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.
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