FCC Council Minutes

 

April 15, 2008

 

 

In attendance: Jane Phillips, Dot Harrington, Mark Schuster, Milly Palmer, John Miller, Tim Gorman, Judy Marin, Kathy Peterson, Bill Marin, Laura Gibbs, Kris Hood, and Neal Gehring.

 

Guest:  Tom Lootens, Pat Martens, and Jason Phillips.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. and opened with a prayer by John. 

 

Safety Team (Tom Lootens and Pat Martens): Committee is focusing on prevention.  Extensive discussion about problems with doors not being locked and how to set up procedures to address this without limiting access to the building.  John, Jane, and Jason will draft procedures and bring issue back to Council.  Neal will take other building security issues back to Trustees for discussion and resolution.  Deacons feel issue of collection plate security has been addressed.  Deacons will consider update on CPR training, which would also address defibrillator training. 

 

NACCC fundraising effort (Tom): NACCC proposing major fundraising effort to endow two priority NACCC programs.  Goal is to collect enough money to underwrite (1) staff position (dean of CFTS and coordinator of Congregational Institute @ Olivet) and (2) help fund church development, renewal, and revitalization.  Goals are $3.5 million for education priority, $1.5 million for renewal goal.  Campaign called Branching Out.  Bill moves and Dot seconds that this fundraising effort be presented to congregation.  Council approves -Tom will do PR with kickoff on May 4, 2008.

 

Issue of renting dumpster for major clean up of FCC.  Cost roughly $295.  5/31 agreed upon date.  Notice will be given to all groups in church to label what they want saved or pitched.  Clean up will begin at 9 a.m.  Money should be requested from Endowment Allocation Fund to pay for dumpster.

 

The minutes from the March Council meeting were approved on a motion by Judy with a second from Bill.

 

Minister’s Report (see attached): Feedback on Holy Week services: Good Friday service very well received.  New member class 6/1, 6/8 – boards will have representative at 6/8 meeting.  Proposed meeting time 3 p.m. There are 5-10 possible new members. 

 

Deacons:  DPCM made 76 visits to 45 people.  Provided updates on health concerns of various hospitalized church members.  Deacons discussed summer time church service at length.  Lengthy membership discussion took up rest of meeting.  Gena Brown will assemble a subcommittee to field ideas and Deacons will act as a sounding board for dissemination of information. Other boards are encouraged to continue their discussions as well on this vital issue and offer ideas and resources to Gena’s subcommittee.  Kassi Turner will be next Chair.  Kassi is still working on Deacon Board template which other boards hope to be able to use.

Christian Education: 40 people attended Robert Brown talk about Jewish traditions and customs.  Children’s time on Easter Sunday went well although story may have been a little long.  Current Sunday School rotation is Blessed are the Peacemakers.  VBS committee met – curriculum will be rainforest adventure.  Have teachers and volunteers lined up for VBS although always looking for more helpers.  CE watched video on sexual abuse – found video disturbing but noted that many of the precautions we already have in place.

 

Religious Music: Karen Burke violin recital will be 5/17 at 2 p.m.  5/18 Music Sunday.  CD’s are ready and will be offered then for a donation.  Suggested donation $10.  Money collected will go to support music program.  Marlene’s last day 6/8/08.  Will have coffee hour in her honor that day.

 

Trustees: Financial report for first quarter not bad.  Income roughly equaled expenses. Issue of rental to Royal Oak Children’s Choir.  Trustees felt demands on building would be too great so turned group down.  Al reports there are five bids on roof project ranging from $88,000. - $131,300.  Have raised $50,000. towards repairs.  Trustees had second meeting on Sunday.  Got drawings from T-Mobile about bell tower – will get into discussion with them shortly.  T-Mobile will contribute $5000. towards roof fund.  Also
Trustees advised that anonymous donor will donate rest of cost of roof project spread out over five years.  Trustees will not need to get mortgage – will borrow annually against renewal and replacement fund and repay with contribution from donor.

 

Christian Outreach: CROP Walk 5/4.  KIVA paid back 62%.  Mexican Night Out (5/18) being planned.  Jack Brown will be here with 12 others from metro area who are going on Mission Mazahua trip.  Jack will talk about his experiences as he has made trip numerous times.  BCO will provide tacos, chips and refried beans.  Members to bring Mexican dish or dessert.  Ice Cream Social 8/10/08.

 

Women’s Fellowship: Fire suppressant system in.  Xmas Workshop Committee set up – will begin work this summer.  Rummage sale did better than ever – profits of over $4300.  Twelve different charities receive stuff left over.

 

At-Large (Milly) Hymn Sing 4/20/08.  Doug and Barb Hayes will make presentation to congregation on 4/27 at Annual Meeting.

 

Old Business:

 

Kassi working on template for Deacons procedures.  Once completed it will be shared with other boards for their possible use.

 

MOU’s:  Please see that they are updated and signed and delivered to Jane.

 

Boy Scout Venture Crew: Boy Scout leaders have resolved all concerns and issues.  Have volunteers in place to get it started. Bill moves, Laura seconds that Council endorses this new Boy Scout opportunity.  Council approves motion.

 

 

 

 

 

New Business:

 

Judy moves and Dot seconds motion to name Bill Ahrens as our delegate to the NA meeting this summer.  All other FCC attendees will go as alternates.  Council approves motion. 

 

 

 

Next Council meeting 5/20/08.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Milly Palmer

Council Secretary

 

 

Council Report

April 15, 2008

 

In this unusual calendar year, April feels more like a summer month or a ‘welcome back’ September or October.  Our church calendar is fairly clear and there is a flexibility to these days that I am working to take advantage of as we each reflect on church membership, church growth, church care and other issues in our community.

 

My shut-in visits are underway again.  It continues to be a priority for me to complete these sessions.  I saw Bill and Connie Sutherland in their new place for a brief flower delivery.  I saw Warren and Jeanne Nielsen on March 13.  I visited Ardith and Mac McNamara last week. I visited Mary Lindell today.  I will continue to visit our shut-ins and keep you updated.  I will be setting up meetings with Jean Cromwell and Irene Hewitt.  I look forward to seeing them soon.

 

The Wired Word continues on Monday evenings with a team of seven leaders and average attendance of about eight. The team has added Don Callahan and Noel Maddy to the leadership team, and Nancy Hayes and Anne Hoyt have left the team. I am beginning inquiries into another possible slot in our weekly schedule.  Any suggestions for time or people for ‘the wheel’?  I will keep you posted on progress.

 

In the upcoming calendar, there are several events I want to inform you about. 

 

  1. Our Senior High PF format for 2008 will remain parallel to the Middle School PF schedule, essentially twice a month at this point.  Our leadership team is staying the same for now.  Our next meeting is on Sunday, April 27 at BounceU with the Middle School PF.  We will have two meetings in May that will include our current eighth graders as well.  Our leadership team will have an end of year discussion, hopefully before your June meeting.

 

  1. I am now seeking out Worship Leaders for the next six months.  I do continue to plan for some worship team development, likely starting in the summer and planning for Fall.  I am excited to continue working with the “Uncommon Lectionary” concept from Tom Bandy.  In a related note, I am also looking forward to the report of the Hymnal Committee. A hymn sing will take place after church on April 20 to add to our experiences of “Hymns For A Pilgrim People” and then the issue will be on the agenda of our Annual Meeting on April 27.

 

  1. Covenant Class continues.  Many thanks to all the Deacons who have signed on to help out! I do have all the remaining slots filled on the Deacon calendar. We have eight students in the class.  The schedule is Sunday afternoon sessions from 1 to 3PM.  I believe this time to get to know our young people is valuable for them, and for the Deacons.  For future planning, we likely will have a class session on May 18 to finish planning our June service.  Covenant Class will end with our service on June 1.

 

  1. I am now going to Mission Mazahua in June 2008.  Everything to make this happen, from Eric Church and Dave Palmer signing on as well to the lowest airfare to Mexico City Jack Brown has ever seen, simply fell in place in just a few days. My current thoughts involve using this process to encourage reflection about mission both locally and globally here at FCC.  This core group will then help plan and promote an FCC-led trip in 2009.  We will have an informational fundraising dinner on May 18 to teach people more about Mazahua and what will happen there.  We will be joined by several other local folks who are going on the trip, along with Jack Brown who will lead our discussion.  Our date coincided with Jack’s date to meet with. 

 

  1. Lent came to a powerful conclusion this year.  Palm Sunday on March 16, our Maundy Thursday service on March 20, the Community Good Friday service on March 21 and Easter on March 23.  Feedback on any or all of that week in our community worship?

 

  1. Holy Hilarity was March 30 this year, a backwards service disguised as a worship tutorial.  We have begun collecting feedback forms and have close to 50 forms so far, including at least 10 non-attendees.  I will have a full summary of those for the Deacons’ May meeting.  Any additional details, thoughts or issues at this point?

 

  1. Summer worship thoughts: 

 

    1. We are still looking for another date for the possible outdoor service.  Melissa and I are firming up our summer family plans to see what days might work best.  Should be decidable in May.
    2. Summer Communion service on July 27 looks good at this point. It is possible this will also be one of the available dates for an outside service in which case we will have communion outside as well.
    3. I appreciate the discussion the Deacons had last month about alternate summer worship times.  I heard a consensus to retain our 10:30AM traditional service and start time while possibly exploring an earlier service with a different format.  There really is no way Melissa can be directly involved in that process as she really needs the early morning time, and the space in the sanctuary to prepare for the 10:30 service.  Any creative ideas for using space with minimal or alternative music would be welcome!  The Deacons will discuss this further next month, perhaps to come up with some ideas for a 3 or 4 week trial this summer.

 

  1. I continue to work with the Deacons on membership issues.  A subcommittee that will report to the Deacons is in development with Gena Brown and Doug Shonk on board already.  Further, I wonder about scheduling new member classes for June 1 and 8 with people joining on June 15.  Even with the freer schedule with Easter so early, the Annual Meeting, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekend make finding three consecutive Sundays to work with quite challenging.  The two class sessions would likely be in the afternoon.  What do you think?

 

  1. The next PV deadline is April 15.

 

  1. The PF Flyers will take a look at the stage and formulate a plan to maintain the area by the end of this month.

 

  1. I will work with Jane Phillips and Tim Gorman to host a brief gathering at the beginning of our board meetings in May.  Please consider an orientation period for new and returning members so people get off to a clear start in this new year of service.  I really appreciate the efforts of the Trustees and Deacons to get clear lists of calendar, responsibilities and expectations together that will outlast any one individual.

 

 

I continue to be a member of the board for Royal Oak Youth Assistance (many thanks for over $1600 in donations for the annual BowlAThon), a member of the board for the Royal Oak Kiwanis Club, and I am the treasurer of the Royal Oak Pastors’ Association.  I enjoy this community and serving it through my work here at FCC.

 

Many thanks to those who are concluding terms of service on the Council at this meeting, and many thanks to those who will continue on.  Your gifts and your commitment are appreciated!

 

Peace

 

 

John Miller