecky and/or Chris Warfield to see if a link to the denomination’s Mission: 1 web page can be placed on our church’s website.
Custodial Update
Jane Langol updated Council on the plan formulated earlier this summer at the custodial needs meeting to explore hiring an on-campus 20-hour per week custodian. A job description is being developed, using one created in 2007 as a model. The Property & Grounds Team will provide updated job specs. Input will be sought from staff, as well. Jane (Staffing) and Dave Edinger (P & G) have met with one candidate so far, a custodial contractor who would dedicate one or two individuals to this position. This contractor already furnishes custodial personnel to two other churches. Jane has asked the Finance Team to earmark funds for this position as budgets are developed this fall. Meanwhile, Mark’s Cleaning Service and Derrel Larsen will maintain their current schedules.
Stewardship
Filling in for Gil, Mark reported that the Fall Stewardship Campaign has begun. An initial letter has been mailed out to all member households and Josh Olin delivered the first “Stewardship Moment” from the pulpit in moving fashion this past Sunday (September 18). Upcoming pulpit talks will be delivered by Cheri Ingraham (Sept 25), Mike Black (Oct 2), Kent Daugherty (Oct 9), and Carl Skorepa (Oct 16). Stewardship Sunday is October 23.
The consensus is to hold off on distributing a Time & Talents brochure till closer to Thanksgiving, so as not to distract from the focus of the Stewardship Campaign.
Mark is developing a letter highlighting the need for contributions to the capital improvement fund, to replenish reserves tapped for the recent drainage repair project (“The Big Dig”) and to build funds for future projects.
Dave Weber reminded Council that participation in the Stewardship Campaign (annually indicating one’s “Intended Level of Giving”) is a specific responsibility of active membership noted in our Constititution.
Brief Team Reports (Resource/Additional)
Hobby Horse Preschool: Vicki Marty reported that enrollment figures are looking good at 158, down just six from last year despite competition from a new preschool at St. Francis. Vicki asked when the Hobby Horse sign can be put back in place, as it was removed for repainting while “The Big Dig” and subsequent lawn re-seeding were in progress. Dave Edinger responded that the sign could be reinstalled at any time. Vicki also explained how Hobby Horse recently came to “donate” some tables to the church: a supplier sent the wrong- sized tables in response to an order for four new tables made by Hobby Horse and then offered that the incorrectly-sized tables did not have to be returned. Following up on a concern voiced at the August 28 Council meeting, Mark asked if Council should take steps to formally designate a liaison from Hobby Horse to Council. Vicki noted that she is comfortable knowing that she or someone from the Preschool Team can attend and speak at Council meetings when needed.
Finance: Ron Greinke reported that the total cost of “The Big Dig” project stands at $51,200 to date. After receiving specific donations for this project from 19 families, tapping future 2011 capital pledges from 42 families, and working with Kelly to re-allocate small amounts from some “dead end accounts” (funds left from past projects), the debt to our reserves now stands at approximately $9,450. On the subject of funds for capital projects, Ron added that starting in 2013, a percentage for capital projects will be added into the automatic split applied to undesignated income (currently 80% operating and 20% for benevolence, with no share to capital projects).
Property & Grounds: Dave Edinger reported that the P & G Team is starting to work on 2012 budget figures. As always, Dave noted, there are more needs than funds on the horizon. Dave noted that a candidate has come forward for the volunteer supply officer position. This will move forward once staff and P & G conduct orientation (reviewing supply lists and locations) with the candidate.
Brief Team Reports (Purpose)
Worship: Reporting for Nick North, Neal noted that Alive on the Square went smoothly and that fall worship services are in full swing with the choirs back in action. A fall sermon series “Growing in Christ,” based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, is being featured at 8:15 and 10:30 while the current theme of the Gathering service is “Feasting on the Word.” Neal also noted that the Worship Team will need to seek a replacement for Andy Honnert, who is soon to move out of the Medina area.
Evangelism: Don Canfield announced that new church brochures are being developed, using the talents of graphic design students at the Medina County Career Center. Neal suggested that our Teams should be solicited for input on the brochure’s written content. Neal added that we should work toward establishing design continuity in printed items, website, etc. Don also announced that new member classes will be held October 9 and 23. This will be the first time with the class format reduced from four to two sessions. Finally, Don noted that the Evangelism Team will be seeking to replace Amanda Honnert due to her upcoming move, adding that the Team is now down to three members.
Justice & Witness: Dave Weber announced that J & W will meet this Sunday (September 25) to discuss Mission: 1 and other opportunities. Mariah added that notes to corrections officers encouraged by the Chain-Breaking Faith group will be blessed this Sunday.
Discipleship & Education: Reporting for Becky Weber, Mariah noted that the Dr. Seuss-themed summer Sunday School series was well-received. Mariah added that a few teachers and shepherds are still needed for the new Sunday School/FISH year. Mariah noted that FISH did begin on September 18, as scheduled, but that the recognition/dedication of teachers was moved to September 25.
Caring: Neal reported for the Caring Team that this Saturday’s 50-year member luncheon has approximately 35 signed up. Brief discussion ensued as to ways this event might be expanded to include more members, e.g., adding members over a certain age or counting membership time a member may have had at another church.
Pastors’ Reports
Pastor Neal: Neal noted that there are still some spaces left for the “Managing Conflict” workshop to be held October 6 & 20 and November 3 & 10. (Note the new date for the last session.) Neal annnounced that November 12 will be the date for the Music Night being planned by Miki Saito, Nick North and Jim Kiser. A dinner that evening may possibly be put on by the Costa Rica group, to raise scholarship funds for future travelers on these trips. Neal also noted that he will be on vacation October 13-20 (visiting daughter Debby in Georgia) and that the EOA Fall Annual Meeting is on the calendar for October 29.
Pastor Mariah: Mariah shared that all three youth groups are off to a good start, with the elementary group being especially large. The high school group this year will gather once a month for a dinner meeting and once a month for an activity or fundraiser. High school youth will be seeking adult mentors from the congregation this year. An announcement will be made about this opportunity on October 9. On October 2, all youth will participate in the CROP Walk (the two-mile version) with a meeting following. Mariah also reported that confirmation is underway with eight boys and two girls comprising this year’s class. The confirmands will assist with the 50-year member luncheon and will attend Team meetings this fall. Stacie will be making announcements regarding Operation Christmas Child, with boxes to be packed on October 16. On October 23, elementary youth will make an announcement about collecting pop can pull tabs. October 23 is also the all-church hayride. From 11:00 to 3:00 on November 12, Mariah will conduct a preaching workshop for interested lay persons. This program includes lunch and must have a minimum of seven participants. Mariah also brought forth the idea of of a fair where different groups in the church would have a chance to highlight their ministries and recruit interested members. A program of this sort was last tried about ten years ago. Carl suggested that Mardi Gras might be a good time to put on such an event.
Important Dates
Saturday, September 24: Fifty-Year Member Luncheon
Sunday, October 2: NIN Offering and CROP Walk
Sunday, October 9: Mission: 1 Kick-Off
Sunday, October 23: Stewardship Sunday and Hayride
Saturday, October 29: EOA Fall Annual Meeting (New Philadelphia)
Saturday, November 12: Lay Preaching Workshop and Music Night
Friday & Saturday, November 18-19: EOA Church Vitality Roadshow (Wooster)
Closing
Mariah led the Council in closing prayer and Mark adjourned the meeting.
Next Council meeting: Thursday, October 27, 2011
Respectfully recorded and submitted, Dan Hunter, Clerk
