The regularly scheduled meeting of CSM Governing Council was called to order at 6:40 by Curry Miller, President, on Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

ROLL: (P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT)

P Rev. Philip Brockett,  Pastor
P Curry MillerPresident P Bythelda Davis P Willard Hill P Ellen Pecoul
A Richard TimptonVice Pres P Norman Robinson A Bryant Turner P Andrea GibsonDiaconate
P Arlean FermanisSecretaryChristian Ed P Milton CheramieBoard of Trustees A  Community  Svc. & Mission A   Communications & Outreach

 

Also Present: Treasurer, Ed Urrutia and Karen Lodrig (BOT)

Opening prayer was offered by Rev. Brockett

Open Mike:

  • Curry welcomed new members, Ellen Pecoul, Willard Hill, Norman Robinson and Bryant Turner to the Governing Council as well as Milton Cheramie as the Board of Trustees Representative and Karen Lodrig as the back-up BOT representative.

 Minutes:  The council members reviewed the minutes.  Andrea Gibson pointed out an error in Old Business in that the meeting to be held in the spring is the South Central Conference meeting and not that of the New Orleans Association and it will be held at the New Orleans Marriott.  Arlean pointed out that there were several items in the January minutes that were not done.  She asked that we attach a person responsible for action items from now on.  Milton moved to accept the minutes of the January meeting as corrected, Willard seconded and the minutes were approved.

Financial Report: – Ed Urrutia – Report attached.

  • Ed pointed out that offerings and tithes are behind in the budget but that this is fairly normal.  Typically we get strong contributions during the last quarter
  • Freedom fellowship made both their January and February rent payments during the month of January which is reflected in the line item
  • The Board of Trustees is talking to ABCT concerning their request to pay rent semi-annually instead of monthly.  There has been no decision as of this time.
  • The reimbursement for moving Pastor Brockett was under budget by $2000.00
  • Raises have been processed as of February 1st.  This is reflected in that the line items are a little under budget.
  • Resolution to change the signatures for the bank.  The new signatories will be Ed, Brian McKerlie, Milton Cheramie and Wilson Boveland.  Andrea moved that the council approve the resolution to change the signatories for the bank accounts, Arlean seconded and it was approved.
  • Ellen Pecoul asked what line item would be used for outreach.  The answer was line itm 5100.

Pastor’s Report:  – Reverend Brockett

  • Rev. Brockett told us he was glad to be here and thanked Ed and the search committee.  He spent some time asking the members present how we were doing and all said very well.  He said that his goal was to join with us and we can move forward together.  He gave us a bit of his history in helping a congregation sell a church and build a new one.  The process was a transformative event  and it took them 10 years to go through the process which is something we do not have.  We have a lot of property, a lot of energy but the budget is a problem.
  • Rev. Brockett asked all present to close their eyes and to think about the question – What do you envision for CSM in 5 years.  He asked us to remember sometimes we are called to let go.  We need to pray about it.  God has to work in our spirit.  Rev. Brockett suggested that we need to ask a group to be formed to address our property and financial issues.  Curry told all that he and Rev. Brockett have been talking aobut forming a New Beginnings Committee that would be formed and voted on by the congregation and they would answer to the congregation.  The congregation has to be involved.
  • There will be a memorial service for Shirley Carambat on Saturday, March 7th.
  • The installation of officers will be held on Sunday March 8th and the Taft School from Connecticut will be joining us for service on March 15th and we will have a Jazz Service.

Willard moved to accept the Pastor’s report, Milton seconded and it passed.

Board of Trustee’s Report:  No written report

  • Milton Cheramie has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees, Wilson Boveland will be Vice Chair and Michael Boucree is the secretary.
  • The Landix-Davis House address has been officially changed which should help in our getting our electric meter.  Curry and Jim Bonds are still working on the issue.
  • Ed said that in anticipation of needing the money to cover our deficit we will be cashing in one of our CD’s.  The treasurers and the BOT are looking into what needs to be done to accomplish that.  Ed suggested that the CD we cash in be the balance sheet item 181 which is the CD at the Bank of New Orlean.  Right now we are borrowing from restricted funds and that is not desirable.  Ellen moved that we cash out the CD at the Bank of New Orleans to be available in the general fund.  Bythelda seconded and the motion passed.
  • There was some discussion as to the restrictions on some of the funds.  The treasurers and the BOT are working on finding out all the historical accounts of the funds.

Milton moved that the BOT report be accepted, Arlean seconded and it passed

Diaconate Report: – minutes attached

  • Andrea asked about the balance in the Pastor’s Benevolence Fund – Ed will find out for her.
  • Ellen Pecoul reported that all the purchased Lenten booklets are gone.
  • The Deacons are working to set up zip code meeting for Rev. Brockett to meet members of the congregation.

Andrea moved acceptance of her report, Arlean seconded and it passed.

 

Community Service and Mission –

Ellen Pecoul reported that she is ordering more magnets for our Second Harvest donations.  It was suggested that all new members be given one.

Communications & Outreach – no report

Christian Education – Arlean Fermanis

  • Arlean reported that the new curriculum for the Sunday morning youth class will be Caffeine and Commitment by Steven Case, a UCC minister. Also reported was that the committee is in the process of developing a curriculum for a confirmation class in the next school year which will most likely be held at the 9 am time on Sunday morning.
  • Work is continuing on the March 22nd event.  It has been met with enthusiasm and we working out the logistics.
  • Our next meeting is March 8 at 11:30 am in the church library.

Arlean moved acceptance of the Christian Education Committee Report, Andrea seconded the motion and it was approved.

Old Business:  – no old business

 New Business:

  • Ellen Pecoul reported on our archival situation.  We found the St. Matthew1847 records and we will be sending them to the Amistad Center.  She passed around the copies that we had made which will be kept in the church office for any who want to see them.  She asked if the Central book could also be bound and the original sent to Amistad.  The council approved of this
  • Officers for the coming year were elected.  Andrea Gibson moved that all the elected officers from 2014 be re-elected for 2015.  Arlean Fermanis seconded and it was passed.
  • Andrea inquired about the vacancies on the other committees and some discussion was held but no action taken.
  • Arlean Fermanis passed out a sheet listing Council and Board members for 2015.  The sheet is included in the attachment to the minutes with the addition of the officers who have been elected.

The meeting closed with prayer led by Andrea Gibson.

Respectfully Submitted, Arlean Fermanis, Secretary

February 24 2015 attachments