Church Budget Congregational Budget Meeting

Stephen began with a prayer.

Stephen, in his introduction, suggested that the church’s budget document should be thought of as a theological document.

Gerry presented the 2007-2008 proposed budget. He reported that he and those working with him have tried to simplify budget and pledging process. Pledges are much the same, or slightly up for next year. Special offerings are up; 10k, Harvest Festival expenses are expected to be the same as last year. Boards disbursements are expected to be much the same as last year, except Deacons, Pastoral , Music, Trustees with changes approved by the Council. Gerry suggested we vote to increase Missions donation to $8,000. In response to a question, Gerry reported that there is $700.00 available in a fund for the arts, so they are not in the budget. There is a Music fund and a Bell fund as well. TShala Olivieri moved, Nancy Jo Lopp seconded, to approve the budget with the extra money allegated to missions. The congregation voted unanimously to do so.

Gerry reported the Pledging Results for 07-08, as compared to 06-07. Pledges are slightly up from last year, and not all members have yet pledged.

Vision Committee—Gina Wetherill

Gina reported the committee met twice. The following was accomplished: Input from congregation was gathered and considered. The members of the committee then suggested their own personal visions. When analyzed, all ideas fell into: Greening, Youth, Outreach, spiritual growth, and “other”. (A list of these was offered for consideration to the congregation.) The committee prioritized the tasks and considered where they may be delegated. Gina left us with this thought:” Ideas can be made to happen. We are all empowered to make things happen.”

On being Green—Jackie Seymour reported that for the Skyland church to become a Green Organization, we need: Commitment on part of church; Compliance, audit, information; Approval by vision, missions, trustees, council, and congregation.

Trustees are responsible for carrying out the plan. Philippa Siersema and Jackie Seymour will do a preliminary audit, correct deficiencies, and keep reminding us of our continual pledge to recycle etc. One advantage of becoming a Green Organization would be that certification will be broadly announced and with ceremony. This would be good public relations for Skyland Church.

Gerry moved that the congregation approve the proposal to make Skyland church a green organization with the provision that any spending be with-in the budget, Mary Ellen McTamaney seconded. Discussion revolved around expense. It was stated that the Trustees had approved the concept. However, the Trustees have not approved funds. After it was made clear that any funding would have to be approved by the Trustees, the motion passed unanimously.

Summer building project plans--Larry Lopp proposed that we think about what projects we would like to work on this summer. While we have no capital improvements fund, we should think about what we would do should some funds appear.

1. Brian Wood presented a PowerPoint presentation created by Lou McTamaney on the estimated cost of making the Men’s present bathroom into one that was accessible to people in wheel chairs, or with other disabilities.

2. Nancy Jo Lopp moved that we take on the project to make the man’s bathroom into a unisex/handicapped bathroom accessible, if design is ADA compliant to code as presented, and if funding is found, Sherrie Starkie seconded. The discussion became emotional and Larry suggested we stop for a moment of prayer. Discussion continued with attempts from all involved to understand each other. After this, the motion was approved unanimously with the understanding that in a public meeting the project will be announced with a finished plan and funding plan before beginning on the project.

It was proposed by Gina Wetherill and seconded by Carolyn Glauz-Todrank that if funding can be found we will clean up Whitaker hall downstairs: Project would be to paint chairs, paint walls and fix flooring downstairs in Whitaker hall. ,

Stephen offered a story about gall bladders, the gist of which was that at the end of a good meeting, everyone should go home feeling well. He felt we could all go home from this meeting with good feelings.

Stephen closed the meeting with prayer.

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