Messages about Money. The moderator led a discussion of messages that session members remember receiving about money and giving to church in their past. Examples included “be generous”; “10%”; and “give regularly.” Several personal stories of giving as children or teens followed.
The discussion then shifted to the matter of non-budget giving in the congregation, and how we as a church decide on what is appropriate solicitation of money for non-budget causes. There has been an informal policy, not always well publicized, of requiring any fund-raising efforts to be approved by the session. After talking about it for some time, the session agreed by consensus to continue this policy, making it explicit, but allowing an exception in the event of a crisis or emergency, in which case the pastor is empowered to allow solicitations for that purpose.
Outreach Council. Due to snow, councils were canceled on February 10 and only the Outreach Council rescheduled. Some actions at its meeting inspired the discussion of the need for fund-raising efforts to receive session approval. OC called for the church to collect funds for United Crescent Hill Ministries on Sundays in March as part of a “Metro Match” program. The local metro council representative, Tina Ward-Pugh, has pledged up to $25,000 of her discretionary fund to match, dollar for dollar, funds donated for UCHM; LG&E has agree to then match that amount, resulting in four dollars for every dollar contributed. The money will go exclusively to help low-income residents pay their utility bills.
After discussion, session agreed by consensus to permit publicity of the Metro Match program in the congregation and to collect contributions for that purpose on March 7 and 14; the collection on the 7th will be in lieu of the regular communion offering that day. After the 14th, individuals are free to contribute directly to UCHM for this cause, and information to that effect will be included in the April and May Westminster Ways.
OC also plans to encourage worshipers to bring money or canned goods on the first Sunday of each month to donate to UCHM. A collection box will be placed in the narthex. Session approved this program by consensus.
Session approved a possible mission trip to Guatemala in July 2010. Fund-raising for that trip is possible, but OC will need to come back to the session for approval.
Pre-school. Ada Asenjo reported that the church pre-school is in dire financial straits. There are simply not enough children participating. The board is brainstorming ideas for recruiting more children.
New Staff Position? A discussion on this possibility was postponed until March, as the meeting was running late.
Newspace@chpc. Stew Bridgman showed a floor plan and described possible changes in the lower level of the sanctuary building. As proposed, the church office and choir room would be moved to this area, which would be made more accessible via a ramp. Classrooms and the nursery would be moved to the second floor. The cost estimate is around $200,000, much less than the more ambitious plan prepared prior to the current recession.
-- Jack
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