PRESENT: District Superintendent Heidi Chamberlin, Rev. Roberta Williams, Maude, Dorothy Blythe, Lydia Dingle, Jim Haag, Dave Howe, Shirley Howe, Coleen Morgan, Carolyn Waltman, Kathy Jo Winters.
A motion was made and seconded that Kathy Jo Winters be recording secretary. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made and seconded that the Church Conference be convened as a Charge Conference. The motion was passed unanimously.
Pastor Roberta began the Charge Conference with the Worship Service which started with a responsive Call to Worship, verse 1 of the hymn Let Us Break Bread Together and a welcome to our District Superintendent and District Team Member Maude. Members of the Charge Conference participated in the service with readings and we sung the hymn The Church's One Foundation and the closing hymn was Onward Christian Soldiers.
The minutes of the November 19th, 2007 minutes were accepted as presented. The minutes of the March 2nd, 2008 Charge Conference were accepted as presented. The minutes of the March 16th, 2008 Charge Conference were accepted as amended to list Kathy Jo Winters in attendance once.
Lay Leader's Report: Bob Mattern began his report by announcing that he is stepping down as Lay Leader and as Chairperson of the Church Council. Bob has served the church in many roles and in this position for 6 years. He has worked very hard to create opportunities for members of our church family to make God smile and he has succeeded. Heidi recognized Bob's service and that it is now his turn to "sit by the well" for awhile. Members of the conference expressed their admiration and appreciation for Bob's skill and efforts on behalf of us all. Bob will continue as a member of the Natural Church Development group and as Lay Member to Annual Conference.
Pastor's Report: Roberta summarized her written report to the conference including accomplishments and strengths as well as needs and goals for the future.
Membership Report: Roberta reported that two people have withdrawn their memberships and one will be transferring to a church in the new community she has recently moved to. A written report will follow before the end of the year.
Finance Report: Dave Howe summarized his report. It has been a busy year for this committee with a particular focus on the roof construction project. The financial health of the church is stable at this time and the fall stewardship campaign is underway. Heidi mentioned a faith based stewardship campaign called "Consecration Sunday". There was a brief discussion about the similarities of this formal campaign and our stewardship campaign's focus on helping persons to improve their relationship to God through the pledging process. We have kept on target with our commitment to the "Together for Tomorrow" campaign, receiving back $1,370 and our conference dues are up to date.
Trustees Report: Jim Haag summarized his report. The trustees have been very busy this past year planning for the roof repair, seeing to the ongoing maintenance/repair needs of our building, dealing with the sales offer and the issues that the now evaporated sales offer brought to the fore. Heidi asked for a report of the committee that met with Evelyn. The potential sale of the property will remain on the back burner for the time being with some background work being done by Roberta meeting with other pastors in the area and plans for an environmental appraisal that would need to be done before the property would be considered by a commercial buyer.
There have been no endowments received in the last year.
Staff Parish Relation Committee Report: Colleen Morgan explained the compensation package for Pastor Roberta. The committee is recommending approval of a 6% increase in compensation which includes a requested $1,000 housing exclusion and reimbursables of $2000, which are the same as last year. A motion was made to approve the compensation package as put forth by the committee. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Missions Committee Report: Lydia Dingle began her report by sharing that her sister required surgery today for cancer. Heidi led the members of the Charge Conference in prayer for Lydia's sister's recovery and for Lydia.
Lydia summarized her report, expressing appreciation of the members of her committee and complementing the work that our church accomplishes in our local community, state, country and world.
Worship Committee Report: Jim Haag reported on the successful work of his committee this past year. The committee made some changes in the service this year including a greater variety of music and changes in the organization of the service. The women's communion breakfast, with D.S. Heidi Chamberlin as speaker was well attended and enjoyed by women from all the local UMCs. Advent and Lenten meditations were well attended and the committee received positive feedback on the variety of activities that were presented.
Treasurer's Report: Dave Howe presented the Treasurer's report for the first three-quarters of the year. We are proceeding on our financial plan as laid out by the committee and to this point in the year, are dealing with the financial challenges that have occurred.
District Superintendent's Report: Heidi shared information on an upcoming inservice training aimed at Small Church Ministries on October 18 to be held at Bolton UMC. She also encouraged us to explore the new District website.
Heidi made a resolution that during 2008 she would ask the churches in the district to give $1 per person to help stop the spread of AIDS.
District Ministry Team Report: Maude visited from Wesley UMC to present information on the work of the District Ministry Team. She also shared information on the Walk on Water Conference to be held November 6-8. There are a number of interesting presentations that will address many of the challenges that our churches are facing.
Natural Church Development: The committee has begun the process, having several meetings and completing the survey to determine the areas our church will work on. The process will continue in the next year.
The conference was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Jo Winters, Recording Secretary
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