Ministry Council
January 25, 2005

 

Present: Sherry Merrill, Cheryl Wolff, Ken Fong, Lisa Hajek, Pam Rowley, Fred Venable, Paul Shea, Jim Wolff, Kathy Balu, Martha Boon, Lynda Fickling, Jenita Rhodes, Sandy Larson

 

Martha opened the meeting in prayer.

 

Finance- no formal finance report.

Progress on three fund raising ideas

1. Paul Shea reported on the “Coffee Bar” idea.

An original lead on equipment for a coffee bar fell through, however he and Dave Rhodes are still interested in pursuing this project. The plan is to place the coffee bar next to the Kitchen window in the Fellowship Hall. Gourmet coffee would be sold on Sunday mornings. We would recruit groups wanting to fund raise to staff the coffee bar and they could then share in the profits. A long-term plan could include selling coffee at rush hour on Broadway. The first step now, is getting the equipment. Paul & Dave recommend that we buy are own as opposed to leasing from Starbucks or Peaberry’s, so that we can control the product, pricing and take on more of the profit. They estimate that we can pay for the equipment in one year. Cost will range from $3000-5000. Ideas that were raised for covering this:

Get higher quality donuts and sell them

Fund raising dinner for equipment costs

Encourage donations now for donuts and coffee.

It was decided that signs to remind people to donate for coffee and donuts would be appropriate, since we aren’t even covering our costs. Ken will make signs. MC consensus was in approval of proceeding with looking for equipment and investigating ways to fund it.

 

2. Increasing Grocery Certificate Sales was the second money raising idea from Dec. meeting to help meet the budget deficit. Jim Wolff reported on a plan to offer automatic bank withdrawals for Grocery Certificates and patrons would then pick up the prepaid certificates at church. This could also be offered for pledge withdrawals. Ken will supply Jim with the information needed to proceed with the Grocery Certificate plan.

 

3. Janet is working on a campaign for $1 in the Offering Plate, which was our third fund raising plan.

SPRC-Kathy Balu

SPRC has worked with Chris Wilterdink on a job description for the Associate Youth Director. They are now in the process of recruiting with a tentative start date of April 1, 2005.

 

Evangelism Team- Jim Wolff

Last meeting was Jan. 11, and they worked on reaffirming what they are doing, refocusing and working toward increasing participation in the church.

Goals

Greater participation within the church as well as outside

Trying to be more strategic- putting together programs but not necessarily implemented them

ET wants to be an idea reservoir and promote the creation of groups

Plan to work with the small groups- each small group will have an ET representative to help them attract members, utilize resources and be IRM.

Right now they have ET representatives working with UMW, Youth, Home Improvements and UMM. ET wants to increase the visibility of all the small groups.

Other plans include

Hospitality- rather than forming a separate team - have current groups already contributing to Hospitality take on portions of the responsibilities- such as greeter & ushers.

Templates for sermons- a brochure type

Looking at the Bulletin format- perhaps an IRM thematic format

 

Pastors/Staff Reports

Ken & Lynda reported on the plans for a New Member Video. They will plan to tape the Advocates and MC Chair with a summary of their groups and opportunities to be involved. Ken will tape Jan. 30 & Feb. 5 between 10:45 and 12:30. Goal is to have the video ready for Feb. 13.

Fred reminded us that Sunday, Jan. 30 is St. Andrew’s first Sunday in their new building. We have a welcome team attending and speaking at one service. A cookie bouquet and balloons will also be delivered in welcome. We also loaned them our bus for shuttle service. Fred reminded us that we need to be intentional about putting “Out there” who we are and what we have to offer. Others suggested that we need to remember to be “true to ourselves,” “wear our nametags,” “can’t be complacent.’

Fred announced upcoming classes he is offering:

The Four Agreements Wednesdays, starting Feb. 2

The Bible, God & Jesus, starting Feb. 6

Lynda reported membership at 1258, an increase of 5 from last year. She really cleaned up inactives so that this is a more accurate reflection of our membership.

Lenten lunches will start Feb. 16

Wednesday evening Lenten class, “Wed. at the Movies”

 

Missions

Kathy Balu reported that the Garage Sale was a huge success. They made $3000. Missions is working with the Youth on the “Taste of Guatemala”

Guatemala Mission Trip will be March 4-13 and the dedication Sunday, Feb. 27.

Missions Team has been scrambling to find resources for the Jargba family. They are still working on communicating with Music on Fund Raising plans for the year. Patty Speedy and Jill Jasper are now leading caring Connection. Prayer Connection is still

looking for Leadership.

 

Fellowship & Support

Sherry Merrill reported the upcoming UMW retreat. The Women of Note are doing a fund raising concert to help with proceeds for refurbishing the Fellowship Hall. They are planning a Pancake Breakfast when the FH is painted. Also have plans for a May fashion show.

She also reported on the progress with the Business Owners Forum under the leadership of Scott Wesson and Scott Harden.

 

Ministry Development

Martha reported that the team is currently trying to assemble information on the small groups that we have, their contact person and whether they desire new members or support from Ministry Development. Advocates were asked to supply this information.

 

Education

Sandy reported on the upcoming Children’s Ministry Events

Feb. 25 Family Fun Night

Mar. 19 Easter Fun Day

Apr. 22 Children’s Dinner Theatre

June 27-July 1 VBS

Wacky Wednesdays

Adult Ed

Christian Believers Class still in the plans, but they will need funds for Facilitator Training. A Current Events for Christians class planned for the fall.

Youth

Parents of Teens will start up again; Mar. 6th First topic will be Teen Depression.

Feb. will be a Fund Raising Month at Boson Pizza

Mar. 11-13 Youth Quest Retreat

Apr. 1-2 Up With Youth Retreat

Mar. 18-20 Confirmation Retreat

 

Worship

Cheryl reported on the Bible Drive- 37 commitments so far

Lori Ross is stepping down as Bread Team leader and Karin Wesson will assume this role. Thanks to Lori for all her work in the past.

Women of Note plan to continue with their Prison Outreach, no dates set.

Adult Bell Choir has 14 member attending the Bell Festival in Keystone, Apr. 29-May 1

All Youth Ensembles are rehearsing again- new Youth Choir has 15-20 members.

April 27 WNL Children’s & Youth Music Concert

March 11,12 Melodrama, “Pure as the Driven Snow”

 

Operations

Feb. 19 will be a Work Day

Several members of the team have taken on painting the entry: Ken Fong, Karen Mead and Sandy Miyaki

Communications- working on the Lent Invitation Card

Plan to work on revising announcement portion of the Bulletin. Discussion followed on changes to make with the bulletin and how to better coordinate our communication- timing and highlighting what is new.

 

Bulletin Announcements:

Suggestions- new or 1st time announced events in BOLD

Policy on how early to start announcing an event

Communications along with Janet will review bulletins from other churches and return to MC with a new layout and policies for Bulletin announcements.

We need multiple ways to communicate our calendar. It was suggested that we put out seasonal calendars like we do at Advent. We talked about a 12 month calendar in the Hall way, or a 3 month rolling calendar that is always available to take home. It was suggested that we redo the calendar on the web so that if gives information about the events, rather than just the sponsoring group. Communications will work on coordinating our suggestions with the following goals in mind:

Publications-establish guidelines for a timeline of how soon to publicize, for how long and where

Calendar-

Special event calendar to be printed & on the Web

Three month rolling calendar available in print

Communications & ET to work together to support the small group leaders in communicating their events and desire for involvement

As we met, each group updated dates of upcoming events for the year. Lisa will be putting this in calendar format for our use in the future.

 

Pam reported on the Stephen’s Ministry. We now have the necessary funds for the training. The 50 week training will start in August. We have two people trained and hope to have 2 more. She is forming a Care Giving Team, where members will make a 2 year commitment. Pam is very excited about starting this ministry.

 

Timing of the next meeting was discussed. It was suggested that we alternate between two days of the week. Martha will email the group to determine the best meeting schedule.

Respectfully submitted,

Martha Boon