December 13, 2011    MUCC Council Meeting Minutes     

Our December meeting was hosted by Sonjia Short and Mike Croft at their home.  The meeting was brought to order by President Sonjia. The opening prayer was given by Pastor Phil.

Jon moved, Bobbie seconded approval of October meeting minutes and November unofficial meeting notes. Motion carried.

Jon provided the November financial report.  Kelly moved, Josh seconded approval of both the October and November reports. Motion carried. Things have definitely improved since earlier in the year.  Indications are we may reach our budget target (which is still $7,000 negative). Contributions were made from the Endowment fund for MARC and ARC-Dane County.  The Craft and Cookie sale brought in $1,900 for a scholarship for a youth from our Christmas Lutheran Church partnership.

Gary presented the preliminary 2012 Budget.  The good news is that our stewardship drive was quite successful, bringing increases in existing pledging and several new pledges to enable a balanced and potentially positive budget for 2012.  No further action was needed at the moment.  We will have the final budget for review at our January meeting.

Jon moved, Elliot seconded to allocate $20,000 of Pastor Phil’s salary and all of Pastor Leah’s $26,590 salary to their respective housing allowances for 2012.  Motion carried.

Pastor Phil reported that the generosity of our members and friends to the discretionary fund and other mission giving helped a wide variety of people and good works. Recent and upcoming events include Lisa Schoenwetter’s 25-year ordination celebration; the fund-raising concert for the Allied Drive music student netted enough to purchase not only a viola, but also a bow; a ham radio operator swap fest, Feb 11th, January 8th Church renewal workshop that 10 MUCC folks have signed up to attend, and he and Ellen will be gone for our January 10th council meeting, visiting family and leading a memorial service for his Aunt Gwen in Seattle.

Pastor Leah reported that the youth raised $45 for the Salvation Army at their gathering at the Bessemers’. She is exploring options for raising $500 for a film screening of the film “Misrepresentation” about how women are depicted in the media. She is working out details for the Urban Immersion Retreat for our Confirmation youth in February and trip to Atlanta this summer. There are 9 youth planning to participate so far.  Also exploring how to weave the youth more actively into our church life.

Considerable discussion ensued about the sprinkler system failure and need to replace the compressor and make other repairs.  The anticipated expense will need approval at our January meeting when we know the exact amount.  We directed the Trustees to proceed with the repairs.

Care packages were assembled and sent to our college students.  New members and visitors are finding us via the website.  Becky Proctor will be making a trip to Costa Rica this summer.  We approved her asking the congregation to provide personal supplies, e.g., toothpaste, shampoo, etc., for the people she will be serving.

Memorial will be the location for a MUM training session in March for released prisoners to learn how to integrate back into regular life.

Worship committee asks for volunteers to help decorate the church for Christmas on Thursday evening, Dec 22nd at 6:00 PM.

Old Business
Cottage Meetings follow up – We will discuss goals for 2012 at our January meeting.

New Business
Nominees for council terms.  We will need 3 new council members to be elected and 1 to be appointed to fill Kelly’s one remaining year.  A number of members were suggested.  Nona moved, Kelly seconded establishing a nominating committee of Sonjia, Jon, John Hilliard and one additional non-council member.  Sonjia will report back at the January meeting.

Discussion of Phil’s eligibility for sabbatical – Bobbie moved, Josh seconded approval of counting two years of Phil’s previous half-time employment as our Associate Pastor to count as one year of his 5 year work requirement for a sabbatical.  This means he will be eligible for a sabbatical in 2013. Motion carried. The Trustees will need to be sure to plan for any additional costs for that year.

Annual reports for all of the committees are due to Jean Tuesday, Dec 20th

We closed our session to discuss arrangements for staff Christmas gifts.  Josh was assigned to take care of this as we agreed.

Jon moved, Bobbie seconded to adjourn the meeting.


Next Meeting:  January 10, 2012,     7:00 PM