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 DEACONS MINISTRY TEAM MINUTES

January 21, 2010

 The meeting was opened with prayer by Debbie Austin at 7:00 p.m.

 PRESENT: Moderator Rusty Smith, Marianne Maley, Paul Vaughan, Ralph Miller, Debbie Austin, Doris Silva, David Medina, Bea Connor, Pat Felhauer, Austin Breck, Rosemary Maddox, Cindy Tafoya, Mel Parish, Theresa Armendariz, Sam Bartholomew and Mike Bartholomew.

 EXCUSED: Ken Osborne and Janice Sherman.

 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the December 17, 2009 meeting were approved as published.

PASTOR'S REMARKS: The Pastor was not present. Rusty reported that at the recent Session meeting, Rev. Story urged that church officers maintain their focus on the great things they are doing for this church.

 MODERATOR'S REMARKS: Rusty welcomed the new deacons and thanked them for accepting the call to serve on this team.

 CORRESPONDENCE: Thank-you notes were received from the Gospel Rescue Mission, El Caldito, and a recipient of one of the Christmas baskets.

 TREASURER'S REPORT: The Treasurer was not present. Rusty reviewed the December Income Statement, which shows a balance of $3,790.22, and explained to the new deacons how we are funded.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

Ushering:  Austin passed a sign-up sheet for the month of February. He explained that ushers' duties include greeting people, counting their section of the congregation, recruiting three people to assist with collecting the offering, and clean-up after services. Rosemary said she was given conflicting instructions last Sunday about when the south inner doors should be closed. 

Transportation:   Rusty said this is going well but they could use another driver. Anyone interested in driving a church van iss invited to contact him.

 Special Events:   There are no Special Events on the deacons' calendar for the month of January.

Soup Kitchen/Casa de Peregrinos:   Approximately 250 people were served last Wednesday by Soup Kitchen Team 1, captained by Jacque Parks. A volunteer at Casa de Peregrinos, on receiving our Sunday's food donation containing several boxes of cereal, commented that they never have enough cereal, that it "just flies off the shelves." 

Transient Meals:   Rusty shopped for Transient Meals recently, and Cindy said the supplies are in good shape now.

Visitation:   Marianne reported visiting one person in rehab and calling three others.

Building and Grounds:  Two problem trees in the courtyard have been removed; Austin said the surface will be leveled and reseeded, and by April or May there should be a new lawn there. A feasibility study is underway regarding the replacement of the cross on the roof of the sanctuary.

Congregational Life:   Pat said they are putting together a Fellowship Board to schedule hosts for the fellowship hour following worship each Sunday, and will inventory fellowship supplies currently on hand.

Christian Education:   Items discussed at the recent meeting were the budget and plans for Vacation Bible School.

Missions:   Moderator Alex Burr plans to include in his submission for the annual report mission activities by teams other than the Mission Team. He has been provided with information about the deacons' mission projects and cash donations.

Music and Worship:   Marianne spoke of problems regarding the cumulative fund for maintaining the organ; it appears that money not spent each year does not appear in the following year's budget. There will be a Hymn Sing on Sunday afternoon, February 14, and a Pedals, Pipes and Pizza on the following Monday, sponsored by the American Guild of Organists.

Administration:  Mike said revision of the bylaws, end of the year financial status, and the FY 2010 budget were discussed at the January 12 meeting. The implications of the decrease in the ratio of unpledged donations to pledged donations was discussed.

  OLD BUSINESS

Request for Help (bus ticket)  A transient person, C. A., requested money to buy a bus ticket to Massachusetts. He has withdrawn that request, having obtained a bus ticket from some other source, but now requests the sum of $29 for the purpose of purchasing medication for a physical condition. Rusty commented that the Board of Deacons donates $350 per month to the Community of Hope, $150 of which is for gas vouchers and the other $200 a donation to the organization. He asked if someone would volunteer to go to the Community of Hope and inquire how this $350 each month is being used and report back. Mel volunteered to do that.

            It was MOVED by Austin and SECONDED by Paul THAT we provide no more than $30 to purchase the medication

             requested by C.A. THE MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote.

Rusty will facilitate the purchase of the medication.

 Wheelchair Van Proposal:  The request to have a fundraiser having been approved by the Session, the deacons are allowed to do so with the goal of raising $20,000 for the purchase of a small wheelchair-accessible bus. Rusty provided copies of a letter he had composed, and said it needs "tweaking."  Mike volunteered to do that. It was stipulated by the Session that the deacons have one year to raise the funds and must come up with a way to shelter and secure the bus.

 NEW BUSINESS

Election of Officers:   Rusty asked if anyone from the Class of 2010 was willing to perform the duties of Deacon Moderator. There being no response, he declared the office open to deacons from the other classes. It was noted that Ken had NOMINATED Rusty by email, and Austin SECONDED the nomination. Rusty agreed to serve if elected.

            RUSTY WAS RE-ELECTED Moderator of the Board of Deacons by unanimous vote.          Rosemary and Janice had previously agreed to continue to serve as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

Rusty passed around a sign-up sheet and asked each deacon to sign up for one Deacon Committee and one Session Committee.

Fellowship Hour:   The deacons are responsible for hosting the fellowship hour on Sunday, January 24. Several people volunteered to help, and everyone was invited to donate cookies, either home-made or store-bought.

 ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. by recitation of the Mizpah Benediction.

 Submitted by Rosemary Maddox

 NO ACTION ITEMS FOR SESSION

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