Details: Moderator, Larry Lopp, brought the meeting to order.

Stephen started the meeting with a prayer.

Gerry Alonzo gave the Treasurers report. Pledges are $3,057 over budget. Offerings are $1,768 over Budget. We have spent $3,171 less for expenses than was budgeted.

Agenda Item 1. Larry led a discussion on the merits of having a set of directions for a few years rather than just for a year as we do now. He also suggested we create a new committee to do this development. He suggested that the new committee report to the council and the council to the church as a whole at the Congregational Meeting. The congregation could then discuss and approve these directions.

After discussion and amendments of the original proposal, Gina Wetherill moved to form a new, short term, committee of 9 members, one each from the established committees and two from the general congregation, working with Stephen and Gina as Vice Moderator, to be called the “Visions” committee. They will direct the development of the Vision Project Church wide. They will develop and present a plan over the next few months, and present periodic reports to the council. Ultimately the council will present approved suggestions to the church as a whole at the Congregational Meeting in May. Nancy Jo Lopp seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously for the motion.

The council will generate the committee. Each council member will take the proposal to his/her committee (possibly by E-mail). The intention is to have the first committee meeting March 4—10, 2007. Gina will call, talk to chairpersons. Committee Chairs should inform Gina in the next few days who will be the representative from their committee. Stephen suggested that we approach potential members with the idea of having two Sunday afternoon mini retreats.

Item 2. Gerry Alonzo will lead the pledge drive. Jim Bowen volunteered to help. They will ask Don Law to join them. We use the Witnessing Steward model.

Item 3. The new SCCC will meet February 26th, 2007. The purpose of this group will be to set up a procedures/policy/operating manual part of our web site. Larry envisions this as a newsletter where people can go to learn how we do things. This group would also set up a development and support plan for the web site and other publishing activities. We need to have a member from each committee participate in this group. At present we have Maire Howard fro the Trustees, Del Mahrle from the Women’s group, Nancy Jo Lopp from Missions, John Gaffney from Music and Arts. Larry Lopp will look for Deacons and Religious Education members.

Items 4 and 6. Re: committee responsibility revisions. The Missions board has replied to the request for definitions of their duties and for suggested revisions of the by laws related to that committee. They suggest a brief guideline document be prepared to assist committees in writing reports in a more uniform manner. They also suggest that a chairperson in the last year of their last term relinquish their duties to the person who will be taking the chair the next year. They could then be available to oversee the actions of this new chairperson. These suggestions were warmly received by the council and will be given to the SCCC training committee to develop.

Item 5. At the congregational meeting it was proposed that we have a Special Events Policy, rather than to have a “Special Events Committee”. The council decided to ask Larry Cooke to write a policy statement to be presented for council approval.

Nancy Jo Lopp moved, ----- seconded, that we approve new committee members suggested by the committee chairs. They are Sherrie Starkie, Board of Religious Education; Pam Nates, Board of Religious Education; and David Cooke, Deacons. The council voted unanimously to do so.

Richard Lyness, representing the Deacons, asked if we want to hire an intern for the 2007—2008 season. He reported that we have $2,900 reserved at present for this purpose, whereas we need around $4000. After discussion, Gerry Alonzo moved that the Council approve the finding of a seminary student to be an intern in the 2007-2008 season. Nancy Jo Lopp seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously to do so. It was felt that the money to pay the intern will come. It was suggested that we try to seek a youth leader for the intern. However, it was pointed out that a youth leader needed to be a long-term position. Larry suggested that we let the new Visions Committee handle the details. The council agreed to do so.

Nancy Jo Lopp reported that mailings to new members have begun. Welcome packages have been set up, and Paula Leary and Pippa Siersema have sent the new publication to people who are new to the church. Nancy Jo reported that this publication will be republished every 3 to 4 months so that the material enclosed can stay current.

Stephen led the council in a closing prayer.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Del Mahrle, Clerk

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