November 17, 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: Carl Skorepa, Jane Langol, Beth Hari, Nick North, Dave Weber, Dan Hunter (ex-officio)
Council Members Absent: Mark Woodling, Gil Brucken, Don Canfield, Dave Edinger, Ron Greinke, Becky Weber
Staff Present: Neal Sadler, Kelly Charnley, Vicki Marty
Call To Order & Opening
Moderator Elect Carl Skorepa called the meeting to order and opened with a personal reflection on the question, “Where will I meet God today?” Carl, Kelly Charnley, and Beth Hari shared “meeting God” moments. Formal approval of the Council minutes from both September 22 and October 27, 2011 was postponed, lacking a quorum.
Finance Update
Kelly reviewed figures on the operating budget statement which shows a $12,000 gain through 10-31-2011. She noted that Property & Grounds are below budget at present largely because snowplowing and boiler maintenance contracts have not yet been paid and that income is coming in nicely for this point in November.
Stewardship Update
Kelly reported that 166 pledges have been returned through 11-15-2011, totalling $363,569 (Operating $292,656.70; Mission $55,514.80; Capital Funds $15,397.50). This far into the campaign last year, we were at 174 pledges totalling approximtely $353,000.
UCC Mission: 1 Update
Beth reported results of the Mission: 1 campaign. Approximately $2,300 cash was raised and sent to UCC National, to be divided between Neighbors In Need and the denomination’s East Africa Famine Relief Fund. Food items, including 255 cans of soup donated by Hobby Horse (over twice the 111 goal), boxes of cereal from FISH youth, and other general items donated by the congregation at-large, were divided equally between Medina Community Services Center, the Medina Methodist Food Pantry, and the St. Paul Free Farmer’s Market. As a partial “matching gift,” the Mission Team released from its Local Mission Fund a $500 cash donation to each of these organizations. Through the efforts of the Justice & Witness Team, an uncounted number of letters was sent to various legislators in support of more responsive and hunger-sensitve food policies.
Holiday Decorating
Neal reported that some holiday decorating has already begun and that the tree in the sanctuary will be lit the evening of the Candlelight Walk (November 19). Volunteers will gather to do the remaining decorating on November 20 at 3 pm, with pizza afterwards. The process is being made easier by better marking of “what goes where” and photos.
Hobby Horse Preschool Bylaws
Vicki Marty presented the proposed Hobby Horse Preschool Bylaws, expressing appreciation of Linda Fenn’s efforts in doing most of the writing of this document. Upon approval, these bylaws will be added to the compilation of the other Team bylaws. Vicki noted that many other written procedures underly this document and clarified that Kelly Charney is the Bookkeeper/ Accountant referenced. The document was favorably received by Council with a vote for approval tabled until a quorum is present at a future meeting.
Brief Team Reports (Resource/Additional)
Finance: Kelly reported that work is underway on 2012 budgets, to be completed as pledging wraps up. Insurance bids will be reviewed in January.
Property & Grounds: Neal reported that P & G Liaison Dave Edinger is recovering from a back injury.
Staffing: Jane Langol updated Council on the custodian search. Four candidates are scheduled to be interviewed (preliminary phone interviews having been completed) and a fifth may be added. A second round of interviews will involve a larger interviewing team. The goal is to have someone in place and on the job starting January 1. Jane noted that the tentative schedule for the custodian will be five days, 9:30 to 1:30. She added that it is being made clear that this is at-will employment with no benefits and a probationary period.
Endowment: Jane reported the the Endowment Fund has diminished in value from $139,000 to $132,000 (approximate numbers) due to portfolio losses. Founders’ Day, when Endowment Fund awareness is promoted, will be February 12. As a fundraiser, a heritage quilt may be donated to be raffled.
Reconciliation: Neal noted that the four-session “Managing Conflict” workshop was well-received. The number of participants ranged from 14 to 22.
Hobby Horse Preschool: Vicki reported that Hobby Horse Christmas activities (“Nativity Days”) will take place in Fellowship Hall on December 7 & 8. Vicki added that Hobby Horse will be doing some marketing by presenting an open “story time” program in the Community Room and distributing flyers through various organizations and moms’ clubs. Vicki also noted that Barb Kiser’s position is being kept open while Barb undergoes medical treatments with the help of subs and other staff members filling in.
Brief Team Reports (Purpose)
Worship: Nick North reported that recent resignations (Andy Honnert & Hilary Mayclin) have left the Worship Team further shorthanded. Two representatives are now needed from the 9:00 service and one additional rep is needed from both the 8:15 and 10:30 services. Jim Kiser is still acting as interim Worship Team leader and the secretary position continues to rotate. Nick noted that the November 12 music program organized by Miki Saito was well-attended. That same day, the preaching workshop presented by Mariah had 8-10 participants. Nick announced that a new organ tuner will be engaged and that the budget for organ tuning and maintenance will be increased by $500. Nick added that Dave Edinger and Jim Kiser are looking into ways to warm the organ chamber, a recommendation that should help with tuning. Noontime organ recitals by Cathy Fafrak and Elaine Brent will be presented on the following Fridays in Advent: December 2, 9 & 11. Neal shared that Mariah will be organizing high school youth to help at the 10:30 service on the first Sunday of each month starting in February. Nick also hopes to line up youth to help with JMM services in the coming months.
Evangelism: Neal reported that several are planning to attend the November 18-19 Church Vitality workshop in Wooster with him: Don Canfield, Amanda Honnert, Crell Johns, Dave Sinclair, and Carl Skorepa. He added that the Gathering Team will be handing out candy canes at the November 19 Candlelight Walk.
Caring: Neal reported that current Caring Team undertakings are going smoothly: poinsettia ordering, delivery of crafts to older members and friends of the church, coffee hour sign-ups.
Discipleship & Education: Neal noted that a letter highlighting Advent activities for youth, families and all members will be mailed out.
Mission: Beth Hari reported that the Mission Team is disbursing budgeted funds ahead of the year-end. Beth noted that Dave Edinger has asked if the Mission Team could cover the cost of cleanup after AA meetings, since AA is a Mission endeavor. Vicki added that AA needs to take better care to clean up after itself and that Dave has talked to AA leaders about this. It was generally agreed that this clean-up expense should not fall to the Mission Team budget. Jane suggested that concerns of this sort should be better addressed once a part-time custodian is on staff. On a different subject, Beth noted that the Mission Team may purchase plastic food containers for the Tremont church as those who volunteer in the mission project there are always challenged by a lack of storage containers. Beth also announced that the Empty Bowls Event, tentatively scheduled a short time back for this coming April 21, will be moved to the fall. Neal suggested November 12 or 13, 2012 as possible dates. Neal announced that the earlier-mentioned dinner and music night held November 12 netted $1,168 for the Costa Rica Mission Trip Scholarship Fund. Dinner was served to 105 and approxiamtely 120 attended the music program. Neal noted that this was a very encouraging response, raising enough to cover costs in Costa Rica (not including travel to Costa Rica) for two future participants.
Justice & Witness: Dave Weber put in a word of thanks to Mark Amstrong for doing the pulpit appeal for the letter-writing portion of the Mission: 1 Campaign.
Pastors’ Reports
Pastor Neal: Neal reported that the November 4 Men’s Fellowship Event at Abbottino’s, featuring a speaker from the group “Warriors Journey Home,” saw about 20 turn out, including a few attendees from First Christian Church (FCC) and Second Baptist. Jane applauded the effort to make programs such as this open to our neighbor churches. Vicki noted that some of our members should be sure to attend the upcoming installation of Cornell Carter at Second Baptist. Dave recalled that teams from our church used to visit services at other churches in the county. Nick offered that this might be a practice that the Worship Team could re-institute. Neal also gave an update on the upcoming Costa Rica mission trip (February 12-21). Seven are slated to participate from our congregation and six from the Chicago area. It is hoped that the team will help build two houses on this trip. To cover the $4000 cost of adding a second house into the plans, $2500 has been pledged by the Chicago group with the remainder to be covered by us.
Neal announced that the space at Western Reserve Masonic Community (WRMC) has been reserved for our February 11 Leadership Team Retreat. Neal and Carl will continue to work on the planning for this event. Jane asked if the Christmas Eve services could be changed and “refreshed” in some manner. Neal noted that most prefer traditional Christmas Eve services, but will review these services ahead of next year.
Important Dates
Friday & Saturday, November 18-19: EOA Church Vitality Roadshow (Wooster)
Saturday, November 19: Candlelight Walk
Sunday, November 20: Sanctuary decorating
Saturday, November 26: Salvation Army bell-ringing
Sunday, November 27: Advent begins
Wednesday, November 30: Advent Family Fun Night
Sunday, December 4: Choir Christmas Program (10:30 service)
Sunday, December 11: Children’s Christmas Pageant (10:30 service)
Friday, December 16: Family Movie Night (includes Let’s Make A Difference group)
Sunday, December 18: Youth Group Christmas Parties
Saturday, December 24: Christmas Eve (6:00, 9:00, 11:00)
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day (one service 10:30)
Sunday, January 1: New Year’s Day (one service 10:30, Service of Remembrance)
Sunday, February 5: Hymn Sing Service and Annual Meeting
Saturday, February 11: Leadership Team Retreat (WRMC)
Sunday, February 12: Founders’ Day
Wednesday, February 22: Ash Wednesday Service @ FCC
Closing
Neal led the Council in closing prayer and Carl adjourned the meeting.
Next Council meeting: Thursday, January 26, 2011
Respectfully recorded and submitted,
Dan Hunter, Clerk
