Church Council Meeting - February 15, 2005

Bill Barker called the Church Council Meeting for February 15th, 2005 to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. A quorum (6) was met with 10 being present (P) and 3 being absent (A).

The minutes from the January 18th, 2005 Council Meeting were reviewed and accepted as written. Asst: Church Manager Bill Barker then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer-Derek Cable-Bruce Nichols presented the treasurer's report. During the month of January 2005 the church had income of $11,891.29 and expenses of $11,286.52 for a net surplus of $604.77. A life insurance payment from Pat Clark's estate in the amount of $2,906.31 was deposited on January 18th, 2005 and was responsible for the surplus. Net worth of the church at the end of January was $230,657.89 down $3,496.87 from the end of December 2004.

Personnel and Pastoral Relations-Ron Karkut-The contracts for Kathey DeMarco (church secretary) David Irvine (choir director) and Tanya Yedigarova (organist) have been signed. Each employee has been given a copy of his or her signed contracts. A copy of all employee contracts is now on file in the church office for future reference. Ron Karkut, Chair of the Pastoral Relations Committee, hopes to meet with Rev. Parsons on a monthly basis. Ron felt this would be an opportunity for open discussion between the committee and the minister.

Nominating-Cheryl Patrick-Cheryl Patrick reported a successful All Committee Sunday on February 6th, 2005. The committees met and elected chairs for their committee.

Minister-Rev. Shepard Parsons-Rev. Parsons shared his thoughts about worshiping with the Shelton Congregational Church. We are a special church that is working and worshiping together. Rev. Parsons noticed that some committee meetings are scheduled after worship service and during coffee and fellowship hour. He noted this is usually family time. Some churches have committee night. All committees meet on a designated night. This way if any interaction is needed between committees all members are present. If held on council night all committee chairs would be present to attend the council meeting. Doing this would allow everyone to participate in coffee and fellowship hour. Also, our coffee hours are very rich in desserts. Could explore the option of serving healthier food. Perhaps light lunches that we could all sit down and share. Rev. Parsons is accredited and participates in a program at Yale Divinity that supervises student interns. We have an opportunity to participate in this program with the usual $3000.00 fee waived. The program is in place from September-April. The intern would work 13 ½ hours a week. It would involve worship services, education and hospital visiting. An Intern Committee would be created to offer guidance as needed. Bruce Nichols, Cheryl Patrick and Kim Karkut volunteered to be on the committee. This will be brought up under new business.

Membership-Walt Crosby-Darlene Conklin- Cheryl Patrick reported that the Membership Committee met on February 13th, 2005. They hope to meet every second Sunday of the month. With the membership bylaw change approved at the annual meeting the committee now has 6 members. Jeff Devine and Donna Hasiotis are the new members. Future committee plans are an open house and classes for new members.

Trustees-Glenn Wells-The FPKC lease has been signed. The new storage closet for the Korean church is 80 % completed. Ron Karkut and Glenn Wells did the work. Trustees voted to transfer $5000.00 from the Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund to the church checking account. The kitchen floor is not coming clean. Trustees are considering bringing in a specialist. Trustees approved installing a DSL line into the office. This would allow more than one computer on line at the same time. Next trustees meeting will be March 15th, 2005 at 7 p.m.

Outreach-Lesley Barker-Spooner House will be served on February 19th, 2005. ACT recently sponsored a Have A Heart food drive at three participating Stop & Shops. 800 cases of food and $2800.00 dollars in cash were donated. Souper Bowl Sunday raised $26.00.

Stewardship-Bill Barker-Bill reported the committee has not had a meeting.

Deacons-Gene Ogden-Kathey DeMarco reported plans for the February 16th, 2005 Lenten Dinner being hosted by Shelton Congregational Church are complete. The committee thanks the council for supplying a $150.00 budget for this event. Through the generosity of church members all items were quickly donated. Committee members will arrive early that night to complete the set up. Will we need two people to collect the offering for that service? Bill Barker and Bruce Nichols volunteered to collect the offering.

Woman's Fellowship-Lucille Wells-The committee will meet on March 29th, 2005 to pack health kits. On March 31st, 2005 the Connecticut Women of the United Church of Christ will hold their Spring Meeting at the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport. Cost is $6.00 per person and is open to all church members.

Fundraising-Cheryl Patrick-The committee met on February 10th, 2005. They are planning a Soup & Bingo night on Saturday, March 12th, 2005. Tickets prices are adults $5.00 and Children $3.00. Cheryl asked if there were any council objections to Shelton Congregational Church hosting offsite events like a wine tasting or art auction. Bill Barker asked if the committee was planning events with speakers. In the past he has donated his services as an event speaker on the subject of genealogy. He would certainly be willing to do so again. The Fundraising Committee asked not to be responsible for the Annual Tag Sale. That a committee be formed specifically to handle this event.

Christian Education-Jan Wells-Betty Ogden-The CE Committee will have a meeting on February 26th, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the home of Betty Ogden.

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 Cheshire Congregational Church a "Safe Church Policy" was created for the Shelton Congregational Church. Bill Barker, Betty Ogden and Shepard Parsons recently met to discuss this policy. Some policy items may be dropped and other areas simplified. The object is to create a policy that is relevant to our church. The next scheduled meeting will be on March 8th, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. It will probably be three months before the policy is brought to council for approval. Bill asked this be tabled until a future date. All were in agreement

2. Jesse Patrick has been in contact with Red Cross representatives. Shelton Congregational Church could sponsor a blood drive as a feeder group. The event could be held at the Community Center. The church would be responsible for volunteers, food, sign-up, posters and publicity. The Red Cross insurance covers the liability. Jesse, who was spearheading this event, has moved to Rhode Island. Cheryl Patrick is going to ask the God Is Still Speaking Committee if they are willing to take over planning of this event.

New Business:

1. Rev. Shepard Parsons is trained and accredited in a program at Yale Divinity that supervises student interns. We have the opportunity to participate in this program with the usual $3000.00 fee waived. Bruce Nichols, Kim Karkut and Cheryl Patrick have volunteered to be committee members. A motion was made by Rev. Parsons that we participate in this program and seconded by Kathey DeMarco. The motion passed unanimously.

2. On February 27, 2005 the Outreach Committee will sponsor a program on hunger during coffee hour. Educational literature and a video will be shown.

The next council meeting will be held Tuesday, March 15th, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. The council joined together in saying The Lord's Prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk