We came together in God’s name at 11:50 A.M. for our annual meeting. A quorum (at least 30 persons and at least 10% of the members of the congregation). Pastor Don Larsen, visiting from University Lutheran Church in Cambridge, opened the meeting with prayer.
The agenda was reviewed and adopted. moved, seconded, carried.
The Church Council has approved (in February) the minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting.
We sing The Church’s One Foundation, verses one, four, and five. (#654 in the New Red Hymnal)
We also sing Happy Birthday to Carl Carlson on the occasion of his ninety-fifth birthday.
Reports are presented from Pastor Goodman, Vicar Converse, Congregational President Don Mitchell, and the various committees. In Pastor Goodman’s absence, Vicar Converse directs us to his written report and asks that we read it closely.
The Nominating Committee thanks Nicole Giese, Don Mitchell, and Susanne Olson for their service on the council; Brett Durick and Debra Clasba for their service as auditors; Harvey Bingham and Sue French for their service on the Nominating Committee; Lionel Goulet, Helen Watt, and Don Mitchell for their service on the Endowment Committee, and Don and Lois Mitchell for their service as delegates to the New England Synod.
They then nominate the following slate of candidates:
That slate is seconded. Sergia Hay is nominated from the floor as a second delegate to the New England Synod. Deb Clasby is nominated as an Auditor to replace Doris Johansson, who would like to resign. The slate except the Auditors is then carried.
Doris Johansson’s resignation is accepted, and Deb Clasby is elected an Auditor. moved, seconded, carried.
Don Mitchell presents the budget. This year the council has presented the budget in a slightly different format. The new style includes all revenue from the tower rental as income, then also shows as an expense the transfers out to the tower benevolence fund (N7). It similarly shows other non-discretionary transfers, including an escrow account for a Pastor’s sabbatical, and the money set aside for Pastor Goodman’s continuing education.
We have neglected property maintenance during the construction of the new wing. We expect to spend more this year to address overdue problems with the building, parking lot, and rental home. We also expect to hire a Christian Education Director this year, and to increase the responsibilities of our Music Director.
Bob Waehler proposes an alternate representation of cash flow in the budget. Bob’s document shows the dedicated N7 tower funds and various transfers as negative income, rather than showing them on the expense budget. His proposed amendment is further amended to include the most up-to-date contribution numbers. As amended this is seconded. After some discussion of the null impact of this on operation outside of the Treasurer and Financial Secretary’s work, this is carried.
The expected mortgage payment is $97k and service contracts are approximately $17k. And the capital improvements, as above, should be $12000.
With the amendments and changes above, the budget is moved, seconded, carried.
Ken Heyda asks that the minutes of the meeting be accompanied by a detailed and clear budget.
George Wilson stands for the Social Ministry Committee. She thanks the Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Council. She then asks that we examine fund-raising and the way that we establish new accounts. She then moves to establish a joint subcommittee of the social ministry and executive committees to address these issues and design a new scheme for transparency and accountability of the creation of accounts and funds, income to these funds, and committee management of these funds. seconded, carried.
Vicar Converse takes the floor to thank Don Mitchell for his leadership as president of the congregation over the last years, highlighting his patient, dedicated, and worshipful approach to the business of the church.
Motion to adjourn. moved, seconded, carried.
Vicar Converse gathers us in prayer at 12:45pm.
Respectfully submitted, Brian Sniffen