109th ANNUAL MEETING

The minutes of the previous annual meeting held on January 28, 2001 were reviewed and a motion made to accept. The motion was seconded and passed.

Tony Unger then asked for questions or comments on the regular (non-financial) officer and committee reports, as listed on pages 5-20 of the current 2001 annual report. There being no questions or comments it was then moved and seconded that we accept the Officer and Committee Reports.

The Treasurer's Report was given by Bruce Nichols. During 2001 the church had expenses of $122,404.42. Of these, $118,626.42 were budgeted expenses and $3,778.15 were non-budgeted pass-through expenses such as our collections for Neighbors in Need and other items that are paid for by the church but directly offset by other non-budget income such as Christmas Poinsettias and Easter Flowers. Income from all sources was $105, 076.54, yielding a net deficit for the year of $17,327.88. In addition to the deficit, a downturn in the stock market in 2001 coupled with a need to use investment funds to offset current expenses brought the total value of church assets to $331,002.87 at year end, down $33,888.71 from the $364,891.58 net at the end of 2000. Bruce then explained the $6000.00 unexpected expense to replace our furnace. A considerable amount towards the furnace expense ($1200.00 -$1500.00) has been raised through a special envelope offering in January. Bruce noted that if anyone planned on making a special donation, now was the time to do so. He then asked for any questions and comment. Richard Wells then expressed his concerns for the future of the church and what we might be doing about it. Other then cutting expenses, that are bare bones now, or increasing pledging Bruce did not feel that there was much we could do at this time. A motion was then made and seconded that we accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.

The Proposed Church Budget for 2002 was given by Bill Barker. He reported expenses of $133,129.00 for the coming year. This is $11.000.00 higher than budgeted for the previous year. There were no salary increases in the 2001 budget. The budget committee was very comfortable with offering our employees a 6%, well earned increase, in the 2002 budget. We also had a health insurance increase for our minister and his family. This $2000.00 increase is one we are all experiencing in our own personal lives at this time. We no longer have the luxury of our stock market investments overriding our deficits as we had in the 90's. Our expenses for the coming year are very frugal. Though we have a new stewardship program for the coming year our pledging now is only 40 % of our budget. Walt Crosby questioned the $21,000.00 gas expenditure under Trustees in the new budget. If the new furnace is more efficient should that not be lower? Also did Trustees research the saving difference between a gas or oil furnace? Bruce said yes, trustees did compare the difference between a gas and oil furnace before making their decision. And we would realize a billing gas adjustment later in the year. We should realize a 20% savings with the new furnace. Lisa Turecek then pointed out that a budget is a projection for the coming year and therefore needs to be flexible. A motion was then made and seconded that we accept the budget as presented.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

The Slate of Officers and Committees for the Year 2002 was presented by Lucille Wells Chairperson for the Nominating Committee. Lucille reported that all positions for the coming year have been filled and thanked everyone who volunteered. She also thanked her committee, Kathey DeMarco, Kathey Maillet, and David Irvine for their hard work. She also announced that February 3, would be All Committee Sunday. Committees will elect their chairpersons to represent them at the monthly council meetings. If you will be serving on a committee for the first time, please come to the Beard Room after church and meet your fellow committee members. It was then moved and seconded that we accepted the Nominating Committee Report.

Tony Unger then said the life of our church is our children. He then thanked our Christian Education Department and the Sunday School Teachers for their services in the past year and the coming year. He also thanked all of the committees for working so hard in the past year and for volunteering in the coming year. He then thanked our pastor the Rev. Dr. Gregory Schmidt. For always being there for the church and any church member who needed him. The church membership agreed with Tony by giving Greg an enthusiastic round of applause.

Greg then rose and thanked all the committees for their devotion, time and talents they have given to the church. He also thanked the out going Historian Eleanor Burger for her many years of service. He expressed his hope that we again rebound and have many more fruitful years.

Rev. Dr. Greg Schmidt then led the membership in a closing prayer. It was then moved that the meeting be adjourned. This motion was seconded and the meeting adjourned at 11:45 A.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Betty Ogden, Clerk