Deacons Minutes

December 19, 2013

 

Attendance:   Current deacons:  Don Behnke, Eddie Armendariz, Mike Bartholomew, Carrol Blevins, Nancy Cowan, Carol Goss,  Marianne Maley,  Bill Marlow, Donna Mathis, Dutch Matkin, Jacque Parks, Bruce Pearson and Anna Suggs. Rev. Norm Story also attended most of the meeting.  In addition, the following deacons-elect of the Class of 2016 attended:  Ernie Armendariz, Pat Felhauer, Steve Johnson, Bea Connor, Brian Otto and Barbara Sauter.

 

Absent:   Bill Haynes, Collette Walz and Harry Topley (all excused), Cindy Tafoya and Scott Burns

 

Bill Marlow opened the meeting with a prayer at 7:00 p.m.  

 

ACTION ITEM FOR SESSION:   None

 

            The minutes of our meeting on November 21 contained one error, failing to note that Brian Otto did, in fact, attend that meeting.   The minutes were then approved as corrected.

           

Pastor's Remarks:

 

            Rev. Story provided instructions for the new Deacons of the Class of 2016 regarding their shepherd duties.   The new deacons will be ordained and installed at the Sunday service on December 29.  Rev. Story also emphasized the necessity for the deacons to choose their new moderator.     

 

Moderator's Remarks:   Don Behnke thanked the outgoing deacons (Class of 2013) for their service, remarking that deacons do far more than simply usher on Sundays.   He added that he would not continue as Moderator in 2014.   Speaking for all the deacons, Nancy Cowan thanked Don for his loyal, conscientious service.   Steve Johnson volunteered to be the Deacon Moderator for 2014.     See also Administration and Local Missions below.         

 

Correspondence:    None.

 

Treasurer's Report:   Donna Mathis provided the report for the period January through December 19.     As of the latter date, the deacons had a surplus of $6,034.67.  

 

Building and Grounds:   Bruce Pearson reported that the Church Mutual Insurance Company has agreed to pay the church $14,070, as settlement for the arson damage to our playground.   We may obtain additional funding for the playground renovation, thanks to the efforts of Chris Lehman to obtain a grant.   B&G has postponed our workday to paint Watkins Hall, previously scheduled for December 12, until late spring.   Finally, B&G, and specifically Steve Johnson, are working to address the problem with the heat pump which provides heat for the sanctuary.

Congregational Life:   According to Dutch Matkin, CL has successfully reduced its budget by 13 percent.    CL also plans to send out more press releases about the various activities at our church.

 

Christian Education:   Carol Goss said there is still a need for volunteers to run Vacation Bible School.

 

Missions:    Mike Bartholomew reported that Missions is refining its procedures to pay visiting missionaries.    Also, the revised Missions Handbook, which describes the various missionary activities which our church supports, is close to publication.

 

Music and Worship:  Marianne Maley discussed the poinsettia order and the usher schedule for the Christmas Eve services.  She also reported that the choir is now using the new hymnal, "Glory to God", and that the Session has voted that the church order these hymnals to replace the ones we currently use.  We already have received a substantial contribution toward the purchase of the new hymnals but need additional donations.

 

Administration:  According to Don Behnke, Admin has been involved in the difficult process of estimating how much additional funding, which was not pledged, will come in by the end of the year.  The estimate is necessary in order to plan how much we will spend.  Historically, the church has always received some funding in addition to that already pledged, but the amount can vary significantly from year to year.

 

Local Missions:   This month, we donated 6,000 pounds of food to 109 families via the Roadrunner Mobile Food Pantry.    Don and Carrol Blevins also took 300 sheets and 150 blankets to the Gospel Rescue Mission, which was in desperate need of this bedding.   

 

Visitation:   Carrol thanked those deacons who have been visiting our shut-ins.  She added that the deacons must help distribute the Christmas poinsettias to shut-ins following the Christmas Eve services.   Deacons are to take the poinsettias home after the service, water them and then take them to our shut-ins during the days after Christmas.

 

Soup Kitchen:   No report.  

 

Transient Meals:   We now have 11 meals on hand, which should be sufficient for the rest of this month.

 

Transportation:      Bill Marlow advised that the team will be providing bus service for the Christmas Eve services.  They could use more volunteer drivers.   Although he is not a deacon, Rusty Smith is the team's de facto leader.

 

Old Business:    None, other than items stated above in committee reports.

 

 

New Business:   As noted above, Steve Johnson volunteered to be the Deacon Moderator for 2014.   Pat Felhauer and Nancy Cowan volunteered to be the new secretary and treasurer respectively.    Although he is stepping down as Moderator, Don Behnke said he would remain on the Administration Committee and would continue to handle requests for emergency assistance (generally made by walk-ins or telephone callers).   

            Deacons of the Class of 2014 have accepted assignments to the following committees:

            Pat Felhauer, Music and Worship;

            Brian Otto, Congregational Life;

            Bea Connor, Congregational Life;

            Barbara Sauter, Administration;

            Ernie Armendariz, Christian Education;

            Scott Burns, Christian Education.

           

            Finally, Don said that on Friday, he and Carrol would buy the food for the 30 Christmas baskets which we will distribute to needy families on Saturday, December 21.    He asked for volunteers to be at the church on Saturday at 11 a.m. to unload the food.    The recipients, primarily from La Iglesia del Pueblo, are to come to the church between noon and 1:30 p.m. to pick up their baskets.                

 

We adjourned with the Mizpah Benediction at 8:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by Bruce Pearson