Church Council Meeting-December 20, 2000

Tony Unger called the church council meeting for December 20, 2000 to order at 7:45 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The meeting opened with a prayer offered by Rev. Schmidt. A quorum [6] was met, with 8 being present [P] and 5 being absent [A].

The minutes from the November 15, 2000 meeting were reviewed and accepted.

Minister's Report - [Rev. Schmidt] Greg reported that four services would be held in a ten-day period. One on Christmas morning, one on Christmas Eve, one on Sunday morning, December 31, 2000 and one on New Years Eve. The New Years Eve celebration will start with a potluck supper at 10:30P.M. The service would be at 11:30 P.M. Also, Confirmation classes have begun and there are 9 being confirmed. Greg said that The Shelton Congregational Church Sponsored tree, at the Hewitt Festival of Trees, looked Great, but he questioned the use of Peace Pilgrim Committee on the sign.

Deacon's - [Gene Ogden] Gene reported that Deacon's served Communion on the first Sunday of the month. A Deacon member also participated in one baptism. Gene also reported that Kathey has found a box of pew envelopes. Gene also reported that there would be a baptism during the Christmas morning service and that Communion would be served during the New Years Eve Service. Tony asked that Communion for the Sunday School teachers be considered. Plans are in progress and Communion for teachers may start in January 2001.

Christian Education- [Betty Ogden] Betty reported that Christen Ed. met December 9, 2000 at the home of Betty Ogden. One of the topics of the meeting was the retreat planned for the weekend of May 19, 2001. Hope was expressed that more church members would participate this year. Videotapes [Quiggly Village] have been purchased and will be available for lending and viewing. There are 10 tapes, which were purchased at a cost of $159.00. These tapes will be kept in the parish house classrooms. A video player has been donated and all that is needed is a TV. Another topic was the Youth Group. It was decided that the Youth Group would be two groups. There would be a grade 6-8 category and a grade 9-12 category. 

Women's Fellowship- In Lucille's absence Barbara reported that the potluck dinner on December 12, 2000 was successful and the food was great. The next Fellowship meeting will be January 9, 2001. 

Outreach- [Lesley Barker] Lesley reported Spooner House dinner was served on December 16, 2000 and the residents enjoyed the pizza dinner that was supplied. Tony Unger asked that the Senior Youth Group be allowed to serve Spooner House Periodically. Also, that a monthly notice as to who served Spooner House recently. The Angel Tree, in association with the Salvation Army, was very successful. Twenty children will receive gifts from our church. The Christmas Card Tree, in the narthex, did not receive as many cards this year, as in past years. 

Stewardship- Lesley reported that 51 pledges, totaling $37,391.00, have been received so far. This is less than last year at this time. Members were asked to fill out interest sheets with their pledge cards. This information will be given to the newly formed committees in January. 

Membership - [Barbara Osterhoudt] Barbara reported that the Membership Committee has not had a recent meeting. She said the names of in-active members have been removed from the membership rolls. Greg reported that there are 6 new members who will be joining the church. New Members Day will be January 14, 2001. Sponsors will be needed. Barbara also reported that the Festival of Trees was very successful. 

Trustees- [Bill Barker] Because our insurance, through Miller Insurance, has been cancelled Trustees has approved accepting an insurance proposal through the U.C.C. Bill reported that Anderson & Krauss, from Branford will insure us for $3000.00 a year. This is approximately $1000.00 less than other proposals received. Also reported was a budget adjustment by the next council meeting because of the apartment over the parish house. It appears the tax assessor is now aware of the apartment, and will be assessing taxes for the Year 2000 and 2001. Storm windows have been ordered through Carroll's Home Improvement. Trustees also presented information concerning the roadside signs advertising our church and its location. [See Old Business]. Any decisions concerning the painting of the sanctuary has been tabled until next year. 

Personnel- [Bill Barker] Bill Barker reported that the Personnel Committee planned to have employee contracts made up, in advance of the January meeting, for the minister, office secretary, choir director, organist and custodian. The plan at the beginning of the year was to submit contract renewals only for the minister and custodian. However, the change in personnel in the other positions during year 2000 has necessitated drafting new contracts for all church employees. Bill also reported his committee planned to submit the contract renewals, in the form of a motion, to approve each contract at the annual meeting in January. He felt this would show approval for the employee's continuation for a two year time period. Bruce and Greg both raised objections to this as being overly detailed business for the annual meeting. They felt the Personnel Committee should handle the employee's contracts without bringing them to the membership for approval. They felt that the approval of employee's continuation was in fact covered by the approval of the annual budget. Because no council members verbally supported the idea of voting on the contracts at the annual meeting, it would seem council has expressed its wish that the Personnel Committee not bring the contracts up for approval by the membership.

Nominating - In Glenn's absence Greg reported that there are four committee positions left to fill.

Fundraising- In Walt's absence Bill reported that sponsor letters from the October 2000 auction still need to be sent out. Also that fundraising committee will be meeting soon to discuss upcoming fundraising events, monthly dinners, etc.

Treasurer's [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported that in November 2000 the church had income of $10,534.29 and expenses of $7,402.61 for a net surplus of $3,131.68. This is the second month in a row that the church has posted a surplus. Fundraising activities brought in $2,081.00 during the month and there was an additional $2,400.00 received in the form of year 2001 pledges. Year to date income from all sources has been $91,638.63. Year to date expenses has been $115,310.98. The year to date deficit stands at $23,672.35. Total investments and cash have decreased $11,561.93 from the end of October, primarily due to reduction of market value of the church's portfolio. Please refer to the November treasurer's report for additional detail.

Old Business: 

1. Bill Barker made a motion that three roadside signs be purchased at a cost of $112.00 each. The money used would come from the Memorial Fund. These signs would be placed at Exit 13 and Exit 14 off Route 8. Also at the corner of Center St. and Coram Ave. The motion was seconded and passed. 
2. Caroling turnout was poor. Only ten people attended. 
3. The SPECIAL SERVICES IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH are printed and being used.
4. The pens with the church logo purchased by Greg are selling well.
5. Greg made a motion that a request for volunteers to handle a self-audit of our church be written and published in our Newsletter. Tony Unger will write this article for the newsletter. The motion was passed and seconded.

New Business:

1. Bruce brought before the council a request from Lorraine Hummel-Brown, Program Facilitator for Ct. Trails Girl Scouts seeking a new meeting place, for 3-4 Tuesdays a month. This request was tabled until the next council meeting so that Bruce may obtain more information. Are they expecting free use of the facilities, etc. 
2. Tony made a motion that Trustees compile a set, fee rate schedule for organizations to use the church facilities. This motion was passed and seconded.
3. Rev. Joseph Neville U.C.C. Liaison person, will be the guest minister at the January 21, 2001 church services. 
4. All committees are asked to present year-end reports at the next Council Meeting.
5. Lesley Barker made a motion to have a potluck supper, with a talk on refugee sponsorship by Linda Carelton, Church Sponsorship Developer for the " Interfaith Refugee Ministry " in New Haven, CT. Linda had written to Greg and the Shelton Clergy Association regarding the possibility of sponsoring a refugee family in the Valley. Greg amended the motion, suggesting the event could be a series of informational Lenten suppers sponsored by the Outreach Committee. This motion was approved.

The next council meeting will be held January 17, 2001 at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church library. After a closing prayer by Greg the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden