Church Council Meeting - November 20 , 2002

Bill Barker called the church council meeting for November 20th, 2002 to order at 7:40 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 9 being present [P] and 3 being absent [A].

The minutes from the October 16th, 2002 meeting were reviewed and accepted after the following errors were noted. 1. Personnel had an extra l on the end. 2. Membership was in a different font than the rest of the report. 3. After membership the name listed was Walt Crosby, but was mentioned in the report as Walter. Bill Barker then called on the officers and committee chairs for their reports.

MINISTER - Rev. Dr. Greg Schmidt - Greg reported 3 volunteers are needed to light Advent Candles. He also said the December Children's Services will be moved to January. He asked for the opinion of the council about lay people doing the Children Services. Everyone approved. Important dates set are Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service is November 26th, 2002 at 7:30 PM in our sanctuary. Christmas Eve Service time to be announced. New Year's Eve will start with a pot luck dinner at 10:30 PM and services at 11:30 PM.

TREASURER - Bruce Nichols - Bill Barker reported during the month of October the church had expenses of $15,527.09 and income of $6,439.11 for a net deficit of $9,085.98. The deficit for October was more that usual due to a down payment of $2,750 for parish house windows (lead abatement) and prepayment of the minister's salary ($2,800.) for the first half of November. At the end of October 2002 the net worth of the church was $232,725.95. This is down $98,278.75 from the January 1st, 2002 total of $331,004.70. About half the decrease is due to portfolio market value decline and the remainder is due to withdrawals from savings to meet the 2002 deficit of operating expenses versus income.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - Jan Wells - Betty Ogden - Christian Ed. met on November 2nd, 2002. On November 24th, 2002 (Thanksgiving Sunday) Sunday School children will sing two songs and collect canned goods from the congregation. Sunday School will follow. Helen Brakewood is in charge of the pageant this year. Rehearsals are Dec. 1st, 8th and 15th. The pageant will take place after worship services on December 22nd, 2002. The Children's Choir under the direction of David Irvine will sing at the Christmas Eve Service. There will be no Sunday School on December 29th, 2002. Martha Devine brought up the need for fire safety instruction. There is no plan in place at this time. The Sunday School handbook was discussed. A cover would be designed with drawings created by the Sunday School children. It was also suggested that a monthly newsletter be sent out. Jan will work on getting one out for November 24th, 2002. Adult Ed. was again discussed and would be rotated between the homes of members. Our Silver Lake Retreat is set for the 1st weekend of May. The retreat co-ordinates are Kim Karkut and Betty Ogden. Next meeting will be Jan 4th, 2002. Sue Hanrahan is now one of the co-teachers for grades 4-6.

DEACONS - Gene Ogden - Gene reported two families still needed to light advent candles. On December 15th, 2002 church members will meet in the Beard Room to go caroling. We would leave church at 4:30 PM and come back to church for pizza. The Choir Concert would be December 22nd, 2002 at 3 PM. Communion would be served on Christmas Eve.

TRUSTEES - Bruce Nichols - Bruce Nichols reported Trustees met on November 19th, 2002. It was reported the church's three Vanguard Funds were sold on October 17th, 2002 for $71,092. Those funds were transferred to the Fidelity Acct. and used to purchase amounts of Duff & Phelps, Fidelity Puritan and Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund. Also reported was the installation of 25 new windows and six exterior support posts on the ongoing parish house lead abatement project. NVH is also listing the parish house and the church building as one unit so the same rules are being applied. Sue Nofi-Bendici has written an appeal letter on this issue to the Dept. of Public Health in Hartford. Trustees is considering replacing the windows in the basement of the church. The auto donated by Harry Schmidt has been sold for $3500.00 and the proceeds will go to the church. Gray tiles have been donated for the YG Room in the parish house basement. The tenant has requested the apartment be painted and carpeting replaced. Trustees moved and approved that Trustee offer to supply the paint and the tenant paint the apartment. It was also proposed that the apartment rent be raised 7.4 % above the present rate. Also reported was the need to repair plumbing in the women's bathroom and the roof over the back office in the parish house. Greg also said Bill Barker has done the bulk of the lead abatement work and the church was very thankful. Next Trustees meeting will be December 18th, 2002 at 6:30 PM.

OUTREACH - Lesley Barker - Outreach met on November 3rd, 2002. Should be a P&Z decision on Spooner House by December 1st, 2002. Spooner House will soon be hiring a director. We will be serving Spooner House on December 14th, 2002. AA has responded and will be conducting an informational seminar in our church during January or February. The Angel Tree will soon be erected. It will benefit Salvation Army or the Safe House. Greg will inquire at the Safe House as to what is needed. There will be collections on December 1ST and 8th for Tornado Relief during worship services.

MEMBERSHIP - Walt Crosby - Walt reported 15 new members have joined the church. He thanked Cheryl for creating the Welcome Bags that were presented. Walt asked for a list of new members, so welcome letters can be sent. He would also ask for a bio and picture to be displayed.

NOMINATING- Lucille Wells-Kathey DeMarco- Lucille reported all committees have been filled except Membership. Linda MacDonald will be replacing Lois Sutter and one more member will be needed.

FUNDRAISING - Betty Ogden - Betty reported the 110th Anniversary Party has gone from a fundraiser to a fellowship celebration. We will be celebrating our 110th year as a church and our past year together as a congregation. We will have a buffet, photographs of the past year, music, door prizes and craft activities for the children. This will be at no cost to those attending and all are welcome.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP - Lucille reported the Christmas Fair will be held on November 23rd, 2002 from 9-3. She has 6 vendors, white elephant table, raffle table and food would be served. Santa Claus would also be there. The Women's Fellowship would be participating in the Tree of Life- Hope for Tomorrow during December. We may buy special Christmas cards for $5.00 each and the proceeds would buy Moringa Trees. The December 10th meeting would be a pot luck dinner at 6:30 in the Beard Room.

STEWARDSHIP - Sharon Schmidt - Sharon reported the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program a positive and spiritual experience. Thirty members increased their pledges and new pledges were significant. A total of 41 pledges were received that morning. We would use the same program next year and we should be looking for a speaker now. It was hard to decide who our shut ins were and an updated mailing list is essential. Bill Barker asked for a financial update and number of non-pledging members for the next meeting. Bill also said that perhaps we could save $600 next year by church members preparing the celebration buffet. He noted that Cheryl Patrick ended up having to serve. Betty Ogden pointed out that everyone was happy not having to prepare the meal and Cheryl Patrick serving was her personal choice and not a necessity.

BUDGET COMMITTEE - Bill reported the first meeting would be held soon. Members will be Betty Ogden-CE, Bruce Nichols-Treasurer, Ron Karkut-Personnel, Walt Crosby-Membership, Lesley Barker-Outreach, Glenn Wells-Trustees, Peggy Gilmore-Stewardship and Bill Barker.

BY LAWS COMMITTEE - Bill reported any member requesting bylaw changes must do so by December 25,2002. A 30-day notice is required.

ANNUAL MEETING - The date for the Annual Meeting is January 26th, 2002 after worship service. The snow date will be February 2nd, 2002 after worship services.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. The Congregational Survey requesting data on members is tabled until the first of the year.

The next council meeting will be held on December 18th, 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 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted
Betty Ogden, Clerk