Church Council Meeting - June 19, 2002

Cheryl Patrick called the church council meeting for June 19th, 2002 to order at 7:35 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 6 absent (A).

The minutes from the May 15th, 2002 meeting were reviewed and accepted with one correction noted. The CE cleanup is scheduled for Wed. June 26th, at 7:30 PM and not June 20th as reported. Cheryl Patrick then called on the officers and committee members for their reports.

Minister-Greg Schmidt-No report.

Treasurer-Bruce Nichols-Bill Barker reported that during the month of May the church had expenses of $10,488.55 and income of $7,623.59 for a net deficit of $2,824.96. Much of this month's deficit can be attributed to significant church maintenance expenses of $1,265.00 to repair water pipes leading to the basement bathrooms. Also, a Dell computer was purchased at a cost of $948.00 for the church office. At the end of May the net worth of the church was $305,320.35. A drop of $25,684.35 from the January 1st 2002 total of $331,004.70. Much of the net worth change is due to a decrease in the Vanguard Funds from $117,337.69 on January 1st, 2002 to $102,803.63 on June 19th, 2002. Of that $14,957.62 drop in Vanguard, $8,400.00 is due to withdrawal of monies for the church operations and $6,577.62 is from market value decrease.

Christian Education-Jan Wells-Betty Ogden-Betty reported on the summer Sunday School schedule has been filled. Children's Day on June 9th, 2002 went well. A clean up day has been scheduled for June 26th, 2002 at 7:30 PM. A Christian Education meeting will be held soon.

Trustees-Glenn Wells-Glenn reported a clean up day would be held on June 22nd, 2002. Various projects are planned. He also reported a $4200.00 withdrawal from the Vanguard Funds for the ministers housing allowance. Also, $5000.00 from the Fidelity Acct. for future expenses. It was then reported that the financial secretary would now have internet access to check and monitor our church accounts. Walt Crosby questioned the cost and need for a copy machine maintenance program.

Deacons-Gene Ogden-Gene reported that Deacons served Communion on the first of the month. Gene has arranged for members of the youth group to serve Communion is July and August. The group will set-up and clean up. A training session is planned on July 6th, 2002 at 2 PM.

Outreach-Lesley Barker-Lesley reported that Spooner House would be served on June 15th, 2002. Act is applying to the Board of Zoning to use property on Cots Street for Spooner House. The Relay for Life was held on June 8-9th, 2002. The church had walkers on Saturday and manned a table Saturday and Sunday. A total of $225.00 was raised for the American Cancer Society. The printed church brochures will be given to the membership committee. Lesley also reported that church member Kathey Chilson received a volunteer award from IVC.

Membership-Walt Crosby-Leigh Schultz-Walt reported the committee met on May 11th, 2002. The committee has created an activity list. All members will have a specific job. An anniversary postcard will be sent out to people who have been married or have baptized their children in our church. This program will start by August 2002. The committee has a church member list of 162. A contact letter will be sent out by September 2002. There are 12 candidates for church membership. Leigh Schultz will head the publicity in the Huntington Herald. A planning session will soon be held to decide if we are spending our money wisely. Walt also reported a free ad on American.towns.com. The next meeting will be held July 9th, 2002 at 7 PM.

Personnel-Bill Barker-Bill reported on the planned survey. Questions from the last survey would not be changed. New questions would be added. Bill presented a second personal information sheet that he would like to send with the survey. It would ask for annual household income. Cheryl asked if the Stewardship committee had asked for this information. He reported no they had not. A discussion took place on the need for this information and what we would do with it. It was decided that because half the council was missing this would be tabled until the July 10th, 2002, meeting. Walt Crosby then inquired about the cost of doing the survey. He felt that $125.00 was high and could it be done for less.

Fundraising-Betty Ogden-Betty reported that the Cabaret was very successful and everyone had a great time. The Yankee Candle fundraiser was very successful and the candles would be in soon. The tag sale raised $1,116.00 and a good time was had by all. The June raffle would be Bill Barker, genealogy.

The next council meeting will be held on July 10th, 2002 at 7:30 PM at the home of Church Mgr. Cheryl Patrick. Cheryl then led the council in saying The Lord's Prayer. The meeting was then adjourned at 9:12 PM.

Respectfully Submitted
Betty Ogden