Committee Updates & Church Council Meeting Highlights

 10.15.24 Meeting

Submitted by Ruth Reilly 

Church Council Meeting Summary, 10.15.24- Submitted by Ruth Reilly

• Harvester Policy Document- A draft document was reviewed and discussed with the following edits to be made: Pastor Russ will update the language in the Articles of Religion with contemporary English, the membership section will be updated to include only Associate Membership as Affiliate Membership no longer applies, Rusty Nisbet has agreed to review the document from a legal perspective. It was suggested that we provide an update on the document with the congregation at the Annual Congregational Meeting as it is not anticipated that it will be finalized by November 17, 2024. Members of the congregation wanting to review the document can request a copy for review and feedback.

• Trustee Update: Some shingles were lost during hurricane Milton and the insurance company has already viewed the damage. The company that installed the roof will come to repair the damage. 

• St. Pauly Textile Clothing Box- The community continues to use the box for donated clothing. Harvester collects a monthly payment based on the amount of donations collected. The council recommended that Harvester continue with the clothing box and review it again in 6 months.

• Hurricane Response to Hurricane Milton- The council discussed how we might respond to the needs of people who experienced devastation from the hurricane. It was recommended that we focus our attention on providing support to members of our congregation. It was recommended that up to $5000 from the congregational giving money (formerly apportionments) be set aside for use at pastors’ discretion to support members of the congregation with needs in recovering from the hurricane damage. We also discussed other ways the congregation could assist through donations of time, money, meals or on site assistance to members of the congregation. The congregation will be asked to notify the office of needs or areas of assistance they can provide.

• Annual Congregational Meeting on November 17, 2024 following second service- A draft agenda was reviewed based on items that were formerly included on the Charge Conference agenda.   

 September Summary

The Congregational Care Committee continues to reach out to the people with cards, calls and meals.

We setup, served and cleaned up for our 5th Sunday luncheon on October 19th and we'll be hosting the funeral luncheon for Rick Kanera.

• Mission Hallway has been updated with new posters. All posters are to be up no later than October 25th prior to the Craft Fair

 • Fundraisers with Texas Roadhouse are set. The peanuts will be labeled with a QRC to take purchasers to our Harvester website.   Peanut sales will be at the craft fair and fellowship Hall gatherings on Sundays. Our dine in benefit has been set for 1/29/25

• The sale of Harvester T-shirts was discussed. information on types of t-shirts and pricing will be investigated.

• Ruth gave an update on Living Water and shared ALL the items requested for the teachers and staff as well as the extra suitcases that have been obtained.

 • Cuba Trip is set for mid-January. Pastor Gary has reached out to the Pastors and is awaiting specific dates that are available for travel.   Pastor Gary shared that new events will be part of the Pumpkin Patch which is scheduled for October 5th-31st (or the last pumpkin sale). They include handing out batons (300 ready to go), bowling alley, and other games to make the Pumpkin Patch even more family friendly.                    

• Several Girl Scout troops will be joining us this year for Trunk or Treat. Holly will be doing the final coordinating with the Girl Scout liaison.

 • Our next meeting is October 2nd at 6:30 for anyone interested in getting involved.

 Update

SPRC September Summary- Submitted by Lisa Johnson

SPRC Members: Carol Notarnicola, Clif Whelchel, Deborah Alexander, Don Hinst, Joyce Eary, Lisa Johnson, Tom Hindes, Vicki Hodson

*  Pastor evaluation template has been revised and we will be meeting with the Pastors by end of November to complete.

*  Budget review being completed and submitted to Finance this month.

Q3 June & July & August Update

As you know our goal this New Year is revolving around making sure our youth have an understanding of the importance of owning their Faith as opposed to “leasing” the idea of the Faith only on Sundays. The past month of June and July in process: - The Youth group went t camp and has been increasingly attending the Sunday nights - Additional Youth in the group have begun to see Sunday Morning attendance as a something to begin doing. We’ve had 4 to 5 additional youth join us for 2nd Service. - The Youth group continues to be heavily involved with our Church Worship team as well Goals In Process… - This month of July we have begun to go deeper in Bible Study and focusing on the life of Jesus - We have been updating Sunday mornings with themes that’ll attract younger families and youth.