Diaconate Meeting Minutes                                                                  December 10, 2008

Attending: Barbara Stevens, Jan Llewellyn, Barbara King, Nancy Sandberg, David Wilbur, Carol Beckloff, Sandy Laliberte, Jan Cliggott, Syd Bare.  Rev. Terry and our church committee liaison Hid Welch attended the first half of our meeting.

Barb read a devotional reading to open the meeting.

Minutes: Mistake in last month’s minutes noted, motion to accept minutes with correction by Carol, seconded by Jan C., approved.

Treasurer: Total expenses unchanged from last month, $377.08. Petty cash same as last month too, $66.51.

BarbaraS, asked committee for consensus on putting away the name tags.  Committee agreed should be done by the Deacon of the Day after coffee hour instead of leaving for the following Sunday.

Old Business:  Rev. Terry asked for feedback on Pilgrim Sunday.  All feedback to the deaconate has been favorable, well received by everyone.  Rev. Terry said that it should not be done every year but he may consider it again for next year b/c it was so popular.

Jan L commented that the food donations on the harvest table were very generous.  She said the Salvation Army was overwhelmed and very thankful for the donations.

Committee expressed interest in doing another event for contributing to others, possibly a ‘shoebox’ Sunday.   Toys for Tots went very well, contributing over $1500 of toys to A Baby Center, but objections were raised about specifying a dollar range for contributions. We prefer to let each person contribute as they may.

Rev.Terry asked about the advent candle lighting at the beginning of the service, this is different tradition for us but no one on diaconate has heard any objections raised about doing this differently.

Rev. Terry reviewed the Lessons and Carols service coming up Dec 14. The offering will be taken at the very beginning so the format can flow uninterrupted.  The congregation will be asked to stay until after the postlude is finished.  The service is based on a traditional service held each Christmas Eve in the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England.

Rev. Terry has received invitation from our Main Street neighbor, the owner of  the new restaurant Tommy Doyle’s.  The owner has asked the entire congregation to stop by for brunch after worship on Sunday Dec 28.

 We discussed baptism policy briefly with Rev. Terry before he and Hid left for the Church Comm. meeting.

The diaconate discussed Tiny Tot’s coverage.  It seems to be understaffed, but possibly the baby sitter is not waiting long enough for visitors to arrive, especially on a baptism Sunday.  We all agreed that the Deacon of the Day needs to communicate with Sunday School program.  Jan will speak to Patty about our perceptions.

New Business: 

Dave asked the committee to read the newsletters with an eye to considering that the contents are posted on our website.  His concern is that some of the information in the newsletter that we mail out should not be included when posted on the internet.

JanL asked committee if anyone had received feedback on the Christmas Eve service, scheduled early for more family participation at 5PM.  There were some mixed comments, but overall very little feedback.

 The Deacon of the Day schedule for December:

12/7     Sandy Laliberte

12/14  Barbara Stevens

            12/21  Barbara King

            Christmas Eve: Syd Bare, greeters: Barbara Stevens

                                                            Ushers: Syd’s grandchildren

            12/28  Carol Beckloff

            1/4       Jan Llewellyn, greeters: Dave Wilbur and Jan Cliggott

Ushers: Syd Bare, Nancy Sandberg, Barbara King, Linda Baker

JanL read closing meditation.

Our next meeting will be January 7, 2009!

Carol Beckloff will close the next meeting.

Respectfully submitted,  David Wilbur