Church Council Meeting-March 15, 2000

 Bill Barker called the church council meeting for March 15, 2000 to order at 7:40 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church library. He opened with a prayer. A quorum [6] was met, with eight being present [P] and five absent [A].

The minutes from the February 16, 2000 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Bill called upon the officers and committees for their reports. 

Treasurer – Bruce presented a modified February Treasurer’s Report on income and expenses, noting a  $2247.52 deficit for the month. Some of this deficit is due to costs for the parish house basement remodeling, which was authorized, in last year’s budget. A full Treasurer’s Report is available to those who would like it. The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and accepted. 

Deacons – Larry reported that lay readers are needed for April and May. For the Communion Service on April 2, 2000 deacons are asked to arrive a few minutes early to go over details with the visiting minister. Deacons are also asked to see what they will need to prepare for the April 12, 2000 Wednesday, Lenten Service. Our bulletin mistakenly listed the Huntington United Methodist Church [Walnut Tree Hill] for the Ash Wednesday Lenten Service.  It was voted to send a letter of apology to Rev. Joseph Piccirillo, at the First United Methodist Church on Long Hill Ave. 

Ministers Report  [by Bill Barker] – Rev. Schmidt is on leave of absence until Palm Sunday, April 16. The surgery for Matthew [Greg’s son] went well. Our church will not attend the March 16^th ordination review for Ms. Michael-Ann Dunbar at the Stratford First Congregational Church. Barbara Osterhoudt of Membership was asked to contact a church member who may be considering another church. 

Christian Education [Betty Ogden] – Betty read the minutes of the C.E.  Meeting of March 3, 2000 at which the May retreat was discussed. A planning committee is being formed. Members are Rev. Schmidt, Jan Wells, Kim Karkut, and Betty Ogden. Christian Ed. would like one council member on the planning committee. Bruce Nichols volunteered. It was suggested that sub-committees be formed to handle food, recreation, Activities, Classes/learning opportunities. It was felt that if council and committee members participate in the retreat, at Silver Lake CC, it would encourage others to join in.  Confirmation was also discussed. There is only one child being confirmed this year. Should this child be confirmed singly or should this year’s confirmation be postponed until next year when there are others being confirmed. It was suggested that the parents are consulted and their wishes included in the decision. The next Christian Ed. Meeting will be Sunday, April 2, 2000 in the library, after services.  

Trustees – Bruce reported that trustees plan a clean-up workday on May 13, 2000 time and projects to be decided by the next council meeting. Trustees plan to discuss how to time withdrawals from the three Vanguard funds for the minister’s housing allowance.   The $1400.00 could be taken each month from one of the funds. The parish office remodeling is progressing on schedule. The next trustees meeting will be on Sunday April 16, after service. 

Membership – Barbara reported that to advertise our church in the Sunday church listings would cost as follows: The N. H. Register would cost $16.00-$23.00 a week. The Bridgeport Post would cost $5.16 per week or $20.64 a month for a four week month. The decision was tabled to next month’s meeting. The information for the road signs is as follows: A 12x24 inch sign with our church information would cost $105.00 per sign. Locations were discussed and this was also tabled for review at the April meeting. Barbara also reported that a letter to 35 in-active members would be going out soon. She also reported that the guest book is being checked every week.  

Nominating – Glenn well said there was no report. 

Personnel – Bill Barker reported there has been no meeting since early February. Their next meeting is Sunday, March 26, 2000 after services. 

Women’s Fellowship – Lucille reported that at the March 14,2000 meeting twenty-four school kits were put together. WF also voted to purchase six new cards tabled in time for the card party on May 8, 2000.  WF is also assisting at the tag sale scheduled for June 3, 2000. They will make the calls for baked goods and people to work. Lucille reported that four people attended the Southwest Women’s Fellowship Conference at the Huntington Congregational Church recently. The W.F. meeting will be Tuesday, April 11,2000 at 7 P.M. 

Outreach – Lesley reported that Spooner House supper was served Feb. 19,2000 [next date March 16,2000]. Lesley attended the March, Relay for Life meeting. New rules this year is: 1. Wheels may not be used on the track [to preserve the new surface]. 2. All team members need to sign a liability waiver, because of a lawsuit filed last year. The S.C.Church team is the “Peach Pilgrims” and our station on the track is #57. A Lenten study on world hunger, is based on the book “Grace at the Table” [copies donated by Lesley] and is taking place during coffee hours through Palm Sunday and in W.F. meetings. The prayer chain was activated and a card was sent to Matthew Schmidt. The Act Walk for the Homeless and Hungry will take place on Sat. May 13,2000. Registration is 8A.M. And the walk starts at 8:30 A.M. at the Derby Green. The next outreach meeting will be April 2,2000. 

Fund-Raising – [absent] Barbara noted that a fund raising card party would be held Monday, May 8, 2000 at 1 P.M. in the Beard Room. 

Old Business:

1.       Five suggestions were made for a theme for the retreat. The winner is “Experience the Love of God’s Family.”

2.       The request of Lucille on behalf of Richard Wells to create one parking space for the tenants was tabled until the May council meeting.

3.       It is requested that all committee members, who have not submitted Goals for 2000 statement, please do so at the April council meeting. 

New Business:

1.       Lesley moved that we celebrate Jubilee 2000 Sunday, April 9, 2000. She would provide an insert to the bulletin with a Litany [a responsive reading] on hunger. There would also be a paragraph explaining the biblical basis of the Jubilee 2000 celebration. The motion was seconded by Bruce and approved. The council was not in favor of letters of support for congressional action on debt reduction, because this should be an individual decision.

2.       Larry Poole asked that Deacons be notified, in advance, of any special programs that involve them.  

The next council meeting will be April 19, 2000 at 7:30 P.M. in the library. In closing the Lord’s Prayer was said. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 P.M. 

Respectfully submitted 

Betty Ogden, Clerk