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| Council minutes, May 12, 2009 |
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Present: Jon Boldebuck, Barb Gallogly-Turner, Kristin Gorton , Phil Haslanger , John Hilliard, Kelly Jetzer, Gary Johnson, Michael Magness , Wendy Proctor , Ron Reichert, Shirley Robbins, Sonjia Short . Not Present: Keith Von Der Heide Pastor Phil led us in opening prayer. Minutes of the April meeting were approved as presented. Gary presented a report on the 2006 Building Campaign as of March 31, 2009. It is anticipated that the Park Bank loan will be paid in full in September 2009, after which principal and interest payments to the Ahrnsbrak Fund will begin. Our three-year pledges are about a net of $50,000 short as of March 31, 2009. Pastors' Reports ---Phil: --the confirmation class Biloxi trip is working out well. They will be joined by a group from Portland , OR , which will enhance their experience. --People from other nearby churches are joining in the adult Back Bay trip in October, but more participants are needed. --Another Inquirers' Class has been held, and several new members will join on Pentecost, May 31, or one of the Sundays after that. --Phil noted the large Clara Stucki funeral recently, and several baptisms. --He has been attending the Fitchburg "First Tuesday Breakfast" group, learning more about the community and acquainting people with Memorial UCC. --A plan is afoot to invite people of the community and church members to come in at noon to pray or meditate in our sanctuary. Low-key, since we don't really want crowds. --Phil belongs to the Wisconsin Conference Church and Ministry Commission and the Communications Task Force, and will be joining the Church Development and Renewal Team. (Ideas for Memorial UCC may come out of the latter.) The Conference is working on a reorganization plan. Because of falling revenue; there may be two associate conference ministers instead of four association ministers, and fewer staff people to support local churches. We will have a chance to give feedback on the reorganization. ---Kristin: --She invited all to participate in the May 30 Labyrinth Walk at Community of Hope UCC. -- The confirmation class is working on painting the Peace Pole. --She invited participation in ACT 7, a bike ride for AIDS support on August 6 to 9. Volunteers are needed to staff pit stops and water stops. There is a sign-up sheet for shifts. --Kristin will be a delegate to the Wisconsin Conference annual meeting for the McFarland UCC, and to the General Synod for the Wisconsin Conference. --One of Memorial UCC's Amazing Race teams has won the trophy, so our youth have retained the trophy wheel. Financial Report (John Hilliard for Keith Von Der Heide): Pledges are more than $5,000 below budget, but last year at this time they were $9,000 below budget. There has been a big increase in non-pledge income. Special events income is below budget, but early events have done well and the auction is still to come. Of our Road Home pledge of $1,000 (or more) in congregation contributions for 2009, just over $900 has been given already. Since money has been given for a Pastor's Discretionary Fund, this fund has been established as part of the Ahrnsbrak Family Fund. In an economy of job loss and homelessness, this fund is depleted early each month, so contributions are greatly needed. It was moved by Sonjia and seconded by Wendy that this report be approved. Motion carried. Committee Reports ---Trustees (Jon): no news. ---Adult Programming (Michael): A golf outing is being planned; the Strawberry Festival comes in June. Idea: put committee identification on name tags, so people can know whom to talk to about what. Michael will make color-coded slips of paper to drop into name tag holders. ---Children's Programming (Kelly): Picnic coming up, with organized games for the kids. VBS planning is well under way. Idea: a bookshelf for kids' books which can be taken home to read, and brought back. Attendance in church school has seemed about the same as last year. ---Membership (Wendy): Fitchburg Days planning for our food stand is well along, and VBS leaflets will be offered. Our goal is visibility, not fund-raising. The committee is contacting a professional provider of church directories, to schedule one for later this summer. ---Outreach (Barb): They are brainstorming educational programs on the agencies we contribute to with our Second Mile offering. The next meeting may be held jointly with Stewardship, to plan ways to help the congregation understand this offering. ---Worship (Sonjia): Betsy has stepped down as chair, and Sonjia will be the leader. Thought: Should the music people be given the option to be on this committee or not, thus making way for others in the congregation to take part? Sonjia predicted a very "fun" and colorful setting for Pentecost. ---Building and Grounds (Jon): Spring cleaning was rained out and is not yet rescheduled. Jon plans to get three carbon monoxide detectors for the church. Question: Do we plant a tree for every member who passes away? (If so, there are 13 trees to plant.) Consensus is that that would be too many trees, and lists can be made of (1) things the church needs, and (2) other appropriate items that people might like to pay for. Old Business ---Sponsorship requests: Phil doesn't want to decide on these alone. The Council assured him that we trust his judgment, but if he wishes, he can e-mail Council members for their input, especially if the situation is controversial. No money is involved in these requests. ---Custodial position: Trustees are interviewing three (3) separate parties. We have a cleaning service from Oregon that has been temporarily hired until we get a permanent party on board. New Business ---Associate Pastor Search Committee: Has met with Bob Mutton, is putting together a church survey shorter than the earlier one, will update the church profile. Wendy described the process being followed by the committee, saying it is a good working committee. ---Strategic Plan Committee: First meeting coming up on Wednesday, May 13. ---Wisconsin Conference delegates: It was moved by Jon and seconded by Mike to elect Lisa Schoenwetter and Nancy Potter (who have already consented to go). Motion carried. This was to conform to our Constitution. Adjournment Next meeting: June 9, 6:45 p.m. Shirley Robbins, Recorder |