SHENANDOAH ASSOCIATION COUNCIL MINUTES

for Thursday, February 19, 2009

(Meeting held via conference call)

 

PRESENT:  Greg Griffey, Rev. Marilyn Heishman, Peggy Kennedy, Melinda Loeblich, Leslie Nickel, Rev. Barbara Rhodes, Rev. Richard Vaught.

 

Richard provided the opening prayer.

 

The Minutes from the January Council meeting were APPROVED by consensus.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Marilyn reported that we have $435.68 in cash on hand.  A MOTION to roll over a note coming due on March 25 for an 18-month term was APPROVED by consensus.

 

Financial Review Report – Marilyn summarized the report’s general conclusion that everything is in order.  The following report recommendations were discussed: (1) that we obtain a statement from the Conference for the Association’s share of Melinda’s salary; and (2) that we enhance security for our investment notes.

 

Regarding (1) the ACM noted that the 2009 Conference budget provides $5,000 for Melinda’s compensation, which accounts for roughly 35 hours a month.  The ACM recommended that the Association pay the Conference for an additional six hours a month of Melinda’s time, to be paid quarterly.  A MOTION to adopt this recommendation was APPROVED by consensus. 

 

Regarding (2) a MOTION to ask St. Stephen’s if we may keep the notes in its safe was APPROVED by consensus.

 

ACM Report – St. Paul’s Edinburg will close on Easter.  St. John’s Middlebrook has submitted a church profile and will begin receiving ministerial profiles shortly.  Church and Ministry has decided to grant a couple exceptions to the boundary training requirement for Association ministers who are no longer practicing or for health reasons.  Regarding the Conference, 120 ministers have obtained boundary training so far.  Approximately 300 ministers remain to be trained.  The 2009 budget is a significant issue for the Conference.  Initial thoughts are to cut the professional staff from six to four -- 3 full time and one half time.  The Conference Stewardship Committee would like to add a member from the Association.  The ACM will talk to Jim Bundy about the possibility of a Sojourners person filling this role.

 

2009 Association Spring Meeting – The Spring meeting will be held at Bethel on April 26, 2009.  Rev. Dr. Keo Cavalcanti will discuss local practices in worship and service in the Shenandoah Valley.  To enable the Association choir to perform during worship, the schedule has been changed as follows:

 

          3:30  Registration

          4:00  Welcome and announcements

          4:05  Worship

          4:30  Keo’s remarks

          5:15  Boundary training video and discussion

          6:00  Dinner

          6:30  Business meeting.

 

The cost will remain the same as last year: $8 for the meal, $12 for registration and the meal.  Barbara will coordinate with Pastor Dan Bassett about this.

 

Barbara also will check with Ellie Sturgis of Glade to see if she would like to serve on Church and Ministry.  Back up choices are Linda Argabright  and Ellen Markel.

 

When Melinda sends out the official call for the meeting, she will include an invitation to churches to bring their teenagers.  Leslie has agreed to sit with them at dinner and discuss possible service opportunities at Comfort Mountain Farm, the nonprofit healing place being created down the road from Bethel for children and youth who have suffered loss.

 

Fall Association Meeting – The Disciples are looking forward to meeting with us.  They already had selected a date, October 25, and would like us to host.  Barbara will ask St. Paul’s if they are able to host.  If not, she will approach Stonewall Jackson school.     

 

Keo’s Polity Course  – St. Stephen’s has agreed to allow its space to be used for this course but would like more information about the specifics.  It was agreed that the 12-week course will be held on Tuesday nights from 6:30 – 8:00 pm from September 15 through December 1, 2009.  The cost will be $15 per person.  Ideas for advertising the course include mentioning it during the business meeting at the Spring Meeting, an ad in the Daily News Record, notices at JMU, including to religion students, and possible affiliation with the JMU Life Long Learning Center.

 

The ACM offered the closing prayer.  The meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.

Next Meeting:  The meeting will be held on March 19 at 6 pm at St. Stephen’s.

 

 

                                                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                                                             Leslie Nickel, Secretary