| Associate Pastor Mitzi Eilts opened the meeting with a prayer. The minutes of October 11, 2007 were approved. Reports of Boards and Committees Crop Walk Update – Financial Secretary Bickford reported that the Crop Walk sponsored by our church netted $5,720.20. $1430.05 went to shoreline soup kitchen. Our church produced ½ of total receipts, Chester was 2nd, and the Baptist church was 3rd. We also had 50% of the participants. Treasurer’s Report – The Treasurer’s report was distributed and is a part of these minutes. Clergy Staff Report – Pastor Ken reported: New fluorescent lights are installed in the sanctuary. Members have volunteered to decorate the altar through January. East Haddam church will hold an ecumenical Thanksgiving service 11/19/06 at 4:00 pm. Community churches will participate in choir. Ken will attend a “Boundaries” training seminar, which deals with Safe Church. A harassment “policy and procedure” document has been drafted as required by our liability insurance carrier. Members who had issues with the torture and Iraq War sermons have been invited to attend the PR/PC meeting on 11/14/06 discuss concerns. Ken is grateful and glad to have Mitzi here as our Associate. Mitzi and Ken are beginning to coordinate schedules and responsibilities. Clergy Staff Report - Associate Pastor Mitzi reported: She has been wonderfully welcomed by our congregation. Her primary focus for the rest of the year is to get to know our church community, the Essex community, (i.e., Ivoryton, Centerbrook, Connecticut River Museum, etc) the worship life and organizational life of our church. Her work schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as primary days, plus Sunday. The Anti-defamation League (Mitzi has been trainer for the ADL) has contacted her regarding a trip ADL is sponsoring to Israel and Palestine, February – 4 through 13, 2007. The purpose of the trip is to learn more about the issues in these countries. ADL will pay all but $500 of the trip cost. Council discussed how this trip could be locally publicized and could involve the community if Mitzi gave a presentation on what was learned. A motion passed to support Mitzi by providing $500 from the Local Benevolence Fund and by giving her the time “off” for the trip. Stewardship Update – Dudley Bickford reported: As of 11/08/06, 79 pledges have been received totally $141,032, including over $5000 from new members. There are 68 pledging units to be heard from. Dudley projects a total of 215 – 220 pledges. The committee will send emails to those who have not pledged. He usually has to talk with 40 – 50 potential pledgers personally. Dudley discussed the most current 2007 Budget Worksheet, which is a part of these minutes. A discussion followed regarding staff salaries, other operating expenses and how the endowment has been used when pledges are down. Treasurer Merrick will create a chart which shows how use of the endowment monies relates to annual pledging. Membership and Program Update – Dudley Bickford Reported: Associate Pastor Mitzi is a new member of Membership Committee. The Committee sent 50 new people/families in town invitations asking them to check us out. Invitations will be sent to every quarter. The Committee is trying to understand who are active in church, who are not and why members have left. November initiative – Spiritual/Worship – reported by Mary-Lawrence Sinclair and Emily Williams: The detailed Long Range Spiritual Goals are part of these meetings. Here is a brief summary: 1. Summer worship at our church has been achieved. 2. Implement the 4-way Covenants with the Revs. Kowalczyk and West. 3. Educate us on what it means to be the UCC. 4. Ask Deacons to conduct forums on what we want in worship. 5. Ask PR/PC to sponsor forums where the pastors and membership can constructively share differences in theology and experience conflict resolution. 6. More bible study – meaningful study palatable for all. 7. Encourage “God-talk” in our youth. 8. Web site to talk about sermon. Forums once a month to talk about the past 3 sermons. 9. Begin an “Open and affirming” process – must learn process before educating. 10. Offer real programming to deepen Christian faith and spirituality. The committee will prioritize the goals and put dates on them. A suggestion was made to find out who we are historically and biblically first. Don Male is willing to lead an evening program. Old Business -- Garden Committee – Moderator Susan Nilsen reported: A garden committee, consisting of Don Male, Paula Merrick, Jane Perot, Cindy Marshall, Jean Karr, Bob Marshall and Bill Hawk, has been formed and the gardens have been split among these folks. Susan ordered a bench to honor our long-time gardener, Marion Stiehl. A motion passed to include a plaque which says “With thanks to our garden steward, Marion Stiehl”. Susan will make a map of the gardens with pictures of the new garden stewards. We will ask plant/tree donators to identify the donated specimen. New Business -- Review of bylaws by various committees: Moderator Nilsen will ask committees to review the by-laws that apply to them and determine if the respective committee is functioning within the by-laws. The time frame for the review is one year. Pastor Ken closed the meeting with a Prayer – Ken Peterkin. Respectively submitted Marian Messek Clerk | 
