Details: Moderator, Larry Lopp, brought the meeting to order.

Stephen started the meeting with a prayer.

Nancy Jo Lopp presented the Deacon’s “evolution of policy” regarding people going into the ministry. Policy regarding people in our church who have been called to the ministry has evolved. Three terms are used: “In Care”, “Intern”, and “Four-way Covenant”. “In Care” means the person is a member of the church who is being overseen in their training for ministry. An “Intern” is a person who is a member of another church who is paid to work and train in our church. The Deacons have decided that it is best for members of our church to intern at other churches. They will be in-care at our church during that process. “Four-way covenant” is the relationship Skyland has with a member of our church who is ordained and is doing ministry outside our church, as well as having some responsibilities in Skyland church.

At present we have Tom Kugler, Carolyn Glauz-Todrank, and T’shala Olivieri in Four-way Covenants with Skyland Church. Pam Nates is In-Care with Skyland, licensed but not yet ordained, so not in a four-way covenant as yet. Kristen Pratt is In-Care with Skyland Church and is interning at another church. Eileen Altman came as a paid Intern. She is In-care with her home church in Santa Cruz. Patricia Wood is In-Care with Skyland Church and is in the process of her first year of training. She will intern at another church.

Richard Lyness reported that the deacon’s policy has evolved as they have tried to define the ways in which people called to the ministry from our church can contribute and support the life of Skyland Church. The deacons want endorsement from the council. They also want to engage the congregation in these actions. The Deacon’s feel we need to do a better job, as a church, in supporting these new professionals from our church.

Questions from the council were entertained.

Can Interns, Four-way covenant ministers, and In-care members serve on the Deacons committee, in effect overseeing themselves? Discussion included pros and cons regarding congregational vote on this matter. Gerry moved, and Mary Ellen seconded, based on the deacons recommendation to change the phrase in Article 8, section 1, of the Church bylaws to read “This board shall consist of nine lay, not in-care, members ”. After discussion this motion passed unanimously. This change will be added to the proposed bylaw changes placed before the congregation at the Jan 28th meeting.

Several wording changes were made to clarify meaning by Ruth Dawkins, Stephen Glauz Todrank and Nancy Jo Lopp approved unanimously

Should the congregation vote on the admission of candidates to the four-way covenant? Don Law moved, Maire Howard seconded, to change the policy in the four-way covenant section to read; When preparing to enter into a Four-Way Covenant with a church member, the Deacons will call a congregational meeting to; present the candidate, explain the terms of the proposed covenant, and seek the congregation’s vote of endorsement.

After discussion, this motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded that the council endorse the amended Deacon’s policy. The council voted unanimously to do so. Larry Lopp will post the changes on the Skyland Web Page.

Jerry presented the treasurer’s report on the 2007/2008 Financial Plan. The current budget is close to balancing. Offerings and pledges are close to the expected amount. At this date income is $5,548 to the good. Disbursements are also in balance.

Larry Lopp presented the slate of officers as it stands for 2007. It was noted that there are still a few empty spots. Stephen encouraged the council and church as a whole to support the Board of Religious Education this year in particular.

Larry presented ideas for a major focus for the next year. He proposed we skip training meeting in February, and have, instead, a spiritual development retreat. It would be a two-hour meeting to envision the spiritual task of the church. The council agreed to do so.

Larry proposed that The SCCC, Skyland Church Communication committee would begin holding monthly meetings. The current membership would include Larry Lopp, Jon Wetherill, Mike Mahrle. John Gaffney, and Del Mahrle. Meeting will be held to focus the Web site development, Develop training for Skyland church member who wish access to the web and e-mail and longer term support plans for the increasing complex Church web site. The committee chairs were asked to provide members from their committees to attend the meetings and assist in the work. The council agreed that this should be done.

Stephen led the council in a closing prayer.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Del Mahrle

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