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Riverside United Church
Council Meeting September 17, 2014
Seven thirty p.m. September seventeenth, two thousand and fourteen
Friendship Room, Riverside United Church
Present:
Marilyn Arthur, Linda Britton (Worship), Pam Cottingham, Bob Estey,
Stella Finkbeiner, Gordon Geiger, Julie Gray, Roland Haines, Kim MacGowan,
Ann McEwan-Castellan, Philip Newman, Susan O'Hara, David Sawyer, Don Sutherland
Guests: Kathy Haines, Sharanne MacDonald, Connie Zolotar
A quorum was present.
1.0
Welcome and Devotions:
1. Susan O'Hara welcomed members to the meeting.
2. Rev. Phil led devotions focusing on bricks from the CD building that were
placed on the coffee table. He asked those present to look at the bricks, focus on
the vision of the 1950's they represent and reflect on where we are going - what
vision drives you, your committee, our church. Marilyn followed the discussion
with prayer.
2.0
Regrets
Mark Hunter
3.0
Agenda:
Motion 1: Moved/seconded: that Kathy Haines, Sharanne MacDonald and
Connie Zolotar be made corresponding members for the meeting.
Carried
Motion 2: Moved/seconded: that the agenda be adopted as circulated. Carried
4.0
Minutes of the June 18, 2014
Motion 3: Moved/seconded: that the minutes of the June 18, 2014 meeting
be accepted as circulated.
Carried
5.0
Updates
5.1 Expansion: Sharanne McDonald
1. Finances and building are on target.
2. A reminder will be sent regarding commitments.
3. Information on the project and opportunities for participation will be provided
to newcomers.
3. A Fundraising Committee will be established - submit possible members.
Motion 4: Moved/seconded: that Greg Schneider be given the authority to speak
on Riverside's behalf when Darren Gunn is not present.
Carried
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5.2 Affirming Committee
The documentary "For the Bible tells me so" will be shown in 2 parts - September
21 and 28 at 9:30 a.m. and in its entirety on Monday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m.
5.3 Solar Panels:
The solar panels have been removed by Rumble Energy.
Motion 5: Moved/seconded: that Riverside not pursue the collection of revenue
owing for the solar panels from Rumble Energy.
Carried
6.0
Correspondence
There was no correspondence
7.0
Focus Items
7.1 TLC: Connie Zolotar
As a member of the Membership Committee I am asking for support of Council
for the Membership Committee to pursue some community development
initiatives.
The 2013 JNAC recommended hiring a person for pastoral care and community
development with a focus on seniors. In spite of the JNAC being tabled, this
committee feels it is essential to connect our church and community. We hope to
develop into a strong support team for the person we will hopefully hire
eventually.
The Membership Committee has an established visiting plan; now we would
like to expand the community development piece.
Currently we offer Ageless Grace - an exercise program once a week. At its first
session on Monday, September 15, there were 24 present.
There are provincial and federal grants for senior programming. Ideally we
would have a team to brainstorm and develop a detained community development
plan and then we could apply for funding. We are looking for interested
participants to help move this forward.
Motion 6: Moved/seconded: Council approves efforts to pursue Community
Development opportunities.
Carried
7.2: Young Adult Membership
Council discussed ways of involving Young Adults in the worship and life of
Riverside.
.
8.0 Ministerial Reports
8.1 Youth Minister: Marilyn Arthur
1. Linda is back again with excellent programmes for our church school.
This year we are adding a JK/SK class.
2. The annual Fun Fair will be held Sunday, September 21.
3. This year a great SALT team provided excellent leadership in 12 camps.
4. The youth held their annual retreat at Camp Kee Mo Kee.
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5. The Go Project was highly successful. Among other things, participants were
involved with the London Food Bank, Limberlost and the Community Gardens.
8.2 Minister Report: Rev. Phil
1. Considerable patience is being shown as the congregation deals with the many
changes necessary.
2. The chairs and the new seating arrangements are providing multiple
opportunities for people to engage others.
7.3 Minister Emeritus: Gordon Geiger
Gordon enjoys being part of the Riverside family.
9.0 Committee Reports
9.1 Youth Report:
No Report
9.2 Trustees:
The lease for 665 Riverside Drive has been renewed.
9.3 Christian Development:
No Report
9.4 Exploring Possibilities: Julie Gray
1. Rack cards have been created to provide a quick overview of RUC and to give
contact information. The new address will be added in the next publication.
2. The second presentation in the Speaker Series happens on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at
7:00pm. Topic is Cyber Security.
3. Audio sermons on website are up to date.
.
8.5 Finance and Stewardship: Ann McEwan-Castellan
Dollars and Sense
Below is the latest condensed operating statement for Riverside United Church
through August 2014. We present this statement to keep you connected to the
financial condition of our church.
Through August 2014
2014
Fav(Unfa
Actual
Budget
v)
Operating
$262,083 $262,009 $
74
Income
Expenses
$251,326 $260,600 $ 9,274
Surplus/(Deficit) $ 10,757 $
1,409 $ 9,348
Operating Revenue is currently on track to budgeted operating revenue. Expenses
are under budget mainly due to Worship, Outreach expenses less than budget.
Also timing of some expenses may have contributed to the favourable variance as
the summer months generally have reduced costs.
Robert Prangley completes his 5 year term as treasurer at the end of this year. We
are in need of a treasurer to review our monthly/yearly statements and oversee the
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financials of the Church. Rob will stay on till the end of the year during the
transition period.
The current Our Parish Family (OPF) operating system used in the Church Office
to record parishioner givings will no longer be used/supported after March 2015.
A new program Diocesan Data Management System (DDMS) will replace OPF.
Members of the church office and some finance members will be attending an
overview of DDMS. A date to demo the new system has not been announced yet.
Committee Chairs will be receiving a current statement of their committee’s year
to date expense vs year to date budget and the remaining budget they have to the
end of the year. Please watch your expenses carefully. There is flexibility between
expenditure types to fit the committee’s needs as required, however the total
committee spend can not exceed total committee budget. In preparation for our
2015 budget, committee budgets will be tightly monitored as the mortgage for the
new expansion will start in 2015.
A reminder to all those that pledged to reNEW riverside that their pledges are due
unless otherwise stated on their pledge form. Individuals will be contacted to
remind them that their pledge is due. It is very important the pledges are received
on a timely basis to meet the cash flow of the project.
Financial Update on reNEW
.
9.6 Membership: Roland Haines
1. This Sunday the newsletter will be asking for submissions. Deadline is
October 10.
2. Committee chairs are asked to consider submissions for the newsletter.
9.7 Ministry and Personnel: David Sawyer
1. A student was hired as custodian for the summer months.
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2. Custodial work is now being done through a service agency - 3 nights a week,
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for 3 hours a day. There is a need for an
additional 1 to 2 hours per day.
3. Diana Rueda has been hired as Nursery Coordinator.
4. Congratulations to Jan Barnwell Shamrock on reaching the wonderful
milestone of 10 years of service to Riverside as our Administrative Assistant.
9.8 Outreach and Social Action: Brigitte Davidson
1. Carol Atkinson, together with Marilyn and the youth have been preparing
a meal for some of the Limberlost children one night each month for the past year
as part of the Limberlost Community’s after school program. Carol has suggested
that the Outreach Committee be responsible for preparing a second meal during
the month for approximately 12 children and 3 adults. The meal is to be served at
5:30 and the food will be prepared at church and taken to the Community venue.
Carol will report back at our next meeting as to the exact dates and more details.
The Committee agreed that it will take on this project.
2. Mission Sunday this year will be on October 19th, 2014. We have arranged
for The Rev. Michael Blair to be our speaker. Rev. Michael Blair is the Executive
Minister of the Intercultural & Diverse Communities in Ministry Unit in The
United Church of Canada. Rev. Blair will speak at both the 8:44 and 10:30
services. Rev. Blair’s topic will be about diversity of all types and what an
affirming church is. Lunch will be served after worship. Immediately after lunch,
Rev. Blair will conduct a workshop entitled: “Breaking Barriers and Becoming
Welcoming”.
3. During the summer, Connie Zolotar spoke to the GO Team participants about
Riverside’s Project Welcome. The youth, with Connie’s guidance, filled 7 pails
for delivery to new residents at the Limberlost Community.
4. Brigitte Sharpe reported to the Committee that our new refugees are settling in
well and both adults are enrolled in English classes.
9.9 Presbytery: Don Sutherland
No Report
9.10 Property: Mark Hunter
No Report
9.11 UCW: Stella Finkbeiner
1 UCW will be making turkey pies in January. There won’t be as many pies
made as in the past so that all ingredients can be prepared in the church kitchen.
2. We will be making full size spy apple pies for sale later in the fall. We are
also looking for other small fund raising ideas.
3. The Library will be maintained during construction. No new items will be
added.
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4. The annual UCW Christmas lunch will be held at Mt. Zion United Church this
year to make it easier for the caterer and setting up due to the construction.
9.12 8:44 Worship: Kim MacGowan
The 8:44 Service celebrates its 3rd anniversary, an amazing service. May thanks
to David Exley and Rev. Phil.
9:13 10:30 Service: John Mitchell
No Report
10.00
Other Business
There was no other business.
11.00
Benediction