Church Council Meeting - February 16, 2000

 The Church council meeting for  February 16, 2000 was called to order by Tony Unger  at   7:30 P.M, in the library, at The Shelton Congregational Church.

The meeting was opened with a prayer by Bruce Nichols.

Tony Unger then welcomed a guest to the meeting. Darleen  Conklin.  Darleen is taking an eight week marketing course at S.H.U.  Darleen’s class project will be to market The Shelton Congregational Church. She will be sitting in on committee meetings and will welcome any assistance.

Treasurer – Bruce Nichols

Bruce presented a detailed report on income, expenditures, investments, etc. He also noted unusual maintenance costs.  Tony  inquired about housing allowance. Were funds taken from parsonage sale? How were the funds to be taken out.  Tony asked that Bruce find this information out .

Personnel – Not Present

Tony read the minutes from the Personnel Committee  Meeting.  He commented on plans to conduct a poll of church members, in late May or early June, with the intent of surveying for membership attitudes with regard  to employees. Tony and Bruce suggested that the poll  be submitted to Church Council for review  before it goes out to church membership. The next Personnel Committee meeting will be held Sunday, March 26, 2000 after church services.

Trustees- Bruce  Nichols

Bruce Nicholas spoke for the Trustees. There was a poor turnout for their meeting. Attending the meeting were Jeff Devine, Dick Conklin, and Bruce Nichols.  Discussed were  1. The responsibilities of a trustee. 2. Need for a chairman. 3. Need at least two more members on the committee. 4.  Discussed plans for a clean-up work day, in the last two weeks of April.  5. Noted that there were no minutes from the previous Trustees meeting.

The next  Trustees Meeting will be held March 15, 2000 at 6:30 P.M. in the church library.

Outreach Committee – Lucille Wells

Lucille stated that  Outreach will serve at  Sponner  House at February 19, 2000.  Also that the prayer chain was activated twice in January. She also reported that  Leslie Barker and Pat Clarke  attended  Relay  meeting on Feb. 10, 2000.  Pat Clarke will be in charge of   luminaries for our church.  The next Outreach meeting will be March 5, 2000 after church services.

Membership – Barbara Osterhoudt

Barbara reported that fourteen new members were added to the church  roster in 1999. She also reported that the membership committee plans to  1. Follow up on Sunday visitors who sign the guest book in the narthax.  2. Attempt to involve the community with the Shelton Congregational  Church.

Tony asked Barbara if advertising in local newspapers  with information about our Sunday services would help. Also he noticed  roadside signs informing drivers  of  local churches and services.  Tony requested   that  Barbara check with local newspapers on cost of information on cost of advertising. Also  to contact the appropriate authority on procedure for roadside signs and costs. Barbara will present information at the next church council meeting. It was also requested that membership committee invite Darleen Conklin to their  meeting and work with her on her Shelton Congregational  Church marketing project.

Christian Ed.  Betty Ogden

Minutes of the  Christian Ed   Meeting held on February 6, 2000  were read by Betty.  She reported that Sharon Schmidt and Janet Wells will be  co-chairpersons. They will hold monthly meetings the first Sunday fo the month after  church services.   Sunday School worship will be held  the fist Sunday  of every month. The service follows the basic order or the regular church service with the children taking part.  Our next goal is to teach the children all of the words to the Doxology and the Gloria  Patri. Also discussed was the plans for the retreat . Betty also read the  the Christian Ed   goal s for 2000 that were  broken down into three month increments.

The next Christian Ed meeting will be held March 5, 2000   after church services in the library.

Deacons – Larry Poole

Larry reported that the  Deacons  held a brief meeting and that their were three new members. They are Gene Ogden, J.B Brakewook, and Jesse Patrick.  The next deacons meeting will be held March 26, 2000 after church services.

Old Business:

1.       All business concerning the water pipe burst has been  completed.

2.       The previously tabled item regarding a theme for year 2000 was brought up by  Tony. It was suggested working with committees on this.

3.       The community ecumenical service on Wed. April 12. 2000 at 7 :30 P.M. preceded  by a pot luck supper. Volunteer’s will be needed to help with the room set-up. Barbara said she will take care of everything.

New Business:

1.       All  second telephone line was installed on the church offices. This  is a fax/modem line. The

Number is  922-8834.

2.       Christian Ed requested that the Church Council choose the theme for the May retreat. One

Suggestion by Bruce was “Sharing the Spirit. Another suggestion by Tony was  “Sharing the Spirit and growth. Tony asked if the retreat was to be church members only, or if non-church members will be invited.  This information needed for March meeting.

3.       Lucille Wells made the following request on behalf of Richard Wells. To  create  one parking

For the tenants. The curb will need to be cut.  The church council  voted yes, and asked Lucille to obtain the  information  needed to do it.

4.       Tony noted the need for Sunday school teachers. Should  nominating  committee or church

Council help. Bruce felt that the Christian Ed Committee should attempt to solve problem first.

5.       For the March Council meeting Tony  requested that all committee chairpersons submit their

Goals for 2000  report. They should be in 3 month increments.

6.       Tony also requested that committee chairpersons submit definite   event dates to Church Council

For review. This would eliminate any potential scheduling  conflicts.

The next council meeting was set for March 15, 2000 at 7:30 P.M.  Bruce  said a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk