First United Church will make disciples through worship, nurturing members, its witness to Christian faith and unity, and service to the human community.

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM MEETING

January 27, 2009, 7PM

 

Present:

 

P

Cathy Hartle

Lay Leader

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Mike Perry

Assistant Lay Leader

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Mary Twitchell

Recording Secretary

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JoBeth Marshall

Pastor

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Bryan Hill

Finance Team Co-chair

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Barb Lyons

Finance Team Co-chair

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Diane Spillum

Financial Secretary & Sunday School

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Betz Tepley

Outreach

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Echo Kowalzek

Archives

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Helen Isaacson

Memorial Fund Secretary/Treasurer

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Janet O’Quinn

PPRC co-chair

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Dyanne Olsen

Building & Grounds

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Bette Benedett

UCWA

CALL TO ORDER - Cathy Hartle called the meeting to order at 7:05

OPENING Prayer – Mike Perry

SECRETARY’S REPORT - Mary Twitchell (Diane S/Barb L/carried)


FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S / TREASURER’S REPORTS

·        October remaining report

·        November and December reports: Mike/Dyanne/approved

o       Line 110 is not included in the total

o       Looks like we came close to budget for revenue and were at 93% for expenses in 2008

o       Bryan & Barb have a better understanding of the process

o       Brought in about $15,000 less than expected last year.

o       Call special ad team meeting on the Feb. 8th to approve the budget

o       Need new person to take on the treasurer’s position since Donna would like to retire. Would take ~ 5-10 hours per week to take on position. Cathy suggested a joint meeting between finance and PPR to discuss options.

 

MINISTER’S REPORT – Rev. JoBeth Marshall

·        Visiting people – leave cards if not home. Mary Jean and Rev. JoBeth are coordinating visits to make sure that everyone gets visited. Some want a pastoral visit, others do not.

·        Working on the administrative pieces: getting job descriptions up-to-date and signed. Coordinating with PPRC.  

·        Concerns about confusion about hospitality. Who is in charge? She is working on figuring out how this works.

·        Rev. JoBeth is taking a survey before the worship committee meeting. What is the expectation of this church for Lenten services? Consensus was that the services are important, but the styles of the services have varied.  Bryan suggested that we should offer rides to those who don’t like to drive at night.

LAY LEADER’S REPORT – Cathy Hartle

·        Action:  Approval of the following members to serve on the Search and Call Committee members: Diane S/Jan/carried

o       Joanie Bellig

o       Susy Prosapio

o       Mary Jean Stobb

o       Mary Twitchell

o       Mike Perry

o       Doug Larsen

o       Allison Hendrickson

·        Feb 15 – we will install these people. Discussion of a fellowship meal after. Consensus was to ask youth if they would like to do a meal as a fund raiser.

·        Rev. JoBeth brought greetings from Rick Wagner, UCC associate conference minister. He is the staff person  who will support  the call process for us

·        Pastoral expectations survey: The initial results in; but will be accepting surveys until Feb. 15

NEW BUSINESS:

·        Review/approval of 2008 Operating Budget (Bryan/Barb). The budget still needs some work. The administrative team will vote on the budget on Feb. 8. Copies will be sent out to everyone for review before the meeting

·        Discussion of support for new missionary team:

o       Mike shared that the church had a covenant to support Vanderweths, UMC missionaries in the Ukraine. They have since returned to the states. The question now is if we want to enter into a covenant relationship with David & Shanon Goran, another missionary couple serving in the Ukraine.

o       The covenant is a 3 year obligation to make a $5/member annual payment. If we decide to approve, we would need ~ $375-750 in the budget. M&M are giving to them this year and have given to them in the past, but that is not guaranteed. Motion to enter a covenant relationship for 3 years: Mike/Mary/passed with Betz abstaining

·        Resignation of Rose Jacobson as UCC delegate - will need to find a delegate. If someone steps forward, we will put it approval of the delegate on the agenda for congregational meeting.

·        The church computers have some serious issues. Jim Ostrander will be looking at them to see what action is needed.  

COMMITTEE, TEAM AND TASK FORCE REPORTS

·        Finance - Bryan Hill/Barb Lyons – Stewardship progress - $140,660 in so far in pledges. They are talking about sending out a 2nd letter in early February with a response requested by Feb. 15

·        Worship Team will be meeting Thursday

o       JoBeth mentioned what a great outreach our Channel 6  broadcast is

·        UCWA - Bette Benedett  

o       Went to Lutheran home Jan 13 for birthday party

o       Advent – gave plants and goodies to shut ins

o       Next circle meeting – Feb 11

·        Mission & Ministry – Mike Perry – no report

·        Archival Team - Echo Kowalzek

o       Going to be article in Uniter

o       Circle meeting to work

·        Building, Grounds & Equipment – Dyanne Olson

o       The freezer needs to be replaced. The UCWA would pay for half new freezer.

o       May need an insurance policy for people working on building. Consensus was that we should have a disclosure form for contractors to sign. . Mike suggested checking with insurance company to see if they have one.

·        Personnel Parish Relations - Jan O’Quinn

o       They have invited Steve Twitchell to join this team.  

o       Still need an additional member.

o       Working on updated job descriptions for staff.

o       Next meetings are after church on  March 15 & April 26

·        Education - Dianne Spillum – no report

·        Outreach - Betz Tepley –

o       Home delivered meals Feb 23-27

o       Soup suppers start on March 4 from 5-6:30. Donations will be split between Morrison
County  Food Shelf and One Great Hour of Sharing

o       Need a  Morrison County  Food Shelf representative – Bette B volunteered

o       The Share-A-Meal was successful

·        Youth Ministry Team - Jonathan Larson –  Reported by Betz

o       Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday, Feb 1

o       JoBeth & Jonathon are working with other churches to get Heifer Project International. Betz feels a good goal for the community is to get an arc.

·        Memorial Fund – Helen Isaacson – no report

Date and Agenda Items for next regular meeting

·         March 10

Other future business: Over the next few months, we hope to cover the following topics at our meetings:  Balance Sheet explanation; visitor packets, marketing task force, structure (team/committee) discussion; fiscal year/annual meeting cycle; hospitality – how do we do this?; outreach opportunities through hospitality; directory and pictorial directory updates?

Comments, Concerns, Questions, Other Issues

Jan reported complimentary comments about Rev. JoBeth.  

Rev. JoBeth said that the youth will do a brunch fund raiser after the February 11 congregational meeting

Bryan suggested that we need a Ride system for Sundays

Closing Prayer - The Lord’s Prayer

 

DATES TO REMEMBER – upcoming events and Team Meetings

·        Sunday, February 15th – Congregational meeting following worship – approve budget; affirm Search and Call Committee

·        March 10, 2009 – Next Administrative Team Meeting (BG&E and Finance Meetings before Admin. Team meeting)

·        February 25, Ash Wednesday