Mission & Outreach

December 4, 2008

Present: Laurie Cary, AnnElissa Leveque, Carol Scheffler, Greg Wyman, Sandy Dyer, Maureen Clancy, Sarah Randall, Linda Skinner

Sarah opened the meeting with a prayer from “Daily Bread”

November minutes accepted.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Greg reported a balance of $6250 to be disbursed and discretionary funds of $9,808. Noted that the name change for Social Witness Ministries and funding increase for the group were accepted.

Question was raised about payment to the flower committee for produce purchased for Thanksgiving alter display and food baskets. If/when bill is submitted it will be paid from discretionary fund.

SWM will be paying for an ad for Women in Harmony. Amount unclear; Greg will expedite.

No Council report. Laurie noted that the final draft of church bylaws has been e-mailed. Hard copies will be available later in 2009. Sandra added that the new bylaws allow teams to have more than six and members, and six consecutive terms are now allowed.

MINISTER’S MOMENT: Elsa announced that caroling to shut-ins would begin at 4:30 on Dec. 13, sponsored by Parenting Potluck group and open to all interested.

SUBCOMMITTEES: Mission Mall was well received and the Wright Pavilion was a great location. The 8 charities represented took in a total of $1,636.

Thanksgiving basket effort went smoothly – 30 baskets, 7 coupons. Kendra Palmer did a good job coordinating.

Fair Trade coffee arrived, to be sorted by the 14th. Some tea, pecans and coffee left over from Mission Mall are available for sale.

Christmas Giving Tree and Mitten Tree well under way. Distribution may be complicated by Bob’s knee surgery.

Micah Project volunteers are being lined up for the breakfast on the 29th. Elsa will follow up with e-mail reminders. Others will call their contacts before the 29th. Laurie asked Mission Team to be brainstorming about other organizations that could be added to the Micah Project through the year. Pilgrim Lodge annual cleanup a good prospect.

NEW BUSINESS: Interfaith May 3, 2009, walk proposed for Habitat for Humanity. Looking for FCC volunteers to organize meetings, create teams, staff event, etc. Mission Team does not wish to become involved but will put an article in the Beacon and pass the info along to YM.

QUARTERLY DIBSURSEMENTS: We allotted $750 each to Konbit Sante, Southern Poverty Law, UCC Coalition, Frannie Peabody, Open House, Family Crisis Shelter, Grace Street and Good Shepherd, with the remaining $250 going to our own food pantry.

In discussing candidates for disbursement, concern was raised that we need to update our list of charities and screen them through a rating program like Charity Navigator. Maureen has access to a list of Maine agencies, which she will provide for our reference.

It was also suggested that we offer some explanation of the charities we serve through Beacon announcements or on the bulletin board.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Recorder: Linda Skinner