SHENANDOAH ASSOCIATION COUNCIL MINUTES

for Monday, August 20, 2007

at Bethlehem UCC, Broadway, VA

PRESENT: Jim Bundy, Marilyn Heishman, Peggy Kennedy, Wes Loomis, Willard Lutz, Leslie Nickel, Barbara Rhodes, Richard Vaught.

Adair McConnell joined for the discussion of the John Ware Benefit.

Richard Vaught opened the meeting with devotions.

Adair reviewed the proposed program for the John Ware Benefit, which is to be held on September 8 at Stonewall Jackson High School. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm followed by the program at 7 pm. Trinity (Basye) and Concord (Timberville) are organizing the cover dish dinner. The Association will pay for drinks, set-up, the custodian and the fee for using the building. The Council APPROVED the outlay of funds up to $500 to defray costs of the event. Marilyn and Willard volunteered to provide plates. Donations are to be made out to the Shenandoah Association.

The minutes of the May 20 meeting were approved by consensus.

Marilyn Heishman presented the Treasurer’s Report. DECIDED: The $177.88 check sent to the UCC will be attributed to the UCC Resources Center operating expenses account. Marilyn raised two issues noted in the recent auditor’s report: (1) the lack of vouchers to support outlays; and (2) the need for clarity about who is authorized to spend Association money. DECIDED: vouchers (which Marilyn distributed) or requests otherwise in writing will be required before Association funds will be expended. DECIDED: Willard and Marilyn are authorized to sign checks on behalf of the Association.

Barbara then led a discussion of other recommendations made in the audit report: (1) the need for an annual audit; (2) a 3-person financial accountability team would be ideal (one to count funds coming in, one to deposit funds, a third person to reconcile the accounts); (3) the Association should receive an annual statement from the Central Atlantic Conference regarding Association funds paid to the Conference; (4) the three existing petty cash funds should be merged; and (5) there is no need for a “food” line item – these expenses can be recorded under Association Council expenses. The Council will follow up on these recommendations ?]

ACM--Richard Vaught reported that there will be a meeting with St. Stephens to consider the relationship between The Conference, the Association and the church regarding the sharing of resources and financial obligations, including Mary Giesler’s benefits. St. Paul’s and Mount Calvary are looking forward to welcoming their new pastor, Julie Olverman in September. St. Johns (Hamburg) will soon send out its church profile. St. John’s and Christ Church’s (Conicville) interim pastor will be leaving in September of 2008. Bethlehem’s search committee is working. A congregational meeting may occur in the near term to clarify the preferences of the congregation. Winchester is expected to begin a search process in the near term.

Church & Ministry--Wes Loomis reported that the commission is meeting on August 29.

CAC-Board of Directors—The Conference has invited each Association to select a Council member who is not otherwise represented on the Conference Board to attend the Board’s November 9-10 retreat. The Council will consider whom to designate at the next meeting.

New Church Development – The UCC’s Evangelism person, Rev. Pérsida Rivera-Méndez, recently met with the Trinity (Timberville) consistary. The meeting went well. The church leadership is very serious about revitalization.

Other Items:

Virginia Council of Churches – Jim Bundy is the Association’s designee. Marilyn will pay the $300 dues for 2007. Jim will get additional information about the 2008 budget, and will ask Jon Barton to come speak to the Association. The goal is to get information about VCC’s good works to our congregations.

“Loving Christ, Loving Others” – the Joint Fall Association meeting with the Disciples of Christ will be held at St. Paul’s (Woodstock) on October 21. Churches are invited to prepare a display of their mission work. Those interested should call Barbara Rhodes.

Authorized signers for the Cornerstone Fund – DECIDED: Marilyn, Willard and Barbara are authorized to sign. The funds from the CD coming due on September 17 will be placed into a 12-month CD earning 5 percent.

Next Meeting: Thursday, September 20, 6 p.m. at Bethlehem UCC. Jim Bundy will have devotions.

Respectfully submitted,

Leslie Nickel, Secretary