| Sr. Pastor Ken Peterkin opened the meeting with a prayer. The Minutes of the September 13, 2006 Council Meeting were approved. Reports of Boards and Committees Emailing committee reports to council members for review before the monthly Council meeting is working. Treasurer’s Report -- The Treasurer’s report was accepted. House and Grounds – Bob Marshall reported that work on the parking lot project has started. The lighting project for the interior of the church has begun. Clergy Staff Report – Sr. Pastor Ken Peterkin reported that our newly elected Associate Pastor, Mitzi Eilts, will begin her ministry here on 11/01/06. Pastor Ken shared with Council feedback he has received from congregation members about recent sermons. A general discussion followed and questions were raised: Who are we as Congregationalists? What do we believe in? Are we involved in our country and the world? What subjects should a pastor speak about from the pulpit? A suggestion was made that these issues could be explored further in discussion groups. Pastor Ken will welcome 6 new members on 10/15/06 and expects at least 5 new members in the winter. Pastor Ken may not be here on 11/19 because of an opportunity to visit his former church in Michigan. Stewardship Committee – Dudley Bickford reported that Denise Lavoie is joining the Stewardship committee. Dudley presented the tentative budget and explained that he tries to project the year-end amounts based on history. The Stewardship Committee projects $250,000 in pledges for 2007. Based on current data, this amount will not cover projected 2007 expenses. Dudley emphasized that we have committed to stop using endowment funds by 2009, but unless we take in more pledging units, we will not by able meet this commitment. Stewardship needs more input before finalizing the 2007 budget. Monthly Initiatives – Coordination of Surveys -- Committees will try to communicate better to avoid duplication of effort in submitting surveys to the congregation. (Note: both Membership and Programs had similar surveys.) Membership will take over the Programs survey. October Initiative - Programs headed by Wendy Foster – Moderator Nilsen spoke on behalf of Wendy Foster who, regretfully, will not be able to continue as Programs Chair. September Initiative Update – Membership headed by Dudley Bickford: Invitations were sent to 50 folks who either attended a service here or who are known to be new in town. The invitations invited these people to come to our church for services. A suggestion made to ask a younger person to join the committee. Don Male is joining the committee. New Business: Email “Passages” – The church wants to purchase Adobe “Acrobat” (write, not read only) to input “Passages” for email purposes. Acrobat may cost about $350.00. Discussion that some people who do not have computers would still receive mailed copy. A suggestion was made and discarded to ask for email addresses on returning pledge cards. The Church Gardens: Marion Stiehl, who has created and maintained our gardens for 10 years, will not be able to continue. Moderator Nilsen suggested we buy a bench and put it outside the education wing with a plaque honoring her. Ted Bliss said that Trustees will fund the $200.00 needed to purchase the bench. Who will take over the gardens? A suggestion was made to divide the gardens into smaller segments and to put a note in Passages and/or Sunday bulletin to ask for volunteers to maintain a segment. Other Business -- A Motion passed to commend the Moderator Nilsen for running an excellent congregational meeting on Sunday to call Mitzi Eilts as our Associate Pastor. Mitzi’s birthday is Friday and we should send cards. Spiritual/Worship Initiative next month headed by Mary-Lawrence Sinclair and Emily Williams. Closing prayer was offered and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Marian E. Messek, Clerk Next Meeting: November 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. | 
