Davis United Methodist Church
We are an inclusive community committed to living and teaching the love of Jesus Christ
Church Council Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2016
Present: Louanne Horsfield, Joe Archer, Susan Padgett, John Uhte, Dick Dowell, John Knight , Mary Anne Ingenthron, Joyce Smuda, Paul Grench, Zora Fowler, Janice Morand, Kathy Schinski, Alice Lakin, Carol Jewell (chair), Pastor Brandon, Marge Matoba (note taker)
Meditation: Zora Fowler read a meditation related to small groups
Circle Guidelines--Mary Anne Ingenthron reviewed the guidelines and explained how they can be used in small groups and at Church Council.
Check-In: Members spoke of their concerns for what is happening in the world, and their role as Christians. Most responses focused on our role as Christians to love others (including people we disagree with) and speaking up about right and wrong. Other thoughts about our role as Christians included: bringing people together and reaching out beyond the people like ourselves; having hope and vision; working for justice and compassion; trying to listen and understand all people; not letting one piece represent the whole. “Teach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
May Minutes were approved
Pathways Reports:
1. Small Groups Survey -Zora Fowler – One of the tasks of the Small Group focus group is to survey the congregation. They will use Google Survey Monkey to help with the process. Zora shared a rough draft of the survey and received a few comments and suggestions. They hope to get the survey online (and in print for those who don’t use computers) in mid-August so they can talk about their findings in September. They will also interview people who don’t respond to the survey. (There was also a suggestion that there be Survey Monkey training for others so it can be used throughout the year.)
2. Small Groups Ministry- Janice Morand explained that a second task of the Small Group Focus Group was to establish a small groups ministry at DUMC. Louanne Horsfield will be the interim chair beginning immediately and continuing until Jan. 1, 2017. The proposal includes some goals for this ministry. The Small Groups Ministry Proposal passed unanimously. (See attached)
3. Pathway Guiding Team --general status summary by Louanne Horsfield, particularly about Worship and Service and Justice. There’s a plan for a triple meeting for the three different groups to get together (PLUM—Pathway Launch Update Meeting)
4. Service and Justice Ministry -Paul Grench asked the Council to accept a name change from “Church and Society” to “Service and Justice”. Change was accepted by Council.
Paul said that there were two areas of concentrations.
1. Work to increase voter registration. This project started immediately with a meeting on July 21 and another one scheduled in August. 2. Develop a process to facilitate a grassroots approach to S& J. The group met (and will meet again) to talk about potential projects, which may be ongoing or more short-term. The projects will then be showcased in a fair-type format as a way to determine congregant interest in working on them. The “Fair” may be repeated next year and include others with their own ideas.
S & J ministry is also working on two other things this summer:
1. Bike and Build- 6:00, August 6. Need more potluck food, so Paul passed a sign-up sheet around.
2. Backpacks & school supplies for refugee children, with August 7th as the deadline. The backpacks will then be delivered to Opening Doors in time for school opening.
Meet-the Pastor groups- still chance to sign up to host or attend.
Trustees Report -Dick Dowell-
Acoustic improvement project—have $6000 left from grant. Bids came in at $8500-$13,500. Finance Committee will seek grants to offset the cost
Sanctuary doors will be fixed so they close properly.
Repair and seal the southeast parking lot in September.
Dick is trying to figure out all the keys in the church.
Removed a dead tree.
Upgrading the pastor’s office.
Need a kitchen overseer—someone to keep things in order in the kitchen
Tamper resistant plugs in sanctuary nursery
Finance Report -Mary Anne Ingenthron reported that:
We’re right on track with revenues and expenses.
They aren’t sure about next year. We used $30,000 from reserves to get through this year. We’ll need to get more money next year, or we’ll use the rest of the reserves or be making a lot of cuts.
F.C. will be sending out budget questions to various ministries asking for requests as well as well as what they would cut if they had to.
They’re looking into reducing the mortgage rate.
Solar project appears to be funded in full (half in hand and half in pledges). Paying that off in January gives us $4000/year more.
They’re also looking into narrative budget which is a way to better explain the budget—where the money goes and how it works with our mission.
There will be presentations in Sept. about the budget. Budget & Stewardship will meet in August.
Pastor remarks
Tell Anna if there are any changes in time or place in things that are calendared.
Announcements will be few, mostly on the screen and in newsletter. The need for adjustments to heat/air should be communicated to Brian or Anna
Pastor Brandon will work in concert with lay leaders
Time for another Church pictorial directory (Reminder that if you contact Anna, she will give you an updated online directory)
Update our website so it better reflects our pathway process.
Thank you for all the work the congregation is doing
Closing Prayer by Pastor Brandon
Pastor Brandon led Council members in the Song: “Have You Seen Jesus, My Lord?”
Next Meeting: August 24