Church Council Meeting



Date: August 25, 2024


August 25, 2024
Attending: Darryl Bentz, Deb Buffington-Recording Secretary, David Engle, Susan Long, Pastor Scott Paradise, Jennifer Rosengrant, Stephanie Seldomridge-Treasurer, Dara Wolfe-Secretary
Absent: Deb Hogeland, Conner Pennington
Susan Long opened the meeting.
David Engle provided devotions.
Jennifer Rosengrant will provide the next meeting’s devotions.

Treasurer’s Report: Stephanie Seldomridge
*Current offerings are at 39% at the end of June; deficit is $15,121.00 but that includes $10,354.00 from Hart Beaver or it would be approximately $25,000.00 deficit-waiting for the gift committee to determine what happens with Hart’s gift
Checkbook Balance: Northwest as of 7/31/2024=$2,137.52
June/July Deposits=$19,897.24
June/July Expenses=$31,794.03
Transfer from investments=$12,500.00

Restore and Renew Campaign: as of 7/31/2024=$4,185.62
RENEW & RESTORE CAMPAIGN
June/July Deposits=$250.00
Interest (May, June, July)=$5.00

Mission Plus account (Money Market): as of 7/31/2024=$19,227.30
Interest (May, June, July)=$10.63
Undesignated funds in Money Mkt=$379.44
Designated Funds=4,993.41
Designated Funds=$6,000.00
Deposit-R. Hart Beaver=$10,354.34
Income:
Building rental – cooking class=$100.00
Miscellaneous income – Recycling=$44.40
Peg Auman’s birthday=$500.00
Sweet 2nd Sunday=$344.00

Expenses:
Building and Liability insurance=$2,217.25
6 months Faith Commitment=$3,270.00
All payroll taxes paid
Repairs and Maintenance=$544.83 includes work on mower, new receptacle put in, Good’s Sound quarterly invoice
-ERC – moratorium was removed for those applications that were received prior to September 14th; ours went in October 2nd, so we must wait.
-Health/Pension to be discussed at next meeting

Pastor’s report: Pastor Scott
Pastor’s Report was handed out
-officiated at many non-member funerals
-Pastor Frank Terhune will be presiding at MLC’s September 29th service while Pastor Scott officiates at the installation of Pastor Althea Albright at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lebanon. This is one of many roles that Pastor Scott has as Dean of the Lebanon Conference. Pastor Terhune’s presence will not be an expense for MLC.

The June Council Meeting minutes were approved via email.
David Engle made a motion to accept the meeting minutes.
Deb Hogeland seconded it.
All approved.
Jen Rosengrant made a motion to accept the consent agenda which only included the Treasurer’s report and the Pastor’s report.
David Engle seconded it.
All approved.
Unfinished Business
Proposed cell tower -AT&T is interested in placing a cell tower at the bottom of the hill (it would be at the trees hidden away from buildings with a fence placed around it). -3 towns would benefit from the tower: Richland, Newmanstown and Womelsdorf -was previously shut down by the school board; they were worried about the students and due to it being at an unfavorable location. -we could possibly receive monies from this. -it is suggested that we check with our insurance to see if there would be any implications for us. -Pastor Scott would like to speak with 1 other clergy who has experience with this, he will then give her number to David.

New Business

Homeschool Music Program
-David Engle received an email request to rent the church by Cadence Music and Arts Program (CMAP)
-their intention is to provide “family-friendly, faith-oriented artistic education throughout Central Pennsylvania” particularly to non-traditional students such as home schooled or cyber school students.
-Looking to tentatively begin classes in January 2025.
-would meet 1 day per week during the day (between 11am – 5pm).
-would use the sanctuary, multipurpose room and some classrooms.
-David will check with other locations mentioned in the email that they currently utilize to obtain more information.
-Susan will check with the library for some information due to them renting the library out for tutoring.

“Building a Culture of Generosity” -A handful of council members joined an online zoom presentation related to increasing our church’s ability to increase giving. Looking to bring others into the program. Working on how to communicate the vision with members of the congregation.
Cleaning Person -Summer cleaning program worked well. Gave the church the ability to save some money also. -Jamie Keener has volunteered to take over the position. -Suggested hourly rate of $15. 3-5 hours per week. Will do a 90-day trial run then re-evaluate, with 30-day and 60-day check-ins also. If Jamie agrees to the terms, her anticipated start date will be September 1st. -All council members agreed unanimously.


Rally Day -Will be Sunday September 8th, includes special Sunday school activities, outside church service and community picnic. -Per Pastor Scott, other churches are getting away from calling it “Rally Day”, but “God’s Church, Our Hands” due to the idea of community service activities occurring. MLC has historically used this day to assemble Personal Care Kits and School Kits to help the less fortunate. We no longer assemble School kits, but we continue to assemble Personal Care kits.
Video Camera -Scott and Nikki Johnson graciously purchased the video camera that had been used to tape the church service and then was uploaded to our YouTube page. The camera is no longer functioning. Currently looking into other options.

Committee Updates
Youth: Pastor Scott
Nothing to report
Evangelism Committee: Dara Wolfe
Minutes from the August meeting were distributed. -Richland Community Outreach event was cancelled due to weather. Will not be rescheduled.
Property Committee: Susan Long
Noticed discoloration in the ceiling of the kitchen. Will look into it further.
County Line Exterminator-scheduled to come out in April and October.
Music and Worship: Pastor Scott
Nothing to report. Meeting to be scheduled
Christian Education
Nothing to report.


The meeting closed with The Lord’s Prayer.
The next meeting will be on October 6, 2024.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Buffington, Recording Secretary