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Church Council, August 13, 2011

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                                                   CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SANTA ROSA, CA

Saturday, August 13, 2011, 9 a.m., Stony Point Worship Center

 

Chair Thomas Barnett opened the meeting with 23 in attendance. Pastor Greg gave the opening prayer.

Financial Report: Kathy Young –

-  YTD income through July 30 was $445,063, with expenses of $457,424 = deficit $12,000. Pledges improved to 94% currently. Church staff is commended for helping cut expenses.

-  Church loan is refinanced at 6.5% (plus $500 fee), down from previous 7.34%; a saving of $11,000/year.

-  Financial reports to the congregation are now more user friendly.

-  CA/NV Conference revised its method of calculating apportionments: each church will now be billed for its own pension cost, reducing our yearly apportionment from $146,000 to $117,000.

-  Pastor Greg reported he will participate in the Bishop’s fundraising mission trip to Fiji in October. Members will be offered an opportunity to contribute to a monetary gift for the ministry in Fiji.

Our Financial Challenge: Norm Bryan is working with Business Administrator Mary Brunet on 2012 budget with two primary goals: increase apportionment payments to 100% and replace Barbara Ferguson gift fund income that currently provides for children/youth programs. To pay 100% of apportionment requires a monthly budget increase of 0.7% for the next two years. The Ferguson fund balance is $213,000, and at the current withdrawal rate will run out in January 2013. It will then require an annual revenue increase of $114,000 or 14% in order to maintain our current level of funding.

If needed increased pledges are received, we can pay100% apportionments and maintain our current level of funding and associated programs, but we will not be able to provide for unforeseen expenses or increase program offerings.

If needed increased pledges are not received, reductions in staff costs will be required and will make it difficult for church growth. Reduction in services and programs are serious possibilities.

Fall Stewardship Campaign: The Finance Committee has approved and asked Council approval of the following 2012 budget guideline proposal:

-   Pay 100% of Conference apportionments;

-   Reduce withdrawal rate of Ferguson gift fund to 60% of current level;

-   No increases in operation and program expenses (3rd year in a row);

-   No staff expense increases (2nd year in row);

-   9% increase in pledges (no changes in people and programs).

Campaign Timeline:

Oct. 24:   Mailings to church members, e-mail notices

Oct. 30:   Kick-off Sunday

Nov. 1:    Family meetings begin

Nov. 20:  Consecration Sunday

Approval by consensus was given to move forward with campaign plans as presented.

A more understandable financial report will be shown in the monthly Roseleaf newsletter.

Implementation Team update: Norm Bryan reported the Discipleship Team has joined forces with the Adult Education Committee to promote and expand our small group ministry. In addition to book study groups, new groups will be formed based on members’ suggested subjects. New church members will be encouraged to join a small group. Pastor Greg reported 3%-4% net growth in church membership over past five years, but participation is as important as official membership. FUMC is in the top 5 of only 20 Conference churches with positive growth. Prediction: churches must change or keep declining.

FUMC Teams are exploring new ways FUMC can minister to the community: looking at other multi-campus church programs, and watching a “church without walls” experiment in one Conference church that was forced by financial constraints to give up its church buildings. 

Finance Team: In addition to defining our financial challenge, working with Finance and Staff/Parish to implement a solution and revising the Roseleaf financial report, the Team is working on individual financial reports for each campus, identifying grant opportunities, and developing a file on our ministries and financial and other assets that will be useful in preparing grant requests.

Technology Team is exploring “virtual church,” “podcasting,” and “streaming” church services/programs.

Community Partnership Group: Joe Horak suggested outreach possibilities through “micro farming.” Community groups such as Farm Link could help us use our land to create small micro farms; leasing parcels of Stony Point land, creating a farm stand or farmer’s market, and/or offering farming education. Questions regarding well capacity, electricity, leasing requirements, permits, etc. need to be explored. Council approved further research for discussion at October Council meeting.

Comin’ Home Festival update: Keith Tyler reviewed plans for the Oct. 7-9 event at Stony Point. On Friday evening, Oct. 7, CAMB will present a program of music, drama, and art. Saturday Family Day offers chili and pie contests, and an evening movie and bonfire. An all-church service on Sunday features guest speaker Rev. Renaé Extrum Fernandez. Event budget allowance is $4,000. Church members are urged to bring guests, and hopefully the event will attract others from the community. Council added its own $500 to event funds to support additional print and/or broadcast media publicity.

Communications Team: Pastor Kris Marshall discussed the multiplicity of letterhead styles, logos, and slogans used by various groups. To promote consistency, a guideline paper has been prepared. Use of the UMC denomination’s cross-and-flame logo will continue, but we became aware that some non-Methodist or un-churched people interpret that symbol as a “cross on fire.” Therefore, alternate logos are suggested for our local church “brand.” A standardized FUMC letterhead was presented; it was suggested that Facebook identification be added to contact information.

FUMC Foundation: Bill Hart talked about the Foundation’s support of the church and its members through financial grants, and how members can keep giving to the church into the future through estate gifts. An informational “Provide and Protect Seminar” is scheduled at Montgomery Campus on Sept. 17, 10 am-noon.

The next Council meeting, previously announced for October 8 is changed as follows (to prevent a scheduling conflict with the Comin’ Home Festival): 

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING SAT., OCTOBER 1, 2011, 9 A.M., MONTGOMERY CAMPUS.

Respectfully submitted,

Doris Evans, Recording Secretary

Attachments:

“Our Financial Challenge” 2012 Stewardship Campaign Budget Proposal

2012 Stewardship Campaign Task List

“Comin’ Home” Festival Budget/Overview

Branding Strategy for FUMC

“Provide & Protect” Seminar

Attendance Sheet (file only)

8/19/11