Richard Lyness led us in prayer to open the meeting.

Corrections were made to last month’s minutes: Moira’s name had been spelled wrong.

Gerald Alonzo gave the Treasurer’s report. There is a positive cash flow. Moneys used for recent improvements came from the Capital Improvement fund, which consists of moneys donated by John Conkle and Ethelyn Jackson and others. Gerry mentioned that there is an opportunity for members and others to contribute to the J. Anderson fund which has been established in his memory. We will need an additional $8,000.00 dollars in additional funds to meet expected expenses.

Under Old Business, Larry reported that the Nursery/Downstairs project is complete. An expense summary will be presented at the annual meeting. The Youth are planning a mural project for this area. Also, we need cabinets and desk for the new intern office.

Jim Bowen and Peggy Johnson submitted a brief report that they have recruited a small committee who are collecting suggestions for ways to improve next year’s Harvest Festival. They hope to make next year’s Harvest Festival “less work and produce more income.” These ideas will be reported at the congregational meeting.

Jim also reported that the Audit for 2006/2007 is almost complete. He reports that the new format is easy to use and makes the audit considerably easier than in previous years. Jim praised Gerry for doing a wonderful job as Treasurer. This was echoed by the rest of the council.

Under New Business: it was suggested that we remember those who contributed to the recent Improvement Fund. There seems to be some confusion about who we name in the Sanctuary Memorial Book. Is it simply members who have died, or is it members who have had memorials given in their names? The question was referred to the Deacons.

Holly reported that the Education Committee will need to fill three positions. She also suggested that we make the Superintendant of the Sunday School a paid position.

Richard reported that the trustees will operate without a chair until the end of the year.

Mary Ellen reported that the Missions committee will be doing the “Giving Tree” again this year—(Maire Howard will donate the two trees, and Brenda Jatho will collect the gifts and place the trees.) Ann Evans will serve on the Missions committee next year.

Women’s group will host the Christmas Pot Luck. They have scheduled a retreat for the spring. Also, their beading class was quite successful.

The Pastoral Relations committee reported having discussed a salary raise and cost- of- living raise with Stephen.

Richard Lyness moved we endorse a by-law change to officially incorporate the new Communication Technology Committee. Del Mahrle seconded the motion. The council voted to do so. Larry Lopp, John Gaffney, Holly Reed and Don Law will work together to write the bylaw change to be presented to the congregation at the congregational meeting for a vote.

The possibility of having a “Project Leader” or “care-taker” position was discussed.

We also discussed ways that committees can pass knowledge gained in one year to the next chairman. It was suggested that we should encourage three year terms or have vice chairman of one year move to chairman the next year. No decisions or recommendations were voted upon. However, the council agreed that we need to make the duties of committees and committee leaders clearer in the future.

The Nominating Committee reported that they had discussed the needs and candidates for committees for the next years. We will need: 5 trustees, 1 deacon, 3 religious education members, 1 pastoral relations member, 3 music and arts members, Harvest Festival Chairman, and 10K chairman.

It was noted that we need to remember to put our use of Whittaker Hall on the calendar. We need to let the ombudsmen for the Loma Prieta club (Fern Thompson), AA, and Boy Scouts know that they need to put their use of the Hall on the calendar as well. Gina Wetherill is our current rental agent.

We closed with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Del Mahrle

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