Spiritual Life and Worship

Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2010

Attending: Elaine Brownell, Dana Wiggins, Debbie Riley, Frank Arsenault, Tex Haeuser, John McCall.

Opening Prayer - by Elaine.
Review of December Minutes - approved as written.
SL&W Welcomes Frank Arsenault.
Expressions of concern for Haiti – we talked of the disaster and of ways to offer help.

John McCall:
• Good attendance and energy at worship services this year.
Jan.3 - Elsa gave worship in the chancel round with an interactive activity for the children.
Jan.10 - John integrated the congregation with the baptism and it was well received.
Jan.17 - will be an engaging service around Diversity. Jan.31 - will be the annual budget meeting after service.
Feb.7 - will be a reception for new members.

• The church budget is in good shape due to generous pledges; also a flat budget with no increases to any items, except utilities, helped as well. Council will review the budget on Thursday Jan.21 at 6:00 p.m. - open forum.

• Work of SLW should include talking about future budget priorities – what's most important if attendance decreases and budgets become harder to balance?

• April 4 is Easter –the usual first Sunday-of-the-month communion will be deferred to following week or month, due to time logistics of serving the two crowded services. Communion will be available at the Maundy Thursday service and the Sunrise service.

• Administration Team is reviewing a proposal that may give help and stability in climbing the chancel stairs.

Elsa Peters:
• Children's offering was discussed in Education Fellowship and Growth and will be collected during 10:00 a.m. service starting Feb. 21. It will be saved in a see-through container for a collective gift to Wayside Kitchen which was decided on by the kids. Debbie suggested including coins from the adult offering plates.

• Confirmation classes have an interesting new 6 month schedule - June 13 confirmation planned.

• Lenten services – no deacon needed for Ash Wednesday service; possible art project – need people to help and to brainstorm concepts.

Hymnal Memorial Bookplates -
• Debbie finished the custom printing of the memorial bookplates and all were placed in books. She'll write a Beacon note. New memorial bookplates can be made ordered at any time.

• Pilgrim Hymnals are scheduled to be recycled; so many are flooding the secondary market resulting in no takers, even after many inquiries.

SL&W Terms of Members – Bylaw guidelines state the following:
"Each Team shall consist of at least six members and shall inform the Council of the number of Team positions. Approximately one third of the Team membership, at least two Team members, shall be elected at each Annual Meeting for three-year staggered terms. No member shall serve on any one Team for more than six consecutive years."

Agenda Items for next meeting –
• Ash Wednesday Breakfast for 20-25 people will need to be assembled.

• We would like review Elder luncheon calendar (early, but good to know ahead of time).

Next Meeting: February 4, 7:00 p.m.; Prepare agenda and Chair meeting: Rick; Minutes: Betsy

Adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dana Wiggins