Church Council Meeting - May 20, 2004

Kim Karkut called the Church Council Meeting for May 20th, 2004 to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. Rev. Jean McCusker offered a prayer. A quorum (6) was met with 10 being present (P) and 2 being absent (A).

The minutes from the April 14th, 2004 meeting were approved as amended. 1. Kim Karkut called the church council meeting for April 14th to order not March 18th. 2. Under membership the committee has not sent out a letter but is currently working on a letter to send to the people on the B list letting them know a postage fee of $25.00 will be needed to continue receiving the newsletter. 3. Under Treasurer’s Report the deficit is $361.64 not $261.64 as reported. Kim Karkut then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer - During the month of April 2004 the church had expenses of $8,455.44 and income of $9,747.71 for a net cash surplus of $1,292.27. Good pledge income and moderate monthly expenses accounted for the increase. However, net worth for the church at the end of April was $231,882.52 down $8,851.11 from the end of February and $4,311.66 from the end of 2003. A significant retreat in stock values was responsible for the net reduction.

Minister - Rev. Jean McCusker - In the past month I hosted the Shelton Clergy Association and planned for the National Day of Prayer. I had the pleasure of attending Women’s Fellowship on the evening they were packing the health kits for the Church World Service. I had a lovely dinner with the Personnel Committee. I visited with parishioners on four occasions. I participated in the book group one time. My total miles for the church were 274 from April 14th to May 19th. My trip to St. John’s United Church of Christ in Southern Illinois was a joy. Our trip to Maine was also a pleasure. Now I am glad to be back with you and am looking forward to seeing everyone who attends this coming Sunday.

Deacons - Carol Edson - Barbara Osterhoudt is signing up lay readers for the month of June.

Personnel - Ron Karkut - Ron reported the Personnel Committee and Rev. Jean McCusker recently met at a local restaurant and had an enjoyable dinner. Though we had excellent guest ministers while Jean was away, it is good to have her back.

Nominating - Bill Barker - Bill Barker reported Personnel and Deacons is each in need of people. Congratulations and many thanks to Fran Russell for assuming the Chair position on Fundraising.

Trustees - Glenn Wells - Trustees reported a good workday on May 15th. Final paint scraping was done and we should be signed off on our lead abatement issues soon. The cement stairs were repaired. A workday is scheduled on June 12th at 8 am. We will eliminate the squirrel problem by covering the hole by the gutter. We will be pursuing quotes to repair the chimney area near the downspout. Many thanks to Daisy Troop 25 for planting flowers in front of the parish house. Next trustees meeting will be June 16th, 2004.

Membership - Darleen Conklin - Darleen passed out a condensed membership B list. A letter requesting status and informing recipient of qualifications to continue receiving the church newsletter will be sent to the B list. Darleen also read A.4.d of the bylaws. Termination for Inactivity-The Membership Committee, by majority vote, may recommend, for vote by the Church Council, termination of any membership based on absence of participation (and/or unknown address) and lack of financial support for two or more consecutive years. Membership will meet next on June 13th, 2004 after worship service.

Women’s Fellowship - Lucille Wells - Lucille reported the Blanket Sunday offering as $136.00. Tools for Hope will be on Father’s Day, June 20th. The Annual Christmas Fair will be held on November 13th, 2004. The Annual Tag Sale will be postponed until September. The next Women’s Fellowship meeting will be held on September 22nd, 2004.

Outreach - Lesley Barker - Bill Barker reported Spooner House dinner was served on May 15th, 2004. Members of the Outreach Committee will be attending a Special Recognition Dinner for churches. With the lawsuit challenging the new location of Spooner House dismissed and news of a 2.5 million-dollar grant from the State Bond Commission being awarded plans will now move forward.

Special Report - Betty Ogden - The committee (Leigh Schultz, Kim Karkut, and Betty Ogden) planning the Jody Kessler Concert met on May 13th, 2004. The concert will be advertised as a Free Community Event. Two weeks before the event Betty will fax or email press releases and pictures to the Huntington Herald, Conn. Post and the N.H. Register. Bruce is making local radio stations aware. Ron Karkut is creating a brochure advertising the concert and the church. Leigh Schultz is planning on delivering the brochures to 8 churches by June 3rd. We have 10 posters and Jody is sending more. These will be placed in businesses, libraries, etc. in the area. During intermission refreshments will be sold. Coffee, tea, cold drinks and snacks. We will ask church members to bake for this event. Individually wrapped brownies, small bags of cookies, etc. We will also ask for donations of cans of ice tea, lemonade, soda, etc. The Ogden’s will donate additional beverages as needed. All paper goods (cups, napkins, coffee, milk and sugar have been donated by Rick and Leigh Schultz. Leigh Schultz has signed up for Altar Flowers for Father’s Day and the flowers will be in place for the concert. Jody is also planning on incorporating Father’s Day into the concert. Bruce Nichols, the DeMarco’s, Karkut’s, Schultz’s, Wells and the Ogden’s have donated a large portion of the monetary expenses ($225.00). All of us will write a check to the church, marked concert, and then Kathey will write a church check to Jody for $400.00. We will do a love offering during the concert, and that will be Jody’s for participating in our Sunday Service. We will supply a CD table and people to man it. Bruce, Glenn and Ron will check out the audio system in the sanctuary and let us know what equipment Jody needs to bring. We will also be recruiting people to help set up, sell refreshments and take down.

Old Business:

1. Bill Barker and Church Manager Kim Karkut attended a workshop on “Will We Be A Safe Church” on May 8th, 2004. Both said the program was excellent and would initially focus on Sunday School teachers. Procedure and contact in case of sexual impropriety. A more detailed report would be presented at the June council meeting.
New Business:
1. Jean McCusker presented a letter from The Local Ministry Church Team seeking to provide workshops and programs that further the ministries of local churches. Would SCC be interested in any of the workshops? It was decided to attend 1.Finance and Asset Management. 2. Safe Church Workshops.
2. Kim and Ron Karkut volunteered to host the Annual Church Picnic at their home in Oxford. It would be June 26th, 2004. Time would be 1 p.m. --? Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs and a side dish. Sign up sheets will be posted soon.

The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, June 16th, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The council joined with Pastor Jean in saying The Lord’s Prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk