Open with Prayer: Stephen read an inspirational piece from “Care of the Soul�, by Thomas Moore.

Financial report: Gerald Alonzo reported that everything for the recent reconstruction has been paid. $1,000 (plus or minus) has been approved for the handicapped bathroom and entryway cement project. Gerry Alonzo has donated $4500.00 to the capitol improvement fund.

Gerry reported that we are running close to budget. Our cash flow is positive. However the budget is $9000. 00 behind because we earned less money than anticipated from the Harvest Festival.

Old Business:

Gina requested suggestions of reasonable and fair rental rates for The Sanctuary and for Whittaker Hall to be used for marketing materials. The counsel suggested the rate be $500 for church and $500 for Hall for Weddings. Our suggestion for a donation for community service groups is $5.00 per hour for use of Whittaker Hall. Don moved that we charge $10.00 per hour for new groups in the community with the admonition that they need to leave it clean. This passed. We will charge Grandfathered Groups $40 per hour for use of Whittaker Hall. Del proposed that the commercial rate be $50.00 per hour for use of Whittaker, $60.00 if they use the kitchen. In addition they must do their own clean-up. Jan seconded, and the motion carried. The concept is of Concentric circles—members, community, commercial.

Gerry Alonzo and Jim Bowen reported on the development of next year’s Budget. We need a rough report in January, as it is the basis of the pledge drive. Pastoral relations, trustees, education, and missions have sent in their budgets to Gerry. He needs the other budgets by ninth of January.

The council approved that new bylaws be written for the following:

Board of Communications Systems: It was proposed that we need new bylaws for this new committee. The new bylaws as proposed are: “This board shall consist of six members elected by the membership for a three year term. Each year two of the members, who have completed their term shall retire. Incumbents may serve two consecutive terms and are then ineligible for election to this office for one year. The board shall seek consensus for all major system changes with the council and membership.� “Duties would be:

• Develop and maintain the communication systems for our church.

• Develop and oversee the church website,

• Serve as a channel for distributing written communications within the church and community.

• Cooperate with the other boards, committees and pastor to enable and assist them to make visible their message.

• Provide an accessible and secure location for church documents, which include our history, our current processes and training Aids.

• Develop and maintain the member and friends database.

• Develop and propose the annual budget for their activities. Holly moved, and Del seconded the motion.

After discussion the motion passed.

Board of Missions: Jackie proposed a revision of existing bylaw:

Description: This board shall consist of six members elected by the membership for a two year term. Each year as members who have completed their term retire, new members shall be selected to replace them. Incumbents may serve two consecutive terms and are then ineligible for election to this office for one year. This board shall be responsible for the evaluation of opportunities to participate in outreach, both locally and in the wider world. With input from the congregation, the board shall select organizations and/or events for support by Skyland Church.

Duties:

• During the church year, the Board of Missions is responsible for the following:

• Searching for and evaluating the various charities with which Skyland Church is or might be interested in contributing.

• Allocating the proceeds of the Skyland Run to various local, national, and international charities.

• Providing information and Leadership for member participation in various charitable opportunities/events of interest to the Skyland Church community as a whole.

• Provide information for individuals who might wish to participate in other local charities.

• Promote advocacy for social and environmental justice.

Gerry seconded the motion. The motion passed.

These recommendations will now be presented to the congregation for vote at the congregational meeting.

New Business:

Nominating committee report: Jan moves accept slate as presented by the nominating committee, and to recommend this slate to the congregation for the annual meeting. Holly seconded the motion. The motion passed.

In a Harvest Festival report to the congregation at annual meeting update, Jim and committee recommend: Changes in character, decrease of labor, increase of revenue, Trying to make it more like it used to be. They recommend that we keep silent auctions. Peggy will offer a questionnaire to the congregation so that they can offer suggestions. These will be reviewed and voted upon at the annual meeting.

Board /committee reports

Deacons—Don reported that all is going well with the Deacons.

Trustees—a question has been raised by the utility company. Should the big tree between the church parking lot and Skyland come down or not. If it is felt there is a need to take the tree down—should we have a congregational vote? If this is to be done, we need to set aside money in a fund. The trustees feel this needs to be taken care of.

Education—reported that their pageant was to be held on the next Sunday. Holly reported she is glad for the new members on the Education committee.

Missions—Jackie reported that Green Certification went smoothly. We are now a green certified church. It was suggested that we make a list of what products we should use and put it on the door of the utility room--A Yes list, and a No list. To have real impact we need to change our behavior. It was suggested we put a page on our web-site about kinds of products we prefer. We also need to put the recommendations in the news letter. Perhaps have paper copies Bulletin insert to start, then wean to website. Jackie also reported that the Security light above Whittaker Hall will need another solution than planned. Jackie and committee are working on this.

Women’s Group had no meeting. The December potluck and giving tree were successes. The spaghetti dinner is next month. There will be a women’s retreat on February 23, 2008. A wine tasting will be held at Silver Mt. winery on May 9, 2008 as a money raising effort.

Music and Arts—report they are thrilled with the addition of new members.

Communications—John Wetherill is putting pictures on web of church members. These will be password protected.

Other topics of interest.

Jan asked if it would be possible to have the church not be cold on Sunday. Jan moved, Nancy Jo, seconded that this question would be passed on to the trustees. It was agreed to do so.

Stephen led the closing Prayer.

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