February 2021 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

Council met on Wednesday, January 6. Council was called to order by President Gary Apgar. Minutes of the December 2nd regular council meeting was approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: The year ended with a surplus of $45,516.76. There was one change: The $605 income for Sunday School should be moved to Special Envelopes. The treasurer’s report was approved with the one correction.

President’s Report: I think we can all agree that 2020 was a very trying, sometime troubling year! But through it all with God’ Grace and Blessings we persevered! We learned that even during a pandemic that life goes on. I am sure we are looking forward to a new beginning in 2021!

Pastor’s Report: One rather wonderful thing that happened in December was recruiting one of our Wednesday Sunday School kids, Kyle Fritzinger, to read a lesson on Sunday morning. We had a Zoom practice together and he did a wonderful job reading and was very pleased to do it! I’d like to discuss using some of the other kids like this in worship moving forward.

- I have not yet heard if we received all, or part of, the SEPA Synod the “Forward Together in Faith” grant which I submitted last month for $2,084 to purchase a video camera and lighting for the sanctuary and funds to train more people to use it (funds are slated to be disbursed by the end of January 2021).
- Sadly, Virginia Wilson passed away on January 2, 2021. (She was 98 years old.) Arrangements have been deferred.
- I continue to remain exceedingly cautious about participation in ‘in person’ worship at the building with the recent surge of Corona virus cases across Pennsylvania.

Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:

• Wednesday “Sunday” school resumed on Jan 6th for kids and has been going longer than the half hour.
  
• And Adult Forum meets on Sunday at 9am and will start again on Sunday, Jan 10th.

Evangelism:

• There was no meeting in December but there is still $1600 available to spend. Gary will get with Doug to review this.

Fundraising:

• The AmazonSmile link is https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23- 1675520. Remember to buy your GIANT gift cards.

Property:

• See new business below.

Shepherding:

• Christmas cards were sent out and they performed visitations to many homebound members. Will be meeting with the team to determine the next plans.

Social Ministry:

• We can still donate to: Manna on Main Street or Keystone Opportunity Center.

Stewardship:

• There is a video on e-giving that Jack will work with Lauren to put a link to this on our website. Will also discuss e-giving at the annual meeting.

Transportation:

• Dale Foster continues to drop off Wawa food Tuesday and Thursdays to people in our congregation and in the community!

Worship & Music:

• The Christmas Eve Zoom service went well even though we had to cancel the 6:30 in-person worship due to bad weather. We will be continuing with both Zoom and limited in-person worship

Hospitality and Fellowship:

• Council approval is needed to hold any event. OLD BUSINESS

Property –

• Nothing new on the purchase of a new sign.

NEW BUSINESS
New Furnaces Quotes

• The property team received three quotes for work to our heating and air conditioning system. Adam Feldman will put together a proposal to give the options including the costs and financials at the annual meeting. Council requested that the property team get some references and financing details.

2021 Annual Congregational meeting planning

• Send an email to the congregation with the slate of new council candidates and ask for any nominations from the floor ahead of the annual meeting so can prepare if a vote is needed.
• The meeting will start at 12 pm on Sunday,1/24/2021 on Zoom
• Will need to take attendance at the beginning of the meeting for both zoom (especially if there are multiple members in a household) and at the church to confirm we have a quorum.
• Include an update from the Call Committee.

• Pastor Mary received the comments on our revised constitution from the Synod that will need to be review.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 7pm with the new 2021 Council.