C H U R C H  C O U N C I L  M I N U T E S

Rockport United Methodist Church

March 24, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m. Present at the meeting were Tina, Debbie, Mark, Carole Heppner, Jan, Laurie, Mary Ann, Melissa, Michelle, and Kelly.

Claiming the Presence/Spiritual Exercise #23: Laurie opened the meeting and Tina led the opening prayer. Maryann led the spiritual exercise. Tina will lead the spiritual exercise for the April Church Council meeting.

Approval of February 2008 Minutes:  Minutes were approved.

Finance Committee Report:  Mark reported an income of $22,303.97 as of February 2008 and total expenses of $35,776.57 resulting in a loss of $13,472.60. Reasons for the shortage were pledges being short which is customary for this time of year due to the older parishioners leaving for warmer climates at this time of year as well as payroll had to distribute three payments to the employees instead of the normal two payments a month. Maintenance was also off a bit due to the increase in snow plowing needed. There was money to pay the bills from the carry over from 2007.

The audit of 2007 will be done by Jim and Diana on April 3. They will be responsible for signing off on everything and sending it onto the district office. All payment vouchers need to be turned into Penny before the audit for any reimbursement.

MINISTRY REPORTS

Worship:  Melissa reported five services this summer will include an open choir.

The piano will be removed from the chapel.

The next meeting of the worship ministry will be held on May 19, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.

Education:  Debbie reported that 146 mosquito nets had been purchased.

Outreach:  Mary Ann reported 13 volunteers had helped out at the March 2 community meal at Bethany United Church of Christ.

A total of $365.13 was donated to help the Harvest for Hunger campaign.

The Eliza Jennings Home is still requesting toiletry item donations.

The committee would like volunteers to help at the Cleveland Food Bank on April 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. as well as work at the next community meal to be held on April 27 from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Memorial Church. Instead of asking the congregation to make meat loaves, they are being requested to bake cupcakes.

Outreach will plan to meet and schedule upcoming summer activities. The Legacy picnic is currently scheduled for June 21.

Membership:  Laurie reported that the pictorial directory is now at Olan Mills. Olan Mills will be providing church brochures which was included in the deal.

The random acts of kindness group needs to be started again. Information will be sent out in early May.

There was a concern raised about not having enough parking spaces available during the Easter Sunday services.

An advertisement about Rockport Church was placed in a newspaper inviting people to attend the Easter services.

Pastor’s Report:  Debbie reported the spring district conference will be held on April 6.

Thanks was given to all who participated in helping put together the Maundy Thursday service.

The family will be away starting Wednesday through Friday of this week.

Sara, the church secretary, is currently on vacation this week.

UMW:  Debbie reported those who signed up to go on the Laura’s Home tour must arrive by 9:30 a.m. Car pooling will be available.

There will be no meeting on Tuesday, March 25.

The district meeting will be held on May 3 at 9 a.m. Pastor Dan will be the speaker presenting “Put Down Your Duckies”.

Review of Church Calendar: The United Methodist District meeting will be held on May 6, at 9 a.m.

Church Council will not be meeting on Monday, May 26.

Identification of Items to be Publicized: Vacation bible school needs to be publicized in May as well as the flower sale.

Identification of Upcoming Fund Raising Projects/Ideas:  Mark discussed the current projects of Manna certificates, the flower sale and the rummage sale, and the entertainment books which will be available August through November. The youth will be selling shares of stock.

Volunteers were encouraged to sign up and work at the Progressive Field concession stands as a new fund raiser.

An idea was raised about possibly creating a church cookbook as a fund raiser.

Other:  Debby asked for a volunteer adult baby sitter attendant and a youth attendant to work during vacation bible school. Also needed is an extra adult to help lead the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade class along with Jeff. 

Tina reported that on April 6 at 12:15 p.m., there will be a meeting to take a closer look at how you can make a difference in the world by putting your passions to use. A light lunch of soup and crackers will be provided.

Closing Prayer:  Tina led the closing prayer. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Kelly M.

Recording Secretary