Church Council, October 29, 2011

CHURCH COUNCIL  MINUTES

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SANTA ROSA

October 29, 2011, 9 a.m., Montgomery Campus

Chairman Thomas Barnett welcomed 20 people. Pastor Greg gave the opening prayer.

North Bay Sponsoring Committee: Anna Eng was invited to the meeting by Pastor Greg in response to our church’s interest in partnering with other local organizations on community concerns. Ms. Eng said the Committee’s purpose is to assist individual churches in finding ways to make an impact in their community; the organization is non-political and non-ideological. Nine churches in our area are currently involved. Churches typically consider official membership by having group discussions within their congregations over a period of several months; groups listen to and discuss community concerns, such as schools, law enforcement, public safety, and mental health. Church membership would require an all-church conference vote. Committee dues would be 2% of our annual plate collections. After Ms. Eng’s presentation and Council discussion, the following members stated their interest and willingness to meet with Ms. Eng for individual discussions: Paul O’Rear, Bill Dornbush, Diane Jackson, Charles Rhodes, Jo Bodle. It was commented that this kind of community action was a perfect follow-up response to the fall book study on faith and politics.

Pastors’ Compensation Proposals for 2012: Bill Stephens, Chair Staff/Parish Committee, presented the proposed package. Pastors salaries will not be increased due to current the church’s financial situation. A 16% health insurance increase will be partially offset by Pastor Greg’s fewer dependents. Also added for the first time is direct billing to the church for our pastors’ pension premiums. (See more information under “Apportionments” section.)  Cash salary proposals for 2012: Pastor Greg - $56,241; Pastor Kris - $37,500. Grand total 2012 compensation package for Pastor Greg: $125,462; for Pastor Kris: $78,006. (See attachments for details). The Council unanimously approved the package, but members agreed that if our finances improve, a one-time salary increase should be considered.

Annual Stewardship Campaign Update: Mary Brunet with Pastor Kris: A mailing to members is currently going out with a brochure and pledge form. Five informational meetings will be offered in November; Consecration Sunday is November 27. The urgency of increasing pledges for 2012 was explained in a slide presentation to be shown at all the member meetings, as well as in church services Sunday, October 30.

A 9% overall increase in pledges is needed as we approach the end of funding through the Ferguson gift; without this increase, staff reduction is a strong possibility. It was suggested that electronic pledge payments be encouraged: making direct church pledge payments from members’ personal bank accounts using the church website. Pastor Greg said he expects our current operating fund deficit to be greatly reduced or eliminated by year’s end.

100% Apportionments budgeted for 2012:  Pastor Greg announced that in 2012 we will pay 100% of our Conference Apportionments for the first time in a number of years, explaining that the previous formula used to determine apportionment amounts has changed, in part at least due to his recommendation to the Conference. As mentioned above in the “Pastors’ Compensation” section, each Conference church will now be billed for its own pastor(s) pension premiums, rather than previously being covered through Apportionment giving. This change results in a $32,000 savings for our church.

Church Mortgage Savings/Interest Reduction: Trustee Paul O’Rear said a newly-negotiated 1% interest rate reduction has resulted in mortgage payment savings of $1,936 per month. The Trustees are proposing these savings be utilized as follows: $1,000/mo. applied to mortgage principal; $936/mo. be allotted for Building Campaign priority items not yet funded. These funds cannot be used for anything other than already-designated campaign projects. The Council concluded that a review of Building Campaign priorities is needed before concurring with the proposal. The matter is to be brought again to Council at the December 10 meeting after members review information to be provided them electronically.

Church Banks/Scrip:  Bill Hart urged that we again promote the use of the “Just for the principal of it” banks. Members’ loose-change contributions through these banks have proven to be a good source of extra cash toward our mortgage principal, thereby reducing interest. Only approximately 35 of the original 500 banks purchased are in circulation. Also mentioned was the Scrip program that currently produces very little extra money, but could be another consequential source of income if members utilize it. Members need to be reminded that Safeway savings cards require yearly renewal. The Finance Committee will investigate and discuss better ways to promote these two “easy” fundraising means.

CAMB Drama/Skit requests: Michelle Higgs, CAMB Chair, asked that requests for skits from committees or other church groups be submitted to her three months in advance, due to the length of time needed for script search and/or writing, casting, and rehearsals.

Facility housekeeping: Chairperson Thomas and George Kemmerer expressed concern for the dirty carpets in the McMullin Room and Fellowship Hall. Outside groups using our facility are continually reminded of their duties in leaving the room clean after use, but our own church groups are also guilty of poor housekeeping. Mary Brunet said she has tried to develop good relationships with outside groups to help impress upon them their responsibilities. Various suggestions were discussed regarding rules for facility use. Pastor Greg reminded that we do not “rent” to outside groups due to our desire for outreach to the community, as well as church status, but we do have a usage fee that may need to be reviewed. The Trustees are requested to consider this problem and possible solutions and report at the next Council meeting.

Chair Thomas Barnett closed the meeting with prayer. The meeting was adjourned.

NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING:  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 9 AM, STONY POINT MINISTRY CENTER.

Respectfully submitted,

Doris Evans, Recording Secretary

Attachments:

Proposed 2012 Compensation Package for Pastors

2012 Stewardship Campaign brochure

Attendance Sheet (file only)