Present: Dave Marr, Sue Casey, Phyllis Ames, Sue Campbell, Doug Popp, Flossie Hastings, Janet Goodrich, Janet Kohlmorgen, Jane Hannon

Doug Popp opened the meeting with prayer.  February’s minutes were accepted with one addition noting the Men’s Club had a successful Valentine’s Dinner at Woodbound Inn.

Treasurer’s Report:  Jane Hannon noted that while 16.67% of the year has passed, 19.23% of anticipated revenues have been received and 13.72% of anticipated expenses have been incurred.

Collector’s report:  We received $651 in Feburary for the One Great Hour of Sharing.  Additional funds have been committed to OGHS in March as well.

Pastor’s Report:  Pastor Jim updated us on the plans for the overnight church-wide retreat to be held at Woodbound on April 1-2.  Planning is underway for the Senior High Youth trip to NYC in April. 

Deacons’ Report:  See written report.  Tony D’Ambrosio will preach on 4/24 while Jim is with the youth on their retreat.  The deacon’s representative on the Youth Program co-coordinator’s position will be either Steve Chace or Barbara Wells.  In preparation for the new “What do we do and how do we do it” /policies and procedures handbook, the deacons have already begun the preparing for the section of the manual.  Sue Campbell updated us on Holy Week plans. 

Trustees’ Report: See written report.   The lift doors are in the process of being painted.  Dave Marr was cautiously optimistic the lift will be operational for Easter Sunday, provided the state inspection has been completed.  All committees have been asked to identify any items that should be placed on a “wish list”  as we work toward developing a capital plan.  Let Jane Hannon know of anything to be added the partial list already in place.  The council discussed in greater detail the need for internal and external building security.  Jim will contact a second locksmith for another bid.  The council is considering speaking to the Building Oversight Committee about this. 

Christian Education Report:  Phyllis Ames reported on two of the sessions she attended at the Prepared to Serve conference.  The Safe Church Policy session information will be incorporated into the policy we will prepare for our church.  At our next council meeting she will report on the Open and Affirming workshop she attended. 

Membership Report:  See written report.  Doug Popp said the new church directory will be prepared in June. 

Missions Report:  See written report.

Music Committee Report:  The design for the proposed altar railing has been completed.  “They appear as though they were always there…”

LVA/EC:  As Flossie noted, the ladies have been snowed out for most of their meetings this winter! 

Men’s Club:  Doug Popp said the next meeting of the Men’s Club will be on Mothers Day. 

Old Business:

1. Youth Leader Search Committee:  We still need to finalize the parent representatives and the Deacon participant. 
2. Chairlift:  See Trustee’s written report.
3. Binder of Policies and Procedures:  The council brainstormed possible topics to be included in the binder and which committee would prepare the related materials.  Additional discussion to be held in April.  The council is responsible for identifying the church’s ‘traditions’, turkey dinner planning, and the master calendar for 12 months in advance. 

1. Everyone is asked to submit committee minutes to Dee ASAP as she will be out of town at times in March and April.

Next Meeting: April 21, 2005

Respectfully submitted, 
Janet Goodrich - Acting Clerk

                                     Happy Birthday
       April  4 - Kim Smith            April 19 - Doug Popp
       April  9 - Michael Skowronek    April 22 - Brooke Robie
       April 11 - Phyllis Ames         April 24 - Martin Ferwerda
       April 14 - Jessica Perry        April 26 - Anita Phillips
       April 15 - Bernice Ferwerda     April 29 - Marc Halbedel
       April 17 - John O'Day          

Board of Trustees
March 3, 2005

The meeting opened at 7:05^pm with Mark Warner, Nancy Bogar, Jane Hannon, Cynthia Childs, Buford Pettus, Larry Kabat, Frens Zwart, Norman May, Burt Goodrich and Jim Melhorn present.  The Secretary's minutes were accepted as presented.

Financials were accepted as presented.  Sign permit bill received from the town will be paid.  Jim brought up a need that a family affiliated with the Church is in desperate need of help with their oil bill.  Norm made a motion that we pay the bill of approx $900.  Motion was accepted and will be paid from the CAPITAL RESERVE 2000 Fund.  Jane will call Allen & Mathewson to see if we could add an extra $500 when we prepay for the parsonage to cover such a need in the future.

Elevator:  Doors should be shipped on March 4^th and arrive in Rindge by March 8^th. Mark will call Mike Ellis to install the doors.  Although not clear on the plans, the electrical switch has to be moved to the outside of the shaft.  Hopefully, the lift will be operational very soon.

Capital Expenditures: Mark is looking for any and all lists – wish items, needed repairs, new purchases, etc.  Once list is pretty complete, the trustees can prioritize and then decide the best method of covering such items – a capital fund drive or take things year by year.  Music Committee is going forward with having drawings made up for the altar railings.

1965 Agreement: Jim and Mark attended the 3/2/05 Selectmen's Meeting. The selectmen are concerned that this is an historical document and want more input into any changes. Their final decision was to set up another committee consisting of 9 people to review the old and newly revised agreement. They will be putting and ad in paper asking for volunteers. Mark will talk to Dave Marr and see if he would be willing to serve on the committee.

Endowment Policy: There is a definite need to establish such a policy. Jim has a lot of information. The Stewardship Group decided to have a brief meeting after our meeting to decide how they should proceed. Jane is willing to help this group.

Mark and Jane purchased some Dunkin Donut gift certificates as a thank you to the Highway guys who helped take the vertical lift off the truck.

Jim reminded the Trustees that the Church Retreat is scheduled for April 1^st & 2^nd – an overnight at the Woodbound Inn.  One topic is to develop a Mission Statement.

Next meeting is scheduled for April 5^th at 7:00^pm Meeting adjourned at 8:10^pm.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Bogar

Diaconate

The Deacons met on Wednesday March 10^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.  Those in attendance were Sue Campbell, Steve Henrikson, Trudie Kalinen, Barbara Wells and Rev. Melhorn.  Steve Henrikson called the meeting to order.

Deacon of the month for April is Sue Campbell.  Communion will be on April 3^rd assisted by Trudie Kalinen, Sue Campbell and Steve Henrikson.

Ushers and Greeters for April will be;

       Usher                                          Greeter
  3   Michelle and Ethan Perry
10   Steve Henrikson                            Burt & Janet Goodrich
17   Ken and Sandy Harding                 Betty Chenausky & Bernice Martin
24   Burt and Janet Goodrich                Ernest & Marge St. Pierre

Next meeting will be Thursday April 14^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Mission Ministries Team
February 6, 2005

The committee met on February 6, 2005 following coffee hour; attending were Mary Alice D’Abrosio, Alice Zwart, and Laura Henrikson. 

Alice is in charge of the OGHS (One Great Hour of Sharing) collection to be done in March.

A Soup & Bread Supper is being planned for April 22, 2005.  Pam Cheevers from the Pregnancy Resource Center will be coming to come to speak to us; there will be a free will offering.  The Men’s Club has also offered to do a collection for them at their next breakfast.

At our next meeting we will work on items that we think might need to be listed in the Policies and Procedures binder that Council is compiling.

Our officers at this time are: MaryAlice - Representative to Council and Laura - Secretary.  At this time no one on the committee is willing to step into the slot of Chairperson.

The next meeting will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2005 after coffee hour.

Respectfully submitted,
Laura A. Henrikson, Secretary

Music Committee
March 9, 2005

A meeting was held 3/9/05, with Mary Lu Mathis, Tony D’Ambrosio, Bob Popple, Mary Jane Sawyer and guest Sue Campbell in attendance.

Tony reported that Council wishes for us to assemble music-related procedures to be included in church-wide guidelines. We will comply at our upcoming planning meeting. We have also been asked by Council to carefully monitor the status of our budget as the year progresses.

Tony presented the design for apse railings prepared by Carrie Patria. All agreed that the design was fitting and tasteful. Mary Lu expressed her thanks to Tony, who will discuss at Council appropriations for funding of the design ($62.50), and their wishes regarding proceeding with construction of the railings. We will suggest that we first contact Mike Ellis for a quote for construction.

Mary Lu announced that at least five members of the choir will participate in the American Guild of Organist’s Ecumenical Choir Festival on April 10.  Mary Lu awaits response from Marge Nielsen regarding the scheduling of an AGO Concert here.

Bob reported that tuning of the organ by George Bozeman will be done on March 18.

Mary Jane Sawyer - for the Committee

Nominating Committee

There are still a few positions open on the Church Committees.  The positions are 

• Clerk 
• Trustees - 2 
• Deacons - 6 
• Christian Education -1 
• Pastoral Relations -1 
• Nominating Committee -1 
• Official Delegates -1

Susan Campbell 899-2705
Jeanne Norwood 532-6283

April Worship Services

April 3 – Communion 
Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31
Sermon: “Forgive and Forget”
Lay Reader: Martha Thomas
Ushers: Michelle and Ethan Perry
Greeters:
Acolyte: Paul Chace

April 10
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35
Sermon: “Known and Unknown”
Lay Reader: Lois May
Ushers: Steve Henrikson
Greeters: Charlie Berry and Doug Popp
Acolyte: Micaela Crowe

April 17
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4-12
Sermon: “Frost Heaves”
Lay Reader: Steve Henrikson
Ushers: Ken and Sandy Harding
Greeters: Betty Chenausky and Bernice Martin
Acolyte: Michael Skowronek

April 24
While Pastor Jim accompanies our youth on a trip to New York City to attend the Nightwatch program at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the Deacons will conduct our worship service with our own Tony D’Ambrosio preaching the sermon.
Ushers: Burt and Janet Goodrich
Greeters: Ernest and Marge St. Pierre
Acolyte: John Kohlmorgen

Mission Soup Supper
Friday, April 22, 2005 - 6:30^pm
Meeting Room

Please join us in learning about the Pregnancy Resource Center and what they do in our region to help people!  Come join us in faith, fellowship, and a learning experience!  And some of the best homemade soup in the area!!!

A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Resource Center.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The LVA/EC has decided to join in the Shawl Ministry that many churches throughout the country and world are participating in. In 1998, Janet Bristow & Victoria Galo of Connecticut gave birth to the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

The shawls are given to those undergoing medical procedures, as a comfort after a loss, during bereavements, prayer or meditation; at commitment or marriage ceremonies; for birthing or nursing a baby; as a bridal shower gift; for those who lead worship; during an illness & recovery; for those who minister to others.

We are looking for knitters and crocheters to help us with this program.  We have directions available.  Please speak to Lois May (899-6651) or Laura Henrikson (899-5456) for information.

Excerpt from
The A-B-C's of Parsonage Living
By Rev David Ellis

Quiet:  Mostly ….but notice that you are across the street from the fire station.  At 12:10^pm every Saturday they test the fire horn.  You'll think that the Queen Elizabeth II is about to dock at your front door.  From time to time they will set it off for the real thing, even at 3:00^am.  When that happens and your sleep is disturbed just remember it's sounding off for someone else whose sleep disturbance is far worse than yours.  If they are coming for you, rest assured they will be there sooner than for anyone else in town.  Also the clock in the steeple of the meeting house chimes the hour 24 hours a day.  You'll get used to the bell; you'll never get used to the fire horn (it's a lot better since they installed the new windows in this house, though).