Ministry Organization

New members were assimilated into the committee, duties & responsibilities were discussed and Mentor assignments were made. Subsequently, one member resigned due to employment conflicts so the committee continued with seven members. In March, four members attended conference Training on Transforming Congregational Anxiety, then the training outlines were distributed to the other members.

The Hallelujah Service required increased hours for Marjorie Shepard for Children’s Church. That need was approved and a modified job description for the Music Director was approved. In a telephone conference, Rev. Cheryl’s decision for continued education through the Academy For Spiritual Formation was approved.

Over a period of three months, employee evaluations were completed and at a budget session the committee was informed that the Federal Bureau of Labor reported the Consumers Price Index at the end of July 2002 was 1.73% and the rate of inflation for the preceding twelve months was .7 of 1%. Salary Budget figures were given to the Finance Committee. To assist the pastor with requests for emergency financial assistance, the committee ascertained that Kansas Social & Rehabilitation Services, Catholic Emergency Assistance and Blue Valley Multi Service Center are available to provide emergency financial assistance.

Several members of the committee plan to attend the SPRC Sexual Ethics Workshops to be presented by the conference/district in November. The purpose is to train SPR Committee members about pastoral ethics and boundaries, including the Conference Sexual Ethics Policy.

Bob Walmer
Chair, Staff/Parish Relations Committee