Recorder: Robin Reinhold
Present: Roger Addor, Matt Early, Nancy MacLean, Bob Morse, Carl Murphy, Elsa Peters, Elinor Redmond, Robin Reinhold, Carrie Skeffington and Cyndi Alden.
Absent: John McCall, Peggy Murray, Gary Roberts, John Shoos, Phil Whitney.
The meeting was opened by Nancy at 6:35 p.m. followed by a reflection by Robin Reinhold (who filled for Gary Roberts).
The meeting minutes from the November meeting were reviewed and approved.
Minister’s Time – Elsa:
Elsa shared the upcoming church activities during advent: Eskimo cookie and fudge sale on December 18th, Christmas Pageant at 9:00 am service on December 18th, Family Potluck Christmas caroling at 4:00 pm, three services on Christmas Eve (5:00, 7:00, and 10:00), one service on Christmas Day at 10:00 am where people come in pajamas and bring cookies, one service on New Year’s Day at 10:00 am with communion.
General Business:
1. Nancy shared information about a proposal by Bob and Kris Buckwalter to the Mission and Outreach Board for a social services ministry (see Mission and Outreach minutes, 12/1/11). Nancy felt that this was a wonderful example of how our new structure of church teams can work in a positive way, where church members who have an idea can bring it forward to the teams and see what our church can do.
2. Margaret O’Connor has agreed to become a member of the Spiritual Life and Worship team. The Council unanimously approved this.
Church Budget Presentation by Cyndi Alden and Matt Early:
The Budget Committee met on 12/12/11 to discuss next year’s budget. There is currently a deficit of almost $62,000. Although this is a substantial deficit, Cyndi said that there are about 33 households who pledged a total of about $40,000 in 2011 that have not pledged yet for 2012. She is hopeful that these pledges will be submitted before the end of 2011.
Council members discussed different ways to reduce this deficit:
1. Contact the households who pledged last year but have yet to pledge this year, either by an email, a phone call, or both (there are currently 33 households that fall into this group).
2. Several Council members felt that the Council needs to know the priorities of the congregation before we begin cutting things out of the budget (if that is necessary to balance the budget). Many felt that it would be helpful to know what programming the congregation wants and what missions and programs the congregation wants to support.
3. Possible scenarios were discussed, including:
a. Propose 3 different budgets to the congregation with cuts in different areas and asking their opinion (with a vote perhaps?). Council members were concerned about what they would do if the voting was not definitive (e.g. it was split 3 ways).
b. Send out an email or make phone calls to church households who have already pledged asking for additional pledge money.
c. Send out a “Stay Tuned” email to all church members alerting them about a deficit in the budget for 2012.
Determinations:
1. Nancy will send out an email to the 33 church households who pledged last year but have yet to pledge this year.
2. The Budget Committee will meet 2 times in January before our next Church Council meeting to discuss the budget concerns further. Hopefully, the deficit will have been reduced when last-minute pledges are sent in.
New Business:
Stan Jordan asked the Council to discuss the possibility of building a soundproof “Quiet Room” in the back of the sanctuary where parents with young children can sit.
As a member of the ushering team, Stan has heard from several members of the congregation that babies and toddlers seem to be making too much noise during the services.
After some discussion, the Council determined that this would be a very expensive construction project and would also create some problems with fire exits. Alternative ideas were discussed:
1. In the nursery, in addition to having the sound from the service piped in, having a video piped in as well so parents of young children could feel that they are not missing the service when they stay with their children in the nursery.
2. Elsa shared that another church uses educational pew cards with rules of etiquette listed. Council members asked her to check on that.
Nancy will share the Council’s suggestions with Stan. This matter was tabled until February.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Thursday, January 19th at 6:30 p.m. Gary Roberts will be the recorder and opener.
