All Souls Unitarian Church Council

November 28, 2007

Minutes

 

Present:

 

Babette Miller - Council Co-Chair, Dinner Discussion; Caroline Wendt - Partner Church Co-Chair; Elsa Sands- Membership Co-Chair, Caring, Housekeeping; Eric Wiesinger - Sunday Services Chair; Fern Page - Historical Records; Helen Dwyer - Secretary, Touchstone Co-Chair; Jenny Yumibe – Choir; Joan Basson - Grounds Co-Chair, Memorial Garden; John Mendonca - Fundraising Co-Chair; John Wendt - Community Outreach  Co-Chair; Kathryn Woods - Office Administrator; Kym Reeves - Social Hour Co-Chair; Linda Burns - Parents Day Out; Nancy Renner Clear - Director of Religious Education; Norma Cummings - Bookshop-, Fine Arts Décor, Member at Large; Penny Kyker - Backus Library Co-Chair; Bruce Clear – Minister; Sara Reed-Purvis - R.E. Co-Chair, Berentes-Tripp Fund; Victoria Rempel - Council Co-Chair ; Indra Frank, Jennifer Meinert - Green Church; John Murphy - President of the Board; Debbie Wolfe - Fine Arts Music; Jim Schrementi - Channing Club

 

The meeting was called to order. The Covenant was recited.

 

Kym Reeves noted she and her husband will use their power washer in the Memorial Gardens fountain when the weather is warmer, to clean away the grime.

 

John Mendonca moved the minutes of the October meeting be approved, Penny Kyker seconded, motion carried.

 

Indra Frank and Jennifer Meinert announced there is a Green Sanctuary Workshop, Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis that they will be attending. Dr. Frank asked that All Souls Council members audit their own homes for energy efficiency.  There was some discussion on making All Souls a Green Church .  For UUA to support this, the Board needs to approve a two year process.  The application for becoming a Green Church is online. (See attachment)

 

A reminder was given for groups and individuals using the Beattie Room, to be sure to clean up after you are done. Milton is not responsible for care of this task.

 

CHOIR

The Choir concert is to be December 16th during the church service, followed by the RE lunch and Craft time.

 

COMMUN ITY OUTREACH REPORT

Community Outreach with resume working with Habitat for Humanity in April.  It was noted the Atrium would be an ideal place for music students at local colleges, to perform as part of the requirements needed for classes.  The general cost is free, with donations accepted at the door.  This would be a positive program.  This would help publicize the church in the community, and be a possible area to increase the membership in the church.  Norma Cummings noted the Indianapolis Star has a calendar that is published every week of artistic and creative activities in the community, and that All Souls should take advantage of this.   Community Outreach will work with Fine Arts Music on this project.

 

A question was raised about the rental rate for the Atrium, the cost is $200 for non-members, and $50 for members.  Scheduling was also a concern as well as cost for the Performing Students.  John Mendonca moved the Council support the idea of offering the Atrium to college students for performances.   Linda Burns seconded, motion carried.

 

Virginia Defourneaux is putting the gourmet baskets toge3ther for Community Outreach to raffle off at the Christmas luncheon. Caroline Wendt is working on “The Underneath It All” campaign this winter. Habitat for Humanity may be going to New Orleans to coordinate with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in rebuilding homes.

 

HISTORICAL RECORDS – no report

 

FUNDRAISING (Stewardship)

 

Holiday Christmas Gift Cards are still coming in.

 

FLOWERS

Decorations for the church will be December 1 at 9 a.m.

 

PARENTS DAY OUT

Linda Burns is making quilted ornaments for the children in Parent’s Day Out Program.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Thirteen new members have joined the church since June, 2007.  Path to Membership Classes are scheduled for December 17th, and January 12th.  There is a Welcoming Ceremony scheduled for January 5th during the church service. 

 

The Helping Hands Survey has been given to new members.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The Christmas Luncheon and Craft time is scheduled for December 16th.

 

BACKUS LIBRARY

See attached report.

 

BOOKSHOP

The Bookshop has a wealth of books for giving as gifts at Christmas.

 

FINE ARTS DÉCOR

Fine Arts has not met since September.  The Custodial Account needs to be checked for balances, and they will be meeting to make a decision regarding the Fichus Trees behind the pulpit in the sanctuary.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE will be meeting in December to organize for next year.

 

WELCOMING CONGREGATION

A petition for the Welcoming Congregation was signed, and passed the first hurdle at the Congregational Meeting on November 25th.

 

MINISTER’S SABBATICAL

It was noted there is a grant through Lilly Endowment for Clergy Renewal.  The Congregation application and execution is due January 29th.  The grant is to be awarded May 5th.  Andrea Vermeulen is working on writing the grant.

 

BUDGET

The Budget is $12,000 short for the year, and $25,000 short of where we would be comfortable.  The Office Administrator noted that automatic deductions from personal checking accounts can be set up through the office.  This would alleviate the need for members to remember to pay their pledge.

 

SUNDAY SERVICES

Sunday Services has met once, and will be meeting again January 9th.

 

CHANNING CLUB

Channing Club is scheduled to see the Mosoryet Dance at Clowes Hall in January.

 

Jim Schrementi noted that he is willing to mentor anyone interested in getting groups together and up and running.  The Parents of Small Children group will be reactivated for those who are interested.

 

Partner Church

The Partner Church raised $90.00 from the sale of fall items.  The Jewelry Sale will be held in December.

 

PITCURE DIRECTORY

Mike Middleton is chair for the new directory.  Helen Dwyer will design the layout, and Kathryn Woods will submit the roster.  Please be sure to have your picture taken to be included in the directory.

 

TOUCHSTONE

Items are being solicited for the next Touchstone publication.  Deadline is January 31, 2008.

 

 

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Helen K. Dwyer,

Council Secretary