San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church

San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church

Church Council Minutes

May 16, 2017

Attendance: Debra Carter, Ron Dunn, Lea Hickman, Paul Kuelz, Jim McKnight, Rhonda Poole, Bill Rust, and Peter Ruotsi.

Absent: Don Field, John Green, Luke Ham,Harry Knapp, Mark Miller, Terry Sherman, Fred Toney, and Joanne Van Bezey.

Guests: Jim Burk, Brenda Domergue, Nancy Garnick, Kathleen Saghafi, and Laura Sanchez.

CALL TO ORDER

Church Council Vice Chair,Jim McKnight, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm in the Fireside Room.

OPENING DEVOTION/PRAYER

Pastor Ron Dunnoffered aprayerto open the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION

It was moved the Church Council April 18, 2017, minutes be approved as presented. The following correction was made: Re: Page 2, Pastors’ Moments, Item 4. “…Social Principles. The series is intentionally timed to coincide…”

The minutes, as corrected, were approved by consensus.

DIVERSITY UPDATE

Lay Leader, Debra Carter, reported that they are continuing to explore possibilities for programs. They would like to include input from the new Associate Pastor and hope to kick offby the end of August.

FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE (Attached)

2017 YTD (Jan-Mar) Overview for General Fund. Finance Committee Chair,Rhonda Poole,presented the report (see the attached report for details).

Jan-Apr Jan-AprPos / (Neg)Full 2017

Actual Budget Budget Budget__

Total Income$ 479,620$ 437,820$ 41,800$1,145,200

Total Expenses$ 382,191$ 387,091$ 4,900$1,154,938

Net Position Pos/(Neg)$ 97,429$ 50,729$ 46,700$ (9,738)

Rhonda noted that giving typically drops off during the summer months due to lower attendance. She will look into the percentage of givers who contribute monthly via credit card or bank account vs. those who contribute cash/checks. It was suggested that regular monthly pledge donations be encouraged. Ron suggestedthe Endowment Committee educatepeople regarding alternative ways of giving, such as donating appreciated stock or IRA distributions, that could be mutually beneficial to the church and the donor.

Ron reported he is writing a proposal for the Finance Committee and Church Council that a Mission Service Fund be set up (source of funding to be determined) with the goal of inviting small groups from our church to team up with small groups from other churches for service work, Bible study, meal sharing, discussion, etc. He sees this as an opportunity to pay forward the generosity that has been extended to our own church, such as the ARC and sanctuary and courtyard remodeling.

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE UPDATE

SPRC member,Brenda Domergue,reported for SPRC Chair, Don Field,that the SPRC has met the interim Associate Pastor, Loraine McNeal, who will begin work July 2. She will be here again this Thursday to meet with Ron. SPRC is screening applicants for the Children’s Ministry position and hopes to setup interviews later this month. SPRC is holding a forum after church next Sunday to get input from parents regarding the position.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Strategic Development Chair, Jim McKnight, reported on the history of the Strategic Plan implementation. Lea Hickman, member of the Strategic Plan steering committee, presented the newly developed roadmap (attached), whose purpose is to provide a visual description for executing the plan, with the intention to make it more action based. Jim reported the steering committee is in the process of introducing Strategic Plan groups to the roadmap and soliciting input, and will meet again soon.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT

Jim McKnight reported for Mark Miller, Board of Trustees Chair, that the responses to the congregational survey regarding serving alcohol on campus are still coming in and will be presented at the next Church Council meeting, after which a Town Hall type meeting may be held if it is decided to proceed with discussion of this item. Jim reported that the timing for sanctuary improvement work is uncertain because the details of financing are still being worked out with the donor.

RISK TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE UPDATE

Risk Taking Mission and Service Chair, Paul Kuelz, summarized Liz Bayat’s update(attached) on ourrefugee family which reports that they are getting settled and doing well. A second Afghan refugee family, neighbors and friends of ours,is now also being helped by our multi-church community.There are now 7 churches (soon to be 8) involved in helping these families. Paul reported Mission Sunday is scheduled for October 8. There will be one service followed by a playground equipment build and food packing for members to participate in. Additional service opportunities will be available during the week preceding Mission Sunday.

ARC

ARC Operations Chair, Jim Burk, reported that the dedication ceremony is scheduled for September 10, headed by Lyn Arscott. The construction itself is expected to be completed sometime this month. A certificate of occupancy then will be needed before any activities can be held in the ARC. He continues to work on getting operations in place.

OTHER BUSINESS

Peace and Justice Committee member,Laura Sanchez,announced that there is an affordable housing workshop May 24, 2017 from 10 – 12, at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek. She thanked everyone for participating in the Social Principles classes. Lively discussion continued even after each class officially ended. She thanked the ministers for discussing the principles during their sermon series and the discussion leaders. A series of Diffusing Hatred sessions will be held at the church, sponsored by the Interfaith Council. Ron suggested holding Sunday evening conversations as a way to listen to others non-confrontationally and sharpen our own views.

PASTORS’ MOMENTS

Pastor Ron Dunn reported that one of the more satisfying activities he has been involved in has been development of the recreational ministry. The committee has a curriculum now and hopes to implement it during the first scheduled camp, “Wolfpack Basketball, June 26-30.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 20, 2017at 7pm in the Fireside Room.

CLOSE AND ADJOURNMENT

Pastor Ron offered a closing prayer. Vice Chair Jim McKnight adjourned the meeting at 8:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Garnick

Church Council Secretary pro tem

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