Church Council Minutes
February 1, 2010
Blackstone
Valley United Methodist Church
Church Council Meeting Minutes
February 1, 2010
GATHER
The February 1, 2010 meeting of the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church Council was called to order at 7:07 PM in Faith Hall of the Church at 61 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, Massachusetts by Chairman Mike Sherry. The following members were present: Mike Sherry (Chair), Rev. Michele Ewers (Pastor), Peg Codner, Charlie Ewers, Barbara Fortin, Dean Fortin, Adele Gentry, Mark Gentry, Rev. Tom McKeown, Carolyn Mitchell, Laural Plourde, Steve Shangraw, Dixi Talke and Ray Talke.
Mike Sherry led a discussion of New Year’s resolutions that we have already broken.
Rev. Tom McKeown reported that Lucille Gallagher has been promoted to Assistant Director of Child Care at the Worcester YMCA.
LISTEN
Members of the Church Council celebrated Holy Communion.
Rev. Michele Ewers led the Church Council in an opening prayer.
RESPOND
A. Business
1. Minutes
The minutes of the January 11, 2010 Church Council meeting were reviewed. The following corrections were made:
C.1.:
Rev. Michele Ewers should be added to the list of individuals
attending the visioning meeting.
C.2.: Laural’s name was misspelled.
Motion by Steve Shangraw to accept the minutes of the January 11, 2010 Church Council meeting as amended, seconded by Dean Fortin. Motion passed by voice vote.
B. Stewardship of Our Resources
1. Pastor’s Moment – Rev. Michele Ewers
Pastor Michele Ewers announced that Ray Talke will serve as secretary of the Church Council.
The worship ministry team is still being built.
A new leadership structure is being considered for Sunday School including possibly instituting a “Children’s Ministry”.
May 23, 2010 will be Children’s Sunday.
On February 6, 2010, Rev. Michele Ewers, Barbara Fortin and Dean Fortin will be attending a visioning meeting in Lawrence, Massachusetts to share best practices from our church.
22 individuals have registered for the
Lenten Study, "24 Hours That Changed the World."
Eight have signed up for the Thursday night sessions while 12
have registered for the Friday morning sessions.
Six individuals have taken the book but will not attend the
formal studies.
2. Trustee’s Report – Steve Shangraw
Steve Shangraw reported that the Board of Trustees has unanimously approved hiring APM Construction Co. to renovate the parsonage bathroom. This project will cost approximately $7,000 to make long-needed, urgent repairs. The Chairman of the Finance Committee concurred with this motion.
C. Vision and Mission
1. Communications Committee – Peggy Codner
Peggy Codner reported that publication of the monthly newsletter is currently suspended. No articles were submitted for the February newsletter. There have been no complaints about the absence of the newsletter. The Communications Committee is exploring new methods of communications, including emails from the pastor and using the weekly bulletins for current announcements. Constant Contact is being considered for weekly updates from the pastor. A discussion of communications methods ensued and Peggy asked the Church Council to pray about communications methods, including ways in which the church should communicate its activities and whether we are communicating enough.
2. Clothing Swap – Tina Beauchaine
Church Council Chairman, Mike Sherry, read a report by Tina Beauchaine about the January 30, 2010 Women’s Clothing Swap. The Clothing Swap was successful with participation from church members and the public at large. Due to the success of the event, another Clothing Swap is being planned for the end of April. This event will include men’s and children’s clothing in addition to women’s clothing. If the second Clothing Swap is as successful as the first, we will likely host Clothing Swaps three to four times a year.
3. Brown Family Ministry - Laural Plourde
Laural Plourde reported that care packages for Shawn Brown have been signed up for through October. Emails still need to be signed up for. Laural circulated a sign-up form for emails to be sent to Shawn during the Church Council meeting.
4. Haiti Relief – Rev. Michele Ewers
136 Health Kits for Haiti relief were assembled by members of the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church and delivered to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Worcester. We collected enough money to cover the cost of toothpaste and shipping charges. Beth and Tim Hall coordinated this effort and Ingrid Murphy delivered the kits to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
GO FORTH
Dean Fortin led the Church Council in a closing prayer.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.
The next Church Council meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2010 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymond A. Talke, Jr.
Secretary