| Al Berquist opened the meeting with a prayer Marian Messek volunteered to take minutes. Minutes of the Minutes of the November 2, 2006 meeting was approved. Treasurer’s Report – The new guardrail will be paid for out of the endowment fund. Treasurer Merrick is contacting the UCC Pension Board regarding Pastor Ken’s additional compensation during the period we did not have an Associate Pastor. Assoc. Pastor Mitzi will pay $100/month into her pension. The copier and the computer systems are both over budget. Treasurer Merrick will borrow money from A.G. Edwards (interest free) to cover 2006 final expenses and then take money from the endowment to pay back A.G. Edwards. The Treasurer’s report was approved. Stewardship Report – Chairman Bliss reported for Stewardship that YTD $200,385 has been pledged and $215,000 is anticipated to be the final pledge amount. Council Meeting Report – Minutes of the November 8, 2006 Council Meeting were distributed. Pastor’s Report – The Peterkins are having an Open House on 12/10/06 for all to join in fellowship and to admire the improvements to the parsonage. Pastor Ken has put the names of people who worked on the project in the area of the parsonage where the work was done. Some changes we will see in the near future: Church email address -- the Church’s email address will change to essexucc.org. “Passages” will be emailed to those who can accept email and continue to be mailed via USPS where needed. Church address -- The new Church’s new address is 6 Methodist Hill and a forwarding procedure will be in place. December 24 Services: No 8:00 a.m. service. A 40 minute 10:00 a.m. service. A 5:30 p.m. youth service with a nativity pageant. A 9:00 Service with scripture and music. Vacation -- Pastor Ken will be on vacation 12/26/06 through 01/10/07. Planned Giving -- Anne Goodwin Callahan and Susanne Kitchings have created a handout on planned giving. By-Laws -- Per the long-range plan, a review of the By-laws will begin in the fall of 2007. Chancel Lighting -- The new fluorescent lights in the chancel appear too bright and harsh. Pastor Ken explained that the dimmers are not in place, he is not sure the correct fluorescent lights (bulbs?) are installed and is working with the contractors to get a more subtle, natural look Old Business – Appraisal of Organ: The person who services the organ does the organ appraisal, which we are waiting for to have proper insurance coverage. Preschool Lease Renewal – Chairman Bliss and Grounds Co-Chair Bob Marshall are meeting with Peggy Ames to discuss a 5% increase in 2007 and again in 2008. 2007 Budget Update -- A budget meeting will be held in early January with representatives as stated in by-laws to formulate the 2007 budget. Pledges will not cover the preliminary budget estimates. Budget cuts will probably be recommended. A discussion followed regarding possible electricity rate increases in 2007. Chairman Bliss is working on a 3% refund for Federal Excise Tax charged from 2003 through the present. Heating fuel estimate to be $2000 over budget. Our rate is $2.59/gallon New Business – Downstairs lavatories: The bathrooms adjacent to the kitchen and preschool need repair/updating. House and Grounds estimates that 2 new toilets, 2 new sinks, new vinyl floors and paint will run $2500.00. A motion passed to approve a maximum of $2500 for this expenditure. Time frame for the work is early next year. Money for Assoc. Pastor Mitzi’s trip: The $500.00 needed for Assoc. Pastor Mitzi’s contribution for the Anti-defamation League’s sponsored trip to Palestine and Israel will be taken from the local benevolence fund. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Marian E. Messek | 
