112th ANNUAL MEETING - January 30th 2005

The annual meeting of the church membership was conducted on January 30th, 2005 at 11:20 a.m. in the sanctuary of the Shelton Congregational Church. The meeting was called to order by church manager, Kim Karkut. Rev. Shepard Parsons then offered an opening prayer. Betty Ogden, clerk, reported that 36 members were in attendance and a quorum, specified by the bylaws as ten percent of the church membership (currently 146) was deemed to be satisfied.

The minutes of the previous annual meeting held on January 25th, 2004 were reviewed and accepted.

Kim Karkut asked for questions or comments on the regular (non-financial) officer and committee reports as listed on pages 4 to 20 of the current 2004 Annual Report. Bill Barker, Stewardship Chair, requested the Stewardship Report, page 16, reflect the following amendment. The current membership listed as 172-175 is changed to read 146. Kim Karkut then asked for a motion to accept the 2005 Officer and Committee Reports as amended. There being no further discussion Bruce Nichols moved we accept the 2005 Officers and Committee Reports as amended. Walter Crosby seconded this motion. The church membership then voted to accept the 2005 Officer and Committee Reports. The motion passed unanimously.

Bruce Nichols presented the treasurers report listed on pages 21-27 of the current 2004 Annual Report. The report showed income in 2004 of $91,325.90 against expenses of $106,331.05. Due to the improvement in the portfolio values during the year, the net worth of our investments fell by only $2,039.44 despite the large budget deficit. Value of cash and securities at the end of 2004 stood at $234,154.75. At the end of 2003 it had been $236,194.18. On July 23rd, 2004 trustees voted to sell 668.896 shares of Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund for $6,000.00. On November 15th, 2004 trustees voted to sell 444.444 shares of Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund for $4,000.00. On December 20th, 2004 trustees voted to sell 667.408 shares of Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund for $6,000.00. The $16,000.00 in securities was sold to cover ongoing expenses. Staff is 60% of our budget. Maintenance of our property is 30%. Our outreach is less than 10%. Kim Karkut then asked for any questions from the church membership. Lisa Turecek asked Bruce if the calculations of the employee taxes were correct because they didn't look right to her. Bruce said they were correct, just done in his bookkeeping style. Kim Karkut then asked for a motion to accept the proposed Treasurer's Report. Bill Barker moved the Treasurer's Report be accepted. Walter Crosby seconded this motion. There being no further discussion a vote was taken to approve the Treasurer's Report. The motion passed unanimously.

Kim Karkut then called upon Bill Barker, Asst. Church Manager, to present the proposed church budget for 2005. Details appear on pages 28 to 30 of the current 2004 Annual Report. Bill discussed highlights of the proposed budget, with estimated income of $85,020.00 and expenses of $139,396.00 for the year 2005. Our projected deficit is approximately $54,000.00. This is higher than last year. Last year we budgeted for a part-time interim. This year we are budgeting for a full-time minister. Walter Crosby then questioned the break down of the minister's financial package. Specifically the housing allowance. Bill at this time deferred to a member of the Search Committee. Bruce explained the financial package was negotiated between Shepard Parsons and the Search Committee. Because health benefits for the family are through Karen Klein the church was able to save a large expense there. Putting more money into the housing allowance is a tax benefit for Shepard. The financial package negotiated was an appropriate package for a full time minister of Shepard's experience and skills. Financially it is where the budget would be if Greg was still on our payroll. Perhaps even a few hundred dollars less. Bruce commented that as a church family we should expect a certain level of spiritual leadership and worship. We are a close knit church family. Supportive of each other. A church that encourages and enjoys it's fellowship. This is what is important. Yes, we have a deficit. We have had a deficit for many years. We are still here and with our faith in God we will continue. It costs us $2500.00 a week to be here. Somehow as a congregation we have survived and continue to do so. If God wants us to be here the means will be provided. Bill Barker then continued with the budget report by saying that every year we have unanticipated expenses. This year we needed to remove a tree at a cost of $2500.00. Typically our church families pledge 1½ %. If we could increase those pledges to 3% we would not have a deficit and would not need to sell our assets to cover ongoing expenses. This is something we should think about in the coming year. . Lisa Turecek than stood and shared an experience that happened during the annual meeting in 1992. She is an accountant and it seemed the budget deficit was the main focus of the church. She herself was concerned about how the church was going to survive. During the 1992 annual meeting Marie Hurd, church member, stood and said, "We are a church. We are about God and our community of faith. Not about money. If we have faith in our future it will happen." The end of that year came and it happened. And it continues to happen. Kim Karkut then asked for a motion to accept the 2005 budget as proposed. Bill Barker moved the budget be approved. Kathy Maillet seconded this motion. There being no further discussion the membership then voted to accept the 2005 budget. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business:

1. Bill Barker reported The FPKC have renewed their lease for $380.00 a month.

New Business:

1. Kim Karkut made mention of the wall hanging made by Rev. Jean McCusker and presented to the church. It is now hanging in the sanctuary. Ron Karkut hung the quilt and made the plaque that has been placed beneath.

2. Bill Barker proposed three bylaw amendments regarding the Membership Committee. Bruce Nichols asked all three amendments be presented and voted on together rather than individually.
G.2.a-To propose an amendment to our church bylaws to increase the size of the membership committee to six members. Bill moved that the by-laws section G.2.a be amended to read: The Membership Committee shall consist of six members elected at the annual meeting for a term of two years. The terms of three members will expire annually with no limit on multiple terms. They shall elect their own chairperson. The only changes to the existing bylaw paragraph G.2.a are the substituting of "six" for "four" members and the terms being for "three" rather than "two" members expiring annually. This proposed amendment would provide more resource to address our need for more church members.
G.2.b-To propose an amendment to our church bylaws to remove the requirement that membership committee develop the membership preparatory sessions. Bill moved that the by-laws section G.2.b be amended to read: They shall be responsible for the reception and termination of all members. A representative of the Membership Committee shall endeavor to be present at all Baptisms and Confirmations. The changes to the existing bylaw paragraph G.2.b are changing the word "may" to "shall endeavor" in the second sentence. The removal of the third and final sentence which reads "They shall develop the number and content of the church membership preparatory sessions, shall receive applicants for admission to church membership." This proposed amendment G.2.b would allow the committee to focus more on the need for more church members.
G.2.e-To propose an amendment to our church bylaws to remove the requirement that membership committee be aware of level of participation. Bill moved the by-laws section G.2.e is amended to read: They shall have the responsibility of encouraging and maintaining active membership of all members and affiliates (non-members who attend church or donate periodically). The change to the existing bylaw paragraph G.2.e is the removal of the second and final sentence which reads "They shall be continually aware of the level of participation (in services of worship and/or other activities and organizations of the church) of each member and shall meet personally (when feasible) with those members who participate nominally". This proposed amendment would allow the committee to focus more on the need for more church members. Bill Barker asked if anyone had any questions or suggestions. There being no further discussion Bill Barker moved that the proposed bylaw amendments be approved. Glenn Wells seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Bill Barker on behalf of the Nominating Committee presented the slate of proposed officers and committee members for 2005. With the Membership Committee size increased to six members there are now two openings on that committee. Donna Hasiotis volunteered for the Membership Committee from the floor. In an effort to encourage another person to step forward Darlene Conklin stated the sixth member would hold a one-year term. There being no further discussions a motion was made by Bruce Nichols to accept the proposed nominations. Glenn Wells seconded this motion. The church membership then voted unanimously to approve the proposed Officers and Committees for 2005.

Rev. Shepard Parsons then led the membership in a closing prayer. Bruce Nichols then moved the meeting be adjourned. Gene Ogden seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk