Church Council Meeting Minutes
/ MINUTES OF COUNCILSt. George’s United Church
Courtenay, BC
June 28, 2016
Present / Ula Neiuwejaar (Chair), Alison Mewett (Secretary), Ryan Slifka (Minister), Lori Piercy, Joyce Wilson, Judi Restemeyer, Malcolm Horne, Wendy Irwin, Carol Lidster, Margo Ellegood
Regrets / None
1/ Call to Order / The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04pm
2/ Devotional / Joyce Wilson led a devotional based on Luke 9 “no one who puts to the plow” – focus on Jesus and follow.
3/ Prayers / Wendy Irwin led prayers for the congregation and church.
4/ Agenda / The Chair reviewed agenda items for the meeting.
MSC (Wendy/Carol) that the meeting agenda be adopted as amended.
5/ Minutes / MSC (Alison/Malcolm) that the minutes of the May 24, 2016 regular meeting of Council be adopted.
6/ Reports / MSC (Wendy/Joyce) that the Team Reports and Minister’s Report be received.
MSC (Judi/Carol) that the Financial Report be received.
7/ Matters arising from Minutes / a) Baptismal Policy
The BP was presented by Ryan and reviewed.
MSC (Ryan/Margo) that Council adopt the “Baptismal Policy” as amended.
b) Funding Music Positions
MSC (Wendy/Joyce) that the ‘Lead Accompanist’ and ‘Director, Music Ministry’ Position Descriptions, dated April 27, 2016, be accepted; and further that the additional funding needed for these positions from September 2016 to February 2017 be funded from the Dream Fund.
c) Proposed changes to Constitution-Treasurer/Bookkeeper positions
The proposed changes are needed as employees can not sit on Council.
MSC (Alison/Wendy) that the amended draft revision to the Constitution, dated May 2016, be approved by Council; and further that these changes be forwarded to the congregation for adoption as soon as possible.
Council directs M&P to draft a Job Description for the Bookkeeper position.
CGM will be called for July 31, 2016 after Sunday worship service.
9/ New Business / a) Request to transfer funds for building repairs.
At the last AGM the congregation approved spending up to $80,000 from the Legacy GIC Funds to pay for exterior repairs to the building. The planned work is happening sooner than expected. The Bookkeeper suggests to take money from the Legacy Memorial Fund account to cover costs until the Legacy GIC Fund comes due in September, at which point money from that account will be put back into the Memorial Fund.
MSC (Judi/Lori) that the Bookkeeper be authorized to transfer funds from the Legacy Memorial Fund account to pay repair bills that come due before September 8, 2016 to a maximum of $60,000 with funds to be returned to the Memorial Fund account from the Legacy GICs that come due September 8, 2016.
b) L’Arche room use request: request to waive fees for use of sanctuary and Fellowship Hall on November 5. Ryan will be participating in the retreat.
MSC (Wendy/Joyce) that the room use fees be waived for L’Arche retreat on November 5.
c) Request to hire summer program leader for Children’s Sunday school
Children Church leader Seva Ganga is taking holidays during August and a replacement is needed. What is proposed is to hire a young congregant to provide a modified summer program. There would be one approved adult (with a criminal record check) in attendance each Sunday.
MSC (Malcolm/Carol) that Ty Stewart beengagedto cover August holiday for Children’s Church with an honorarium of $20/Sunday.
d) Request from Probus to renew AV agreement
Probus and St George’s signed a two year agreement in January 2014 for and AV equipment. Probus is requesting a renewal of the agreement with some changes.
Council has questions: what is size of cabinet needed to secure in Fellowship Hall, if St G’s owns original how can Probus sell, if Probus owns can St George’s insure. Ula and Ryan will meet with Probus tomorrow.
e) Defibrillator: discussion that the church does not have one, but perhaps we should. Council asks Property Committee to look into acquiring one.
10/ Correspondence / a) Safehaven Refugee Sponsorship Group
MSC (Margo/Wendy) that the two June letters from Safehaven be received. Note that no action is required at this time.
11/ Next Meeting / August 30,2016 Devotional: Judi
12/ Adjournment / The meeting adjourned after joining together in prayer at 9:07pm.
/ St. George’s United Church Council
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Ula Nieuwejaar, Chair / ______
Alison Mewett, Secretary
St. George’s United Church - CouncilPage 1 of 2