MILFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MINUTES OF ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 11, 2009
The meeting opened with prayer by Pastor Dave at 7:05 p.m. Those in attendance were Pastor Dave, Doug Cunningham, Gretel Metzger, Pam Houskeeper, Rachel Hendricks and Dori Stewart.
The minutes from the July meeting were reviewed and accepted as written.
Mission Statement
Pastor Dave printed the new proposed mission statement in the August newsletter. It reads as follows, “We are here to share the good news of Christ to each other, our community and the world by giving and receiving grace so that all people may grow in the grace of Jesus Christ.” He explained that the mission statement should define our uniqueness and who we are as a church. It was suggested that it should encourage us to action, to do something, and that it may be a little too long. Pastor Dave is looking for feedback from the congregation so that Ad Council can resolve and approve a new mission statement shortly.
Financial Reports
The trustees report was available and reviewed. Pastor Dave pointed out that the endowment interest fund is from the Ada Peel endowment fund C.D., which can only be used for Christian education purposes with the approval of Ad Council.
The finance committee has completed an in depth review of general church accounts, trustees, UMW, The Ann Street School and Outreach accounts. The accounts were checked for income and expenditures and to make sure they balanced with the bank statements.
The finance committee has proposed a few new policies as outlined below;
1. The original bank statements from all church accounts are to remain on file in the church office and copies of the statements can be given to appropriate individuals responsible for the management of certain accounts.
2. All financial related materials should go through the church office with a sign in / sign out sheet so for example when a checkbook is transferred from one manager to a new manager, the checkbook goes in the church office and is signed in and then the new person signs it out, with dates.
3. Extra books of checks will be maintained at the church office and signed out as needed.
The Ad Council reviewed the policies and suggested that they need to be discussed with Carolyn before final approval next month. A locked fireproof filing cabinet was also recommended to hold checkbooks, statements, etc.
Trustees
Trustees are exploring the opportunity to hire a maintenance man through the organization entitled Senior Community Service Employment Program / Pathstone Co. This program looks for a non-profit organization to employ an older adult who would work for about 20 hours a week and the company pays the wages. The time frame for employment at no cost to the church is 6 months and at the end the person could be hired by the church as a part time position. A job description needs to be established by Pastor Dave, Carolyn and the trustees before moving forward with the decision.
SPRC
The committee has recommended a 0% salary increase of the Pastor for the year 2010. Regrettably the Ad Council has agreed to a no salary increase for the year 2010. The possibly for a new parsonage as well as parsonage standards were discussed. Ad Council needs to see and review the standards as set out by the conference before any decisions could be made. It was stressed that needed maintenance must continue on the parsonage. It was recommended that the finance committee work with the trustees on applying for grants. Since the parsonage recently had new windows installed, it may fall under the Recovery Act which provides grants for weatherizing buildings. It was suggested that the trustees provide a list of projects to the finance committee for a review of grant potential.
TASS
Enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year is reportedly proceeding well. There is a Pre-k class established for both 3 and 5 days, with about 5 or 6 openings. There is one class filled for the Pre-School and a second class building with 4 or 5 openings remaining. Diana Thatcher will be applying for the 3 star program again once the program as been funded.
Sunday School
Sunday school will resume in September. Classes have been established and curriculum has been ordered from Cokesbury. New teachers and helpers who need background checks will have them done as soon as possible. There will also be an adult Sunday school class which meets at the same time.
Bible Studies
There are currently 4 different Bible studies being conducted during the week, one on Thursday A.M., one on Friday A.M. and a men’s group which meets on some Saturdays. They all meet at the church. There is also a newly active Friday evening group meeting regularly.
NCD
The last time the group met was June 25, 2009 at which time recommendation was given to the worship committee to work on specific areas of the worship service. The worship committee meets again the end of August and will then reply on progress made, to the Natural Church Development Team at their next scheduled meeting which is September 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Substitute Organist
An amendment was made to the policies laid out in the July 2008 Ad Council Meeting as follows. If a substitute organist is needed, whether they are a member of the church, a regular attendee, or a professional, they will be paid for their services as outlined in the budget for 2009, unless they wish to donate their services. The request for a substitute should be made by Jeff Fornoff and a purchase order should be submitted to the church office prior to the event.
The meeting was closed with prayer by Doug Cunningham at 8:45 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for THURSDAY September 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dori Stewart
Ad Council Secretary
MILFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MINUTES OF ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 9, 2009
The meeting opened with prayer by Pastor Dave at 7:05 p.m. Those in attendance were Pastor Dave, Doug Cunningham, Bob FItch, Gretel Metzger, Sheila Cunningham, Barb Repenning, Mary Ann Gittens, Carolyn Krejmas, Pam Houskeeper, Jane Frey, Dick Weifert, Laura May, Marilyn Schultz and Dori Stewart.
The minutes from both May Ad Council meetings were reviewed and accepted as written. A motion was made to approve them by Bob Fitch and seconded by Dick Weifert.
Financial Reports
Bob reported that we continue to be solvent and are ahead of our expenses by about $4,000. More than half of the apportionments have been paid and the goal is to have them paid up by the end of the summer. The Ann Street School is finishing up about $4,000 in the red, which is about what was anticipated. Pledges are now at about 88% and we are about $4,000 ahead in non pledged giving. It was stated that most budget lines have been kept below budget and utilities are also below budget.
Trustees’
The trustees’ are sending out letters outlining what projects they have completed and the projection for future projects to be undertaken. They will also be asking for help with the building fund. PPRC is making a recommendation to the trustees’ to consider hiring a part time maintenance person to do odd jobs on the buildings. Doug suggested requesting a review and inspection of the glass windows in the education wing, as they may not be up to standards for safety and energy efficiency.
Bell Tower
There are two contractors who have looked at the project and are preparing bids. The Constanzo Firm will also be looking at the project and submitting a bid. All preliminary approvals have been met and documentation has been received. The project is expected to be under way once a contractor is chosen.
Festivals
The festival preparation is in full progress and everything appears to be in order, the focus of the festivals is that of a ministry to others. Lil Colvin (festival chairperson) has posted volunteer charts in the fellowship hall. The first festival is scheduled for June 20, 2009.
Natural Church Development
The last meeting was on May 21, 2009. The group reviewed the latest surveys that were done at both services and decided that more information was needed. The members of the team are in the process of evaluating the worship service for 4 weeks, at which point the team will be ready to work with the worship committee to implement some ideas. The next Natural Church Development meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2009.
Worship Team
The team is meeting on July 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. They are waiting for the Natural Church Development report and then will concentrate on a couple areas that need attention. The Narthex was discussed and since that is where newcomers are greeted and make their first impression, Pastor Dave feels that this area needs more consistent attention. He recommends that the Worship Team should be in charge of the Narthex, and if any groups or committees, wish to post or place anything there, they should confer with the worship team first.
Advent
Sheila Cunningham would again like to under take the preparation of the Advent Devotionals. She would like to begin collecting submitted devotionals in August and have the booklet completed by October. Pastor Dave hopes to start planning the Advent season this summer.
Worship School
There will be a worship school at Drew University beginning on Thursday July 23 through Saturday July 25, 2009. It will consist of 4 workshops in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. The cost is $149.00 pp or $99.00 pp if part of a team. Registration is suggested by Monday June 15, 2009.
PPRC
The wedding policy for the church has been reviewed and revamped. The issue was brought up because the last four weddings the pastor and organist were paid by the wedding party but the custodian was paid by the church. The fee’s for the church usage, custodian, pastor and organist were all increased slightly. The policy was reviewed and accepted by the members of Ad Council.
At the Ann Street Board meeting, Cindy Bennett, who has been employed as an aid for 4 years, was recommended for a position as a full time teacher. Members of Ad Council felt confident that this was a good idea and it was agreed upon to offer here a full time teaching position starting in the fall of 2009. A motion was made to support this decision by Bob FItch and seconded by Laura May.
Pastor Dave has suggested a scholarship fund be established in honor of Eileen Carmody, who has served as a pre-school teacher at the Ann Street School for over 20 years. The Ad Council members supported the idea but suggested that a written policy and guidelines would be necessary. With the approval of Ad Council, Bob Fitch and Pastor Dave will move forward with this and work out the details so that a scholarship fund can be set up in her honor.
Pastor’s Report
Nancy Delaney, the missionary we support, is no longer a missionary. Pastor Dave is looking into another missionary effort that we can support. He suggested a missionary project in Africa, which is a summer program to support African pastors. This will be discussed with Mike Mann and more information will be forthcoming.
Pastor Dave has been asked to fill in at the Methodist Church in Westbrookville, NY. Our lay leaders plan to visit the church soon to see what kind of assistance is needed. Prayers for the church were requested.
Other Items
Jane Frey has requested that her phone number along with Mary Ann GItten’s phone number be listed on the prayer list so they can be readily available to those in need of prayer.
Church Conference.
The date for the Church Conference has been set for Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 10:30, during regular worship service. Pastor Dave is recommending one service that day so we can all worship together.
The meeting was closed with prayer by Pastor Dave at 8;20 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 7:00p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dori Stewart
Ad Council Secretary
June 2009 Minutes
March 2009 Minutes
