Spiritual Life and Worship Team

Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2009

Present: Rick Angell, Deb Riley, Dana Wiggins, Bryan Wiggins, Sandy Hansen, John McCall

Opening Prayer - by Rick Angell

Review of March 5th Minutes – approved as written.

Updates from John:
The feedback from the March 15th Service about Marriage in the church has been mostly positive and supportive. Following each service, there was time for discussion; ten people from the Chapel service came, and 30-40 people after the 10:00 service. There were varied feelings about it, but overall, there was a deep sense of respect and sincere willingness to listen to each other. John has spoken privately with some who have wanted to talk about the issues, and continues to be open to talk with anyone on the subject.

To follow up on this topic, some Bible Study classes and discussion groups are planned:
• Elsa is planning a 3 week study bible about Marriage in September on Sunday mornings.
• Marvin Ellison is scheduled in October, hosted by Diversity Committee.
• John is planning a 5 week study on Politics and Religion in the fall.

Hymnal Update: $3,940 has come in for hymnals, about ½ of the amount needed for the full purchase. To celebrate the new hymnals, Elsa and Shirley are working on a special service on June 14th, to dedicate the new hymnals.

Pastor-Parish Relations Committee: Working now on Evaluation of current ministries, laiety, how we deal with conflict. This committee will meet again for an in-depth meeting in April.

On-going Issues:
• John’s Sabbatical – John distributed an Emergency Call List that Elsa put together, that is very thorough. For the 3 Sundays when Elsa or Gillian aren’t available, we have Bob Morse, Bryan Wiggins, and Judith Blanchard giving the message.

Details of Holy Week:
• Palm Sunday - April 5th - Betsy will get the palms to the chapel and sanctuary. Cindy will purchase the palm plants and make sure they are in place for the service.
• Maundy Thursday Service – April 9th Communion service, and John requested 2 servers. Debbie Riley agreed to get the bread and be there to serve. Rick will be at the service, and ushering. He agreed to assist with serving if no one else was available.
• Good Friday – April 10 - Betsy has agreed to be responsible for changing the altar cloths to black and placing the crowns of thorns in the Narthex niches and on the chapel cross. The Hilltop Guild will be taking responsibility of the Soup Supper this year.
• Vigil - April 10-11 Still need more people to sign up! Debbie suggested a note in the friendship pad to suggest signing up. Betsy will send reminders, either through the mail or email. Both is not necessary, as long as a response is received. John and Elsa will put out the reading materials, journal for signing and expressing feelings, and other relative materials in the Chapel. John or Elsa will bring the Christ Candle from the Good Friday service to the Chapel.
• Easter - April 12 (Sunrise Service, 9:00 and 11:00) For the sunrise service, Tess Wiggins has volunteered to help Elsa, Sally K. will play trumpet. For the 9:00 & 11:00 services, there will be 1 trumpeter.

SL & W Team Membership – Update on prospects and volunteers:
• Elinor, Bryan, and Sandy to end term Summer 2009
• Betsy and Debbie – Summer 2010
• Rick – Summer 2011

Names of people who may be interested in joining the team were brought forth, and members have agreed to contact them and report back via email to the team as communication unfolds throughout the month. Dana offered to write a description of the role this team plays so that we have a consistent message to give when we are inviting people to join the team.

Next Meeting: May 7th 7:00pm
Agenda Items: Growth Committee; Multi Media, Elder Sunday
Opening Prayer by: Bryan Wiggins
Minutes will be taken by: Sandy Hansen

Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,
Sandy Hansen