The regularly scheduled meeting of CSM Governing Council was called to order at 6:33 by Curry Miller, President, on Tuesday, December 28, 2015.

ROLL: (P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT)

P Rev. Philip Brockett,  Pastor
P Curry Miller

President

P Bythelda Davis P Willard Hill A Ellen Pecoul
P Richard Timpton

Vice Pres

A Norman Robinson P Bryant Turner P Andrea Gibson

Diaconate

P Arlean Fermanis

Secretary

Christian Ed

P Milton Cheramie

Board of Trustees

A

 


Community  Svc. & Mission
A  

Communications & Outreach

Also Present: Cheryl Cramer, Paulette Timpton, Jim Bonds and Brian McKerlie and Michele D’Aquin, treasurers.

Opening prayer was offered by Rev. Brockett

Open Mike:
Cheryl Cramer presented a recommendation to the council as an alternative to the vote made by the congregation on December 6 to sell the Bienville property.  She remarked that a group had asked the council to postpone the December 6th vote in order to develop an alternative plan but that the Dec. 6th vote took place despite their request. The recommendation presented was that 2401 Bienville be transferred to a nonprofit which is in the process of being formed and that the nonprofit be given the funds from the Hope Shall Bloom money that was gifted to Central St. Matthew as well as the funds remaining from the sale of property previously sold on the Bienville campus as well as funds from the Capital Campaign.  This group has reached out to Shawn Barney and Alan Square to help them come up with a plan to develop the property on Bienville for the benefit of the church and the community.  There will be a meeting of potential members to form this nonprofit on the weekend of January 15th.  Cheryl passed out a written recommendation which is attached.

Jim Bonds read a letter to the Governing Council which is attached.  He asked that the Council not allow any new distractions to the growth of CSM and to advise those that are in opposition to what we (CSM) are focused on accomplishing to cease with these tactics.

The President, thanked all for coming and expressing their ideas and concerns and the council continued with the meeting.

Minutes:  The minutes from the December 1 Governing Council meeting were read.  Andrea moved acceptance and Willard seconded.  The minutes were approve.

Financial Report: – attached – Brian noted the below in the report

  • Our 2015 deficit was $55,000.00.  Offerings were up as well as rental income and other church usage fees and gifts.
  • The treasurers are preparing for the 2016 budget numbers to be entered as soon as the budget is approved
  • Year end statements will be sent out shortly.

Andrea requested that when the budget is produced that the major line items be broken down into specific items.

Richard moved acceptance of the report, Willard seconded and the report was accepted

Pastor’s Report:  – Reverend Brockett

  • The goal set for chairs for the council has been met.  We need to decide when we will be buying them as we need to decide where they will be used as the lease with Lycee Francais changes the original purpose of the chairs going into the chapel.  The chairs will be bought but we will wait until we know more about where they will go.
  • The Advent program “Tis Jesus’ Season was a success.
  • Karen Wulff’s memorial service and repass was held Saturday, December 12th.
  • The community Carole Sing at Palmer park was a big success.  The CSM choir took part and was recognized at the event.
  • The Christmas Eve service was held a 7 pm on Christmas Eve
  • An Inquirers class has been started and there are still some who have not been able to attend but are interested in joining CSM.
  • Sunday, January 3rd we will be celebrating Epiphany
  • There will be a celebration to take place for Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday
  • We will be celebrating Black History Month in February.  Ernest Salbury from Dillard university will be preaching one of the Sundays in the month and hopefully the Dillard choir will also take part that week.
  • Ash Wednesday will be celebrated with our traditional New Orleans Association service.  The service will be held at The Disciples of Christ church on Airline Highway of February 10th.
  • The pastor commented that the December 6th vote was a difficult issue and his hopes are that we can find a way forward to bridge the gap that was exposed.  It will require negotiation and compromise on everyone’s part.  He is concerned that may be some who are unwilling to compromise and he feels the need for a congregational wide prayer about the issue.

The Pastor’s report was accepted.

Board of Trustees Report: 

There was not a quorum at the last Board of Trustees meeting so the chair, Milton had nothing to report.  There was discussion about the 2016 discussion and they will have a meeting soon to finalize the budget.

Andrea asked about the progress of the lease with Lycee Francais and was told that the ball is in the court of Lycee Francais.  We have seen a sample lease but negotiations have not been started as the fire marshal, the city and the state all still need to give their approval.  This is the responsibility of the school and we do not know where in the process they are.

Diaconate Report: – Andrea Gibson

  • At the last meeting of the Diaconate concerns concerning the December 6th vote were shared
  • The Deacons will be purchasing a plant for Leslie Wilson to remember Gil Wilson.
  • On December 12th there was a memorial service and repass for Karen Wulff and the Tis Jesus’ Season was held on December 11th.
  • The Deacons suggested that a Gospel choir be formed
  • The diaconate ask that on the last Sunday of February all wear African attire to celebrate Black History month.
  • There are plans being made for the Good Friday service to be held a Bienville.

Andrea moved that the report be accepted, Richard seconded and the report was accepted

Christian Education – Arlean Fermanis – minutes attached

Arlean asked that all read the minutes.  She pointed out the lack of attendance in the Faith Journey class and stated that we will continue with the program and try to figure out ways to get more participation from the students.

Arlean brought a request form the committee that the Governing Council sponsor an all leadership calendar planning session.  It is the desire of the CE committee that all committees and boards  be involved with the planning of events for the church during 2016.  The Take Action Committee listed as one of our strategic goals was to have an event once a month and we need people to take on the planning of these events.  Arlean is willing to facility this planning meeting and Curry said that he too would help.  We are looking at a Saturday morning towards the end of February.

Willard moved acceptance of the report, Richard seconded and the report was accepted.

Old Business:

  • Lycee Francais – there has been no meeting with the school but we have been given a sample lease to look at.  We have also been provided a copy of the lease the school has with St. Pauls.  Once the holidays are over there will be more conversations.  Andrea asked when the inspections will be done and it was said that that is not up to us.
  • Nominating Committee – The committee has met and will be meeting again soon.

New Business:

  • Discussion was held concerning the request made by Cheryl Cramer during Open Mike.  Curry remarked that since the Board of Trustees has not taken any action we can discuss but not take any action.  Willard remarked that he was happy to hear what Reverend Cramer said and is hopeful that we can conclude this issue and move forward.  Memories should be honored.  Arlean wanted clarity as to what funds from the capital campaign this group would like to have as the capital campaign monies were not designated as to which campus would benefit from the monies.  Richard commented that we need to walk by faith and be “door openers” and not “gate keepers”.  He considers the lease with Lycee Francais to be a God send and we cannot turn our backs on the Bienville community.  He felt that many from Central Congregational bought into the  idea that we would be one church with two locations and some feel that that idea is not being supported.  Willard asked that we stop talking about our differences as that becomes self fulfilling.  Bryant asked how do we move forward and then made a motion.
    “Once the nonprofit is organized we sell it to them for $1.00.”  Willard seconded.

    There was discussion, the motion was called and the vote was 6 in favor and 1 abstention.  It was decided that this group needed to have a connection to the Governing Council and Bryant and the pastor volunteered to be liaisons.  Andrea and the Pastor will arrange for a congregational prayer time for all to pray about the issue.

  • Budget – the budget is being worked on.  Again it was asked that the budget have the line items broken down to more specifics.  Bryant asked if we could publicize the collections each week and we will be working on doing that.  There was also discussion on how we need to be able to take credit cards and allow for automatic payments to be made.
  • Curry asked for a vote to have the date of the Congregational meeting to be January 31, 2016.  Arlean moved, Bythelda seconded and the motion was approved.
  • Annual reports are due from all the Boards and committees.  Please have them to the office by the end of the first week of January.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 8:35 with prayer by Willard.

Respectfully Submitted, Arlean Fermanis, Secretary

Dec 28 2015 GC attachements