Central St. Matthew UCC
Congregational Meeting.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
The meeting was called to order by President, Curry Miller at 11:35 am Sunday, August 30, 2015 and opened with prayer. A quorum was present.
Motion: Air Conditioning Expense
The president called for a motion to be made to approve the emergency replacement of the fellowship hall air conditioner. Curry explained that the unit failed and had to replaced due to the theater summer camp as well as a performance opening.
Willard Hill moved that the Congregation of Central St. Matthew United Church of Christ approve the emergency expenditure in the amount of $9,000.00 by the Board of Trustees to replace one of the two air conditioners in the fellowhip hall. The motion was seconded by Wilson Boveland.
Rachel Ricks asked what the status of the second unit was and Chris Engelbract replied that it is just as old but it is not used as hard as the one which broke. The BOT looked at repair rather than replacing and decided that it was more economical to replace the broken unit. Maggie Schneider asked if there was a maintenance schedule for our units and she was told that the units are serviced annually.
There was a call for a vote and the motion carried unanimously.
Board of Trustees Report: – given by chair, Milton Cheramie – see attached
Treasurers Report: – Brian McKerlie
The latest financial report was passed out to the congregation and Brian gave a few highlights. He reported that ABCT has paid in full for the year and that our giving is $12,829 ahead of our budget. We are still in a deficit budget situation but the deficit has been reduces due to the increase in giving. Brian reminded the congregation that we are still in need of an assistant treasurer and a treasurer trainee.
Governing Council Report: – given by the Council President, Curry Miller – see attached
Pastor’s Report:
Reverend Brocket asked the congregation how are we doing and he received a round of applause. He reminded the congregation that we are still in a crisis situation with our finances and we need to address our budget deficit. He told all to please call him when in need. He also told the congregation that we need to grow, not only for added income but more importantly because we have a ministry and a mission. We have good news to give and service to be given to our neighbors.
Take Action Committee: – given by Dale Bonds
Dale gave a summary of what the Take Action Committee has been doing. The members of the committee are Dale Bonds, Michael Boucree, Arlean Fermanis, Willard Hill, Curry Miller, Norman Robinson, Marie Weatherspoon, Vicki Weeks and Pastor Brockett. It was tasked with finding a solution to our financial crisis and to form a plan as to how to go forward, increasing membership and focusing our mission. The committee has met almost every Monday since April and we have discussed our finances, appraisals of our property, how to increase membership and market who we are. The committee has examined the demographics of the Bienville and Carrollton neighborhoods and discussed possible mission opportunities. Both mission and vision statements have been developed as well as determining the core values that are important to our membership and a strategic plan was developed for the coming years.
Dale also stated the options that the committee has been looking at to address our property issues. These options are:
- Sell all property – move to another location – either building or renovating
- Sell Bienville property and stay at Carrollton
- Sell Carrollton property and go to Bienville
- Sell Bienville property and the education building at Carrollton and move into the sanctuary
Robert Perry asked how one could become a member of the committee and Curry replied that we are just about ready to issue a recommendation so it would be difficult to add new members. All are welcome to give input and Curry told Robert when the next meeting would be. Helen Green asked if Hume Center would be included in the sale of the Bienville property and Curry answered that the only part of the Bienville campus that is not on the table is the parsonage.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:08 pm.
Respectively submitted by Arlean Fermanis, secretary