Church Council Meeting-March 14, 2001

Tony Unger called the church council meeting for March 14, 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 5 [A].

The minutes from the February 21, 2001 meeting were reviewed and accepted.

Treasurer- [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported that in February 2001 the church had income of $7,802.00 and expenses of $7367.17, for a net gain of $435.48. This marks the fifth consecutive month that income has surpassed expenses. $1055.00 of income was in the form of memorial donations. The dramatic drop in stock values in the last few days has had a significant impact on the church's net worth, which is down $16,766.00 since last month. This represents a reduction in value of approximately 4.5% since January 31,2001. Current total assets are just under $350,000.00.

Minister's Report- [Rev. Schmidt] Greg reported that the Shelton Congregational Church will be hosting the Shelton Clergy Ecumenical Worship Service on Wednesday, March 21, 2001. The potluck will be at 6 P.M. and the service will be at 7 P.M. The church will be responsible for beverages, paper plates, butter and rolls. 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 provided information on a Mobilizing Church Volunteers Seminar, sponsored by the U.C.C., and led by Esther Shoup. Session will be held at the Trumbull Congregational Church. Gene Ogden brought information for this seminar from the U.C.C. Annual Meeting. Cost is a free will offering. Also noted was information on the cost of our Easter ad in the Conn. Post. It will be $27.50 for a one inch ad. Also, that a bible study will be starting Sunday March 18, 2001 in the library. The group will meet every Sunday at 3 P.M., except on holidays. 

Deacon's- [Gene Ogden] In the absence of Gene, it was reported that Communion was served on the first Sunday of the month. Also that Deacon's are working on the Maundy Thursday Service. There are two concerts being planned. 1. Greg will narrate a classical 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. Next Deacon's meeting will be Sunday, March 25, 2001 after church services. 

Christian Education- [Betty Ogden] Betty reported that Christian Education did meet February 24, 2001 at the home of Betty Ogden. Present were Greg, Ethel, Kim, Janet, Donna and Betty. Discussed were Confirmation to be held on June 3, 2001 and Children's Day to be held on June 10, 2001. Nicole DeMarco is a second grader and will receive a bible. Each class will be responsible for its own presentation and Ethel Crosby will teach the children two songs. The annual retreat is scheduled for May 18-20 at Silver Lake. Betty and Carol Edson will do the food shopping and food preparation. Betty will make the banner, Jan wells will get the T-shirt tie-dying materials and several other craft project supplies. Greg will lead a Saturday night evening adult discussion, possible movie theme with religious symbolism and also Sunday A.M. worship. Fees charged will remain the same as last year. A new registration form will go into the newsletter. Greg also noted that Silver Lake is looking for churches to help rebuild the cabins and we should think about helping out. The committee also discussed the goals and calendar for March through June 2001. A complete list was given to Tony Unger, Church Manager. A discussion about Communion for teachers took place. It was noted that after church or during church communion for teachers, in the atmosphere of the Sunday school setting, was both chaotic and or meaningless.  It was decided that teachers can bring their classes upstairs during communion on the first Sunday of the month. Other discussions were a video library for children would be kept in Donna Hasiotis's classroom in the Parish House. Sr. Youth Group is going to hold a lock-in in the Beard room to strip wallpaper and repaint. Also that Greg will be holding an Adult Ed. Book/Bible Study in the near future.

Women's Fellowship- [Lucille Wells] In Lucille's absence Greg reported the women's Fellowship Meetings would be held every third Tuesday of the month. The meeting place will be in the Beard Room at 7 P.M. In March, April and May we will pack Health Kits for The Church World Service and work on projects for our November Fair which will be held on November 17, 2001. We will sponsor Blanket Sunday on May 13, 2001. Our picnic will be held in June and our Christmas Party in December. We plan to organize the baked food table for the Tag Sale in June. The next meeting will be April 17, 2001. 

Outreach- [Lesley Barker] Lesley reported the Spooner House dinner would be served on March 17, 2001. Outreach is sponsoring a concert by Rick Calvert and Amy & Steve Eppler- Epstein. This is a concert of Songs of Freedom and Justice to celebrate the Passover season. Admission is free, but donations to Spooner House will be requested. Lesley asked if the Sunday School children could participate in some way. This is to be discussed.  Organizational Meetings for the Relay for Life will be starting soon. Mary Unger will be attending these meetings as a representative of the Outreach Committee. The next Outreach meeting will be April 1, 2001 after church services. 

Stewardship- [Andy Campagnuolo] Andy reported that the Stewardship Committee would be holding their first formal meeting some time after Easter. 

Membership- [Lois Sutter] Lois reported the committee goals. To be more visitor friendly, during the service and coffee hour. Look for ways to improve visitor contact. To promote publicity for events and the church. Contact new and existing members to stimulate their involvement. 

Trustees- [Jeff Devine] Jeff reported that the Trustees Committee would have a rotating chairperson. The new snow removal person is Josh Conklin. Greg reported that after Josh collects his pay, after a storm, he then tithe's 10% back to the church. Placement of the roadside signs will be completed soon. The belfry and pew repairs are on the work list. The Senior Youth Group will have a lock-in on March 30, 2001 at 7 P.M. The Beard Room rental fees will soon be published. In the wildlife report it was stated that one squirrel has been trapped. The painting of the ceiling in the narthex and rental of a lift is being discussed. A decision on the sound system is not completed. Spring clean up is scheduled for June 2, 2001. Bill Barker promised a Trustee's Goals 2001 list for the next meeting. That meeting will be held on April 18, 2001 at 6:30 P.M. 

Personnel- [Glenn Wells] In Glenn's absence, Bill reported that the contracts for four employees would be completed soon. 

Nominating- [Lucille Wells] it was reported that the nomination committee is ready to fill any vacancies should they occur and will probably has meeting starting in September to start a slate for the Year 2002. 

Fundraising- [Walt Crosby] In Walt's absence Betty Ogden presented information of the up coming St. Patrick's Day Dinner to be held on March 17, 2001. Betty also mentioned that she felt that the committee system was not user-friendly. And perhaps that was the reason that there were not enough people willing to serve on committees. Betty shared some of her experiences on fundraising. Because she did not know the whys and ways of that committee, she had made some mistakes. She felt that long time committee members were reluctant to guide new members and share information. She also noted that this is not the only committee that has this problem. She asked that perhaps committees publish an information sheet for new members. And that if one committee is hi-lighted in the newsletter each month, it might catch the eye of a church member.  

Old Business: 

1. Tony Unger's article for the newsletter, requesting volunteers to conduct a self-audit of our church will be done by the next council meeting. 

New Business: 

1. Greg presented information on the U.C.C. sponsored seminar on Mobilizing Volunteers at The Trumbull Congregational Church. This workshop will take place on April 26, 2001 at 7 P.M. This is a 3-hour event and the cost is a free will donation. Greg requested that all council members attend. A motion was made and seconded. All were in favor.

2. Greg presented a request from Peter McKnight, representing a land preservation group, that the church membership signs a letter of support. A motion was made and seconded. All were in favor.

3. Lesley presented a flyer with information on Mission Immersion Workshops. She requested that the information be passed to the Christian Education Committee.

4. Lesley also presented information for diversity training for youth groups to be held at Sacred Heart, April 29, 2001 at 6 P.M.  This program is for high school and college youths.  

The next council meeting will be held April 18, 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 8:40 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden