Ministry Council
March 29, 2004

Present: Carl Cleveland, Cheryl Wolfe, Jim Wolfe, Kay Coryell, Lynda Fickling, Jenita Rhodes, Sherry Merrill, Elizabeth Laurvick, John Merchant, Ken Fong, Pam Rowley, Kathy Balu, Marie & David Fornof, Martha Boon 

Finance Report- John Merchant

Giving is above our projected amount.  Operating at a $78,000 deficit, $25,000 is approved by Finance, $25,000 is allocated for one time spending by Evangelism Team, therefore $28,000 will need to be addressed at next EB meeting.  SPRC has taken $45,000 out of their budget because of timing of hiring. 

SPRC- Kathy Balu

Janet’s visit went well. SPRC is in the process of interviewing for the Youth Minister position.  A couple of candidates are standing out for the full time position. They are looking at health benefits for the staff. 

SPRC is planning a PotLuck lunch for May 16th, Janet’s first Sunday. UMW is helping with this.  A suggestion was made to offer several different Open Houses in members’ homes, for people to visit and get to know Janet.  It was also suggested that we thank Fred in a formal manner. 

Staff Report

Lynda reported our membership at 1311 members.  We have taken in 78 new members his year and lost 34.  We are ahead of new membership at this time last year.  Lynda is concentrating her efforts on connecting people who are regular attendees, as opposed to MIAs. 

Ministry Team Reports

Ministry Development Team- Carl Cleveland

Team is working on recruiting new members.  . Jerry Starry is meeting with Singles to start a Singles Fellowship group and a Divorce Recovery Group. Work on fine tuning the Structure is on hold. 

Recognition- we encourage all Advocates to recognize and thank their small group leaders. 

Operations- Ken Fong

March 6 was a successful WorkDay.  June 5 will be the next WorkDay.  We have acquired a professional carpet cleaner and Dan is learning how to use it.  It will have paid for itself in a year’s time. 

      Communications-New St. Lukes web site; email contacts have been removed to help reduce the Spam these individuals receive. 

Worship- Kay Coryell, Cheryl Wolfe

Kay introduced Cheryl as the new Worship Team Advocate.  She will be taking over since Kay has accepted the staff position of Assistant Music Director. 

April 4- “Levite Genes”  by Kidz Praise

Three new groups formed- Youth Handbell Choir, Tone Chimes and Youth Jazz Band,  

Education

We need to start working on Adult Education opportunities for fall.  Need a leader for Adult Education Team.  Lynda would like to know, what the Adult Education Classes are doing for the summer, so this can be publicized.

Jenita reported that we will be recognizing the SS teachers in May.  Ken is collecting pictures for this tribute. 

Missions- Marie & Dave Fornof

Considering some FundRaisers.  Recently our refugee family, Susan Jarba, lost her purse on the bus.  It will cost $500 to replace the documents lost.

Lenten Food Drive brought in less food than other years.

They hope to make the needs of the refugee family more visible and offer more “one time’ volunteer opportunities. 

Fellowship & Support- Sherry Merrill & Elizabeth Laurvick

Book Club will no longer be a group within St. Lukes

UMW- looking for more people

      Retreat May 7-8

      Raising money to paint the Fellowship Hall

Softball starts June 1

Churchwide needs new leaders

      MC discussed the idea of hosting a Progressive Dinner, something we did years ago.  Will try to form a small group to plan this event, which may help to get people involved in Churchwide again.

Family Camp is July 29-Aug. 2 at Golden Gate State Park

      They are looking for a guitar player and song leader.

Preparations for Easter: Ken needs Shuttle Drivers

Other Business:

      We discussed how to make our building safer for all children and youth. For upstairs it was suggested we add an additional usher, and add a superintendent downstairs for the 11 o’clock hour. Trustees will be discuss security measures for all members and publish an article in the Chronicle. 

Evangelism Team- Jim Wolfe

Laura Kuhl and Jim Wolfe are co-chairing. There are 10 people on the team.

Targets:  People not attending, Methodist in the area

Goal is to get people to come, but more importantly to connect them with our St. Lukes community and help them grow spiritually.

They shared the message they are working on to communicate who we are to members and potential members.

We welcome you to our Christian family, where we share life.  Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you are accepted and encouraged to grow spiritually.  Join us in growing together toward full humanity through living the teachings of Jesus: Love, Acceptance, Justice and Hope.

Evangelism Team will meet again after Easter to continue work on this message and to determine how it will be disciminated.  They hope to bring more people onto their team.  Would like to add some Communications/Marketing expertise. 

Next Meeting

April 26, 2004 7 pm