Church Council Meeting-August 16, 2000

Tony Unger called the church council meeting for August 16, 2000 to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. Greg opened the meeting with a prayer. A quorum [6] was met with 10 being present [P] and 3 being absent [A].

The minutes from the July 19, 2000 meeting were reviewed and accepted after two corrections. An incorrect date and a misspelled word. Tony then called upon the officers and committee members for their reports.

Treasurer Report - Because of the absence of Bruce Nichols, no report was presented.

Minister's Report [Rev. Schmidt] - Greg reported that the Elm City Girls Choir would perform at our September 24, 2000 worship service. They will arrive Saturday, September 23, 2000. They will camp out in the Beard Room and volunteers will provide dinner. If you can prepare a dish for the group, please speak to Greg. Greg also went over the details of the Fairfield East Association Dinner to be held at The Shelton Congregational Church on October 25, 2000. Registration will be at 6 PM. Dinner will be served at 6:30 P.M. Worship services will be upstairs at 7:30 P.M. It was also noted that on September 3, 2000, Greg and his family would be on vacation. There will be no communion that week, and Gene Ogden has volunteered to lead the service, because a guest minister could not be found for that Sunday. Greg also mentioned that Sunday, August 20, 2000 we would have a guest minister. It will be Rev. Cynthia Robinson, a new Fairfield East member.

Christian Education - Greg reported that ten teachers have committed to all or part of the year. There will be five classes this year. A mailing was sent out to our church school families in July to remind them of the opening of Sunday school on September 10, 2000. On the first day of Sunday School we will introduce the teachers early in the worship service and then have them take their students to class from the sanctuary. We will not hold any special event after church on Rally Day, September 10, 2000. This is because they are not that well attended. C.E. will host coffee hour that day. The next C.E. meeting will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2000 at 9:30 A.M. to plan our fall/winter schedule. 

Trustees [ Bill Barker] - Bill reported that our portfolio value at the beginning of the year was $221,000.00. Market value is now $ 201.605.00. Down 10%. He also noted that work was still being done on the office remodeling. Painting doors being installed, etc. Tony suggested that perhaps trustees could organize quarterly work sessions, as there is still work to be done upstairs, in the church. The next Trustees meeting will Wed. August 23, 2000 in the church library. 

Membership [Barbara Osterhoudt] - Barbara reported that her committee has not had a meeting, but would be meeting soon. New members would be installed on September 10, 2000. She had no new information on roadside sign. She is waiting to go over any info Bruce was to obtain for her. 

Nominating [Glenn Wells] Glenn reported that nominating has not had a meeting so there is no report.

Personnel [Bill Barker] - Bill reported the latest on the church survey. We received 62 responses from church members. Mary has compiled a summary of the comments and sent the results to each committee head. Tony asked if any attempt has been made to contact the church members who have not responded. Bill said no, but he would have no objection to giving this list to the Membership or Stewardship committees. Bill has met with custodians concerning the survey results. Custodians have asked that all containers, be emptied of all liquids, before being put into wastebaskets. Also that all trash be piled by the back door, outside the kitchen. Walt suggested that a sign be placed in the kitchen explaining these rules. The Personnel Committee will be meeting with the minister soon. They will also work with Greg in their search for a choir director. Greg mentioned ads in the Conn. Post, The Yale School of Sacred Music, and the Fairfield Edition of the American Guild of Organists.

Women's Fellowship - No meeting have been held, so no report was available. The next meeting will be September 12, 2000 at 7 P.M.

Fundraising [Walt Crosby] - Walt reported that those who attended enjoyed the July 30, 2000 genealogy/spaghetti dinner. We cleared $265.00 after our expenses of $35.00 were subtracted. He also reported that the coming activities are Shelton Day, Oct. 1, 2000. We have been assigned a space next to Spirit of Angels. We will be selling homemade baked goods, our church cookbook, and something advertising our church. We will also be advertising our up coming Silent Auction taking place on October 21,2000. At this event we will have mystery bingo, the auction, and refreshments. He also discussed suggestions for a major fund raising campaign for next year. Norwalk Oyster Fest, or a Blueberry Festival. He expressed concerns on whether there are enough volunteers to do a major fundraiser. He will also report on the Riverfest, on October 7-8, 2000 at the next council meeting. The next fundraising committee meeting will be September 6, 2000 at 7 P.M. in the church library.

Stewardship [Peggy Gilmore] - Peggy reported that the Stewardship Committee has been discussing ways to decrease the deficit for this year. It is the first priority, before starting the campaign for next year. Stewardship would like to hold a series of 6 informational meetings that would involve members of the congregation. Each member could attend one session. The purpose would be to inform everyone of our present financial status and discuss ways to rectify our deficit. We are calling this " Budget Rescue, Year 2000" and will need the involvement of everyone to accomplish this. If approved by the council, we would schedule sessions from a sign-up sheet that will be placed in the narthex.

Outreach [Lesley Barker] - Lesley reported that the church served Spooner House dinner on July 15, 2000. The next dinner will be on August 19, 2000. Lesley also reported that there would be a Peace Pilgrim Picnic at the home of Barbara Osterhoudt on August 27, at 1 P.M. Tools of Hope will be on Sunday, September 17, 2000. Videotape and refreshments will be available in the Beard room after Sunday services. 

Deacon's [Mr. Poole] - Mr. Poole announced his resignation as chairman of the Deacons Committee effective immediately. The co-chairs are now Gene Ogden and Kathy Demarco. The council thanked Mr. Poole for his many years of service to the Shelton Congregational Church. 

Old Business: 

1. It was reported that Mr. Pires, the contractor who donated the labor and supplies for the parish house driveway, has acknowledged the thank you card and basket of fruit. 
2. Discussions on the roadside signs have been tabled until the September meeting. 

New Business:

1. The Wakelee memorial plaque is on its way and will be installed soon.
2. All church members who attended " Jesus Christ Super Star " reported a good time.
3. The church survey results have been published in the newsletter and on our web-site.
4. Shelton Congregational Church will participate in the Hewitt Festival of Trees in December. Garritt Ogden has donated a tree for this event. 
5. The budget committee needs nine members to meet. It is requested that all committees send a member to the budget committee meetings. The October Council meeting needs a budget report.
6. The Stewardship committee requested permission to institute a series of informational meetings with church members. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss our present financial situation and ways to eliminate the deficit. The motion was made and approved. 
7. A suggestion was made by Tony Unger, to explore different methods to handle custodian duties. One suggestion being church families takes turns performing these duties. This suggestion received no support from other council members. 
8. Tony Unger noted that the church needs a publicity person. He suggested that Jesse Patrick be appointed to this position. She would work with a council member, Betty Ogden, and would handle our publicity. 

The next council meeting will be held September 20, 2000 at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church library. After a prayer by Greg, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden, Clerk