The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m. by moderator Larry Cooke. Stephen Glauz-Todrank gave an opening prayer.

Minutes: Gerry Alonzo moved that minutes be approved as written, pending any corrections that may be sent before the next meeting. Larry Lopp seconded the motion and it was passed.

Old Business:

Annual Meeting Plans: Larry Cooke reported that annual reports are coming in. They are all needed by next Sunday. They should be turned in by this Friday at the latest so that Larry can assemble them for distribution. Larry will remind those who still have reports due. He said that he also will need to know who wants to speak during the meeting.

Treasurer Gerry Alonzo said that he will be giving a report at the annual meeting. He announced that budget variances are decreasing, Larry Cooke will draft motions to be presented. The Trustees are moving forward with planned action items. A motion would be needed if there were any change of direction or increase in money required. Miare Howard will give a progress report on how the Trustees are doing with last year’s motion.

Activities for the first committee and council meeting were discussed. Meeting times will be determined. Last year it was decided not to hold committee meetings on the same Sunday as the Council meeting. Committee chairs will also be chosen.

There are still some unfilled positions on the slate of nominations, including Vice Moderator, Religious Education, 10-K run and Endowment.

An audit needs to be done for 2006. Jim Bowen audited last years books. A new auditor will be needed since Jim Bowen is now a member of the Trustees.

Stephen stated that he would like to thank all outgoing and incoming committee and council members during the service on February 5.

There was a discussion of how our endowment funds will be used. Gerry Alonzo explained that we can’t change the use of the Endowment fund, according to the by-laws, even if the people who donated agreed to a change. He suggested, however, that we could use the endowment as an investment in the kitchen. The principal needs to stay in the fund, but the interest can be used for other purposes.

Larry Cooke reminded the Council that the membership had passed a motion at the budget meeting, requesting the creation of a public relations committee. This was also recommended at the Communications Meetings. Although the Trustees and Deacons have worked together on a welcome packet, we still don’t have a P. R. committee. Larry Lopp commented that it is important to be clear what needs to be done in day to day operations and document it by interviewing people who have various responsibilities in the church. He stated that he feels that we have what we need for P.R. within our council and committees. He plans to communicate with members by posting information on the web site and in the newsletter. There was some discussion of possible structure of the proposed P.R. committee. T’Shala Olivieri suggested that P.R. could be a subcommittee of the council. Maire Howard commented that we need a way to put together a description of who we are and present it to the larger community. T’Shala moved that we create a standing committee to direct P.R. for the church with at least one member from Trustees, Deacons, & Religious Education plus a chair and possibly members at large. The purpose of the committee will be to address growth and how we present ourselves. A contact person for people who are interested in serving on the committee will be identified, probably future moderator Larry Lopp. The motion was seconded by Gerry Alonzo and was passed. Maire suggested that the Council should have oversight of the P.R. Committee and its charge should be to develop a P. R. plan and return to the Council with it for approval.

Committee Reports

Board of Religious Education: A report will be submitted at the February meeting. Trustees: Maire Howard announced that we have made progress with fire protection. We have a new water tank, which still needs to be hooked up. The project so far has been less expensive than expected.

The next Council meeting will be February 12.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Rollins,

Clerk

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