Church Council Meeting - May 17, 2005

Betty Ogden called the Church Council Meeting for May 17th, 2005 to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Shelton Congregational Church Library. Rev. Shepard Parsons then offered an opening prayer. A quorum (6) was met with 10 being present (P) and 3 being absent (A).

The minutes from the April 20th, 2005 Council Meeting were reviewed and accepted with one correction. Bill Barker was present at the April 20th, 2005 council meeting. Church Clerk, Betty Ogden then called on officers and chairs for their reports.

Treasurer - Derek Cable-During the month of April 2005 the church had expenses of $10,311.44 and income of $11,958.05 for a net gain of $1,646.61. Net worth for the church at the end of April was $206,138.41 down $13,054.64 from the end of March and down $19,928.83 from the beginning of the year. Derek did note a possible error on the report. $8000.64 was listed as investment income. That $8000.64 was probably the money trustees voted to transfer from the Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund into the church checking account at the April 20th, 2005 council meeting.

Personnel and Pastoral Relations - Ron Karkut-A lunch meeting was held with Rev. Parsons recently. All is well. Ron gave Shepard a CD of pictures taken at the New Member Service.

Nominating - Cheryl Patrick - No report.

Minister - Rev. Shepard Parsons - Shepard thanked everyone for all their help on Sunday. The New Member Service, the luncheon and all the help cleaning up. Since the last council meeting Shepard had conducted two funerals.

Membership - Walt Crosby - Darlene Conklin - On May 15th, 2005 a New Member Service was conducted during regular worship services. Rev. Shepard Parsons, Sharen Taber, Carol Whittaker, Lori Forto have become members of the Shelton Congregation Church. The “Pledge of Membership” cards will be given to the office for church records. After worship services the Board of Christian Education and Membership Committee hosted a potluck luncheon in the Beard Room. I was informed it was very well attended, great fellowship and a wonderful way to introduce our new members to the congregation. Pictures were taken of the new members that will be included in the newsletter. On Tuesday, April 26th, 2005 our first Inquirer's Class was lead by Rev. Shepard Parsons. What a great night! And it was a great way to get to know other churchgoers. We had 11 people attending (including Shepard), feasted on pizza, fruit salad, soda and juice. Shep lead the class through introductions where each person related how they found their way to SCC. Shepard gave a brief history of the United Church of Christ, our church, and our association with the UCC. I gave out copies of the New Member Service (found in the tan booklet in the pews), the annual report, phone directory, and some information I found on our web site. The scheduled two hours went by way too quickly. The evening was enjoyable, fun and informative. Once we get a few more people together, we will hold another Inquirer's Class. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 22nd, 2005 after worship services.

Trustees - Glenn Wells - Trustees have scheduled a workday for June 4th, 2005 at 8 a.m. Planned projects are clean up, painting, shelves and some work on the front porch of the Parish House. All stairway emergency lights requested by the Fire Marshall have been installed. We only need to install a panic bar on the front porch of the church. Next trustees meeting will be June 21st, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

Outreach - Lesley Barker - No report.

Stewardship - Bill Barker - No report.

Deacons - Gene Ogden - One communion was served. The lay reading and communion schedules for June have been filled and the information sent to the church office.

Women’s Fellowship - Lucille Wells - Lucille reported that the Women’s Fellowship Committee is in need of a treasurer. It is not a difficult job and if anyone is interested please speak to her. Women’s Fellowship is helping with the bake table for the annual tag sale. The committee will call church members and ask them to bake.

Fundraising - Cheryl Patrick - As a representative of the fundraising committee Cheryl Patrick discussed the idea of diverting Fundraising Committee proceeds to a Capital Campaign Fund. This fund would address the issue of limited access to the downstairs of the church. Jesse Patrick works for an elevator company and has supplied literature that Cheryl presented to council. She also expressed the opinion that Jesse would be able to obtain a discount for the church. Derek Cable expressed concern about the structural quality of the building and should we investigate that first. Glenn Wells stated that the Capital Campaign Fund and the Fundraising Committee would now be accountable to the church treasurer. A monthly financial statement would need to be given to the treasurer and be part of the published treasurer report presented to council every month. Cheryl Patrick as Fundraising Committee Chair understood and agreed that would be done. She felt this would also simplify the committee having access to fundraising funds to finance fundraising events. It was then suggested she make a motion under new business.

Delegates - No report.

Christian Education - Betty Ogden - The Christian Education Committee Potluck held on May 15th, 2005 in conjunction with the New Member Service was well-attended (69) and enjoyed by everyone present.

Old Business:

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 Rev. Parsons have met to discuss creating a shorter version that would include background checks on teachers. Bill planned to have a first draft done and emailed to Betty Ogden, Rev. Parsons and Jan Wells before the April 20th, 2005 council meeting. Bill asked this discussion be tabled until then. Bill hopes to have the policy written and ready for the May 20th, 2005 council meeting. Bill asked this discussion be tabled until then. Policy discussion now tabled until the June 21st, 2005 meeting.

New Business:

A motion was made by Cheryl Patrick, Fundraising Committee Chair, that Fundraising Committee proceeds be allocated to a Capital Campaign Fund to finance access to the downstairs of the church for everyone. That the $500.00 in the fundraising budget be moved to a Capital Campaign Fund checking account. That the Capital Campaign Fund and the Fundraising Committee would now provide a monthly financial statement to the church treasurer. This financial statement will then be part of the monthly treasurer’s report presented at trustees for approval. The motion was seconded by Shepard Parsons and passed unanimously.

Ron and Kim Karkut have graciously offered to host the church picnic at their house. Date to be announced.

The next council meeting will be held Tuesday, June 21st, 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 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk