Church Council Meeting - March 15, 2005

Bill Barker called the Church Council Meeting for March 15th, 2005 to order at 8:10 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. A quorum (6) was met with 11 being present (P) and 2 being absent (A).

The minutes from the February 15th, 2005 Council Meeting were reviewed and accepted as written. Church Manager, Kim Karkut then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer-Derek Cable-During the month of February 2005 the church had expenses of $12,290.00 and income of $7,636.59 for a net deficit of $4,653.41. Net worth for the church at the end of February was $2228,610.86 down $2,047.02 from the end of January and down $5,543.89 from the beginning of the year. On February 17th, 2005, $5000.00 of the Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund was sold and transferred to the Webster checking account to cover current expenses.

Personnel and Pastoral Relations-Ron Karkut-No report.

Nominating-Cheryl Patrick-Bill Barker reported a vacancy on the Outreach Committee.

Minister-Rev. Shepard Parsons-Information on Jonathan Page was presented. He is a possible candidate as a seminary intern at Shelton Congregational Church. A Yale Divinity student, he possesses energy and deep Christian roots. A motion was made by Rev. Shepard Parsons to offer Jonathan Page the opportunity to come to Shelton Congregational Church as a student minister. Leslie Barker seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously. Shepard requested some time off in October. Karen and Shepard are expecting a new baby in October. He would like to spend that time with Karen. We would use our student intern and pulpit supply during that time. On April 16th, 2005, Ed Klein, Karen's dad, is being honored at the University of Cincinnati during a conference celebrating his work. The Shepards would like to attend. We would need a minister for the April 17th, 2005 service. Shepard would like the readers for the Palm Sunday service to be at church by 9 a.m. that Sunday. This is a powerful service and Shepard would like to consult with the readers. Our Maundy Thursday service will be March 24th, 2005 at 7 p.m. The last of the Lenten Wednesday night dinners will be at the Huntington Congregational Church. The Rev. Shepard Parsons will be preaching.

Membership-Walt Crosby-Darlene Conklin-The Membership Committee met recently with Rev. Shepard Parsons. Shepard will be responsible for the preparatory sessions. Potential new members will attend a class lasting approximately 1½ hours led by Rev. Parsons. Classes will educate new members about our church and church history, our activities, community and worldwide involvement and the UCC History. Classes might be held four times a year or as needed and will be open to existing church members as a refresher course. Welcome bags will be given during class. A mentoring program will be started. New members can sit with existing members. Membership is reviewing pledges for 2005 as an update to our Active Membership List. Any member who falls into the inactive criteria will receive a letter of intent from the membership committee. The committee is also reviewing the list of people receiving the monthly newsletter. The Easter handout this year is a Footprints in the Sand refrigerator magnet with accompanying story and church information bulletin created by Cheryl Patrick for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. The Membership Committee is reviewing the God is Still Speaking program for possible inclusion in membership recruitment.

Trustees-Glenn Wells-The FPKC may be leaving. They have applied to the Unity Hill Church in Trumbull. The new storage closet in the church basement in almost done. Just need flooring and some sheet rock. The kitchen floor will need to be scrubbed mechanically for it to come clean. Next meeting will be April 20th, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

Outreach-Lesley Barker-Spooner House supper will be served on March 19th, 2005. The Hunger No More video accompanied by a rice and bean lunch was shown during coffee hour on February 27, 2005. Ron Karkut arranged for the video to be aired on Telemedia Channed 10 or 16. We hope to follow up on the program by writing letters in support of the Millenium Challenge Account. Songs from the Heart Musical directed by Fran Scarpa and Mary Grace Crisci will be presented on April 24th, 2005 at Shelton High School. The musical will benefit ACT.

Stewardship-Bill Barker-On March 12th, 2005 Bill Barker attended a Stewardship Workshop at the First Congregational Church in Darien. Five churches met and compared notes and ideas. Bill found our pledging is only 58% of our income. Other churches have pledging that is 90 % of their income. If all Shelton Congregational Church members pledged 3 % of their household income we would have a balanced budget. For the past three years Shelton Congregational Church has run the Consecration Sunday Program. Bill felt that the program effect on individual giving was minimal. It is suggested that churches change stewardship programs every three years. The committee is considering a different approach for 2005. A fall Stewardship Drive is being considered. Perhaps a monthly article in the newsletter. Geno Ogden asked Bill if Shelton Congregational Church has ever had a balanced budget. Bill did not have that information, but felt the church probably did have a balanced budget 30 years ago.

Deacons-Gene Ogden-It was recently discovered that some one has been using our communion wine. Gene will now keep the wine at home and transport as needed. The Deacons Committee will be using recyclable plastic glasses for communion. The decision was made because of health and sanitary reasons.

Woman's Fellowship-Lucille Wells-No report

Fundraising-Cheryl Patrick-Ron Karkut reported the committee held its first event on March 12th, 2005. A Soup and Salad night followed by bingo. The fundraising committee had a great time working in the kitchen. They appreciated the support from family and friends that helped set up, serve and clean up. Seventy-five people attended. The event had a profit of $457.00.

Delegates-Bill and Lesley Barker will not be able to attend the Fairfield East Dinner on May 25th, 2005. Geno Ogden and Ron Karkut volunteered to attend with Rev. Parsons.

Christian Education-Betty Ogden-The Christian Education Committee held their first meeting at the home of Betty Ogden on February 26th, 2005. In attendance were Rev. Shepard Parsons, Jan Wells, Kim Karkut, Betty Ogden, Martha Devine and Darlene Conklin. Shepard mentioned he had a special service planned for Palm Sunday that would include the children. The service is made up of seven readings and symbols that take us from Palm Sunday through Holy Week. Communion will be held after church on the first Sunday of the month for any Sunday School teachers or students who would like to receive it. Anyone who would like to receive communion would gather at the altar table at the end of the service. Shepard is planning on leading a bible study soon. A large number of church members have signed up. There was some discussion about the possibility of separating Sunday School from the time of our church service. This would allow all (including the children) to worship together on Sunday. The Board of Christian Education was receptive to trying another time for Sunday School. More discussion among the CE Committee, Rev. Parsons and the Church Council is needed before this can happen. On Sunday, May 15th, 2005 the Christian Education Committee will host a potluck luncheon. We hope to encourage conversations between church members on their Sunday School experiences. In sharing our experiences, our ideas and hopes for our future we can only make our Christian Education and Sunday School stronger. We also discussed the need for teacher training. If we were to increase our teaching staff, a training program would be beneficial. A team teaching approach would eliminate an every Sunday commitment. It would allow teachers to attend worship services. By doing this it would permit the dedicated three, Jan Wells, Helen Brakewood and Martha Devine we have been blessed with, to participate in some of the worship services. The meeting ended with a positive look to the future with some possible exciting changes on the horizon. We look forward to working with Shepard in making our Christian Education program stronger.

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 very in-depth "Safe Church Policy" was created for the Shelton Congregational Church by Bill Barker. Bill Barker, Betty Ogden and Shepard Parsons recently met on March 8th, 2005 to discuss this policy. The object is to create a policy that is relevant to our church. A shorter version would include background checks on teachers. Bill is to have a draft done and emailed to Betty Ogden, Rev. Shepard Parsons and Jan Wells to be reviewed before the April 20th, 2005 council meeting. Bill asked this discussion to be tabled until then. 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. 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. Cheryl Patrick has informed Darlene Conklin, Membership Chair, The God is Still Speaking Committee now has only one member. Cheryl Patrick. Cheryl requested The God is Still Speaking Campaign be incorporated into the Membership Committee. While this is being considered by the Membership Committee the blood drive discussion is tabled until the April 20th, 2005 council meeting.

New Business:

1. Rev. Jody Kessler has contacted Betty Ogden about coming to the Shelton Congregational Church in 2005. Last year Shelton Congregational Church sponsored a free community event featuring Jody Kessler. Are we interested in inviting her back this year? She has some summer dates available. A motion was made by Betty Ogden to invite Jody Kessler back to Shelton Congregational Church on October 1st, 2005 and seconded by Ron Karkut. The motion passed unanimously.

The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 at 7:30 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