MESSIAH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BUILDING COMMITTEE – MEETNG NOTES December 13, 2006

LOCATION – Fellowship Hall

Members Attending: Heather Deutsch, BJ Wyrick, Howard Albrecht, Troy Howell (ex officio), Brenda Gabler (Council Chair)

Members Absent: Kevin Plasterer

OPENING & DEVOTION:

Howard opened the meeting at 6:10. Together everyone read from Ephesians 2:21-22 (Message): God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day – a holy temple built by God, all of us built in it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Howard updated the Committee that at the combined Church Conference and Council meeting the evening before (12/12/06), the Building Committee was officially expanded to 7 members. Further, the names of the 3 new members put forth were unanimously accepted (listed in alphabetical order the new members are: Joe Hockersmith, DeAnn Pugh, and Rod Shaffer). One additional point of agreement was that Troy shall be listed as an ex-officio member of the Building Committee.

Howard said he provided each new member with an orientation package, and each will be scheduled to meet with Troy, Brenda, and Howard after the holidays in order to answer any questions they might have. Other Committee members will be notified of the meeting schedule and are invited to attend/participate, as they are able. It is anticipated that this way new members will be able to pick up with the Committee work beginning with the January meeting.

SELECTION OF COMMITTEE SECRETARY – Howard asked that this item be tabled until the new committee members are brought on board in January – all were in agreement.

REVIEW PREVIOUS MEETING NOTES

Howard called for approval of the notes from the November 8, 2006 meeting. Heather moved they be accepted, BJ seconded, all were in favor of accepting the notes.

Howard called for approval of the notes from the November 29, 2006 meeting. BJ moved they be accepted with the notation that Troy be listed as an ex-officio member of the Committee. Heather seconded, all were in favor of accepting the notes.

PUBLIC/CONGREGATION COMMENTS – None received

OLD BUSINESS - Recommendation of Additional Committee Members to Council – (The recommendation was covered at then opening of the meeting as an update.) Howard advised members that the Board of Trustees is scheduling a tour of all church-building facilities of Messiah United Methodist Church on Monday January 8, 2007 with everyone meeting at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Howard said Keith Swartz announced this is open to all members of the Trustees, Council, and Building Committee as an orientation. After brief discussion it was agreed that all Building Committee members should make every effort to attend this tour. Regarding the appointment of new Chair of Trustees, Howard indicated at this time he is not aware that anyone has been named.

Completion of Building Committee Plan of Progress Assignment

Howard directed everyone to pages 5 and 6 of the revised outline he drafted for consideration and open discussion. After considering and discussing options it became apparent that the Building Committee has a very good idea of essential renovations. Moreover, the endorsement of congregation in forming the Committee, and the recent expansion of the Committee as requested, should not be disregarded, but taken as an indication that the Congregation clearly feels comfortable having the Building Committee put together a definite need-list of work for the Fellowship Hall and Kitchen area. Discussion examples included removal the dropped-ceiling, replacing the stage with a portable stage, redesign kitchen layouts, etc.

It was generally agreed the Building Committee should not to go back to the congregation and Council Standing Committees and repeat the survey work the Study Committee completed (i.e. start with a “blank sheet” to tally needs and wants). Instead, the Building Committee needs to work to develop the project work-list, which should be aided by the complete tour of the structures and facilities of our Church. It was generally agreed the end result of this phase of the Committee’s work needs to be more along the lines of providing Council, its Standing Committees, Trustees and the congregation the opportunity to review “the idea” rather than ask what their idea(s) might be. All were in favor of using this approach.

Each Committee person was asked to think of people they know who are willing and able to provide a fresh set of eyes and who would willingly volunteer their expert opinion. Howard and BJ will contact persons they know in the catering and food service profession to serve as “local experts” providing technical input on kitchen layout options.

In the interest of time, further discussion on this matter the Building Committee was tabled until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

The Building Committee will pick up with its discussion of the “needs-list” including identifying any additional data or research that might be needed.

OPEN DISCUSSION

No topics were brought up.

REMINDERS

Next Committee Meeting: January 17, 2007

Next Committee Meeting: February 14, 2007

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35.