Church Council Minutes
December 14, 2009
Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church
Church Council Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2009
Members Present: Mike Sherry, Carolyn Mitchell, Randy Belseth, Luann Belseth, Tom McKeown, Mark Gentry, Dean Fortin, Laural Plourde, Tina Beauchaine, Bunny Shangraw, Steve Shangraw, Ray Talke, Rev. Michele Ewers, Beth Snider
Gathering:
Respond:
A. Business
1. Review of previous meeting minutes - minutes were accepted as presented. Ray Talke did want to clarify that he is staying on as Webmaster but is looking for someone to be the backup Webmaster.
The Church sound system mentioned has since been approved by the finance committee.
The Quarterly Praise Night had about 24 people in attendance.
2. Committee on Lay Leadership - We reviewed the Committee on Lay Leadership recommendations. The final report will be presented and voted on once it is completed.
B. Stewardship of Our Resources
1. Finance Ministry: Budget will not be presented tonight.
C. Vision and Mission
1. Snack Ministry - Luann Belseth
Luann noticed that children at her school were not bringing in snacks and she had received letters from parents saying that they were unable to provide them. Rev. Michele provided her with some money from her discretionary fund and she purchased snacks that are kept with the school nurse and teachers and if a child does not have a snack one is provided.
There would need to be a collection from the congregation about 3 times per year. All snacks must be peanut free.
BVUMC was recognized at the School Council for providing this.
Luann will be in charge of this and will make sure that the items are delivered. She would also like to do a children's message about it. She will describe it during a Stewardship moment in January.
A motion was made and seconded to approve this ministry with all in favor.
2. Clothing Swap Ministry - Tina Beauchaine and Lee Ducharme
Tina and Lee would like to conduct a one day gently used clothing swap for women on January 30th, 2010 (snow dated Feb. 13). It would be only women's clothing and donations would only be accepted the day before the event. All items leftover at the end of the day will be donated to charity. Admission would be an item for the food bank. This would be open to the community.
A motion was made and seconded to approve this Ministry.
3. Pastor's Moment
Matthew 25 House - Kevin Smith who is the Pastor at The River in Woonsocket has asked if our congregation would like to help by serving dinner at Matthew 25 House which serves the homeless in Woonsocket. This is a much different demographic than Peace of Bread as all of the clients are homeless. Rev. Michele will assemble a group and they will go down and see what would be expected of us and they will report back.
Annual reports are due by January 15th, please email to Rev. Michele.
4. Women's Ministry
Lee Ducharme could not attend by wanted the council to know that there will be a Day of Renewal for women on March 6th.
5. Ministry for the Brown Family - Laural Plourde
Shawn Brown will deploy to Iraq on January 8th, 2010 for 1 year. This ministry would be to support the family during this time. Laural would begin by assessing their needs. Some ides she had were: meals (in coordination with Feeding Our Flock), help with the children, men's group attending Grant's games, care packages and emails to Shawn.
A motion was made and seconded to approve this ministry.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.