Council Notes October 2, 2024
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the September meeting were approved as written. The Treasurer’s Report from September was approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 75% of the 2024-year, Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 82% and 89%. Our current budget deficit for the year is $15, 669. The Treasurer’s Report from September was approved as written.
President’s Report: Organized and ran the congregational meeting on September 8 to vote on replacing the remaining furnaces. Working on selling half of the Merck Stock to fund it. Rich is still working on the draft Constitution. He also attended our new Bishop Penman’s installation on September 14.
Pastor’s Report: We have four students receiving First Communion in October: three on World Communion Sunday and one on Reformation Sunday. We will be restarting the Faith Education Dinner on October 13, 2024. Our focus this year will be the books of the Bible. The Nourishing Vocation Project had its first cohort meeting on September 17, 2024. It was mostly an overview session for the pastors. Lay leaders will be able to attend future meetings. Next meeting will be in October. The date is to be determined. In conversation with the president of Feast Incarnate about hosting/sponsoring a meal at University Lutheran Church Philadelphia. Potential fellowship with Jerusalem: Jerusalem would like to invite us to participate in their live nativity.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our Monday Night Small Group is studying the book, “The Pew Sisters” by Katie Schuermann. There are 12 sessions. Each one is a story into itself of God’s faithfulness. We are in Session 3 and are deepening our faith with each woman’s story. We welcome anyone to join us on Mondays if this sounds of interest to you and, if not, we highly recommend the book for your own personal study.
Sunday School: Six of our children completed the three-week study on Holy Communion (proposed by Pastor Ethan). Three of the children, Caleb Pagano, Dominic Himes, and Wesley Walls will receive their First Holy Communion on World Communion Sunday (October 6). A date will be planned soon for Ellie Prunkel. Vivian Prunkel has already received her first communion and Clay will be ready in a few more years, since he is only four. There will be no Sunday School on October 6. Sunday School will start Whirl Bible Lectionary series on October 13 through May 2025
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF): Our next two events will be scheduled on October 25 and November 22.
Young Adult Group (ages 12 to 17) – We had a wonderful turnout for mini-golf and ice cream at Freddy Hills Farm, Sunday, September 29; and praise the Lord that He spared us from the rain! There were 16 total (8 youth and 8 adults). Cadence won a free round of mini golf card for having the lowest score of our youth. The next meeting will be held at our church on Sunday, October 20, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Communications: Pastor to do Facebook advertising for the Holiday Bazaar.
Finance: Annual Financial Review (Audit) completed. Commitment Sunday is on October 6th and the Finance Team will work on the 2025 budget over the next few weeks.
Hospitality: October 6 will be the Hoagie sale and Oktoberfest celebration. We also discussed going back to the coffee hour/coffee lite schedule starting in 2025.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project with the kick-off in Advent.
Mutual Ministry: Team needs to meet with the staff in September.
Property Team: New door for Sunday School hallway fire – see Special Funds. The new door has been installed and approved by the fire marshal. New furnaces (see Old Business.) A Fall workday will not be scheduled. A new member has volunteered to use his contracting services if needed.
Shepherding: Sharon needs to talk to Beth Schoening about her taking over this ministry.
Social Ministry: September – $542 was raised for 141 Impact. The congregation donated $271, and the Hood Family matched with a check for $271. October – Donations of boxed stuffing mixes and scalloped potatoes will be collected and donated to ECC (Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church) Food Cupboard in Hatfield in time for their Thanksgiving Baskets and other Holiday shopping.
Special Funds: Approval was received by the team to fund the fire door in the upstairs hallway from the Mayer Bequest Memorial.
Stewardship: From September 15 up until pledge Sunday on October 6, 2024, we will be doing a stewardship campaign, which Pastor has entitled “Together We Are”. This campaign will focus on what it means to be a part of the body of Christ and how this calls us to use our time, talents, and treasures. The campaign will end on Pledge Sunday, which is also World Communion Sunday. This will be the theme of Pledge Sunday.
Worship & Music: Short term music plans for worship in place while still looking for a new music director. Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at 7pm at the church. CVLI license may not be renewed (savings of $400.)
OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update: still working on addressing/incorporating council feedback. Nourishing Vocation Project: plan to start integrating into worship during Advent. 2024 Holiday Bazaar proposal: Bazaar is Friday, November 8, 4-8pm and Saturday, November 9, 10am-2pm. A meeting was held September 15 to finalize details. Linda Kratz is getting a Thrivent card for food purchases, Missy is updating the signage, Basket donations are due October 20, so far there are 4 vendors, gathering gift certificates from area businesses for the raffles.
HVAC replacement proposal: approved by the congregation at the September 8 meeting. Contract signed with IT Landes. Working on selling half of the Merck Stock.
NEW BUSINESS World Prayer Day will be on Saturday, March 1, from 5-6pm (Gather 25 app.) Need to recruit for new council positions (Gary and Linda are ending their 3-year term, Missy is concluding her 6th year and cannot run again for a year, so we’ll need 4-6 volunteers. Dale Foster volunteered to lead the nominating team for 2025 along with Gail Achilles and Anne Hutnyk.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the September meeting were approved as written. The Treasurer’s Report from September was approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report: At 75% of the 2024-year, Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 82% and 89%. Our current budget deficit for the year is $15, 669. The Treasurer’s Report from September was approved as written.
President’s Report: Organized and ran the congregational meeting on September 8 to vote on replacing the remaining furnaces. Working on selling half of the Merck Stock to fund it. Rich is still working on the draft Constitution. He also attended our new Bishop Penman’s installation on September 14.
Pastor’s Report: We have four students receiving First Communion in October: three on World Communion Sunday and one on Reformation Sunday. We will be restarting the Faith Education Dinner on October 13, 2024. Our focus this year will be the books of the Bible. The Nourishing Vocation Project had its first cohort meeting on September 17, 2024. It was mostly an overview session for the pastors. Lay leaders will be able to attend future meetings. Next meeting will be in October. The date is to be determined. In conversation with the president of Feast Incarnate about hosting/sponsoring a meal at University Lutheran Church Philadelphia. Potential fellowship with Jerusalem: Jerusalem would like to invite us to participate in their live nativity.
Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our Monday Night Small Group is studying the book, “The Pew Sisters” by Katie Schuermann. There are 12 sessions. Each one is a story into itself of God’s faithfulness. We are in Session 3 and are deepening our faith with each woman’s story. We welcome anyone to join us on Mondays if this sounds of interest to you and, if not, we highly recommend the book for your own personal study.
Sunday School: Six of our children completed the three-week study on Holy Communion (proposed by Pastor Ethan). Three of the children, Caleb Pagano, Dominic Himes, and Wesley Walls will receive their First Holy Communion on World Communion Sunday (October 6). A date will be planned soon for Ellie Prunkel. Vivian Prunkel has already received her first communion and Clay will be ready in a few more years, since he is only four. There will be no Sunday School on October 6. Sunday School will start Whirl Bible Lectionary series on October 13 through May 2025
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF): Our next two events will be scheduled on October 25 and November 22.
Young Adult Group (ages 12 to 17) – We had a wonderful turnout for mini-golf and ice cream at Freddy Hills Farm, Sunday, September 29; and praise the Lord that He spared us from the rain! There were 16 total (8 youth and 8 adults). Cadence won a free round of mini golf card for having the lowest score of our youth. The next meeting will be held at our church on Sunday, October 20, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Communications: Pastor to do Facebook advertising for the Holiday Bazaar.
Finance: Annual Financial Review (Audit) completed. Commitment Sunday is on October 6th and the Finance Team will work on the 2025 budget over the next few weeks.
Hospitality: October 6 will be the Hoagie sale and Oktoberfest celebration. We also discussed going back to the coffee hour/coffee lite schedule starting in 2025.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project with the kick-off in Advent.
Mutual Ministry: Team needs to meet with the staff in September.
Property Team: New door for Sunday School hallway fire – see Special Funds. The new door has been installed and approved by the fire marshal. New furnaces (see Old Business.) A Fall workday will not be scheduled. A new member has volunteered to use his contracting services if needed.
Shepherding: Sharon needs to talk to Beth Schoening about her taking over this ministry.
Social Ministry: September – $542 was raised for 141 Impact. The congregation donated $271, and the Hood Family matched with a check for $271. October – Donations of boxed stuffing mixes and scalloped potatoes will be collected and donated to ECC (Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church) Food Cupboard in Hatfield in time for their Thanksgiving Baskets and other Holiday shopping.
Special Funds: Approval was received by the team to fund the fire door in the upstairs hallway from the Mayer Bequest Memorial.
Stewardship: From September 15 up until pledge Sunday on October 6, 2024, we will be doing a stewardship campaign, which Pastor has entitled “Together We Are”. This campaign will focus on what it means to be a part of the body of Christ and how this calls us to use our time, talents, and treasures. The campaign will end on Pledge Sunday, which is also World Communion Sunday. This will be the theme of Pledge Sunday.
Worship & Music: Short term music plans for worship in place while still looking for a new music director. Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at 7pm at the church. CVLI license may not be renewed (savings of $400.)
OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update: still working on addressing/incorporating council feedback. Nourishing Vocation Project: plan to start integrating into worship during Advent. 2024 Holiday Bazaar proposal: Bazaar is Friday, November 8, 4-8pm and Saturday, November 9, 10am-2pm. A meeting was held September 15 to finalize details. Linda Kratz is getting a Thrivent card for food purchases, Missy is updating the signage, Basket donations are due October 20, so far there are 4 vendors, gathering gift certificates from area businesses for the raffles.
HVAC replacement proposal: approved by the congregation at the September 8 meeting. Contract signed with IT Landes. Working on selling half of the Merck Stock.
NEW BUSINESS World Prayer Day will be on Saturday, March 1, from 5-6pm (Gather 25 app.) Need to recruit for new council positions (Gary and Linda are ending their 3-year term, Missy is concluding her 6th year and cannot run again for a year, so we’ll need 4-6 volunteers. Dale Foster volunteered to lead the nominating team for 2025 along with Gail Achilles and Anne Hutnyk.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
