Diaconate Meeting Minutes                                                                        October 3, 2008

Attending: Barbara Stevens, Jan Llewellyn, Carol Beckloff, Jan Cliggott, Sandy Laliberte, Linda Baker, Bill Carr, Nancy Sandberg, David Wilbur, Barbara King, and Syd Bare.  Rev. Terry also attended.

Linda opened meeting with devotional reading.

Jan and Rev. Terry reviewed plans for a Pilgrim Service on 3^rd Sunday of November, 11/23.  Everyone is welcome to come dressed in period attire.  If possible, we may use a drum for call to worship instead of the bell that day, in keeping with the period.  Also, men and women sat on opposite sides of the church then, so we might prepare the congregation to do that also.

Minutes: Motion to accept minutes as recorded, seconded and approved.

Treasury Report: no change, same as last month, balance = $377.08.

Old business:  Dave to send note to House committee regards updating First Aid kits, several have been found deficient.

Rev. Terry spoke in favor of continuing our Passing of the Peace wandering greetings.  Surprisingly, many in the congregation have joined the Diaconate in moving among the pews to share the peace, and sometimes we take longer than expected to get back to our seats.

Doings of The Diaconate: Jan will address clapping in a future article, to remind everyone that applause after music or singing during the worship service is not necessary, and actually is offensive to some.

Linda suggested that we invite soloists to Baldwin Hall after the service.  We all agreed this was welcoming and an opportunity for people to express their appreciation instead of by clapping.

Dave will write up steps to create natural ventilation during the hot months of summer. Air can be moving through the sanctuary without fans to keep room cooler all week long.

Jan mentioned that there is nothing in our budget to pay for an additional part time sexton for weekends, but we have asked House Committee to hire someone, and they have asked for job description for such a position.  Jan and Dave will create a list of duties for House committee to consider.  We need someone to assist Diaconate w/building security and cleanup, excluding normal Diaconate duties we have been traditionally responsible for.

Pastor Parish Committee identified to Jan Llewellyn names of some in our congregation that have training in medical fields. Jan and Dave to formulate a letter w/ Rev. Terry’s approval to ask them be available to oversee a medical emergency if ever necessary during a Sunday service when they attend.

 More discussion regards the choir practicing beyond 9:30am on Sunday mornings, with the doors to the sanctuary closed. Our consensus is that people may be seated when they are in church, not asked to wait in the narthex until the choir is finished warming up. This needs to be communicated to the music dept, Kristi, and the choir members.

New Business:  Jan asked committee to consider motion to increase out budget from 700 to 3200, an additional amount sufficient for a weekend Sexton position. Budget increase would be hourly rate x weekend hours, no overtime.  Motion made by Carol, 2^nd by Nancy. All approved.

Committee assignments made for October Deacon of the Day.  Schedule for October is as follows:

5:   Sandy Laliberte

12: Linda Baker

19: Nancy Sandberg

26: Jan Cliggott

11/2: Barbara Stevens will Deacon of Day for Communion Sunday in November.
Greeters:  Jan Cliggott, Nancy Sandberg
Ushers:     Carol Beckloff
                             Jan Llewellyn
                             Sid Bare
                             Dave Wilbur

Our next meeting is Nov 5. 

Opening devotion will be from Barbara Stevens, and closing prayer from Barbara King. Motion to adjourn, seconded, approved.

Respectfully submitted, David Wilbur