The Peoples Church Council of Elders Meeting Oct. 28, 2014 Minutes Members Present: Lisa Allen-Kost, Paul Babbitt, Charles Blackman, Crystal Branta, Alan Canady, Jane Crowner, Ron Dooley, Matt Gosselin, Barbara Honhart (ex officio), Calvin Kerr, Jane Ledebuhr, Thad Morgan, Michelle Rick, David Ronk, Kathryn Rodgers, Barbara Scott Members Excused: Aaron Kabodian, Jim Kelly Pastors Present: Drew Filkins, Andrew Pomerville Guests Present: Kwadwo Ekye-Addai, Gideons International, Matt Treadwell and newly elected elders, Mimi Burpee, Kathleen Hawkins, Jan Reed I. Chair Crystal Branta called the meeting to order. II. III. Rev. Andrew Pomerville gave the opening prayer. Introduction of Guests Crystal Branta IV. Devotion by Jane Ledebuhr V. It was moved by Lisa Allen-Kost and supported by Charles Blackman to approve the agenda as revised by Matt Gosselin to change the date of the night s meeting from Oct. 27 to Oct. 28. Agenda approved. VI. Members Moment Kwadwo Ekye-Addai discussed the work of Gideons International giving free Bibles worldwide and the positive impact it has. To help defray the expenses, contribution cards are set up in a holder in churches that allow it. Kwadwo requested that a holder and cards be installed in The Peoples Church and that TPC become a monetary supporter of the Gideons. The Community Engagement Ministry will consider the request. VII. Announcements Crystal Branta Annual reports are due from the chairs of ministries on Dec. 15, 2014. Chairs of ministries were reminded to write a narrative of their ministries outlining the impact the ministry has had on the church and in the community this year. VIII. Treasurer s Report David Ronk, Jr. Key points from the Sept. 30, 2014 report are: 1
Total cash available on September 30, 2014 is $511,790 of which $214,721 belongs to the general fund and $297,069 belongs to restricted funds. Of the restricted funds $5,682 is held for use by Boy Scout Troop 2 and $291,387 is held for specific church uses. General fund revenue exceeded expense by $19,479 in September 2014. For the year, general fund contributions (pledges and other giving) totaled $583,025; this amount is 73.8% of the adjusted annual contributions budget of $790,000. General fund 2014 revenues totaled $735,266 or 71.8 % of the 2014 adjusted annual revenue budget of $1,023,600. Year-to-date, general fund expenses totaled $654,333 or 63.9% of the adjusted annual expense budget of $1,023,600. There is about 9% less attendance year-to-date than last year which is attributed to the harsh weather in January. David Ronk, Jr., moved and Jane Ledebuhr supported that the report be accepted as presented. The motion passed. An outline of the proposed 2015-2016 budget expense allocation was also presented by David Ronk. IX. Discussion and Update Items A. BE AMAZED Lisa Allen-Kost There are already 28 pledges that have been turned in amounting to over $50,000. Two messages were sent out one to those who have previously given to the church and one to those who have never pledged. A challenge was made to the elders to participate 100% in pledging. B. Handicap Accessibility in Restrooms Matt Gosselin Mostly for the elders information, extra money was requested in capital maintenance. It is very important to make all restrooms in the church eventually handicapper accessible. The social hall is a special priority. Discussion followed. The Building and Grounds Ministry budget as presented will include money for remodeling the bathrooms. C. Preschool Discount for Employees Cal Kerr Free insurance was offered in the past to program staff and professional employees. It was later eliminated due to the costs. The Personnel Committee feels a discount for employees would be good. The cost is hard to estimate because of not knowing how many would participate. Discussion followed. D. Development around Peoples Church Andrew Pomerville Main concerns for TPC are church parking, the sanctity of the Memorial Garden, and handicapper access. The building is an historic landmark, which doesn t help in this situation. A fly thru from the Park District website is to be put in a Friday email. We can t do anything about a big hotel being built and we can t change the plan. The developers are working with the church. 2
X. Pastors Reports Andrew Pomerville, Drew Filkins Rev. Pomerville, said that help with baptisms is needed on Nov. 2, (Grace Tyler), and Nov. 9 (Kenley Keel). Thanks was given to Crystal Branta, Thad Morgan, Drew Filkins and the many elders who assisted with the past week s congregational meeting. The annual campaign was kicked off this past weekend. In addition to challenging the congregation to Be Amazed!, Pastor Pomerville encourages the church to especially consider our four mission areas for the next year which include: The Edgewood Village Partnership All Year Re-member Pine Ridge Reservation July 2015, possible April for adults. He would like to see 50 people participating in this mission. Lima, Peru connection through Elaine Angstman and the campus ministry March, 2015 Nyaka School in Uganda Oct. 2015 There are 50 children involved in this year s children s programs and the Christian Ed programs are doing very well. Rev. Pomerville is now the official chaplain of the East Lansing Police Department and he occasionally goes out with the police on calls. The church is hosting training events for the police now. Rev. Filkins reported that there are over 100 people involved in Wednesday Night Live (WNL) and the classes. Rev. Filkins and Betsy Aho are working on the confirmation curriculum. There are about 12 in the class now. Work is being done on ACS and a census report was passed out to the elders. A bump in growth of the church s middle-aged population (35-55) was seen. There are over 100 active church goers who aren t official members of the church. XI. Old Business A. Update on the Paul Honore Art Collection and Murals Matt Gosselin Jan Reed and Sue Mills met with Roy Saper and he looked over the collection. He said that the prior appraisals should suffice. It would cost $2,000 to $3,000 to appraise now. The murals need about $12,000 each for conservation. He felt perhaps we could work on a partnership with Dow sharing, storing or restoring the art. Mr. Saper doesn t think selling the pieces would earn a lot of money. Lisa Allen-Kost will look into the Dow connection and after there are final findings, it will be brought back to the elders. B. Safety and Security (Lockdown Policy) Matt Gosselin 3
Matt has met with Dana Johnson, Preschool Director, and a draft document is almost complete. XII. New Business None XIII. Approval of Minutes A. Regular Meeting Sept. 23, 2014 (Distributed by email) Kathy Rodgers moved and Charles Blackman seconded approval of minutes as corrected to change item IV Devotion to remove Rev. Drew Filkins name and insert Matt Gosselin and to change the wording in item IX A to delete Crystal Branta s name as having made a motion.. Motion carried. B. Fall Congregational Meeting (Attached) Michelle Rick made the motion to approve the minutes. Charles Blackman supported the motion. The motion was approved. XIV. Adjourn Matt Gosselin made a motion to adjourn and Lisa Allen-Kost seconded it. Motion carried. The closing prayer was given by Rev. Drew Filkins. 4
5