Church Council News August 2022
Skyland
Community Church
Minutes
of the Council Meeting on July 17, 2022
Attendees:
Reverend Melanie, Reverend Patricia, Anne Evans, Jackie Seymour, Jan Parker,
Shannon Edwards, Gerald Alonzo, John Heyes
Members not in attendance:
John Conkle
Call to Order:
Patricia opened the meeting at 1:03 p.m.
Opening Prayer:
given by Reverend Melanie
Behavioral Covenant:
read by Gerald
Review and Approval of Minutes:
As the minutes of the June meeting had not been seen by all members, it was agreed
to defer approval until the August Council meeting.
Treasurer’s Report:
Gerald
noted the following details:
· At
the end of FY 2021-22, total income is “a little shy” of the budget.
· Total
operating expenses are less than the budgeted amount by $1, 224.
· Gerald
is finalizing records so that Brian can do the annual audit.
· A
large donation will cover the required county inspection of the elevator.
Old Business:
Coffee hour responsibility:
· Gerald
volunteered to make coffee and set out tables and chairs each Sunday.
· Core
team (e.g., Trustees, Missions) will be invited to sign up for a few Sundays of
clean-up and other tasks.
New
Business:
FOOD PANTRY
Shannon reported on the recent
questionnaire, which revealed that
· There
is strong support for the pantry’s long-term role;
· Storage
should be in the shed, not in Whitaker;
· Outside
storage should be moved from the porch to another location, such as the current
refrigerator site;
· Twin
priorities for an outside storage cabinet are aesthetics and safety;
· Possible
designs include metal cabinets resembling school lockers;
· An
aluminum/UV stable polycarbonate “bus stop”
frame is also feasible;
· A
metalworker has volunteered to donate labor.
Anne noted that the Finance Team needs to know the
cost of storage units so that funds can be allocated. Anne also advised that
applications for grant money should be made before the shed refurbishment is
started. We should find out if county permits are required for this project.
VISION AND ASSESSMENT TEAM
Jackie summarized the results of the ministry assessment:
Worship Services
· Of
32 respondents, 50% attended two or more times a month (equal numbers for
sanctuary and online).
· Asked
to identify aspects of services that members like, 78% named sermons, and 65%
music. 30% mentioned the church community being together. 22% noted the
appropriate length of sermons.
· 28%
reported liking prayer time; 25% cited communion as important.
· Asked
what would make services better, 35% cited an end to Covid restrictions. 29%
answered more people in the sanctuary. 16% reported satisfaction with services
as they are.10% asked for better sound.
Leadership
· Participation
as a member or as a leader in activities is considered very important by 56%
and somewhat important by 28%.
· 84%
praised the work of Reverend Melanie and Skyland’s leadership during the
pandemic: keeping us together and calming fears. Two members noted an excess of
caution. One stated that outreach was inadequate.
· Asked
what the pastor and leadership do well, 40% mentioned communication. Others
said keeping members safe, consideration for elderly persons, and Reverend
Melanie’s guidance and availability.
Community Engagement
· 77%
of respondents want to add community-gathering activities. 19% stated “don’t
know or unsure.” 4 % prefer to continue as is.
· 52%
would like to share meals and have Revision events with meals.
· 26%
favor activities for families, especially those with children.
· Other
ideas: Harvest Festival (11%), events like Soothing Series (7%), book club (7%).
· 57%
volunteered limited help or no help with events. 20% identify as willing to
help but not organize. 10% would help with meals.
Pastoral Care
· 94%
reported that their needs were met, many expressing enthusiasm.
· 96%
stated that requests for pastoral care were always fulfilled.
· One
member questioned the sufficiency of pastoral care.
PASTOR’S UPDATE
Melanie spoke of envisaging a place for children in
the sanctuary during services.
FINANCE TEAM
Anne proposed deferring her report to the August
Council Meeting. Members concurred.
Closing Prayer:
given by Reverend Melanie
Patricia
ended the meeting at 2:45 p.m.
Next Church Council Meeting:
Sunday, August 21, at 1:00 p.m.
Minutes Submitted by John
Heyes, Clerk
