Diaconate Meeting Minutes                                                                            May 6, 2009

 

Attendance: Bob Macallister, Sara Baker, Carl Meade, Cindy Nickerson, Gail Munro, Barbara King, Bill Carr, Dave Wilbur, Syd Bare, and Jan Llewelyn.  Rev. Terry and  Bruce Sandberg attended too.

Bob opened the meeting with prayer.

Rev. Terry began by asking for discussion on the Maundy Thursday service.  

o        Having the communion table just in front of the alter worked well.

o        We discussed having practice walk-through on Palm Sunday next year, following the service, so we aren’t rushed. 

o        Attendance was low; we should consider speaking about Holy Week schedule 30 days ahead and offering rides to people unable to drive at night.

o        Consider holding the service earlier in the evening.

Good Friday discussion:

o   Attendance was low; Noon service has been traditional for us.  Ash Wednesday service at noon was well attended.

o   We used to have 2 services, Noon and 7pm, w/ less singing at the traditional Noon service.

Motion by Carl to have Good Friday service at Noon next year. Bob 2ndd, approved unanimously.

Bob spoke on the Sunrise Service;  This has traditionally been led by our church. Curiously, approx 75% attending are from other churches.  The Trimble family from Centerville have been loyal attendees to this service.

Bob:  Diaconate is responsible for staffing two standing committees:  Chair Dave Earhart and the current Pastor-Parish Committee agreed to continue on with same members for 2009.    

We also discussed the Visiting Committee, they have sufficient members for now.  They do visit shut-ins, but requests should be made to the visiting committee for visits.  A newsletter reminder to this effect may help.  Some visited people have objected to non-ordained people offering communion, but Rev.Terry explained that the communion sacrament does not require an ordained clergy to be present.

Cindy: We have a by-law rule that prevents some people from serving on the Pastor-Parish committee.  We discussed desire and support to change this section of the by-law.

Minutes: motion by Carl to accept, Bill 2ndd, approved unanimously as presented. 

Treasurer Report: Carl purchased juice supply, new cash balance is 46.63.  Motion to accept report 2ndd and approved.  

Old Business:    Jan mentioned we should get copy of Diaconate Committee budget; no one on the committee has seen it.  We need to purchase additional Friendship Pads for the pews. 

All agreed that Larry is doing an excellent job as the Sunday sexton.  

Jan has made request of the house committee for space to build a closet in the hall between the sanctuary and Baldwin hall for a large duffle bag to hold the Emergency Medical Response supplies. 

We discussed tiny tot attendance but don’t know. Suggestion made to add Tiny Tots count to the attendance sheet we fill out on Sundays.   Easter Sunday we had 232 in church attendance and 4 or 5 at tiny tots.  We need a newsletter article on need for additional tiny tot volunteers.

May 17 will be Celebration of Women Sunday, members are encouraged to bring guests, and introduce them to the congregation.  We will have ushers hand out special bookmark with poem to visitors.   Newsletter announcement should be made.  Barbara King agreed to be Deacon of the Day.  Gail and Sara will usher, and more women from the congregation will be asked.

The Shoe Box project was discussed. Jan will meet with the Mission Committee about working on this.  She will ask Women’s Fellowship to participate too.  More info on possible recipients will follow.  Also, list of items to pack in shoe box will be made available.

May 31 will be Organ dedication Sunday.  Jazz brunch following featuring Lou Columbo.

 

New Business:  Deacon of the Day schedule for next 6 weeks:

May 3: Dave Wilbur, Greeters: Syd Bare, Dave Llewelyn.   

                               Ushers: Carl Meade, Cindy Nickerson, Sara Baker, Gail Munro

May 10: Bill Carr

May 17: Barbara King

May 24: Jan Llewellyn

May 31: Linda Baker

June 7: Bob Macallister

 

We discussed need for internal ‘chain of responsibility’ or ‘contacts list’ when the pastor is away.  The diaconate wasn’t aware of who to call in situations that might arise.  Also, status of summer newsletter(s) was raised; if possible we would like to see monthly newsletters continue during the summer.  Many feel this is still the primary method we have of sharing information about church.

Sara read a poem to close the meeting.  Barbara will close the June meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Wilbur