Church Council Minutes - 8/15/02

Present: Chairman Don Umlauf, Doug Popp, Steve Henrikson, Jane Hannon, Robin Crowe, Mary Sawyer, Sue Casey, Janet Goodrich, Janet Umlauf, MaryLu Mathis

Don called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.  Steve Henrikson offered a moment of prayer. 

The previous council’s minutes were read and approved. 

Treasurer’s Report and the collector’s report were read and accepted.  It was noted that 56.9% of total pledges have been received to date.  MaryLu informed the council that an offering can be taken next year at the Cathedral service we host. 

Committee Reports and comments were approved. 

Building and Grounds:  Two bids relative to the parsonage renovation are expected shortly.  It was suggested the carpeting in the pastor’s office be replaced at the time the vestry carpeting is installed in September.

Deacons:  Robin Crowe indicated there is still a significant need for volunteers to service as ushers, greeters, and coffee hour.  There may be a ‘Sign-Up Sunday” on September 8.

LVA/EC:  A summer lunch held at Barbara Wells home was attended by more than twenty members.

Membership:  New members will be welcomed into the church on November 3.  The Olin Mills brochures have arrived.  Greeter baskets are being designed and a sample will be shared with the council as soon as they are completed.

Men’s Club: The third roast beef dinner will be held on August 24.  Volunteers to assist with the final ‘clean-up’ would be greatly appreciated.

Music:  The music committee has completed the third organist performance review.  Committee members shared their appreciation for the excellent music Bob Popple has offered.  A request was made for the closing hymn to be concluded with an “Amen”. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

Land sale:  All documents have been signed and the church is awaiting the payment from the town. 

Nursery Care:  The Christian Education Committee has arranged for one adult and one student to provide child care during services for a weekly stipend:  Adult - $10 per service; Student assistant - $5 per service.  This will be an unanticipated budget request for $300 for the remainder of the year that needs to be discussed with the trustees.  The Christian Education Committee will arrange a payment schedule with the treasurer. 

By-law amendment / Constitutional change procedure:  The committee approved a draft copy of the proposed procedural change that addressed two key points: [1]; the proposed change shall be presented at one meeting; [2] input from the affected committee shall be offered at the second council meeting, followed by discussion and vote by the council members.  The By-Law Committee will be asked to do the final ‘wordsmithing’ of this proposal. 

Recording equipment:  Steve Henrikson has located the source for related recording equipment.  The trustees will be asked to identify the appropriate account for funding the purchase.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Christian Education Committee will be hosting a Church-wide Fellowship Day on Sunday, September 22 [rain or shine] at the Toah Nipi campground on Pecker Pond /Old Ashburnham Road in East Rindge.  All church members are encouraged join us directly after church until 
5:00^pm to participate in the BBQ and multigenerational activities. 

Jane Hannon offered a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30^pm

Janet Kolmorgen will offer the closing prayer at the next council meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Janet Goodrich, Clerk

Buildings and Grounds Committee

Chair Norman May called the meeting of July 11, 2002 to order at 7:10pm.

Present were: Norm, Arthur Fitzwater and Mary Sawyer.

Minutes of the May and June meetings were reviewed and approved.

The following items were discussed:

• Status of proposed parsonage renovation.  Mary expressed disappointment that bidders have not yet come forward with bid proposals.  Reminders have been issued, and we will continue to pursue the matter.
• Fans.  Norm has purchased one of the two approved fans – a window fan for the kitchen.  We will review where best to purchase and place a second unit. 
• Parsonage oil supplier quotes.  Norm has forwarded to Trustees bids from Allen & Matthewson, Red’s and Rymes for their consideration. 
• Meeting House renovation.  Work left to be done (vestibule floor and first floor combination storms and screens) will probably be completed during September. 
• Hold Harmless Insurance.  Norm will discuss with the Town whether or not we presently have such coverage, and if not, the feasibility of purchasing same. 
• Facilities Use Document.  We have received from the Music committee a draft of proposed organ use, and Mary will develop a Sanctuary use policy, including updated fee schedule, which the committee will then review. 

Submitted by,
Mary Sawyer

Christian Education
August 11, 2002 

Those present: Jennifer Skelton, Mary Sawyer, Doug Popp, Bernice Ferwerda, Robin Crowe, Cindy Melhorn and Phyllis Ames. 

Bernice offered the opening prayer.  She introduced Winona Schoolcraft, Regional Director of the Child Evangelism Fellowship Program.  Winona outlined many fine ideas concerning activities for children and parents which we could use at our Family Fun Day, scheduled for September 22 at Toah Nipi campground in Rindge.  A picnic lunch will be prepared. Sign-up sheets for attendance and food donations will be made available by Doug Popp.  Council will be asked for financial help. 

After a lengthy discussion, it was moved and seconded that Christian Education will assume responsibility for Nursery care, as part of our Education mission.  If approved by Council, Christian Education will assign one responsible adult, and possibly a student assistant, who will receive a weekly stipend for the care and safety of infants and toddlers.  If on a particular Sunday there are no infants or toddlers in attendance, the assigned responsible adult would assist where needed in other classes.  Mary will ask Council to identify funds for the remainder of the year (a maximum of $300).  Next year required funds (a maximum of $800) would be included in the Christian Education budget.  Motion passed by voice vote. 

Fall curriculums have arrived.  No response yet from Trustees regarding our request for room dividers. 

ALL positions for Church School teachers have been filled: pre-school and kindergarten Emily Melhorn and Jess Thomas on the first and third Sundays, Robin Crowe on the second Sunday.  Alice Zwart will take the fourth Sunday and will also be a substitute.  There are no children for the first and second grades as yet.  Steve and Penny Chace will teach the fifth and sixth grades, Vicki Skowronek will teach the third and fourth, Bernice Ferwerda will teach the seventh and eighth, Cindy Melhorn will teach post-confirmation, and Jennifer Skelton, assisted by Melissa Melhorn, will supervise the nursery.  Cindy Melhorn will mail letters to all parents of church youngsters, inviting them to come, with their children, on opening Sunday, September 8, to participate in a very simple 'breakfast get-together. 

Planning will begin soon for the Christmas program, and for next year's budget. Funding for our library cart was approved. 

Adult Bible Study has completed its study of Psalms.  The program will resume the second week of September, when we will begin the study of Hebrews. 

Videos are missing from Church School.  An announcement will be made in church to try to locate them. 

Doug Popp offered the closing prayer.  Next meeting: September 15, 2002.

Submitted by,
Phyllis H. Ames, Secretary

Diaconate

Deacon for the month of August is Trudie Kalinen.  Communion will be August 4^th assisted by Janet Kohlmorgen and Lois May and two Deacons from Jaffrey United.  We will be at the Cathedral of the Pines with United Church of Jaffrey.  A fellowship type event is being planned by Jaffrey.

We continue to look for donations for the purchase of a taping system that will enable us to reach folks who are not able to attend Sunday services.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

We are also looking for folks to sign up for Ushers and Greeters during the summer months.  You may send e-mail to the church (rindgeucc@netzero.net) or contact a Deacon or Jim by phone or in person.  If you’d like to try something different, go to the web site (http://rindge.nhcucc.org) and click on Online Pew Card.  Being an Usher or a Greeter is a simple way to help out and only involves an occasional Sunday.  Please help out.  Duties for Ushers and Greeters are outlined in this issue of the Deaconer.

We are also in need of Coffee Hour host/hostess.

If you know of anyone who is ill or needs a visit, or even just a card, please speak to a Deacon or Rev. Melhorn – we will insure they are contacted. 

Next Deacon’s meeting will be August 8th

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Membership

The Membership Committee did not meet in June. 

Anyone wishing to join the church or get more information, please contact the church office or any member of the Membership Committee

The next meeting date is August 1^st.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Mission Ministries Team

Missions Ministry Team Monthly meeting August 11, 2002

1. Crop Walk was discussed.  More details to follow.

2. Bulletin board items continue to be posted, although board is not visible at this point in time.

3. Potluck Supper to be held on Friday October 4th at 6:30.  Speakers from Toah Nipi have been secured.  Alice & Penny to make up posters to be posted at the church.  Marty to contact Trudie concerning the advertising.  Betty to coordinate a sign-up sheet for those attending, to make sure we get a balance of main dishes, etc.

4. Prayer chain update to take place next month, NOTE:  anyone wishing to be added or deleted please contact Betty Chenausky or Marty Ferwerda.

5. Hunger Bowl Project:  We will be looking into participation of the Sunday School classes for this worthwhile project.

Submitted by,
Penny Chace

Secretary Needed

Talent Auction

Mark Sunday, September 15 on your calendar for our second annual Talent Auction.  We had such a good time, so much laughter and raised so much money in the space of an hour, paying off our Conference Capital Campaign pledge, that we would like to try it again. 

Please be thinking about what talent or service you can contribute.  Some ideas suggested are catering  a meal for four, six, eight, a fancy dessert for one or more months, birthday cakes, a batch of cookies for one or more months, a pot of soup or a pot of beans, a ride around Monadnock followed by a barbecue, a custom quilted wall hanging, a handpainted nesting toy, photography, a flower arrangement, an outing for a non-driver, baby sitting, plant sitting, pet sitting, grandmother
sitting, window washing, leaf raking, hedge clipping, garden rotatilling, clumps of perennials from your garden, snow shoveling, use or your pickup truck, use of a log splitter, oil change and filter, sewing, hemming, knitting, basket of homemade jams, wash and waxing a car, kitchen help for your party, creation of a personal web site, computer lesson, calligraphy for invitations, use of a cottage for a weekend or longer, provide music for a gathering.  What are your talents?  Be creative!  Use your imagination.

Start thinking what you can do!  For more information talk to Trudie.

Fill out the form below if you already know what talent you can offer and put it into the Historian/Public Relations mailslot or hand to me.

Name________________________________

Phone________________________________

Talent or Service_______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Please....If you have not completed the service you sold last year.....DO IT NOW!!!