Church Council Meeting-February 21, 2001

Bill Barker called the church council meeting for February 21, 2001 to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The meeting opened with a prayer offered by Rev. Greg Schmidt. A quorum [6] was met, with 10 being present [P] and 3 being absent [A].

The minutes from the January 17, 2001 meeting were reviewed and accepted after two amendments. 1. The Shelton Clergy Ecumenical Worship Service will be held on March 21, 2001, not March 14,2001. 2. Lesley Barker reported that the Christmas Card Tree collected $170.00 for Habitat for Humanity, not $75.00 as first reported.

Treasurer- [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported that in January 2001 the church had income of $10,275.89 and expenses of $9,736.80 for a net surplus of $539.09. This is the third month with no deficit posted. Over $7000.00 of income was from pledges. The net increase in investments was $918.00. Expenses were normal except for replacement of the drum in our copy machine at a cost of $832.00.

Minister's Report - [Rev. Schmidt] Greg reported that the Ash Wednesday Service, February 28, 2001 at 7 P.M. will be held at the First United Methodist Church. The Shelton Congregational Church will be hosting the Shelton Clergy Ecumenical Worship Service on Wednesday, March 21, 2001. Potluck will be at 6 P.M. and the service will be at 7 P.M. Volunteers will be needed to set up for this event. Other Lenten services of note are Maundy Thursday at our church at 7:30 P.M, Good Friday, April 13, 2001, noon to 3 P.M. at St. Paul's Church in Huntington, Easter Sunrise Service at Jones Tree Farm. Greg also reported that March 25 and 26, 2001, the U. C. C. is sponsoring a seminar for c lergy and lay leaders on sexual misconduct in the ministry. Attendance on March 27, 2001 is clergy only. Bill Barker requested that a report be presented at a future council meeting. Greg also noted that Rev. Joseph Neville would be a guest speaker Sunday, February 25, 2001.

Deacon's - [Gene Ogden] In the absence of Gene, it was reported that Communion was served on the first Sunday of the month. Typo in the Special Services Booklet {Communion} will be corrected. There are two concerts being planned. 1. Greg will narrate a concert given by Tanya Yedigarova, our organist, on April 1, 2001 at 3 P.M. 2. The choir will have a concert on June 17, 2001. Theme and date to be announced.

Christian Education- [Betty Ogden] Betty reported that Christen Education did not have their February meeting as of yet. It is scheduled for Sat. February 24, 2001 at 9:30 A.M. at the home of Betty Ogden.The topics to be discussed are the upcoming retreat, youth group activities, and Communion for teachers. Christian Education also asks that each committee submit ideas for group activities at the retreat that will be held on May 18,19,20, 2001 at Silver Lake.

Women's Fellowship- [Lucille Wells] Lucille reported that Women's Fellowship met February 20, 2001. Craft ideas for the Christmas Fair were discussed. Lucille also reported that three or four members of Women's Fellowship would be attending a function, sponsored by the Church World Services, on March 25, 2001, at Spring Glen Church in Hamden. Our church will be recognized at this affair for its services to Tools of Hope. The next Fellowship meeting will be March 20, 2001.

Outreach- [Lesley Barker] Lesley reported the Spooner House dinner was served on February 17, 2001. Next Spooner House dinner will be served on March 17, 2001. Outreach sponsored a potluck supper on February 18, 2001. The event was held to hi-light the valley homeless and the future of Spooner House. The guest speaker was Ann Reyher, Chief Operating Officer of Spooner House. A $40.00 free will donation for Spooner House was collected at this supper. The next Outreach meeting will be on March 4, 2001 after church services.

Stewardship- [Andy Campagnuolo] Andy reported that the Stewardship Committee did meet on February 4, 2001 at the" All Committee Meetings Sunday". Andy, as chairman, will be obtaining information from previous chairman Peggy Gilmore.

Membership- [Lois Sutter] Lois plans on having a membership meeting with in the next two or three weeks.

Trustees- [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported that Trustees met on February 21, 2001 at 6:30 P.M. The T.A.I.C. [temporary acting interim chairperson] would be Bruce Nichols. One topic discussed at the meeting was snow removal. Bruce Nichols has been doing the snow removal for the last three or four storms. A new snow removal plan will be needed for next winter. Perhaps the Youth Groups might take over the job for next year. The committee reviewed the treasurer's report. The five approved roadside signs are waiting for the snow to be gone so locations can be picked out and signs installed.The issue of the painting of the Sanctuary ceiling was also discussed. Greg provided literature to Trustees from a company that specializes in churches. A quote will be requested so that it can be compared to previous quotes received. The possibility of equipment being rented and the job being done by church members was also discussed. Two problems being investigated are a leak in the belfry stairway and two church pews being cracked. The room rental fee is still being discussed. Should it be a set fee for profit making organizations and non-profits being asked for a donation only? Final decision will be made after the cost to open the room is determined. Also mentioned was the Lafferty Memorial Donation. The family would like to see a new sound system installed. Greg reported that an exterminator has been called. It seems some type of wild life has moved in over the new office addition. The next Trustees meeting will be March 14, 2001 at 6:30 P.M.

Personnel- [Glenn Wells] In Glenn's absence, Bill reported that no meeting has held. Sue Nofi-Bendici has agreed to review the employee contracts, which are 90% completed.

Nominating -[Lucille Wells] Lucille reported that all the committee slates have been filled.

Fundraising- [Walt Crosby] Walt presented an impressive schedule for the coming year. There will be four church suppers, with entertainment and raffles, planned for the coming year. We will also participate in Shelton Day, Riverfest, and perhaps a table at the Tomato Fest, a Blueberry Fest, our annual Tag Sale, and an auction in October. The approximate revenue from these events is $7000.00. The first dinner will be March 17, 2001 at 6 P.M. celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The next two fundraising meetings are March 10, 2001 at 3 P.M. at Betty Ogden's home to finalize plans for the St. Patrick's Day Dinner and a regular meeting on March 28, 2001, time and place to be announced.

Amended to the Trustee's Report: Richard Wells reported that he had met with the city assessor concerning the apartment over the church office. It is a rental property. State statutes say it is taxable. The space is assessed at $21,570.00. This would be one payment of $550.00, due on July 1, 2001.Richard also mentioned the need for a lawn mower and storage of such will be needed by summer. Also that the storm windows are to be installed Friday, March 2, 2001.

Old Business:

1. Tony Unger's article, for the newsletter, requesting volunteers to conduct a self audit of our
Church still needs to be done.

New Business:

1. Lucille Wells presented an appeal from World Church Services for a special offering to supply water in Malawi. Church members would put a cup by their sink and put a coin in every time the faucet is turned on. This program will run for 6 months. The information will be published in the May newsletter. A motion was made and seconded. All were in favor.

2. Lesley Barker presented information on the Synagogue Family Group. The group of adults and children present a program of music entitled Songs of Justice and Freedom. This program raises money for the New Haven homeless. They would be willing to appear and raise money for Spooner house. Lesley suggested a potluck type of affair that would involve our Christian Education Committee and our Youth Group. Greg suggested that perhaps we could combine this effort with other groups and churches. It was tabled until next month so the idea could be researched further.

3. Greg asked permission for the Youth Group to have a sleep-in. They would paint the Beard Room during the night. A motion was made and seconded. All were in favor.

4. Greg brought up the idea of having a Men's Communion Breakfast some time after Easter. This would be for all members of the Fairfield East. A guest speaker from United Illuminating would talk about the power problems being experienced out West and whether this could happen here. A motion was made and seconded. All were in favor.

Before the meeting was adjourned Bill requested that all committees present a Goal 2001 report at the next council meeting. This report would project plans and goals the committees are making for the Year 2001.

Also Betty Ogden, clerk, passed out the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on January 28, 2001 in the Sanctuary.

The next council meeting will be held March 14, 2001 at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church library. Rev. Greg Schmidt then led the council members in saying The Lord's Prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden