2014 Annual Meeting Summary

Meeting Agenda

1.  Election to Open Seats on Council

This year's election saw 7 nominees up for election of 4 seats.  Three to 3-year terms, and one to 1-year term.  Mary Wallett was re-elected to a 2nd term on the first ballot.  Randy Press was elected to his first term on the second ballot.  After the second ballot the election process went a few rounds before finishing with Gary Howell being elected to his first 3-year term and Denise Singer-Ott to a 1-year term.

2.  Change in wording of mission statement to include “go forth into the community….”

Church council brought a motion to add these words to our mission statement to make it more measurable and specific.  The opening line "Go forth with the gospel" seemed too broadly stated.  

There was discussion both for and against this motion.

A motion from the assembly was made to amend the council's motion to say "into our community and the world".  This motion carried and was passed.

Below is our church's new mission statement:

We are a church going forth with the gospel into our community and the world,

Loving God, Growing with Christ, and welcoming all.

3.  Pavilion usage by members/new guidelines

With the construction of our new pavilion complete there needed to be a policy in place defined the boundaries for its use.  The policy that was approved at this meeting was a simple blanket statement that said only members of the congregation would be permitted to use it for their personal functions. 

4. Memorial fund 

A new policy for the Memorial Fund was presented, but the motion to adopt was tabled because the assembly needed more time to read the document before voting.  A vote for this specific action will be announced.  The fund calls for the creation of a memorial committee to oversee the fund.  

Download a copy of the policy draft here:  Memorial Fund Policy

5.  Mission Opportunity – Hearts in Hands partnership

The council brought a motion for the congregation to approve a new partnership with Hearts in Hands.  Dawn Schell (founder and director of Hearts in Hands) shared the history and the mission and purpose of the organization.  Pastor Moore provided the video slideshow below:

After the video Pastor Moore summarized by saying that he thought the central mission of this organization was essentially the same as ours.  Like the message in the video, Hearts in Hands reminds kids that they are "beloved children of God"  Dawn spoke about how she believes this partnership would be good for Hearts in Hands by making it stronger and more secure for the future.  Pastor Moore spoke about how this would offer our church opportunities in youth and children ministries.  

The congregation approved the motion to enter into a partnership by a unanimous vote.

6.  Lunch

The meeting wrapped up with a pot-luck lunch.