Church Council Minutes
September 14, 2009
Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church
Church Council Meeting Minutes
September 14th, 2009
7:00pm
Members Present: Carolyn Mitchell, Charlie Thompson, Michael Sherry, Danielle Wilson, Tina Beauchaine, Peg Codner, Dean Fortin, Mark Gentry, Adele Gentry, Derek Plourde, Brian Murphy, Rev. Michele Ewers, Beth Snider
Gather: A brief time of sharing, we discussed having the choir on the floor.
Listen: We celebrated Holy Communion.
Pastor’s Moment
Rev. Michele met with SPRC in June and set personal and Church goals. One of her goals was to empower, train and nurture the laity. She has encouraged the leaders in the church to read “Leading Beyond the Walls “ by Adam Hamilton. He spoke at Annual Conference and she has DVD’s of his talks and will be presenting them at church council for us to discuss. We can all so something better. She also stated that it is not the size of the congregation but the vitality of it.
Welcoming Ministry - a new Ministry led by Carolyn Mitchell. We need to figure out a way to show people that we really want them here and we need to nurture them. We will be having trained ushers who will have an understanding of what they are supposed to do. They will be ready to welcome new people each week. We will continue to use the sign in registers and within 24 hours any new people will have a visit from Rev. Michele. She will bring them a coffee mug and welcome them. Her visit will be very brief. She will also provide them a pamphlet with basic church info. This will start as soon as we have the mugs in.
Rev. Michele will also be starting some Bible e-studies and in the winter she will have training for a caring ministry.
Charge Conference will be held on October 26th at 7:30pm. November 8th the Bishop will be coming for Worship.
Respond:
A: Business
a: The minutes from the previous meeting reviewed. A motion was made to accept them as presented and seconded.
b: Trustee’s
There is a leak in the sanctuary ceiling that may cost about 4000.00 to fix. Finance has given approval for 5000.00 for the repair.
The carpets in the addition have been cleaned and stain guard applied. The tile floors will be stripped and rewaxed in the new addition this week.
c: Finance
We did well with the budget throughout the summer , there was no dropoff. We are about 15,000.00 ahead of expenses and that amount does not include the capital campaign pledge payments.
On Wednesday the Finance Ministry Series on finances will begin. The group is excited because this makes it a true finance ministry.
d: Space Use Requests
1.Cub Scout Webelos Den- Tina Beauchaine
They had been meeting at St. Peter’s but they were given a short notice that they would need to find a new space to meet. There are 7 boys, 9-10 years old and they would meet from 6pm to 7pm in the Old Fellowship Hall from September to April.
A motion was made to allow them to meet and seconded with all in favor.
2. Preacher’s Aide Society
They would like to hold a workshop here for 25 people on the following dates: 11/12, 1/14, 2/11, 3/11.
A motion was made and seconded to allow this and all were in favor.
3. Boy Scout Troop- Charlie Thompson
They would like to host a Ham and Bean Supper here on Saturday 10/24 at 5pm and 6:30pm.
A motion was made and seconded to allow this event and all were in favor.
4. Emmaus Training- Dean Fortin
They are requesting the use of the Church and Fellowship Hall on 11/14 from 9-5pm. There was some discussion regarding having the church unavailable to other members of the church for the entire day.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to allow this.
B. Stewardship of Our Resources
a. Sound System Issues- Danielle Wilson
There are some issues with the equipment that our music groups use to perform. There was a discussion regarding what kind of equipment is needed and when we might expect to be able to complete the last phase of the building plan.
The music ministry will come up with a list of needs and approach the Finance Ministry.
C. Vision and Mission
a. Community Christmas Dinner- Luann Belseth/Dave Nadreau
This is a proposal to hold a Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas day here in Faith Hall. This would be a free event and open to the community. We would need a group of volunteers who would be willing to assist.
A motion was made to approve and was seconded with all in favor.
b. Welcoming Ministry- Carolyn Mitchell
They are planning on creating a new church directory as it has been several years since our last one and it is in need of an update. They have been talking to Olan Mills and an option we have with them is to have an online directory that could be modified as needed. We would still need to do a new paper directory every 3 years.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm