Consistory Minutes:  December 21, 2009

Opening Devotions:  Led by Anthony Bushey

Office Manager’s Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Ed Diveley and seconded by Donna Miller to accept the November 23, 2009, minutes as written.

Consistory Secretary’s Report

Nothing new was reported.

November, 2009, Attendance

Treasurer’s Report

Balance in:

            Checking                      $18,111.91

            Savings                         $32,774.73

            Improvement Fund        $10,839.20

            Memorial Fund              $  5,837.18

Everyone is reminded that even though there was no church due to weather conditions on December 13 and December 20 that expenses continue as usual. 

A motion was made by Dave Wenk and seconded by Jeff Morton that if all expenses are paid after Sunday, December 27, 2009, to transfer $4,000 from the general fund to the improvement fund.  The motion passed.

Annual giving statements were then discussed.  All members should get a statement whether or not envelope status or have a zero contribution status for 2009.  The giving list will be checked against the communion list; the inactive list will then be updated.

An agenda item for the Membership Committee next year is communion card completion.  Time should be taken to consider if and why a communion record should be kept.

There were no additions or corrections to the Treasurer’s Report.  Ed Diveley moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report; Dave Wenk seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  The report is, therefore, being filed for audit.

(See Treasurer’s Report as of November 30, 2009.)

(See Consolidated Fund Activity Report for December 2009.)

Pastor’s Activity

To contact WGET/WGTY regarding a service cancellation, a code is on file in the office.

A service cancellation code was requested from WGAL TV.   The processing time is 2 – 3 weeks.

(See Pastoral Report:  Rev. Kim Blocher, November 2009; Submitted on December 21, 2009.)

Finance Report

Congregational giving improved significantly from the beginning of August to the end of November.  November giving was actually the best since September 2007. 

A reminder was again given that even though two Sunday services were cancelled the expenses are still ongoing.

(See 2010 Zion Budget, 12/21/2009.)

Stewardship Report

Due to church cancellation on December 20, Christmas Fund contributions will be received on Sunday, December 27.

Membership Report

At the beginning of the college year, the care package balance was $98.15.  Funds were solicited on November 29 ($95) bringing the balance to $193.15.  December care package expense totaled $104.66, leaving an ending balance of $88.49.

(See Membership Committee, December 2009, Care Packages.)

Mission Report

Money received from the Christmas wreath/swag sale was sent to the Hoffman Home Therapeutic Program.

 Property Committee Report

The door at Zion House leading to the parlor room was fixed so that it now latches when closed.

Air conditioner filters need replaced yearly.  Servicing of the unit seems to be sufficient every three years.  A service person said that yearly servicing is not necessary. 

Air conditioner covers should be removed by the middle of April or the first hot day.

The church refrigerator had a fan replacement at a cost of $97.  The freezing unit was satisfactory.

To prevent a slippery surface on the painted concrete steps at the rear of Zion House, sand could be added to wet paint.  This seems to work better than grit pads due to their coming lose.

Christian Education Report

Because of a cancelled service, the Christmas pageant has been rescheduled from December 20 until December 27.

Fellowship Report

An Advent brunch was held on December 6, 2009.

A Christmas social will be held on December 27 (rescheduled from December 20).

Consistory and staff are reminded about the dinner on January 9.  Please give your menu selection to Donna Miller.

Personnel Report

A motion was made to accept an Addendum to Call and Covenant concerning Rev. Dr. Kim Blocher’s contract.  Pastor Kim declined a pay raise for the 2010 year.  The addendum will be filed officially with the auditors.

A motion was made by Donna Miller and seconded by Fred Martin to accept the Money Counting Job Description/Instructions.  Motion passed.

(See Addendum to Call form and Covenant, Zion United Church of Christ/Rev. Dr. Kim Blocher, December 10, 2009 issue date.)

Worship Committee Report

Nothing new was reported.

Ministry Reports

Ed Diveley moved to accept the ministry reports as presented; Wayne Bushey seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

Committee Realignment.  “Traveling Prayer Team” was deleted under “Outreach” and “Congregational Needs” as shown on the November 23, 2009, version in last month’s minutes.  A Traveling Prayer Team does not exist.  CEST (Christian Ed Steering Team) will be added under the “Congregational Needs” column.  A motion was made by Donna Miller and seconded by Ed Diveley to accept the committee realignment as shown below.  Motion passed.  The realignment as shown will be implemented for the year 2010. 

(See Zion United Church of Christ, Ministry Committees, December, 2009.)

NEW BUSINESS

The head usher for January 2010 is Wayne Bushey.

At the November 2009 annual meeting, a mention was made of a task force regarding the second floor use of Zion House.  Nothing now will be done about a task force.  The input of the three new consistory people will be sought.  Also input from the Christian Ed Steering Team is desired regarding Sunday School room arrangement/location/and room size.  Consistory should think about the use of the second floor of Zion house, the big Sunday School room, and the Zion House parlor.

Informational

The consistory retreat will begin at 8 a.m. and end no later than 12 noon on January 9, 2010.  A look will be taken at different ministries.  Procedure will be explained to new members.  A tour will be taken to see what may need changed. 

New consistory members will assist in serving communion on January 10, 2010.  Installation of consistory will take place during the same service.

Adjournment

Ed Diveley moved to adjourn the meeting; Donna Miller seconded that motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.    The next consistory meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.