Minutes of the Council, South Church in Andover. March 22, Present: Opening Devotion Kath Mason read an opening devotion, about Words.

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1 Minutes of the Council, South Church in Andover March 22, 2010 Present: Committee Co-Chair Deacons Polly Pyle Christian Ed Duncan Pyle Superintendent Susan Henke Trustees Chris Williams Youth Kath Mason Fellowship Al Joyall World Service Lisa Guy Women s Ministries Elaine Geffken Giving Rachel Combs Member-at_Large Catherine Jacavanco Nominating Dave Floreen, Liz Roos Music Sally Lincoln-Vogel Communities Together Kathi Levine Open Dialog Linda Zimmerman Moderator Bill Schroeder Clerk Bonnie Zeigler Treasurer Morgan Kiker Senior Pastor John Zehring Administrative Coord Linda Hacker Opening Devotion Kath Mason read an opening devotion, about Words. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the previous council meeting were accepted. Treasurer s Report February ended with collections running $5664 ahead of plan. Announcements

2 Bill noted that he added an Other Business item to the agenda, in the event that someone might have an item to add. Bill also noted that there are several dates to remember Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and 3 services for Easter. On Sunday, April 11, Cal Mutti will be preaching, and on Sunday April 25 th, Jim Antal will be preaching for the start of Earth Week. UCC Conference John reported that he has been asked to join the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC and he has accepted. There are 411 churches in our Conference and more than 750 ordained clergy. John elaborated on our covenant with the UCC. To John, it s important to be a part of the UCC because he is part of a group of pastors who meet regularly and support one another as they lead large UCC congregations. The UCC offers a good support network for pastors who have to manage significant stress and challenges to succeed in the profession. UCC also offers ways to provide seminaries with guidance toward curriculum improvement and toward recruitment. There are opportunities within the UCC to train for and be authorized as ministers in education, music, etc. Jim Antal is a visionary leader who has provided much support for us as we develop our ecological vision and programs. In addition, the Conference helps churches to select good interim ministers and to work successfully through the interim process. The Conference also helps with management of difficult situations, including providing boundary training, counseling, and disciplinary action ( loss of standing ) where necessary. There are 16 people on the Board of Directors. They are responsible for everything from conference properties to programming to staffing even starting new churches, including a Hispanic UCC church in Lawrence. There is a vitality group (building attendance) and a stewardship group (building contributions). There is even an excellent youth program for churches that do not have their own. Bill mentioned that he would like to elevate the recognition level associated with the volunteer work of our delegates to the Conference. Council members asked about how many delegates we can have, and also suggested that more information about the activities of the Conference would be helpful. Open Dialogue Report Kath Mason, Linda Zimmerman John asked that the Open Dialog committee reconvene and consider where we are with regard to progress on Open and Affirming. The committee decided to ask for the addition of a rainbow to the sign on the exterior of the church. Trustees approved the change, focusing on the change to the building, but the members of the committee seemed to want to have a broader discussion, according to Chair Chris Williams. The Open Dialog committee is open to more conversation, but the general feeling was that the forum should be beyond the Trustees. The topic for discussion would be how we should reach out and present ourselves as an Open and Affirming church. John suggested that it might be a good time to listen to what people have to say, but to focus on other messaging out to the community, and to not focus on a particular building feature. Dave agreed and

3 added that there has been little discussion beyond a series of accidental actions about how we will present our Open and Affirming stance to the broader community. Liz asked if our Open and Affirming status is a topic covered during New Member Orientation. The answer was that since our initial orientation is now limited to an hour, there really isn t an opportunity. More orientation will be conducted for new members soon after they join, but John commented that many new members are very proud to be part of an Open and Affirming congregation thus, there may not be a need for discussion among new members. Kath commented that for some members of the congregation, what was just a vote and a policy decision was now an integral part of their own family lifestyle, and therefore the decision has provided for them a framework of support. John suggested that there might be a way to have a coffee at someone s home and have that be a forum for informal discussion. Kath suggested that there might be a Conference link, but Bill responded that it seemed that the need for listening was primarily a local one. The Council supported John s informal approach. Staff Reports Linda Hacker Five trees came down from the row of trees near the Rompers playground in the recent windstorm. The Rompers classroom had some water seeping up through the floor tiles. The parsonage has remained dry. Board and Committee Reports Youth Board The Mission Trip has 47 youth and 15 adults scheduled to go, with a per-person cost of $500. Youth were encouraged to ask for help from individuals to help defray their cost. Youth fundraiser raised $1181 toward the trip. Summer of Service has 15 counselors and still has openings. They are hoping to accommodate all youth, up to the 30-person limit for such an activity without an insurance rider. Summer of service camper applications will go out mid-april. Youth group numbers are still in the 20s for middle school, with high school numbers from about Nominating Linda Mesler has accepted the nomination to be Moderator. Nominating is a little bit ahead of target and well on the way to filling boards, with a meeting scheduled for later in the week. Women Deacons are all set, and Linda s position on Deacons is covered. There is a sense that the Library Committee might be a longer term commitment and is an important function in the church. There would need to be a By-Laws change to change the name of Stewardship Committee to the Giving Committee, if that is

4 the direction sought. In addition, the question of how kitchen responsibilities should be managed is an open one. Joseph The Council thanked Linda Zimmerman for another great musical production. Deacons Following last month s church council, Deacons focused their meeting on John s comments regarding church growth and improving what we do, as well as welcoming people to the church. Deacons continue to focus on Lenten book, services, including the additional services, care/calling, etc. In addition, John would like to have a Deacon in attendance at memorial services and weddings. Christian Ed Christian Ed is starting teacher recruitment for next year. Board members are also organizing their teacher appreciation dinner. The board has also had some discussions about growing the church. Sunday School Superintendent Sunday School is doing well, but Nursery could use a little more help, with new-member children coming in. Fellowship The first ever South Church bowling event is coming up this Saturday. Another Guess Who Dinner is coming up April 24 th. Music The main thing on the plate is the Mother s Day major work. Trustees The Trustees have a sense that it is time to focus on getting the church painted a responsibility that doesn t approach the level of a capital campaign, and won t require a big process, but is still about $160,000 that must be raised. Bill suggested that the congregation as a whole needs to weigh in on this issue, and what he is thinking is that we need to get a small group appointed by Council to begin to prepare the information and make the case for the Congregational Meeting in early June. Bill asked for a motion from the council to prepare a case and a motion for the annual meeting in June that would be compelling to authorize the Trustees and the Council to go forward with a plan to get the church painted. The motion was made and passed. Communities Together Current activities include a diaper-and-underwear drive to replace the items stolen from Neighbors in Need. They are also doing an Elder Care fair on May 5 th to provide forums for people needing to care for

5 elders. Finally, there will be a school uniform drive to help kids in Lawrence obtain their school uniforms at no cost. Board of World Service (Lisa Guy) The Easter offering will go to Only a Child, a group in Guatemala that takes boys off the street and teaches them carpentry skills. On the suggestion of Jonathan, another part of the offering will go to Emma Smith, a woman in John s Island who really needs help and sets an example of hope and faith. The Board also distributed funds from an anonymous donation among various recipients. Closing Prayer Polly led a closing prayer, written by Linda Mesler for the young people in our church who need medical care and healing, or who may be apprehensive facing the many situations that impact themselves and their friends. Next meeting is Monday, April 26 th, at 730 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Zeigler, Clerk