We talked about how we would define or explain worship. We talked about fostering an expectation and anticipation for worship each week.
We discussed the fact that we dress in our Sunday best to indicate the celebratory nature of worship and our desire to honor God with our very best appearance. We also talked about the importance of not being fashion police and excluding individuals who might not choose or be able to dress as we would.
Some present indicated a desire for a quiet entrance into the sanctuary to foster a time of contemplation and preparation for the service and suggested that the doors might be shut to accomplish this. It was also suggested that we train greeters and newcomers about these expectations. Others felt that closed doors undermined the sense of community we are trying to build and that elements within the service itself addressed the need to center ourselves and move into a spirit of contemplative prayer.
We talked some about how the Disciples must have felt in the upper room, closed off from the world but focused intently on the Lord.
Folks expressed appreciation for the Bible verses printed in the bulletin and for the previous practice of also including the lectionary texts for the coming week. We also discussed the desire for worship to go out beyond the sanctuary in action throughout the week and an idea was raised to have the children pass out a little card showing some scripture or imperative encapsulation of the sermon to accomplish this.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Finance Committee - February 17, 2011
Present: Pastor Cheryl; Tim Fogg, Treasurer; Gerry Fortier, Financial Secretary; Brenda Dodge, auditor; Cynthia Clough, lay leader.
Absent: Judy Wisell, Chair; Priscilla Barnard; Judy Flower, council chair; no representative from Trustees or SPRC, except Cheryl and Cynthia.
Began with prayer and Christ candle.
Reviewed treasurer's and financial secretary's reports for December and January; as well as detail for 2010.
Tim suggested we may want to consider asking for a special offering for oil for prepaying the 2011-2012 season in late spring.
Gerry asked a question about the number of members in the apportionment formula in light of some discrepancies and Pastor Cheryl indicated that a comprehensive membership review had taken place in advance of the statistical report filing and that it is now accurate. She also mentioned that numbers of members are not calculated into the mission share formula.
Tim reported that our surplus cash is gradually being used up.
1/1/10 - 23,000
6/30/10 - 27,000
12/31/10 - 16,000
Gerry and Tim will call a training session of the counters soon to address problems including:
1-sheets and deposits must agree; if counters are unable to reconcile, Tim will leave cell number and be available to return to help;
2-instruction that monthly contributions to pastor's discretionary fund are to be delivered to pastor to deposit and not be included in general deposit;
3-capital contributions are to be carefully identified and given directly to trustees (Matt) (perhaps make up envelopes)
Brenda offered to be a substitute counter.
Pastor Cheryl suggested that the Pastor's Discretionary Fund should be included in future audits since it was opened in October and will provide statements to Brenda.
Brenda indicated that no separate auditor's report was produced other than the required form but if it is required, it will be submitted.
It was once again agreed that the 2009 audit should be done for internal protection even though there is no Troy Conference to submit it to. Tim was asked to provide the necessary records to Brenda.
Fundraising: Cynthia indicated that Phyllis Emery will receive a letter providing an opportunity for us to request dates to staff the Welcome Center. She will also ask Phyllis whether she is willing to run a spring tag sale. Other ideas were discussed such as a tag sale where we charge per table or tithe from families selling their own items.
Marlene Rose has offered that her jazz band that rehearses here are willing to play for the Blueberry Festival this year on the second Saturday in August (13th from 8-2). Tim asked if the band from last year will play again and Cheryl offered to check.
Our next meeting will be held Wednesday, March 23rd at 5pm. Pastor Cheryl will let Priscilla and Judy know.
Absent: Judy Wisell, Chair; Priscilla Barnard; Judy Flower, council chair; no representative from Trustees or SPRC, except Cheryl and Cynthia.
Began with prayer and Christ candle.
Reviewed treasurer's and financial secretary's reports for December and January; as well as detail for 2010.
Tim suggested we may want to consider asking for a special offering for oil for prepaying the 2011-2012 season in late spring.
Gerry asked a question about the number of members in the apportionment formula in light of some discrepancies and Pastor Cheryl indicated that a comprehensive membership review had taken place in advance of the statistical report filing and that it is now accurate. She also mentioned that numbers of members are not calculated into the mission share formula.
Tim reported that our surplus cash is gradually being used up.
1/1/10 - 23,000
6/30/10 - 27,000
12/31/10 - 16,000
Gerry and Tim will call a training session of the counters soon to address problems including:
1-sheets and deposits must agree; if counters are unable to reconcile, Tim will leave cell number and be available to return to help;
2-instruction that monthly contributions to pastor's discretionary fund are to be delivered to pastor to deposit and not be included in general deposit;
3-capital contributions are to be carefully identified and given directly to trustees (Matt) (perhaps make up envelopes)
Brenda offered to be a substitute counter.
Pastor Cheryl suggested that the Pastor's Discretionary Fund should be included in future audits since it was opened in October and will provide statements to Brenda.
Brenda indicated that no separate auditor's report was produced other than the required form but if it is required, it will be submitted.
It was once again agreed that the 2009 audit should be done for internal protection even though there is no Troy Conference to submit it to. Tim was asked to provide the necessary records to Brenda.
Fundraising: Cynthia indicated that Phyllis Emery will receive a letter providing an opportunity for us to request dates to staff the Welcome Center. She will also ask Phyllis whether she is willing to run a spring tag sale. Other ideas were discussed such as a tag sale where we charge per table or tithe from families selling their own items.
Marlene Rose has offered that her jazz band that rehearses here are willing to play for the Blueberry Festival this year on the second Saturday in August (13th from 8-2). Tim asked if the band from last year will play again and Cheryl offered to check.
Our next meeting will be held Wednesday, March 23rd at 5pm. Pastor Cheryl will let Priscilla and Judy know.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Trustees - February 10, 2011
In the United Methodist Church all committee meetings, except Staff Parish Relations, are open to all members. In the spirit of communicating widely to all of our members and making information accessible, the pastor's notes from the meeting are available here. The official minutes of the Board of Trustees are available from Secretary Eleanor Vanderpool in the official minute book. These notes are not meant to be comprehensive or official.
Elected at January meeting:
Chair: Dennis Deer
Vice-Chair: Douglas Reed
Treasurer: Matthew French
Secretary: Eleanor Vanderpool
Also present: Arnold Rose, Carroll Wentworth and Pastor Cheryl
An inspection of fire extinguishers and equipment has been satisfactorily completed.
The church furnace is scheduled to be cleaned by Flemings and the parsonage will be scheduled shortly.
The new Sexton has satisfactorily begun work and all necessary employment forms have been completed.
The necessary paperwork has been completed with the bank to change Treasurers.
Larock has filled the hole in the bank off the parking lot between the church and Renew Salvage to repair the water damage done when the bank gave way and deposited sediment on the railroad tracks on December 12, 2010.
The Trustees plan to clean out the room behind the secretary's office where the round tables are stored since has become a depository for unclaimed items from the rummage sale and more. Dennis will announce this orally and a bulletin announcement will be placed next week asking folks to remove items of value or contact he or other trustees if items should be retained. At next month's meeting a work party for this task will be established.
Jim Meachen reported that upon receipt of a check, items for the new sound system proposed last month will be ordered and installed.
A new bulb for the projector used in worship and for movies has been ordered and will arrive between the 15th and 19th.
We discussed the fact that we are very satisfied with our plow company and their snow removal efforts this year.
It was reported that an ice dam took out the railing on the backside of the church and this will be repaired in the spring.
Projects that are pending include the continued insulation of the pipes under the sanctuary. Most of the inch pipe is done and the 3/4 inch returns will need to be done. The wiring for the bell on the front lawn is still pending. Pastor Cheryl thanked Dennis for coming to the parsonage one evening last week when snow and ice sliding off the roof pulled the new chimney two feet away from its bracket by replacing the bolts and clearing the remaining snow in its path. A better bracket and wood system is pending.
Our next meeting will be held Thursday, March 10 at 6pm.
Elected at January meeting:
Chair: Dennis Deer
Vice-Chair: Douglas Reed
Treasurer: Matthew French
Secretary: Eleanor Vanderpool
Also present: Arnold Rose, Carroll Wentworth and Pastor Cheryl
An inspection of fire extinguishers and equipment has been satisfactorily completed.
The church furnace is scheduled to be cleaned by Flemings and the parsonage will be scheduled shortly.
The new Sexton has satisfactorily begun work and all necessary employment forms have been completed.
The necessary paperwork has been completed with the bank to change Treasurers.
Larock has filled the hole in the bank off the parking lot between the church and Renew Salvage to repair the water damage done when the bank gave way and deposited sediment on the railroad tracks on December 12, 2010.
The Trustees plan to clean out the room behind the secretary's office where the round tables are stored since has become a depository for unclaimed items from the rummage sale and more. Dennis will announce this orally and a bulletin announcement will be placed next week asking folks to remove items of value or contact he or other trustees if items should be retained. At next month's meeting a work party for this task will be established.
Jim Meachen reported that upon receipt of a check, items for the new sound system proposed last month will be ordered and installed.
A new bulb for the projector used in worship and for movies has been ordered and will arrive between the 15th and 19th.
We discussed the fact that we are very satisfied with our plow company and their snow removal efforts this year.
It was reported that an ice dam took out the railing on the backside of the church and this will be repaired in the spring.
Projects that are pending include the continued insulation of the pipes under the sanctuary. Most of the inch pipe is done and the 3/4 inch returns will need to be done. The wiring for the bell on the front lawn is still pending. Pastor Cheryl thanked Dennis for coming to the parsonage one evening last week when snow and ice sliding off the roof pulled the new chimney two feet away from its bracket by replacing the bolts and clearing the remaining snow in its path. A better bracket and wood system is pending.
Our next meeting will be held Thursday, March 10 at 6pm.
Radical Hospitality - Discussion Group - 2/6/11
First United Methodist Church, Brattleboro VT is currently undertaking the study of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (by UM Bishop Robert Schnase) with a sermon series and discussion group. This week the discussion group came up with the following shared values and ideas to pursue:
1. Praying for guidance.
2. Training greeters.
3. Establishing a leadership position for an evangelism coordinator. Jim Meachen volunteered.
4. Personal efforts to greet others: mingling; sit in different places during worship; invite newcomers to sit; showing newcomers around and introducing them; not conducting church business during fellowship hour.
5. Holding fun fellowship events like Chocolate Dessert Night and advertising those and regular events like the Exercise Group and Talented Hands more widely.
6. Refining use of brochures by placing them more widely and replenishing them periodically; looking into ways to make yellow page listing more accessible; collaborating with other churches to provide church index to local hotels; ensuring that Chamber of Commerce has current information; expanding website for new contacts and continue newspaper articles for long-time members.
You are welcome to join this conversation by adding your comments below. You are welcome to join us on Sundays at 10am and continuing after worship at the discussion group.
1. Praying for guidance.
2. Training greeters.
3. Establishing a leadership position for an evangelism coordinator. Jim Meachen volunteered.
4. Personal efforts to greet others: mingling; sit in different places during worship; invite newcomers to sit; showing newcomers around and introducing them; not conducting church business during fellowship hour.
5. Holding fun fellowship events like Chocolate Dessert Night and advertising those and regular events like the Exercise Group and Talented Hands more widely.
6. Refining use of brochures by placing them more widely and replenishing them periodically; looking into ways to make yellow page listing more accessible; collaborating with other churches to provide church index to local hotels; ensuring that Chamber of Commerce has current information; expanding website for new contacts and continue newspaper articles for long-time members.
You are welcome to join this conversation by adding your comments below. You are welcome to join us on Sundays at 10am and continuing after worship at the discussion group.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)