Church Council Meeting-November 15, 2000

Tony Unger called the church council meeting for November 15, 2000 to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. Tony opened the meeting with a prayer offered by Rev. Schmidt. A quorum [6] was met, with 10 being present [P] and 3 being absent [A].

The minutes from the October 18, 2000 meeting were reviewed and accepted after a correction under membership. 168 names will remain on the membership roll.

Deacon's - [Gene Ogden] Gene reported that Deacon's served Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Deacon's also sharpened all the pew pencils. He also reported that the Deacon's Committee is working with the minister on updating the green pew booklet. The booklet to be titled " Special Services in the life of our Church. New songs have been added during the communion services. Also added will be The Reception of Confirmands, The reception of New Members, and Advent Candle Lighting Services. Gene also reported that we are in desperate need of pew envelopes. The next deacons meeting will be held December 26, 2000 after church services. 

Christian Education- [Betty Ogden] Betty reported that Christen Ed. met October 21, 2000. Sharon led the group in a prayer to begin the meeting. Sunday school was discussed. Attendance is being included in the overall church attendance. Cheryl Patrick has joined the teaching team for the nursery class. There has been no music with the children yet this year. Also discussed were confirmation, Youth Group and adult education. It was decided that we would attempt to start two adult education programs. The next C. E. meeting will be Saturday, December 9, 2000 at 9:30 A.M. at the home of Betty Ogden.

Women's Fellowship- [Lucille Wells] Lucille reported that the Santa Angel Fair raised about $1200.00. Stanley Home Products donated $45.00 through Fran Russell. The next meeting will be December 12, 2000 at 6 P.M. and would be a potluck supper.

Outreach- [Lesley Barker] Lesley reported Spooner House dinner was served on October 21, 2000. The next dinner would be served on November 18, 2000. Upcoming Outreach events would be Christmas Card Tree and the Angel Tree for the Salvation Army. The next Outreach meeting would be December 10, 2000 after church services. 

Stewardship- [Peggy Gilmore] Peggy reported that pledge cards and volunteer activity sheets have been mailed out to church members. Peggy said that her committee would be meeting after all the pledge cards are returned.

Membership- [Barbara Osterhoudt] Barbara reported that the Membership Committee has not had a recent meeting. She said the committee would work on the decorating of our tree for the " Festival of Lights" on December 6 and 7. The festival itself will be held December 8-9-10 at Warsaw Park. As usual volunteers will be needed. Barbara also reported the possibility of six new church members. She was not able to report a date for the next membership meeting. 

Trustees- [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported the outcome of the recent Trustees meeting. After reviewing the Treasurer's report, the trustees moved onto the painting of the ceiling in the sanctuary. A bid was received for $10.000. Another bid on the job is expected soon. The Adopt a Job sheet is hanging in the narthex. Anyone needing supplies for any job should contact a member of Trustees. Bruce also noted that after the church filed a claim with the insurance company, because of the flooding in the church basement in December 1999, the insurance company cancelled our policy. Another insurance company is being checked out. The lease on the apartment over the church office is being renewed with no increase in rent. Trustees are checking into the cost of repairing four storm windows in the apartment. The next Trustees meeting will be December 20, 2000 at 6:30 and the committee will conduct a portfolio review.

Personnel- Greg Schmidt reported that we have had no response to our ads for an organist. A new member of our choir, Tatyana Yedigarova is willing to be our organist. She will share duties with David Irvine. Because they will also share the salary, there will be no increase in costs to the church.

Nominating - Greg Schmidt reported that the positions left to fill are one in fundraising, two in membership, one in nominating and two in outreach. 

Fundraising- [Walt Crosby] Walt reported that the year-to-date total raised by the fundraising committee is approximately $4686.00. H e also noted that four fundraisers within a month were too much for everyone and we would need a bigger fundraiser for next year. 

Treasurer's - [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported that in October 2000 the church had income of $9,369.95 and expenses of $8,227.36 for a net surplus of $1,169.59. Year to date income from all sources has been $81,104.34. Year to date expenses has been $107,908.55. The year to date deficit stands at $26,804.21. Total investments and cash have decreased $161.95 from the end of September. Shares in the Fidelity Asset Manager Income Fund were sold on 10/1900 for $4,389.80 to provide cash for ongoing expenses. 

Old Business: 

1. The issue of roadside signs has been sent to Trustees.
2. Richard Wells has purchased and installed the new mailbox. There is now off street parking for the tenants. Richard supplied a long list of jobs he has completed. The Church Council thanked Richard for all the work he does around the church property.

New Business:

1. Greg asked for input from the council members in the choosing of a date for caroling. December 15, 2000 was the date picked. Because it is a Friday evening, pizza would be at 5 P.M. and caroling would be at 7 P.M. 
2. A decision was made to have a New Years Eve service. There would be a 10:30 P.M. potluck supper with an 11:30 P.M. service.
3. Greg moved that the new booklet [SPECIAL SERVICES IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH] to replace the green booklets, be printed. The motion was seconded and passed. 
4. Greg moved that he purchase 100 pens with our church name on them. The pens would cost $1.59 a piece and we would sell them for $5.00 a piece. Greg would put up the initial money. The motion was seconded and passed. 
5. Tony has recently received literature titled Internal Audit of Churches. This would be a self-audit of our church. The discussion on this matter was tabled until the December Council meeting.

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

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden, Clerk