Church Council Meeting - October 16, 2002

Cheryl Patrick called the church council meeting for October 16th, 2002 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 10 being present [P] and 2 being absent [A].

The minutes from the September 18th, 2002 meeting were reviewed and accepted after corrections to dates, brackets, spaces and whatever else. Cheryl Patrick then called on the officers and committee chairs for their reports.

MINISTER- Rev. Dr. Greg Schmidt- Greg reported he had recently hosted the Shelton Clergy Luncheon at our church. The Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service will be held November 26th, 2002 at 7:30 P.M. in our sanctuary. ACT will be going before the Shelton P&Z on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. Greg asked permission to post a petition supporting the Spooner House application in the narthex for interested church members to sign. Greg also said there would be a New Year's Eve Service.

TREASURER-Bruce Nichols - Bill Barker reported during the month of September the church had expenses of $12,808.96 and income of $7,484.59 for a deficit of $5,324.37. The September report doesn't include anticipated expenses from the lead abatement project. However, lead abatement expenses in October through December of 2002 may be in excess of $10,000 and are expected to cause the annual budget to be $146,055.61,as compared to the approved annual budget of $133,128.72 (as shown as on page 6 of this report). The Naugatuck Valley Health District has approved the church's lead abatement plan and an order for 25 replacement windows, costing $5,500 was placed with KMF inc. of Guilford, CT. on October 7th, 2002. At the end of September 2002, the net worth of the church was $233,038.64. This is down $97,966.06 from the January 1st, 2002 total of $331,004.70. To meet current expense needs through October 6th, we have withdrawn $21,000 from the Vanguard funds in year 2002.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION- Jan Wells-Betty Ogden - Discussed was the CE 2002 goals and if those goals were met. The next CE meeting will be held at 9:30 A.M. on November 2nd, 2002 at the home of Betty Ogden.

DEACONS-Gene Ogden-Geno reported Sadie Patrick and Amanda Macdonald were now Jr. Deacons. He felt both were an important addition to the committee. He also thanked Shirley Keller for her recent last minute assistance. Because of a shortage of members on the Membership Committee, Deacons has offered to take back the responsibility of sending letters to visitors who have signed our guest book.

TRUSTEES-Glenn Wells-Glenn reported plans for the corrections of the lead abatement problems on church property are moving forward. Trustees workdays are scheduled for October 26th and November 2nd, 2002. It was reported the roof over the back office in the Parish House is leaking. Glenn reported that Trustees has voted the Vanguard Funds, designated Ministers Allowance, be moved to bond funds. Dick Conklin has access to floor tiles and would be obtaining them for the YG Room in the Parish House. Greg reported possession of a car donated by his father to the church and all proceeds from the sale will go to The Shelton Congregational Church.

OUTREACH-Lesley Barker- Lesley reported their last meeting was held on October 13th, 2002. Spooner House will be served on October 19th, 2002. ACT will be appearing before the Shelton P&Z meeting on October 22nd, 2002 at 7 PM. The committee assisted ACT at Shelton Day by supplying table space and passing out literature. Lesley also stated the goals for 2002 have been met. They sponsored Hunger Education Sunday that covered local as well as overseas hunger issues. Have taken part in the Crop Walk in Bridgeport and the ACT Walk for the Hungry and Homeless.

MEMBERSHIP-Walt Crosby-Walter reported the plans being made for the welcoming of new members on Sunday, November 3rd, 2002 during our regular worship services. He thanked Cheryl Patrick for creating the welcome bags being given to new members. Walter also reported efforts in cutting some of the expenses of the committee. In eliminating the box in the Yellow Pages, that expense went from $48.00 to $21.00. He also reported nothing has been done with the membership list.

NOMINATING-Lucille Wells said the committee has started working to fill empty slots on committees for next year. Because of the resignation of Kathy Maillet, the new Committee Chair is Kathey DeMarco.

PERSONELL-Bill Barker-Bill reported the committee has not met in 6-8 weeks. He also reported 20% of the survey questionnaires have been returned.

FUNDRAISING- Betty Ogden- Betty reported the committee has met all of their 2002 Goals. Bill Barker brought up the planned 110 Anniversary Party and somehow convinced Betty this was the responsibility of the Fundraising Committee. The date picked for the party is December 14th, 2002.

STEWARDSHIP- Sharon Schmidt-Greg reported the committee has finalized the plans for the Stewardship Program about to start. On October 21st, 2002 a dinner is planned at the Schmidt home. Mary Kalencik, the outside leader for the program will be attending this meeting. The Consecration Sunday Brunch will be catered by Robin Marketto.

YOUTH GROUP-Darleen Conklin- Darleen reported the Youth Group would be participating in "Make a Difference Day." The group will buy supplies for our neighboring safe house and present the supplies to the home leaders. The group also went to visit the Cornfield Maze on September 29th, 2002. It took about 11/2 hours to get though the maze. Everyone had a great time. Plans are being finalized for the Annual Spaghetti Dinner on November 9th, 2002 in the Beard Room. Once this date is verified an announcement for the church bulletin will be given to Kathey.

The next council meeting will be held on November 20th, 2002 at 7:30 P.M. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The Rev. Greg Schmidt then led the council in saying "The Lord's Prayer." The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted
Betty Ogden, Clerk