Church Council Meeting - April 16, 2003

Bill Barker called the church council meeting for April 16th, 2003 to order at 7:40 PM in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The meeting opened with a prayer offered by Rev. Greg Schmidt. A quorum [6] was met, with 8 being present [P] and 6 being absent [A].

The minutes from the March 18th, 2003 meeting were reviewed. Bruce Nichols pointed out an error on the last paragraph of the minutes. The date of April 16 h, 2003 was incorrect. It should have read April 16th, 2003. A "t" was missing from the "th" and the error was duly noted. After a sincere apology from the clerk, the minutes were accepted.

MINISTER- Rev. Dr. Greg Schmidt-Maundy Thursday Service will be April 17th at 7 PM. Twelve people have volunteered to be disciples. Communion will be served. Easter Sunrise Service will be at Jones Farm at 6 AM. On Saturday, April 19th, we will hold an all night vigil in the sanctuary of our church. This will be held from sunset, Saturday, April 19th until sunrise on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Church members are still needed to sign up for 1 hour. Retreat will be the first weekend in May. A replacement will be needed for Greg. We will need an ordained minister, as this is Communion Sunday. The Congregational Church Survey will soon go out. This will help in creating a profile for our search for a new minister.

TREASURER-Bruce Nichols-During the month of March 2003 the church had expenses of $14,590.08 and income of $8,291.16 for a net deficit of $6,298.92. A major expense during the month was the quarterly $4600.00 to the pension board for insurance. Net worth for the church at the end of March was $228,136.67, down $4,184.32 from the end of February 2002. On March 21st, $10,000 was transferred from the Fidelity account to the checking account to help offset expenses related to apartment lead abatement and repair of the kitchen radiator leak. Shares of General Electric, Verizon, and the Fidelity Puritan Fund were sold to facilitate the transfer. It is expected that some of these expenses will be offset by insurance payments.

TRUSTEES-Glenn Wells-The last of the windows have been installed. The carpet in the Parish House apartment has been replaced. The church kitchen floor will be replaced Friday, April 18th, 2003. Carroll's has been hired to replace the fascia on the back of the church. Workday's are planned for May 10th and May 17th, 2003.

OUTREACH-Lesley Barker-Spooner House was served on March 15th, 2003. A Millennium Challenge letter, to support developing aid, was sent to our senate representative.

LEAD ABATEMENT - Sue Nofi Bendici, as a representative of the Lead Abatement Ad Hoc Committee, updated the council on our present lead abatement issues. She explained the statutes on toxic levels for children under 6 years of age. Because the church is on the same lot as the parish house, the D.P.H. considers it as part of the problem. We will argue on May 6th, that the regulation should not have been written as such. We should win, but we will most likely lose because the D.P.H. will not admit the regulation is wrong. Greg asked if an exemption is in order, but Sue said there was no provision for an exemption. After our appeal loses we can file a lawsuit.

FUNDRAISING- Betty Ogden-All squares for the quilt have been completed. Will be hanging in the sanctuary soon. Greg will do the drawing on June 29th, 2003.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP-Lucille Wells-W.F. met last Tuesday. Thirteen school kits were packed. May 11th, is Blanket Sunday. $1000.00 was donated to the kitchen repair project by Women's Fellowship. Next meeting will be held May 13th, 2003.

STEWARDSHIP-Sharon Schmidt-Greg reported that a guest speaker for Consecration Sunday is being pursued.

NOMINATING-Lucille Wells-A replacement for Sharon Schmidt as chair of Stewardship will need to be found.

PERSONNEL/PASTORAL RELATIONS-Sue Nofi-Bendici- Committee met on March 27th, 2003 and discussed the resignation of Rev. Dr. Gregory W. Schmidt. The committee approved all salaries and benefits through August are paid to Greg. The also discussed what to do when Greg is gone. A full or part-time interim minister? On April 24th, at 6:30 PM Rev. Lark Hapke will meet with committee and council members to discuss upcoming needs of the church. Greg said it would require a church vote on the part-time, full time minister. It would not be the job of the council. It was also noted that Bill Barker, Asst. Church Manager and Kim Karkut, the church manager not be on the search committee. They will have enough to do in keeping the church running.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Lesley Barker stated that The Shelton Congregational Church will not be participating in the
Relay for Life.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Greg said with his departure, the All Church Survey is very important. A letter can go out with the survey asking for input, comments, questions that might be helpful in our search for a new pastor. Also, if any church members would like to be on the search committee. A motion was made and seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, May 21st, 2003 at 7:30 PM. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The Rev. Greg Schmidt led the council in saying "The Lord's Prayer." The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted
Betty Ogden, Clerk