The regularly scheduled meeting of CSM Governing Council was called to order at 6:30 by Curry Miller, President, on Tuesday, August 25, 2015.
ROLL: (P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT)
| P | Rev. Philip Brockett, Pastor | ||||||
| P | Curry Miller
President |
A | Bythelda Davis | A | Willard Hill | P | Ellen Pecoul |
| A | Richard Timpton
Vice Pres |
A | Norman Robinson | A | 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: Treasurer, Brian McKerlie
Opening prayer and reflection was offered by Rev. Brockett
There was not a quorum present. Reports were given and accepted but no votes were taken.
Minutes: The minutes from the July Governing Council meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Financial Report: – Brian McKerlie – reports attached.
- Philip Ricks will become a check signer as Ed will be removed from the account due to his relocation.
- Entergy will be out to reread our meter. They agreed that the reading was really off.
- Giving is up and other numbers are trending as expected.
- Andrea asked if there was a spike in giving when groups of visitors are at the service. Brian said that he has not noted a spike.
The treasurer’s report was accepted.
Pastor’s Report: – Reverend Brockett
- We will be honoring the 10th anniversary of Katrina on Sunday, August 30 with a time for prayers and remembrances.
- September 13 will be celebration Sunday – the kick off for the fall programming.
- October 17th CSM will be working with the neighborhood association and host the Night Against Crime.
- The pastor would like to plan a blessing of the animals at some time.
- November 22nd is the Oak Street Po Boy festival we should open the church that day and offer our bathrooms and perhaps sell water. We can have brochures to hand out and perhaps could have a yard sale in the courtyard.
- Chapel – let’s do it. On Saturday, September 12th we will plan a clean up day and at that time we can refurbish the chapel, set up for Celebration Sunday on the 13th and clean up and spruce up areas of the church.
- The pastor has looked into advertising in Uptown Messenger. It is an online publication and it costs 600 hundred to run an add for 3 months which will also include an article in their news section. Andrea voiced the opinion that we should do this and the council members present agreed.
The Pastor’s report was accepted
Board of Trustee’s Report: – Milton Cheramie – report attached
During the BOT report the question of For Sale signs being placed at the two campuses. It was decided that there would be no signs on either property
Diaconate Report: – Andrea Gibson
- The Diaconate reported on the memories and prayers for hurricane Katrina, as well as the Night Out Against Crime and the hopes of bringing Mike Piazza to the New Orleans area to speak.
- The student/teacher back to school blessing was done and was appreciated by all.
- On September 6th we will have students from McDonough 35 sit in the service
- The Diaconate are looking into missions for our congregation.- soup kitchen – Covenant House
- Plans are still in the works to have a pictorial directory
- Andrea will become the Second Harvest liaison with Ellen Pecoul continuing to keep up the chart as to how we are doing in our giving.
- Andrea wanted to commend the Deacons for always being available as we have had a number of occasions needed their assistance.
The Diaconate report was accepted
Christian Education – Arlean Fermanis – report attached
- Arlean reported to the council that the proceeds brought in from the free will offering collected at the Jambalaya lunch on the 13th would be used by the Christian Education Committee to supplement their budget. The committee wishes to buy a roll around white board to be used by the congregation for classes and meetings.
- There was discussion concerning the children’s time during the worship service. Members present said that they liked having different people in the congregation give the children’s message. Arlean said that she would take that information back to the committee and perhaps a rotating schedule could be implemented.
The Christian Education report was accepted.
Old Business:
Banners are being ordered and one is in and on the building.
New Business:
- Congregational meeting-Those present talked about the agenda for the Congregational meeting to be held Sunday, August 30. There will be a vote to approve the nine thousand dollar expense to replace an air conditioner in the fellowship followed by reports for the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer, the Governing Council and then the Take Action Committee.
- It was pointed out that we need to form a Stewardship Committee as soon as possible. The pastor said that he would work with a few willing volunteers. We need to find those volunteers.
- Ellen Pecoul suggested that with the 10th anniversary of Katrina it would be nice to send thank you notes to those groups who came and stayed with us as they helped us rebuild. Arlean has the addresses and a template for thank you notes. Arlean, Ellen and Andrea will prepare and send notes to the groups.
- There was a discussion as to the length of time announcements have been taking at the beginning of the service. The members of the council present suggested that the announcements be under 5 minutes total. All announcements can be placed in the bulletin and do not have to be announced from the front.
It was suggested that the liturgist walk up with the pastor and that the second chair be placed on the other side of the communion table so the liturgist will sit there until after the scripture is read.
There be no further business the meeting ended in prayer.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 22, 2015.
Respectfully Submitted, Arlean Fermanis, Secretary