Recorder: Debbie Riley
Attending: Debbie Riley, Tex Hauser, Elaine Brownell, Sue Stevens, Dana Wiggins, John McCall, and Claude Vachon.
Meeting Leader: Sue Stevens
Opening Prayer: Claude Vachon
The minutes were approved as written by Sue Stevens.
John McCall :
• The Sunday Book Group is reading Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell. There are 15 – 20 people who attend. The discussions have been lively and interesting.
• The Communion Service this Sunday, November 6, 2011 will be offered in silence.
• There will be a special Advent worship opportunity offered by Elsa on Monday evenings beginning on November 28th at 7:00 p.m., Iona – Taizé. “Iona Community is a Christian ecumenical community working for peace and social justice, rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship. Taizé community has been inspired by two aims: to live in communion with God through prayer and to be a leaven of peace and trust in the midst of the human family.”
• Christmas is on a Sunday this year. We will have our traditional three services on Saturday evening at 5:00 (Baby Jesus’ Birthday), 7:00 and 10:00 (Lessons and Carols). On Sunday morning there will be an informal Carol sing at 10:00 a.m. in lieu of the regular worship service.
• Members to be Put on the Inactive List – It is a disappointing and difficult task to request that members of FCC UCC be put on the inactive list. These folks have not attended worship services or supported the church for three years or more. A motion was made by Tex to send letters to 49 members requesting that they decide to continue their affiliation or be put on the inactive list. The motion was seconded by Debbie.
• Budget Update – The Finance Forecasting Group including John and seven other FCC members have observed the following trends: declining membership; flat income; $50,000 of the current church income is based on income from older members whose pledges will cease when they die; current salary and compensation packages for our salaried and hourly employees are not in line with other churches. The committee would like to bring these into line with current salaries.
• Coffee Hour – SLW November 27th The following members will assist with Coffee Hour on November 27th :
• Set up: Sue and Elaine
• Serve: Tex, Claude, Dana
• Sign – up Volunteers for Soup Supper, Elder luncheon: Debbie
• Communion Servers, Greeters, Ash Wednesday: Debbie
• Acolytes: Debbie
• The Music Committee would like help with a reception after the Vesper service on Sunday, December 11th. They would like SLW to facilitate food and beverages for that evening.
• Dana reported that the SLW budget remains stable again this year. We are slightly under budget on most items, but over budget on Altar Care and Worship supplies.
• Sue Stevens generously offered to be our representative Deacon at the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service at Thornton Heights Church on Sunday November 20 at 7:00 p.m. Claude will put an article in the Beacon about this Thanksgiving Service.
• Children’s Communion – EG&F continues to work on a plan to include children in the sacrament of Communion. Members of the SLW Committee have thoughtful opinions about this possible change. We look forward to reading the minutes of that committee to find out what they have decided to do with regard to Children’s Communion.
The meeting adjourned around 9:00 p.m.
Next meeting is Thursday, December 1st at 7:00. Debbie will be responsible for the agenda and for leading the meeting, Claude will take minutes and Elaine will lead us in prayer.
