The regularly scheduled meeting of CSM Governing Council was called to order at 6:35 by Curry Miller, President, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.
ROLL: (P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT)
| P | Rev. Philip Brockett, Pastor | ||||||
| P | Curry Miller
President |
P | Bythelda Davis | P | 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: Chris Engelbracht
Opening prayer was offered by Rev. Brockett
Open Mike: Chris Engelbracht reported to the Council that as of January he will be retiring from his duties at Central St. Matthew. He can no longer work on a ladder and this is necessary to carry out the work that he would need to do. He is willing to continue to consult and help wherever he can. If CSM finds someone else to do the job he will be there to give assistance but will no longer be paid. He also wanted to express his concerns for the Bienville property. The parsonage needs repair work to be done to the air conditioner which he will follow through on tomorrow.
Curry thanked Chris for all the work he has done for the church. It was mentioned that the lease for the parsonage is overdue. The Board of Trustees will follow up on that.
Minutes: The minutes from the September Governing Council meeting were reviewed and accepted with corrections. Ellen moved and Andrea seconded
Financial Report: – attached – Brian was unable to be at the meeting. Andrea inquired as to what the money spent in the Worship Supplies line was used for as she did not approve any of the expenses. Arlean suggested that it might be money used to buy the bulletins and the communion supplies. This is something we need to ask Brian.
Pastor’s Report: – Reverend Brockett
- Carol Duplessis is home from the hospital. She will be receiving radiation treatment. Marie is home from the hospital, and so is Ernest Jones.
- The pastor had lunch with Rachel Ricks to discuss her help in restarting the Communications and Outreach committee. Nothing was decided
- The community night out was successful in that we had many volunteers however it was not well attended by the community. Changes will need to be made for it to be more successful.
- The pastor has been working on getting the stewardship campaign going but there has been no meeting so far.
- Church attendance is down. It was suggested that attendance is generally down during the Saints season. We are continuing to get visitors and the pastor has been following up with them.
- There is good progress in the purchase of chairs for the chapel.
- CSM was a polling place for the last election and it went well. Curry said that many of those who voted were impressed with out building.
The Pastor’s report was accepted. Willard moved and Arlean seconded
Board of Trustee’s Report: – Milton Cheramie – report attached – there were no questions or concerns.
Diaconate Report: – Andrea Gibson
- Andrea thanked Chris for aligning the sanctuary doors
- Andrea inquired as to how to cancel the usual flowers on November 22nd as she would like to provide something other than carnations that Sunday.
- We have found that we can purchase the Christmas poinsettias at Sams at a considerable discount but we would need to order them.
- Ellen asked about who was taking care of the Second Harvest display. Andrea agreed to do that. We have new magnets but they have not been given out as of yet. It was stated that we need to keep mentioning the food bank each Sunday. We will begin having an announcement in the bulletin each Sunday.
- Tis Jesus’ Season- a holiday event sponsored by the diaconate will take place on Friday, December 11th from 6 to 8 which will be open to the community. It will be held in the front of the church, outside, and will include food, activities and music.
Willard moved, Milton seconded and the Diaconate report was accepted.
Christian Education – Arlean Fermanis – report attached
Arlean asked the council for approval of a pot luck lunch and silent auction event sponsored by the Christian Education committee to be held on December 6th after the church service. Arlean moved, Willard seconded and the request was approved.
Old Business:
Nominating – the nominating committee will meet at 3 pm on Tuesday, November 3rd at Keller library. Arlean will make the reservation at the library.
New Business:
- Take Action Committee recommendation – The Take Action Committee requested that the Governing Council endorse the recommendation that they will be taking to the congregation on November 15th at a special congregational meeting which is:
We recommend to the congregation that we sell the Bienville property minus the parsonage and use the funds to renovate the Carrollton facility. We further recommend that a Move Forward Committee be established consisting of two sub committees, a ministry expansion committee and a renovation committee.
Andrea asked for an opportunity to form another committee to give the congregation an alternative to the Take Action Committee’s recommendation. After discussion, Willard Hill moved that the Governing Council endorse the recommendation of the Take Action Committee. Arlean Fermanis seconded the motion and the vote was 6 yes, 1 no.
- Seminarians – Deborah Joseph has contacted Rev. Brockett concerning the seminarians from Eden Seminary who will be visiting New Orleans and taking part in the association meeting on the weekend of April 1. One of the students will be housed with a Central St. Matthew family, one with St. Paul and one with Little Farms. Our visitor will be preaching that Sunday, April 3, 2016. CSM donated 600 dollars towards the cost of the seminarians travel.
There be no further business the meeting ended in prayer.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 24, 2015.
Respectfully Submitted, Arlean Fermanis, Secretary