Recorder: Jess Proctor
Attendees: Jan Bosse – Co Chair, Sarah Randall – Co Chair, Vicki Strike, Jessica Proctor, Mike Kasputes, Suzanne Linder, Richard Parker, and Pastor Peters.
OPENING: Richard opened the meeting with a devotional reading. Mail distributed for committee members to review.
DECEMBER MINUTES: Minutes approved as submitted.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mike distributed the report. See report for details.
QUICK DISCUSSIONS:
Giving Tree: Sarah was able to collect 30 names from Long Creek and provide individual envelopes for the tree in record time. It was decided to update the contact outreach assignment list and connect with organizers prior to events. We experienced last minute confusion because assumptions were made the previous organizers were accomplishing the task.
Mitten Hat Tree: Bob and Andrea Morse asked about the giving tree and was given the green light to move forward on this event.
ACTION: Jan to send email to those responsible for assignments. Notes will be compiled on how to proceed with each project in the event the organizer is unable to fulfill the commitment.
Thank you notes: In addition to the organizations (Community Crisis Ministries, Grace Street, Serenity House, Family Crisis Services ) listed on the agenda, we received notes from Maine Council of Churches, Preble Street, UCC – Mission 1, Mission Mall – Preble Street, and Gary’s House.
Mission Sunday: We have a choice of either April 15th or April 22nd for Worship. The group decided not to pursue this year due to lack of moving topic.
Special Offerings: Our next offering is the One Great Hour of Sharing in March and a Beacon announcement will be composed and submitted. At a future meeting we will select an agency for our Easter offering.
Methodist Church Invitation: We’ve been invited to join the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church for supper and a cultural event. January 15, 5-7 p.m. All are welcome.
MINISTER’S MOMENT:
Elsa discussed the next Mission Trip. Scott Berry is leading the group and has been charged with creating a deadline of commitments. Upon compiling educational pieces in response to poverty, Elsa found information on SNAP and a food challenge. SNAP, the State of Maine’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, challenges individuals to live on SNAP benefits of $31.50 per person per week. Elsa inquired if there was interest in exploring an activity or supporting this idea. A suggestion was to make a sacrifice during Lent. The group agreed to support and brainstormed names of folks who might be interested. Elsa will move forward with organizing a group.
OLD BUSINESS:
Agency Updates: Richard suggested several attributes to consider when reporting on agencies. These include: Spiritual, Basic Human Needs (food, shelter clothing), open and affirming, paths of income, need, “bang for a buck”, and location. He also suggested adjusting allocation based on showing support versus need. For example, an organization which receives millions of dollars from various funding could receive $100 to show our support where another organization who receives very little funding would benefit from $1000. We also discussed contacting these organizations yearly to touch base. Once the assessments are done, these contacts should be fairly easy to accomplish.
ACTION: All committee members are to complete their agency reviews by our next meeting and we’ll use the February meeting to present as many as possible.
ACTION: Richard to create and share a matrix and cover sheet for these attributes.
NEW BUSINESS:
Micah Project: Jan reported a successful Micah project on 12/26. Several congregation members served breakfast at Preble Street. A great turnout with lots of potato cutting.
CLOSING: Richard closed the meeting with a devotional reading.
NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, February 2nd. Please note Jan will be feeding us
Devotions – Kristen Silvia
Recorder – Suzanne Linder
