Church Council Meeting - November 14, 2001

Tony Unger called the Church Council Meeting for November 14, 2001 to order at 7:45 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 7 being present [P] and 7 [A].

The minutes from the October 17, 2001 meeting were reviewed. Tony called upon the officers and committee members for their reports.

Minister - [Rev. Greg Schmidt] Greg stated that five candle lighters for the Advent season would be needed. The first candle would be lit on December 2, 2001. Gene Ogden would be seeking candle lighters for Advent and Lay Readers for Christmas Eve. Greg also asked if we would be having a New Years Eve Service again this year? The Council was in favor. Like last year, a potluck supper would be held before the Midnight Service. Greg said the he and Geno would plan a service for that evening. He also reported that Glenn Wells, Geno Ogden, and himself had recently attended the Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference in Danielson. The speaker at the annual meeting was a UCC executive who has a Ph.D. in Muslim studies who spoke about the current conflict. Greg reported that the CT Conference lists churches with the percentage of their budgetary giving for OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) and our church was near the bottom of the list. Our $3,000 is approximately 2% of our budget. He suggests that we should make an effort to increase both this amount and percentage over the next few years. The Senior Youth Group is meeting on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. Christmas Caroling will be Dec. 16. On December 6, 2001 our choir will participate in a fundraiser (for music scholarships) at Shelton High School. A Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service will be held at the F.U.M.C. on Long Hill Ave, November 20, 2001, at 7:30. There will be a joint choir at this service.

Treasurer- [Bruce Nichols] Bill Barker presented the treasurers report for Bruce. During the month of October the church had income of $20.263.92 and expenses of $9.578.47 for a net surplus of $10.685.45. Year to date income has been $86.186.61 while expenses have totaled $101.633.83 yielding a year to date deficit of $15.447.22. It should be noted that $13.000.00 of October income was due to two large unexpected donations. Income from pledges was $1.300.00 below the monthly average of $4008.00. The net worth of the church at the end of October was $325.958.17, which was up $18.496.33 from the previous month.

Deacon's- [Gene Ogden] Gene reported that Communion was served on the first Sunday of the month. He also noted that he had ordered new plastic serving containers to be used in preparing communion. He will also be working with Greg on planning a New Years Eve Service and would also be seeking 5 candle lighters for the Advent Season and Lay Readers for Christmas Eve.

Christian Education- [Betty Ogden] CE met at the home of Jan Wells on November 10, 2001. The Christmas Pageant, to be held on December 23, 2001 was discussed. Three adults would be in the pageant this year. Geno Ogden will play King Herod. Bruce Nichols will play Joseph and Martha Devine will play Mary. Greg asked if a PA system would be needed. The Adult Education was also discussed at this meeting. Tony Unger reported that he and the Sunday School would be leading the worship service on December 30. 2001.

Women's Fellowship- [Lucille Wells] Lucille reported that Women's Fellowship did not meet in November. She said that plans for the fair are complete. This year she actually needed to turn down vendors. She would need help with setting up tables on Thursday. Lucille also reported that the soup would be started on Friday.

Outreach- [Lesley Barker] Lucille Wells reported that the Spooner House dinner would be served on Saturday, November 17, 2001.

Trustees - Bill Barker reported that the $10.000 Lafferty Memorial would lower our deficit significantly. He also reported that because of the high bid from Brainards, the Trustees would be seeking other bids and repair options concerning the furnace. This information would be available for the December Council Meeting. Also reported was the need to replace a water pipe that runs the length of the building. The committee, at a cost of $300.00, approved the repair. All that is needed to complete the roadside sign project (approved in 2001) is the have the police chief sign off on the project. The painting of the Sanctuary ceiling is 80% completed. They hope to have the work completed by the first week in December. The stained glass windows need to be cleaned up and new pictures taken. We have four windows. Two top and two bottom. We should investigate the cost of replacing one of our stained glass windows upstairs. If the cost is prohibitive, then we should consider keeping one set of windows as a replacement, in the event one upstairs is damaged. The cleaning of the carpeting in the Sanctuary has been postponed until the ceiling painting is completed. Because of a complaint from one of our neighbors, the vines on the back of the church have been removed. An investment portfolio review has been started.

Stewardship- Greg shared information that the new Stewardship program was not difficult, it just needed time to be effective. The committee would not have time to complete the program before the Annual Meeting, at the end of January. Also, that the budget report should not be released before the Stewardship Program has had a chance to work. It was felt that the committee would need January and February for the program to be done well. Bill Barker objected to the Annual Meeting being postponed because he had not seen any reports from Stewardship as to how the program works. Betty Ogden suggested that the by-laws be researched to see if there are any rules against the Annual Meeting being postponed until March, and if not, perhaps we should allow the Stewardship Committee the needed time to perform their duties. This program is important to the church and if we work together we can accomplish what needs to be done. A special meeting will be held, so that the Stewardship Committee can present the program to the Council

Personnel- [Glenn Wells] Glenn reported discussions of proposed salaries for and with Tanya and David. There was a discussion as to how these payments would be made. It was explained that David and Tanya were agreeable to these terms. No action was taken. Bill Barker reported that the contract information has been given to Sue Nofi-Bendici, who will put the contracts together.

Nominating- [Lucille Wells] Lucille reported that phone calls are being made. A discussion ensued regarding the number of committees people serve on and the desire to have more people involved in the committee process. It was moved and seconded that "church members be restricted to serve only three positions in any year, this include those positions called for in the by-laws". The motion was defeated by a vote of 6-1 with one abstention.

Old Business:

1. 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 December Council Meeting, because new pictures need to be taken.

New Business:

1. Three themes for next year were presented. Kathey DeMarco's theme was "Working Together". Betty Ogden suggested "Act In Faith". Glenn Wells' suggested themes were "Find Comfort in Faith" or "Find Comfort in God". A theme will be chosen at a future council meeting

A special Council Meeting will be held on November 25, 2001 after the worship service to hear the plan from the Stewardship Committee. After a prayer by Rev. Greg Schmidt, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M.

The next regular council meeting will be held December 14, 2001 at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library.

Respectfully Submitted
Betty Ogden