The regularly scheduled meeting of CSM Governing Council was called to order at 6:30 by Curry Miller, President, on Tuesday, April 28, 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 A Norman Robinson P Bryant Turner P Andrea GibsonDiaconate
P Arlean FermanisSecretaryChristian Ed P Milton CheramieBoard of Trustees A  Community  Svc. & Mission A  Communications & Outreach

Also Present: Treasurers, Ed Urrutia and Brian McKerlie

Opening prayer was offered by Rev. Brockett

Open Mike: – Arlean pointed out that we had not taken the One Great Hour of Sharing offering in March and asked if we could still take the collection.  It was decided that we would place the offering envelopes in the bulletin for the next two Sundays.  Arlean will write an announcement for the e-blast and bulletin and Brian volunteered to make an announcement.

 Minutes:  The council reviewed the minutes from our last meeting.  Andrea asked for clarity concerning the item about the appraisal.  Arlean corrected the wording and the minutes were accepted as corrected with Andrea making the motion and Milton giving the second.

Financial Report: – Ed Urrutia – reports attached.

  • We continue to track well to budget which is good news and encouraging as donations are often slow at tax time.
  • Our investments with the UCC funds have been doing well.  We have gained about 7,000.00.
  • The money from the  CD that the council approved cashing in will be available within the week.
  • Our cash burn rate has been holding up well now that we have rents coming in.  We are trending in a good direction.

Ed is also the chair of the Take Action Committee and as such also gave a quick report.  The committee has been meeting and is discussing how to attract more members as well as where to cut costs and what we shall do to assure future financial health.  The committee is tasked to come up with a plan.  Ed thanked the committee for the opportunity to serve on this committee.

Ellen moved that the reports be accepted, Bythelda seconded and the motion carried.

Pastor’s Report:  – Reverend Brockett

  • The pastor has been active in the Take Action Committee and has been attending the neighborhood meetings that are going very well.  It has been a great experience and Phil encouraged all to attend one of the meetings.
  • The registration deadline for the Conference meeting to be held in June is this Friday.  Our Sunday worship on June 7th will be at the conference center not at CSM.
  • Brian Duvernay and Chris Engelbracht have had surgery and both are doing well
  • Myrtle Winbush passed away and her service will be on Wednesday, April 29.  The visitation is at 10 and the service at 11 with a repass after the burial held at CSM
  • Rev. Smelly who has been living in Slidell is not doing well.

There were no questions for the pastor but Willard wanted to mention to him that he is doing a great job.  All agreed.

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

Board of Trustee’s Report:  – Milton Cheramie – report attached

  • Milton reported that the lease with ABCT has been finalized and the arrangements with the rooms has been resolved
  • The Board of Trustees allocated 300 towards the T-shirts for the volunteers at the conference asking for help from the congregation to help pay for this.  So far 195 dollars has been donated.

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

Diaconate Report: – Andrea Gibson

  • Andrea reiterated that the June 7th service will be held at the South Central Conference meeting. There are discussions as to perhaps car pooling from CSM to the conference center.
  • Ellen Pecoul announced that she will be heading the book sale at the conference. The money from the sale will go to Chicago, United and Eden Seminaries.  Books and volunteers are needed.
  • In May the diaconate plans to give out roses to all the women in the congregation for Mother’s day and there are conversations as to plans for Father’s day. On May 24th which is Pentecost Sunday there are plans to do something outside to let the neighborhood know that we are here.
  • The diaconate are working on a pictorial directory.
  • Pastor Phil has initiated a conversation on making the chapel more usable space.  It has been talked about for many years and we hope to begin to use it more effectively.  Andrea Gibson moved that we refurbish the chapel to make it a multipurpose area.  Bryant Turner, with the help of the pastor, will put together a plan and bring it to the council at our next meeting.  All agreed.
  • Curry asked Phil if he would give the announcements this week and he noted that the pastor is greeting people as they enter rather than at the end of the service. He asked all to help Phil know who might be visitors.
  • Willard suggested that we need a process to becoming a member at CSM. Ellen suggested sending personal notes as well as the office letter to visitors and we could include the process in that communication.  After a first visit they get a note from the office, second visit, another note perhaps and after a third visit they get a visitation and the process of becoming a member could then be given.  Ed noted that we need to let visitors know the value of becoming a member.

Andrea moved acceptance of her report, Bryant seconded and the motion carried

Community Service and Mission –

Ellen Pecoul reported that she and Karen Wulff and Michele D’Aquin met.

  • Back Bay health kits are in the process of being assembled.  On Sunday we will ask the congregation to help in this project.
  • More magnets are ordered to remind the congregation of the items of the month to be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.  Bryant suggested that we do something to draw attention to the effort by doing something more than placing the food items on the railing in the church.  Perhaps we could have them displayed better or even have all the items up in the front so we can see how much has been donated.  We need to engage the congregation.  It would be great if we could find someone who may take on the food bank donations.
  • The committee work is just too much for John and Sylvia so they have had to step down from chairing the committee.  Ellen said that the Women’s Guild can pick up some of the mission and social action activities.  She asked if we might find a better way to flatten our committee structure or if we can focus on tasks rather than working through a monthly meeting type of committee structure.
  • Willard suggested that friendly competitions are always fun and perhaps we can have some between the committees.  Who can donate the most, etc……  Willard also asked if he could serve on the Take Action Committee.
  • Andrea asked if the Women’s Guild meeting might change the time at which it meets to allow other women to be involved.

Communications & Outreach

  • Phil reported that Norman Robinson who is on the Take Action Committee has a social media expert who will be assisting us in getting our message out.

Christian Education – Arlean Fermanis – report attached

Arlean pointed out a few highlights from her report.

  • The VBS program this summer will be from July 20-24 and we will once again work with St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church.  We felt we were needed there more than at St. Paul’s and we have developed a good working relationship
  • Andrea asked if CE would consider running a summer program at Bienville, perhaps an evening VBS in which adults could also participate.
  • Andrea also asked if we could have a program at Hume Center for the children there.  Arlean will bring these ideas back to the committee.

Old Business:  – none

New Business:

We need to advertise the June 7th church service.  Bryant suggested that CSM need to advertise more.

 The meeting closed with prayer.

Respectfully Submitted, Arlean Fermanis, Secretary

April 28 2015 attachments for web