Missions Minutes from May 2008

Missions Minutes

1) Soup Kitchen - May 20, I think we all received the church memo to remind many of the people on church committees, I hope that helped. And J did a reminder the 2nd service on may 18.

2) PADS - (cook out May 18) J also made an announce to remind people.

3) Meals on Wheels - needed one more person Fri. may 30, pretty sure Mary B. had someone for Alyson to pencil in for that day.

4) Food Pantry - first sunday of each month, June is Baby supplies (food & diapers)

5) Rainbow Covenant Project - June is Renz center. (also the bulletin & monthly newsletter is doing a nice job of highlighting the Missions porjects - Yeh! Also thank you Kelley for talking with Deb H.

I sent Deb Howe an e-mail this morning regarding doing a "Mission Minute"
on the Renz Center and she said she would be happy to and was planning on
doing it on June 1.

Old business

1) Flood buckets & health kits - based on conversation it seems that the mission members are the primary suppliers of items & buckets. Again, we brainstormed ways of making the purchasing of items, seem easier and not so crazy. Thank you to everyone who is working on that project.

2) Farmers Market - Sandy was not present, Alyson said she would check to see how those dates are coming along.

3) Nothing but Nets - raised about $50 from the game days & $300 from offering envelops. We discussed that maybe there are too many building needs and other basic needs, so people have to be very picky about where they donate?! Kelley is checking the sport banks periodically, so maybe we just need to do another reminder at one of the services.

4) Hosta sale at garage sale - list went around below is times & needs.

Fri. May 30 (9am - 4pm)

NO ONE WAS ABLE TO SIGN UP

Sat. May 31 (9am - 2pm)

Alyson B. will be there all day

Kelley S. & Diane L. will be there from 9 - 11am

5) Taste of Epworth Salsa (Sat. June 21, 3 - 7pm)

Kelley A. emailed committee members throughout the church & she has what the mission group is doing, I think she just needs a theme Name?!

Who is bring what

Mary Becker - salsa

Diane L. - trader Joe's salsa & chips (she will be on vacation)

Kelley S. - chips 7 salsa

Aylson B. - chips & salsa

Who can be there & when

2 - 3:30 (set up): Mary Rees Freeman, Mary Becker

3:00 - 5:30pm: Alyson B., Kelley S.

5 - 7:30pm: Alyson B., Mary B.

6) August is coffee month for Missions group - Mary B. said she could start the coffee each morning & j will start putting treats away. We need morning juice for kids, Diane will purchase & leave in cabinet.

New business

1) Box Tops for education (see attachment & note below from kelley)
> Good Morning, Diane! Attached below is the complete list of products that
> contain the "Box Tops for Education" thing. Have a good week and we will
> see you soon!!

2) Kelley S. asked that we put the Adult Arch for Heifer near the mission table - great idea. Especially with the garage sale & hosta stuff going on that weekend.

I think that is all for now, next meeting is JuneHappy Memorial day to everyone, stay safe & enjoy some fun time with family & friends.

Church Council Minutes, April 2008

Members Present: Carole and Paul Burris, Pastor David, Gloria Clark, Kara Berg, David and Ginny Comings, Susan Collins, Patti Floyd, Kelly Akemann, Vickie Akemann, Amy Zapata, Keith Paskiewicz, Ron Stout, Guests: Mentors and Confirmees: Steve Mink and Nick Rager, Barb DeMoulen and Mackenzie Luzen, Mareen Stanley and Tessa Hanlon, Barb Greenwald and Kathryn Bohner.

Gathering Time:

Carole welcomed our guests, four 2008 confirmands and mentors, and briefly explained the purpose of the Church Council and the alternating monthly agenda focus. Keith offered a prayer to formally open the meeting.

Mechanics:

The Church Calendar was passed for additions and/or corrections. The March minutes were reviewed. Ginny C. moved to accept the minutes; Keith seconded the motion; motion passed.

Resource & Support Areas:

Treasurer - Paul distributed March 31^st Balance Sheet and Budget Summary. He emphasized all receipts must be presented to the specific committee chair for approval and signature before submitting (to Paul) for payment.

Finance - Susan Collins explained the “Out of Pockets” fund-raising campaign. April 27^th will be the “kick-off” date for this new project to be explained/presented to the congregation. She reiterated, during the December Church Council meeting, the Council voted memorial/bequests funds be utilized for specific projects. Some project costs have exceeded budget. Susan inquired if Council approval is required to fund the over runs; discussion ensued; and, from the $49K budgeted, the following will be re-allocated: $6,900 from the Capital Replacement account, $4,100 from Building, and $5,000 to complete the mechanical requirements for the fire suppression system.

Budget vs Income – Carole shared our “giving is way down”. Easter collections were less than expected; no special Easter envelopes were mailed (to the congregation) - was that a factor?? Carole asked for suggestions on ways to inspire giving on a regular basis and make giving a priority. Compared to other churches, EUMC giving is very “low”. How can we make persons feel they are an integral part of the church? Nick Rager suggested telling the story of the widow who “gave all she had”. Others suggested double giving for one month, Catch-up Sunday, Ginny C. shared the enthusiasm an outside speaker may generate, Pastor David stated, “it’s a blessing to give”, David C. suggested “overflow” (spare $), Susan C. suggested an example- giving up “one coffee a day”. No firm or final consensus.

Annual Rummage Sale, May 30^th and 31^st – help will be needed the prior week for sorting, pricing, etc.

Keith suggested placing a Rummage Sale sign be affixed to the Boy Scout trailer; then, moving the trailer to the west side of Randall Road EUMC property) for high visibility.

Nuture People in Faith:

Taste of Epworth, June 21^st, 3-7 PM: Kelly A: Theme will be Dancing with the Star. Set up will occur on the same-day morning. Still needed: committees to sign up for their choice of “courses”. Discussion followed regarding ticket prices, size of portions, voting for the best (food, booth???), and the Traveling Pig prize. Perhaps the Youth Band will provide entertainment.

Trustees Update - Ron Stout shared the following: the tower entrance and hallway have been freshly painted; Al Rohde is interested in several “improvement” projects (bathrooms, Sacristy-area shelving, etc.); Brian Kirmse is planning a “mostly-outside” Saturday Workday; Kelly Brown and Brian K. are discussing additional wall paint; installation of the hood and fire suppress system should commence shortly. The upstairs entrance door will be moved to the west end of the parlor and become the “main upstairs” entrance… (the “old door will be gone”)…which will allow the parlor to become a “nice meeting room”. He met with the Pingree Grove Fire Chief regarding the (based upon square footage) sprinkler requirements; no sprinklers are necessary which reduces the required size of the well.

Page 2, Church Council, April 22, 2008

Nuture People in Faith (continued)

Reflection Centers- Carole explained and identified the various areas located throughout the church designed for individual reflection and prayer. In May, the Centers’ focus will be changed to “the how and why of service”.

Dancing with the Star meeting – May 5^th, 7 PM: This gathering will focus on the upcoming campaign to share ideas and “gear up” for the fall and “recap” the plans.

Witness:

Sign Update – Kara: The current Highland & Randall sign will be replaced with a new taller, wider, digital sign. Kara “found” a grant from the United Methodist Communications Division. Designs have been submitted to the County and, following approval, the sign can be installed within six weeks. We are seeking installation assistance from the congregation such as welding, pouring concrete, electrical connections, etc. Kara asked all present to “take charge” of finding persons to help with this project.

Sharing of other Topics

Youth Director, Mollie Denman, is “retiring” at the end of May…the Youth are planning the retirement farewell event. Search is underway for a Youth Director. The Staff Parish Committee will appreciate suggestions and recommendations for this position.

Parsonage – the yard has been smoothed and topsoil spread. Trees (purchased last fall and “wintered over”) will be planted shortly. Sidewalks and the driveway are installed. Bids for the Air Conditioning are being sought.

Prayers from the People

Several concerns were voiced. Specific healing prayers are requested for Charlotte Kwan and Patti Floyd’s Mother’.

The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting date is May 27^th.