Church Council Meeting - August 18, 2004

Bill Barker called the Church Council Meeting for August 18th, 2004 to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. Rev. Jean McCusker offered a prayer. A quorum (6) was met with 9 being present (P) and 3 being absent (A).

Youth Group-Donna Hasiotis-Because of a prior commitment that prevented Donna from staying Bill Barker allowed her to make her request before the council meeting was called to order. The Youth Group would like to host a Talent Show Event on November 6th, 2004. With a possible dinner included. Betty Ogden offered to give the group her planning folder from the September 21st. 2002 Talent Show/Dinner Event. The council voted to approve the event.

The minutes from the July 21st, 2004 Council Meeting were reviewed and accepted. Asst. Church Manager Bill Barker then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer - Bruce Nichols- In the treasurer's absence this month there was no published report available to council members at the August Council Meeting.

Minister-Rev. Jean McCusker-Jean shared the fact that nineteen years ago, August 18th, she was ordained. Council offered their congratulations. Since July 20th, 2004 Pastor Jean reported she prepared and led worship for four Sunday services. Visited on four occasions. Conducted a memorial service for a non-member. Attended a clergywomen support meeting. Also, drove 579 miles for the church from July 21st to August 17th. Looking ahead she will lead a worship service for the residents at Hewitt Memorial. She will perform baptism’s on August 29th and September 5th.

Nominating-Bill Barker- Bill Barker reported Jeff and Linda Holton have volunteered for the Deacon’s Committee.
Deacons-Carol Edson- Carol reported communion would be by intinction again. Barbara Osterhouldt will help Pastor Jean serve. Darlene mentioned that when deacon changes are made instruction would be helpful to the congregation. Carol also reported choir would start on September 12th, 2004.

Trustees-Glenn Wells-Trustees approved moving $8443.64 from the Memorial Fund to the Short Term Bond Fund. Would be noted in the ledger as restricted funds. The boxes of records kept in the parish house bathroom will be sorted and all records through 1999 (except payroll) would be disposed of. Trashcans must have plastic bags put in and all garbage is to be placed in the cans with the lids on. Complaints have been received from a neighbor about limbs falling from the dead tree (behind the parish house) onto her property. Trustees will investigate the cost and possibility of having the tree removed. Bill Barker will speak to the FPKC about covering the pulpit bibles when finished with their services. Next meeting scheduled for September 15th, 2004.

Membership-Darleen Conklin-Walt Crosby-The committee has the membership verification letter (approved by council) ready to be sent to the B list. There is some confusion with some of the addresses not being current. Nor is the committee comfortable assuming Ms., Mr. or Mrs. is a proper salutation with out verification. Bill Barker has information more current and will forward this information to Darleen Conklin with in a week. The membership committee is planning on attending other churches to observe how people are welcomed. Bill Barker asked if the committee was checking the guest book on a regular basis. If not, it is the responsibility of the committee and should be done on a regular basis.

Outreach-Lesley Barker-Lesley reported Spooner House will serve supper on August 21st, 2004. Lesley attended an ACT Executive Committee meeting on August 10th and an Act Board meeting on August 17th. Barbara and Lesley helped with the ACT fundraiser “Touch a Truck” on August 14th. The Annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless will take place September 18th, 2004 at the Derby Green.

Old Business:

1. Bill Barker and Church Manager Kim Karkut attended a workshop on “Will We Be A Safe Church” on May 8th, 2004. Using information and literature from the workshop, Bill has written a “Safe Church Policy for the Shelton Congregational Church.” After discussion, Bill made a motion to approve the written policy statement only, as amended for grammatical errors. The attachments would be addressed at the August 18th council meeting. Further action on the attachments was tabled until the Sept 15th council meeting because Bill was acting moderator for this meeting.

2. Lesley Barker supplied more information on the “Good Coffee for a Good Cause” being sponsored by the UCC. We are purchasing a mixed case of coffee (reg & decaf) at a cost of $30.00 and a tea sampler at a cost of $12.00 plus shipping. It has been discovered we need perk instead of drip. The order will be changed and the new information given to the church office.

3. No action was taken at this meeting involving the concert and overnight visit of the Elm City Girls Choir on September 19th, 2004. Further discussion was tabled until the September 15th council meeting.

New Business:

1. Carol Edson raised questions about the church sponsoring a large fundraising event. A Strawberry Festival, etc. The two quilt fundraisers did very well and perhaps that could be done again. Further discussion was tabled until the September 15th council meeting.

2. The Valley Interfaith Caregivers are sponsoring a Senior Variety Show on September 18th, 2004. Would we like to purchase add space in their program? A motion was made by Pastor Jean to purchase a _ page at the cost of $25.00. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

3. Pastor Jean received information on the Hewitt Festival of Trees Fundraiser. She will give the information to Barbara Osterhoudt and further discussion was tabled until the September 15th council meeting.

4. Information on the Sudan/Darfur Crisis was presented. An eighteen-month ecumenical effort is underway to provide food, medicines, water, supplies, sanitation, seeds and tools. Lesley will make an announcement in church, prepare an informational leaflet and do an article for the October Newsletter. A motion was made by Lesley that for 4 Sunday’s starting September 26th, 2004 a collection be taken for the Sudan Relief Fund. Church members can use pew envelopes. Checks should be made out to SCC with a memo notation stating Sudan Relief. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

5. Pastor Jean received information about the Majestic News, a Christian newspaper. She gave the literature to Darleen Conklin and further discussion was tabled until the September 15th council meeting.

6. Pastor Jean received information on Hurricane Disaster Relief. Two UCC Churches in Florida were damaged. Jean will mention this during Sunday’s service and prayers. There will be a free will offering taken.

The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, September 15th, 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 9:08 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk