DEACONS MINISTRY TEAM MINUTES

August 20, 2009

 
The meeting was opened with prayer by Ralph Miller at 7:00 p.m.

 PRESENT: Moderator Rusty Smith, Marianne Maley, Janice Sherman, Ralph Miller, Rosemary Maddox, Jean Bernard Nganou, Cindy Tafoya, Dylan Anderson, Mike Bartholomew, Austin Breck, Martha Mitchell, Winnie Quinzi, Theresa Armendariz, and Rev. Story.

 EXCUSED: Lynn Lawson-Jones and Paul Vaughan.

 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the June 18th meeting were approved as published.

 PASTOR'S REMARKS: Rev. Story commended the Deacons on their use of email to take care of business. He urged the Deacons to be aware of people who attend First Presbyterian but are not members, and to engage them in conversation about becoming members. It would be appropriate to say to them that we would like them to become part of our leadership.

 MODERATOR'S REMARKS:

·                    Rusty thanked Marianne for her work in setting up the reception held after Alice Cooper's funeral.

·                     Any Deacon who does not have a name tag and does not want to buy one should contact Larry Felhauer, who will make one for you.

·                    Deacons were asked to come with people for the Nominating Committee to consider as replacements for the Deacons who have moved on.

 CORRESPONDENCE:

·                     A letter of resignation was received from Olivier Huebo, who is moving out of state.

·                    Thank-you letters were received from Marian Pelking, Eileen Hood, and the Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room, the latter thanking FPC for its donation of socks and undies.

·                    The Fraternal Order of Police asked for our sponsorship of it's "Shop With a Cop" program.

·                    A recruitment brochure was received from Stephen Ministries regarding a workshop in El Paso on October 17, 2009.

 TREASURER'S REPORT:

The email addresses of Deacons who receive financial reports needs cleaning up; Janice will provide an updated list to Michelle. Janice has some questions about accounting practices, and made suggestions for the improvement of the handling and reporting of the Deacons' expenditures. She reported a net income of $60 for the previous month.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Ushering:   Because of vacations, people returning to the choir and Deacons leaving, the usher ranks are thinning ominously. The signup sheet was passed and slots are filled through the remainder of the month but there are some vacancies for September.

Transportation:   Suggestions were made and discussed with regard to enabling Bruce Griffith to attend church. Larry Felhauer is looking into the possibility of equipping one of the church vans with a wheelchair lift; the problem would be how to fund this. It has been suggested that the availability of van rides be advertised on the church website, emphasizing that NMSU students can be accommodated.

The vans are available to bring kids from school to Salt and Light; it is hoped that parents will come for dinner and drive their children home. People who are coming to Salt and Light on a regular basis are encouraged to call Linda at the church office to find out if there are children or adults in their area who need a ride for the program or dinner. 

Special Events:  Deacons should mark their calendars for the Hamburger Fry on October 18th.

Soup Kitchen:  There were plenty of volunteers when Rusty's team worked this month, and 244 people were served.

Transient Meals:   The cabinet is short a few items, and Cindy will go shopping. The brown bag meals go fast during the summer months. Rusty explained that gas voucher money comes from the Deacons' funds and goes to the Community of Hope for disbursement because that agency is better able to evaluate requests.

Visitation:  Marianne recently visited with Eileen Hood in the hospital lobby, and went to see Bill Brady and Paul Vaughan. Rev. Story asked her to add Thomas Gaines, who is in rehab, to her list.

Building and Grounds:  They are in the process of selecting lettering for the electronic sign, and have changed caretakers for the external church property.

Congregational Life:   The Team has tentative plans for outreach to college students, including a Thanksgiving dinner. Publicity ideas discussed were articles in "The Roundup," the University newspaper, and posters in the dorms. 

Christian Education:  Volunteers are needed for Salt and Light to decorate the rooms, help with cleanup, etc. Anyone who wants to help will be given a job. The Team discussed finding a part-time replacement for Tracy Geiger's Salt and Light and VBS responsibilities.

Missions:   No report.

Music and Worship:  David A. Klement has accepted the position of Director of Music; he will direct the Chancel Choir and lead the music program.

Administration:   Mike said the Elders met with a church member who is willing to be a resource person for the pledge campaign.

 OLD BUSINESS:

Emergency Assistance: Rusty said the emergency funding assistance approved by email by the Deacons has been given to the family requesting financial help.

Socks and Undies:   Rosemary reported that 560 pairs of socks and 570 undies were donated by the congregation over the six-week campaign and delivered to the Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room weekly. A card from that organization says, "You will never know what a blessing you have been to the many children and families you have served through your generous gifts."

Casa de Peregrinos:  Rusty will speak from the pulpit in an effort to make the congregation more aware of the increasing number of people needing supplementary food assistance from Casa de Peregrinos and the challenge to our church to help fill this need. Rosemary will find out from Casa de Peregrinos staff each week what item is most urgently needed (of late it has been boxed cereal) and a method will be decided upon for bringing this information to the congregation.

 NEW BUSINESS:

Jean Bernard announced that this was the last meeting he will be able to attend as he and his family are moving to Bend, Oregon, where he will be an instructor in the college. He expressed his appreciation for the privilege of worshipping at First Presbyterian for the past several years.

 ADJOURNMENT: At 8:00 p.m. the meeting was adjourned by recitation of the Mizpah Benediction.

 NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the Deacons Ministry Team will be September 17, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.

 Rosemary Maddox

Recording Secretary

 NO ACTION ITEMS FOR SESSION

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Last update 2009-08-30 00:08:09