Church Council Meeting - November 20, 2003

Kim Karkut called the church council meeting for November 20th, 2003 to order at 7:37 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. A prayer was offered by Rev. Jean McCusker. A quorum (6) was met with 12 being present (P) and 2 being absent (A).

The minutes from the October 15th, 2003 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Kim then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer-Bruce Nichols-During the month of October 2003 the church had income of $7,406.66 and expenses of $9,774.52 for a net deficit of $2,367.86. Net worth for the church at the end of October was $223,457.78, down $2,055.88 from the end of September. While our portfolio posted a modest increase, this month’s deficit is related to a net reduction in our Fidelity account due to the withdrawal of $4,000.00 early in the month to cover ongoing church expenses and large quarterly payments related to employee benefits. We also received about $1,450.00 less in pledge income in October as compared to September.

Minister-Rev. Jean McCusker-This has been a month of meetings, thoughts about stewardship, and continued pleasure at the opportunity to serve Christ in your midst. In the past month there have been five worship services. I preached four and Diane Ciba offered the Consecration Sunday sermon. I had office hours on four Thursday, not counting this morning’s office hours. I had seven visits at the office, four times outside the office, three calls at hospitals, several phone visits, several email contacts regarding church business and prepared one article for the newsletter. I attended Friday and Saturday of the CT Conference Annual Meeting, the Fairfield East Association Meeting and the Shelton Clergy Association meeting. I met with Deacons, with our Guest Steward (Diane Ciba), and attended the Leadership Dinner. The Church and Ministry Committee of Naugatuck Valley has interviewed me and my ministerial standing and is now held in that Association. A funeral for was conducted on November 9th, 2003. A Memorial Service was held in our sanctuary on November 15th, 2003. I have traveled 1017 miles for the church. Upcoming plans are a Community Thanksgiving service to be held at the Huntington Congregational Church on November 25th at 7:30 p.m. The Ecumenical Choir will meet for rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. The evening offering is non-perishable food items and monetary offerings to be given to Act/Spooner House. The congregation will have an opportunity to attend three one-hour Advent Prayer Group classes. I made the decision to offer these three sessions, without checking with council first because of The Hilltopper News deadline. The sessions will be December 4th –11th - and the 18th from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. We have updated and prepared nametags for use. I know it would be helpful for Bill McCusker and myself as we continue to learn names. When the new pastor arrives, if wearing nametags is a habit, she or he will have an easier time becoming familiar with all of you. You will find additional pages of my report attached to the end of the minutes.

Christian Education-Jan Wells-Sunday School has 19 children enrolled and 9 attending. Team teaching is in effect. In lieu of a Children’s Service, the Sunday School Children will collect can goods on November 23rd. The Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, November 21st, in the sanctuary and practice will start soon. Sunday School classes will be held through December 28th. Bill Barker asked Jan about the Safe House children. They haven’t been attending and asked she contact them.

Deacons-Carol Edson-Holiday decorating would be done soon. Communion would be served on December 21st and Christmas Eve. Jean mentioned to Carol the wrong colors were being used. That the next four Sunday’s should be purple. Christmas Eve would be white. Scheduling concerns on the banners were discussed. Perhaps we need to purchase additional banners? The banners cost $175.00 apiece and we could have a special offering to defray the cost.

Trustees-Glenn Wells-The church lead abatement is almost completed. The front door has recently been painted. A workday is planned for December 6th. Time will be 8 a.m. to noon. A volunteer list of jobs will be posted in the narthex. The lease on the parish house apartment will be renewed with a rent increase from $725.00 to $745.00 a month. The rental fees for the Beard Room have been reviewed and increased. The large Christmas tree on the side of the parish house will be taken because it is hitting the house. Lucille Wells asked what happened to the missing blind in the Beard room. It was reported broken during replacement of the window. Next trustee meeting will be December 17th.

Outreach-Lesley Barker-Spooner House was served on November 15th. The Angel Tree will be set up in the sanctuary November 30th. Church members can choose an Angel Tag from the tree and purchase the gift listed on the card. All gifts should be returned no later than December 14th. Lesley Barker will sell Spooner House Pins for Act/Spooner House at the Christmas Fair. The money would go to Act.

Personnel-Ron Karkut-Betty Ogden reported the first Search Committee meeting with Susan Townsley as very interesting and helpful. The meeting was held at her home and attendees were Jeff Holton, Alicia Cleary, Ron Karkut, Marlene Wilcox, Betty Ogden, Amanda MacDonald, Dave Kingsbury and Cheryl Patrick. The next meeting is scheduled for December 9th.

Fundraising-Betty Ogden-The pie plate raffle drawing will be held November 23rd during coffee hour. A planned raffle will be in December for a microwave donated by Flo Gryder.

Women’s Fellowship-Lucille Wells- The Christmas Fair will be held on November 22nd, 2003 and vendor tables will cost $25.00. We have two outside vendors. Lisa Turecek will have a cupcake-decorating table for the kids. Lesley Barker will be selling pins for Spooner House. We will have our traditional soup and sandwiches. A Chinese auction will be held this year in place of the white elephant table. Women’s Fellowship will host a Potluck Christmas Party in the Beard Room on Tuesday, December 9th at 6 p.m. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share and a donation for Spooner House.

Stewardship-Cheryl Patrick-Bill Barker presented the Stewardship report. On Conservation Sunday we received 39 pledges for $39,295.00. This is an improvement over last year’s program. Last year we had 41 pledges for $37,521.00 on Consecration Sunday. Of the 39 pledges, 22 were increases, 10 remained the same, 2 went down and 5 were new. Since November 9th we have received additional 7 pledges, so our total is now 46 pledges for $43,195.00. Our goal for the follow up is 68 pledges (we had 64 last year) and to slightly exceed last year’s pledging total of $53,843.00.

Delegates-Bill Barker-Bill reported that he and Pastor Jean attended the Fairfield East Association Meeting.

New Business:

1. A motion was made by Glenn Wells that Rev. Jean McCusker’s hours be raised from 20 to 26 hours
from week ending November 28th – December 31st, 2003. Motion was seconded and passed.
2. The discussions on 1. Will we be a safe church? 2. Constructive or Destructive Feedback (anonymous complaints). 3. Full minutes or summary published on the church website was tabled until the December 17th council meeting.
3. It was decided that communion would be served on December 21st and Christmas Eve. The Children’s Christmas Pageant will be December 21st. The planned date for our annual church Christmas caroling will be December 21st.

The next council meeting will be held Wednesday December 17th, 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 adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted

Betty Ogden, Clerk