Old Business

We approved the minutes for the October 23, 2007 meeting.

Jackie reported on the final distribution of the 10K Run money. She had to divide up the money a little differently and so some of the percentages changed. It was important that the students receive a fixed amount since they were counting on the money to finish their studies. We will have to find some more monies, perhaps $480. for the Fiji student whose tuition is due in the springtime. If we cannot find the additional funds we will ask Connie Durant, the student’s sponsor if she has other resources. Stephen thanked Jackie for her higher math skills in crunching the numbers and changing percentages to certain categories. Gerry confirmed that the 10K run had brought in $5421. Mary Ellen made a motion to approve the distribution of the Skyland 10K Run monies and Harold seconded it. Jackie will write a newsletter article for December explaining the results from the survey and the Skyland 10K run monies distribution will be online at the website. Nancy Jo added that it would be good to put it on the bulletin board in Whittaker Hall.

Joan confirmed that Dr. Ammann is quite excited to give a sermon about Global Strategies on January 13th. She remarked on what a kind, smart person he is. Joan will get some background information so that Jackie can write a short article for the December newsletter and a longer article for the January newsletter about Dr. Ammann and Global Strategies. Jackie will also send out a reminder email to the congregation on the Wednesday before the sermon. An offering will be collected during the service for Global Strategies.

Jackie reported on collections for the migrant workers kits. Janet Davies will take them to Davenport and distribute them. She will write a thank you for the kits to be put in the December newsletter.

Jackie thanked Anne for the African Library Project presentation. She said that they had collected $1570. Anne was rendered speechless and thanked everyone on the Missions Board. Stephen said everyone was quite excited to have a book drive and Anne felt that it should coincide with the finished DVD, perhaps sometime in March. Jackie will write another thank you to go in the December newsletter.

Jackie said that the council and Jerry requested a Mission Board budget for fiscal year 2008/2009. The Missions Board will request 6.5% of the total operating budget to go to the UCC as Skyland Church’s share. Stephen encouraged us to request this amount because the monies were much needed to support the cost of living increase to the underpaid UCC staff. T’Shala moved that the budget request be accepted and Mary Ellen seconded it.

New Business

Stephen will write an article for the December newsletter about Blanket Sunday. There will be more than one opportunity in December to contribute to Blanket Sunday.

Mary Ellen reported on the council meeting. She reported that the nursery was complete. The Harvest Festival committee is meeting and discussing next year’s festival and any suggestions or changes that might occur. At the annual meeting there will be a new by-law voted on by the congregation. There is the creation of a new board entitled Communications that will be responsible for publishing and the website. The budget will also be reviewed and the nominating committee is working on a slate for the various boards as members whose terms are up retire and new members are added. Mary Ellen also added that Gina Wetherill and the trustees were working on a rental policy for Whittaker Hall. Jackie added that in early 2007 she had submitted the new description of the Mission Board that better reflected its duties and the adoption of this would require a by-law change. Larry asked Jackie to resubmit it and it would be brought before the December 16th Council meeting and then again at the Annual Meeting to be voted on as a by-law change.

Jackie said that the changes have been made and the Giving Booklet updated. We can decide when to publish and distribute it.

Jackie welcomed Anne to being the new chairperson. Anne said that it will be an honor to serve and that somehow she will continue the dynamic legacy of the past chairpersons, Joan and Jackie. She actually wasn’t that articulate at the time but that is what she meant.

Jackie then individually honored each departing Mission Board member. T’Shala said how honored she was to have served, how impressed she was by the board’s energy and what great food was always there. Joan Law felt that there was marvelous leadership and that we were a marvelous group. She added that she felt that the missions were alive and that was the essence of our generous church. Mary Ellen said that she’d cried about leaving the board and thanked everyone there. Stephen credited Joan with beginning a renaissance in the Missions Board leadership and that we had accomplished so much in such a short time. Mary Ellen added that she felt it began when Joan had everyone on the board to dinner and fostered a sense of camaraderie. Nancy Jo said the feeling changed for her when we asked the question what do we want for our church? How will we serve, and in what areas will we serve? She especially liked joining with the other churches to clean up Summit Road. Joan said she was pleased when things changed and she felt an upsurge in spiritual growth and enthusiasm for the mission of the church. For her, loving and caring for others with humility has been a facet of the Missions Board. Stephen added a big thank you to the organizers and to everyone who contributed to the Missions Board work. He added that there was active participation going on in the Missions Board all the time. He ended by stating that Jackie did such a splendid job and made it a pleasure for all of us to serve. We all echoed that sentiment- our fearless "green" leader! We were all a little emotional about T’Shala. Mary Ellen and Joan leaving the Mission Board and thanked them profoundly for all of their contributions.

The next meeting will be at the Church in the fireside room on Jan. 29th at 7:30.

The meeting time was later changed to February 4th at 7:30PM at Nancy Jo Lopp's house.

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