Recorder: Elaine Brownell
ATTENDING: Dana Wiggins, Claude Vachon, Tex Haeuser, Margaret O’Connor, Elaine Brownell, and John McCall.
OPENING PRAYER: Claude Vachon.
REVIEW OF DECEMBER MINUTES: Approved as read.
QUESTION FROM MARGARET REGARDING OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP ON SL&W: Dana will formally check with Council, let John know, and announce in Beacon. Claude suggested that we announce new members to all committees in the bulletin (with the individual’s permission).
MINISTER’S TIME (John):
• 2011 Budget- end of year in great shape – only $1500 deficit
• 2012 Budget – Pledges are 6 – 8% fewer in dollars and there is a $50,000 gap between
requests and revenues. On Sunday, January 29th, 3 budgets will be proposed:
1) Austerity – cut expenses to reflect income.
2) Ideal – propose requests with significant deficit
(2 – 3% increase for staff – no change since 2009).
3) Intermediate – some deficit but reduce expenditures –
possibly include some staff increases.
Looking for direction from congregation.
• Worship Calendar Shared – (1/1/12 – 6/24/12)
Corrections and changes were noted:
1) Founders’ Day moved back to 5/6
2) Sunday School ending 5/20
3) All church picnic scheduled later – 6/3
• Lent – John and Elsa are creating Lenten Themes and will share their plans at the next
Meeting
• EG&F – is hosting 3 conversations regarding “children and communion” (1/8/12,
1/15/12, and 2/5/12 – all at 11:30 in Davidson Lounge). Members of SL&W are planning on attending, if possible.
• Confirmation – Plans for this year’s confirmation program are in the works under the
direction of Elsa and Mary Ann Wallace. Positive comments were made re: the positive and meaningful relationships which develop between Confirmand and sponsor.
COMMUNION DISCUSSION: In anticipation of creating 2 teams of communion servers who would alternate services from October thru June (July, August, and September would be by intinction), the following was decided:
• Tex will announce in church this next Sunday that we are looking for parishioners who would like to serve communion on a regular basis.
• Dana will develop a sign-up sheet to be placed in the Narthex during that service and check “archives” for former servers.
• Margaret will place a note in the bulletin and in the Beacon.
• Elaine will check with Jen in the office re: results of “interest surveys” pertaining to participation opportunities.
The discussion regarding the idea of Deacon of the Month was postponed.
FEEDBACK REGARDING RECENT RECEPTIONS AND SERVICES:
• Dana reported that the Vesper reception went very well – plenty of food and festive
atmosphere. Kudos to the Music Committee and Shirley for their organization and
Creative planning for an enjoyable evening.
• John reported positive feedback on Christmas Eve services which were well attended. Elaine added one comment with re: to 7:00 service. She found it hard to hear/understand all of the speakers and, consequently, to follow the lessons.
NEXT COMMITTEE TO REPORT: Dana will ask Sandy Hanson (Narthex Committee) to attend
our Feb 2nd meeting.
NEXT MEETING: February 2, 2012 Agenda: Elaine, Minutes: Dana, Prayer: Tex
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
