The meeting was called to order by Richard at 7:30 p.m.

Stephen opened with a prayer.

Richard began the meeting by welcoming the newly elected members; Don Law, Ruth Dawkins, and Marsha Rollins. Richard also welcomed David Cooke, who has agreed to fill the last vacant position on the Deacon's board subject to his appointment by the council. Richard then gave everyone, who didn't already have one, a Deacon's binder.

Assignment of Duties:

Richard then explained that he and Jennifer Busam are co-chairs, but Jennifer will be out until May, taking care of her husband, Vincent, who is doing better than expected after his initial cancer treatments. In the mean time Richard will be chairing the board alone. He will also attend the Council meetings for us.

Larry Cooke agreed to take the Feb. meeting minutes,

Stephen said he would create the new Phone tree assignments for the next meeting.

Sunday Assignments:

2/11: Coffee: Richard and Don Liturgist: Richard

2/18: (pot luck Sunday) Liturgist: Ruth

2/25: Coffee: David/Larry & Marsha/Ruth Liturgist: Larry

Old Business:

Stephen requested, and the Deacon's agreed, to defer discussion and plans for a new member Sunday until next month.

Stephen also suggested, and the Deacon's agreed, to have Thursday evening

prayer and meditation meetings during Lent (from 2/22 to 3/29). He agreed to contact all the In-Care and Covenant Ministers, hopefully getting as least one of them to lead each Thursday. Appropriate announcements will be made in church, in the March newsletter, and on-line. Stephen said he would have the schedule by Sunday 2/18.

Richard then went through a quick review of the newly church approved In-Care, Covenant and Ministerial Intern policy, subsequently asking what actions we can take to administrate the policy. After some discussion, the Deacons agreed to set aside the ¼ to ½ hour in the beginning of our meetings to meet with any of those members who are in-care, soon to be in-care, or covenant ministers in the church, with the understanding that we would schedule to meet individually with each of them at least once a year.

Furthermore, we would take this time to review their progress and explore ways in which we could provide more support for their ministry, and their life in our church. Stephen also suggested we could also recognize and renew all our church's covenantal relationships each year on the Deacon's Sunday in November. Don agreed to write a letter to each of those in-care and in covenant with us, asking them to participate. Larry agreed to add them on the cc list for this and all subsequent minutes. The general plan was put into the form of a motion by Larry, seconded by Don and passed by the board.

New Business:

Richard asked whether we wanted to change our proposed budget, specifically including money for an intern, which will add about $2,300 to the Deacon's budget for '07. Stephen said Religious Education would be asking for money for a part time Youth Minister, and didn't know if the church could afford both. After some discussion a motion was made, and passed with one dissenting vote, that should the budget request for a youth minister be withdrawn, the Deacons would then request sufficient funds be added to their budget to get an intern in the fall. Richard agreed to make the request, deferring to the council to make the final decision.

Larry suggested, and Richard agreed to tell the council to make and use their own budget for their own gifts.

Ruth asked who in the church needed help, what specifically we could do for them, and should we add this topic to the regular agenda. Stephen said he was regularly meeting with and counseling those in need, and would let us know if there was anything we or the church could do to help them.

Meetings will be on the 1st Tuesday evening of each month, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday 3/6/07 at 7:30pm in the Fireside room.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20pm after a prayer from Stephen.

Respectfully,

Larry Cooke

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