Church Council Meeting - September 17, 2003

Kim Karkut called the church council meeting for September 17th, 2003 to order at 7:40 PM in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. A quorum (6) was met with 11 being present (P) and 3 being absent (A).

The minutes from the August 20th, 2003 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Kim then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer-Bruce Nichols-During the month of August 2003 the church had income of $4,199.95 and expenses of $8,494.62 for a net deficit of $4,294.67. Net worth for the church at the end of August was $223,237.67, down $4,126.97 from the end of July 2003. This month’s deficit was related to church expenses falling short of income. Pledging during the summer has been below average levels while expenses have remained constant. There was a slight increase of $165.00 in our Fidelity holdings.

Minister-Rev. Jean McCusker-Her report reflected her concerns of many things not done because of only 16 hours allotted to her. Statistics presented were: In the past month there have been five worship services. Jean was present at four of them. She was partially prepared for the fifth but became ill. Had office hours on four Thursdays. Visited 2 parishioners in their homes. Met with Bill Barker weekly. Plus, three other people at the office. Had a phone visit with a visitor to the church and is planning a home visit. Had email contact on numerous occasions regarding church business. Attended a Stewardship meeting, as well as the August Trustee and Council meetings. Has traveled 472 miles for the church. She has made the arrangements for the Elm City Girls Choir retreat and appearance with Rebecca Rosenbaum. She will be meeting soon with Jamie Sandin in regards to her daughter’s upcoming baptism. Jean expressed her concern that 16 hours is not enough time for her to take care of our needs. The thought she left us with was this: Trust God. God is providing and will continue to provide for the needs of this congregation. There is no need to be anxious about your finances. There is no need to rush the interim process and/or the search process. Even this time without a called pastor is time in which God is helping this congregation to be all that God dreams you can be. Allow God to stretch you. I urge each of you to be open to developing new gifts for ministry. Trust God to provide what you need. God never lets us down. The talents you require, the courage you need, the vision you need-all this and more will be provided. Allow God to show you how faithful God is.

Trustees-Glenn Wells-Trustees reported a workday is planned on Oct. 4th, 2003 at 8:30 am. Inside work will be paint the tenants apartment, replace tiles in the kitchen ceiling, put down a new floor in the storage room off the kitchen and in the youth room the basement of the Parish House. Work on removing the lead paint on the front door of the church. Bill reported the new minister’s sign as ready to put up. Bill thanked Glenn for putting up the hardware for the new banners and Lesley for doing the carpet cleaning. Betty Ogden reported painting the tenant’s apartment had been made a fundraising project. Bill Barker had quoted a price of $150. a room to the tenant and passed the project to the Fundraising Committee. As creative as Betty can be, she could not figure out how to make the project a fundraising event. Other than 3 members of the committee doing the work or recruiting others to do the work. She felt it was more appropriate as a trustee issue and thanked Glenn for adding it to his scheduled workday.

Outreach-Lesley Barker-The Walk for the Hungry and Homeless was held on September 13th, 2003 and raised about fourteen thousand dollars. The Act Board met last night. They’re no changes in their plans. They have not yet received approval of the mortgage to pay for the property on Todd Road. There is still a lawsuit pending from one of the neighbors near the Todd Road property. Lesley mentioned the upcoming Crop Walk. Outreach will be too busy to participate and perhaps the Youth Group can. It was suggested she talk to Darleen Conklin or Donna Hasiotis.
Membership-Walter Crosby-Walt reported membership has not had a formal meeting. He now has only 2 committee members. They will be continuing the new member picture and profile in the newsletter. They will also be pursuing members who didn’t join last time.

Personnel-Ron Karkut-A supplemental four hour time unit was approved for Rev. McCusker for the week of September 8th-14th. This was for extra work needed on worship service items related to the church school teachers recognition and the dedication ceremony for the banners donated by Del Burger. Rev. McCusker missed the Sunday service on September 14th due to illness. She had worked extensively on preparations both at home and at the church office earlier that week. While there is no stated allowance for sick days in the interim minister’s contract, personnel committee recommends a policy of occasional allowance for missed days due to illness based on other work done during the week involved. Generally, if the interim minister were not at the church at all during a particular week, then there would be no salary due for that week, but we would continue to pay the weekly pension, health, and professional expense fund amounts, as per the contract agreement. Also a few more questionnaire survey forms were received from church members. A motion was made at this time to allot Jean four more hours. This would give her 4 units or 20 hours a week. This motion was passed unanimously.

Fundraising-Betty Ogden-Betty reported the plans for Bruce Nichols Appalachian Odyssey as under control. We would be raffling off one the Longaberger Baskets at this event. Plans are almost complete for Shelton Day. November we would raffle off a Longaberger pie plate and in December a microwave donated by Flo Gryder.

Women’s Fellowship-Lucille Wells-The group met on September 9th, 2003 and made arrangements to call all church members to bake for the church booth at Shelton Day. The Christmas Fair will be held on November 22nd, 2003 and vendor tables would cost $25.00. She asked Betty Ogden if she would be willing to do the advertising for the event. Betty said,” Of course.” A Chinese auction will be held this year in place of the white elephant table.

Stewardship-Cheryl Patrick-The Stewardship Committee met on September 7th and September 14th. It was decided that once again, we will be using the Consecration Sunday program that was used last year. We are currently seeking a speaker for this program and have a few people in mind. Consecration Sunday will be November 9th. A leadership dinner, where council can meet our speaker, will be held either November 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. This date will be confirmed by next council meeting. Although $600. has already been budgeted for the Consecration Sunday brunch, the Stewardship committee feels having the catered meal be more of a “continental breakfast” rather than a full-scale meal can save the money. According to the Consecration Sunday Program, it is not unusual for the churches to be tempted to change from a catered meal to a “potluck” meal. However, this program focuses on getting members to make meal reservations for Consecration Sunday because it is a catered affair. This in turn solicits their commitment of attendance on Consecration Sunday. It warns that not having a catered meal will greatly effect the success of the program. The next Stewardship meeting will be held September 28th, 2003 at 11:00 am in the library.

Old Business:

The Elm City Girls Choir will be here again this year and volunteers are needed to supply dinner. Councils members volunteered to supply all food needed.

New Business:

1. Kim Karkut reported she had seven definite for the search committee. Ron Karkut, Betty Ogden, Marlene Wilcox, Cheryl Patrick, Dave Kingsbury, Amanda McDonald, and Sue Nofi-Bendici. Bruce Nichols an alternate. She still has 5or 6 people considering the eighth position.

2. Kim suggested that small coffee hours be organized on Sunday’s. The idea would be 3 or 4 people would meet with Pastor Jean and have an opportunity to come to know her and Jean to know them. Because people naturally gravitate toward someone they know, it was suggested the group consist of Pastor Jean, Kim Karkut-Church Manager and the group invited. The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, October 15th, 2003 at 7:30 PM in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The council joined with Pastor Jean in saying The Lord’s Prayer. The meeting was then adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden, Clerk