Church Council Meeting - August 15, 2001

Tony Unger called the church council meeting for August 15, 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 11 being present [P] and 5 [A].

The minutes from the July 18, 2001 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Tony called upon the officers and committee members for their reports. 

Minister - [Rev. Greg Schmidt] Greg reported that our church was host for two guest speakers. Rev. Lance Dallaire for the Huntington Congregational Church and Rev. Susan Townsley for Easton. Next Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, Greg and his family will be away. They will be with 
Sharon's grandmother, who will be celebrating her 98th birthday. Gene Ogden will do the service in Greg's absence. Months ago an option of the lay reader doing the offering unison prayer was discussed. This will start with this Sunday's bulletin. Also a deacon may now hand out the offering plates. All, but two council members have returned the Congregational and Personal Spirituality Questionnaire passed out by our Pastor at the last meeting. 

Treasurer- [Bruce Nichols] Bruce reported that during the month of July the church had income of $6,179.34 and expenses of $9,772.82 for a net deficit of $3,593.48. Year to date income has been $52,177.05 while expenses have totaled $72,391.24 yielding a deficit of $20,214.19 year to date. The net worth for the church at the end of July was down $12,034.95 from the last report and stood at $334,646.78-reflecting both the monthly deficit and the continuing retreat of the stock market. The projected income for the year is approximately $98,000.00. The yearly deficit is projected to be between 26-30 thousand dollars. 

Deacon's- [Gene Ogden] Gene reported that Communion was served on the first of the month. Our guest minister, Rev. Lance Dallaire, served with Greg. Deacons mailed out three welcome letters to recent visitors to our church. One of the recipients returned, with her husband. They were "pleasantly surprised" to receive the letter and thanked us. Geno was pleased to inform the Council all the goals Deacons wished to accomplish for the year 2001 have been completed. The last project, an informational sheet for new deacons is now available for current and new deacons. 

Christian Education- [Betty Ogden] It was reported that the nursery would be moved into the small room, with the kitchen counter pass-through, within two weeks. Mary Unger, Kathey DeMarco, Carol Edson, and Betty Ogden have spent many fun filled hours painting this room. The pre-K class, now in the Parish House, is also moving downstairs. It will be placed in the right corner of the Beard Room. The older students would then move to the Parish House. The first day of Sunday School will be September 16, 2001. There will not be a Rally Sunday this year. Because of a shortage of teachers this year, the Christian Education Committee is discussing changes. Sunday School at 9-9:45 before church services. This would give the teachers an opportunity to attend church services and parents the privilege of sharing the service with their children. Other options are shorter class time or combining classes. All of these options will be discussed at the Christian Education meeting to be held at the home of Betty Ogden.

Women's Fellowship- [Lucille Wells] Women's Fellowship will meet again on September 18, 2001 at 7 P.M. in the Beard Room. This will be a working meeting. Also plans for a church wide quilt project will be discussed. Some vendors have responded to our newspaper advertising for the Christmas Fair. Lucille is waiting to hear from Officer Ben Trabka, concerning the Children Fingerprinting Program.

Outreach- [Lesley Barker] Lesley reported that Spooner House would be served on August 18, 2001. Lesley attended a Spooner House Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2001. No date has been set for Spooner House to go before the Board of P & Z. The Peace Pilgrim Picnic will be held August 19th at the Osterhoudt home. The next Outreach Meeting will be September 2, 2001 after services. 

Trustees - Bill Barker reported the Custodian position as still available. An interested church member declined the position because of non-flexible cleaning hours. Andy Campagnuolo is doing the job until November 2001. $125.00 is also being paid to Andy for stripping and cleaning the kitchen floor. The church has also received a check for $837.00 from Met-Life Insurance. This is for the repair of our damaged railing in front of the church. In an effort to lower monthly expenses, insurance payments will be on a monthly schedule. Although Council approved our church signs, Trustees have done no follow up {zoning, etc}. One project still being discussed is the painting of the Sanctuary ceiling. Trustees are looking for an estimate within our budget range. Tony asked that Trustees prepare a plan, stating other alternatives, concerning the Sanctuary ceiling. This plan would assure the church membership that the project is being worked on.

Personnel- [Glenn Wells] Bill reported the custodial contract as not yet completed. It has been advised the term custodian be changed to contractor. This would eliminate the custodian as a church employee. It was suggested that this subject be brought up under new business.

Nominating- [Lucille Wells] Lucille reported that she had no new business to discuss. Tony advised Lucille that the Fundraising Committee has been resurrected. The committee would consist of Betty Ogden, Bill Barker, Ron Karkut, Mary and Tony Unger. A committee spokesperson would be decided at their first meeting.

Old Business:

1. It was reported the church self-audit was completed and Glenn Wells, as chairman, had done a superb job.

2. Lucille shared information about an antique store on Main Street in Ansonia at the July council meeting. They accept stain glass windows on consignment. We have some stored in the basement of the church. Could we sell these? This decision has been tabled until the September Council Meeting.

New Business:

1. On November 30, December 1 and 2, the Hewitt Foundation will be sponsoring the second annual "Festival of Trees" at Warsaw Park. We have received an invitation to participate in this event. There would be no entry fee. We would need a tree, a theme and someone willing to chair the project. All of this would be solicited. The decision to participate would be tabled until the next council meeting.

2. The Fones School of Dental Hygiene is offering dental services, on a sliding scale, for low income or uninsured families. Adults $15.00, children and seniors $5.00. It was decided that we could post this notice on our bulletin board. 

3. Bill Barker moved that we leave the custodian position open. We would create a contract for "Cleaning Services". This motion was seconded. A.I.F.

4. Bill Barker reminded council members that a person from each committee would be needed for the Budget Committee. 

The next council meeting will be held September 19, 2001 at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church library. Gene Ogden then led the council in saying "The Lord's Prayer". The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden