| The meeting was called to order at 7:05 in the Cove View Room . Rev. Peterkin led us in prayer. Minutes -- The minutes had not been read or received and therefore could not be approved. Rev. Ken announced that only two had been submitted and they had not been received until that day. Mary Lawrence asked if the system could be returned to E-Mailing minutes of each committee to each Council member. Bob Marshall asked if we could return to having printed copies of minutes available at the Council meeting. Chairman Nilsen asked who would get them to the table. Emily Williams asked that they be available at each home by Tuesday to allow time for them to be read by people who work on Wednesday. Rev. Ken stated that he will place minutes on the Website, send them by Email to each home and supply a few hard copies for the meeting. Betsy Steele asked for the new Website address. It is ESSEXUCC.ORG. The old site is still operable and will link to the new one. Boards and Committees -- Since minutes were only available from the Deaconate and Membership Committees, Chairman Nilsen asked for comments from the other committees. Bob Marshall announced that the lighting changes are complete. Payments will begin next month The sanctuary may not be dim enough. Dud reported that Stewardship has called the 29 remaining prospective pledges. He anticipates pledges to be between $215,000 to $220,000. Clergy Report Rev. Ken reported that there will be one morning service at 10:00 AM on Christmas Eve, followed by a youth service at 5:30 PM and a candlelight service at 9:00 PM. Ken will be on vacation from December 26 until January 10, 2007. He asked us to rejoice at Dud’s successful Stewardship campaign. Ken displayed a redesigned Sunday Bulletin with the service beginning on the front page and less repetition of announcements of coming events. Rev. Mitzi announced that she has begun making home visits and has made six so far. Virginia Plumb is in Hospice at the Essex Health Center. Mitzi is attending Membership committee meetings. The committee has lost its chairman (Dud). Invitations to worship with us have been sent to new owners in town. Mitzi will pay special attention to new members who do not come or participate. The church will offer to participate in the Eagle Festival. Mitzi reported that about ten people attended the Christmas exhibition at the Florence Griswold Museum with Don Male serving as docent for a special showing. She and Don will preside over a Quiet Time of reflection and readings on December 21. Readings will be in the Chapel with refreshments in the Cove View Room. Mitzi will serve as Pastor while Ken is on vacation. She is scheduled for Carpal Tunnel surgery January 8. Spiritual Worship Update -- There is no update on Spiritual Worship. Old Business: Marion Stiehl Bench -- Chairman Nilsen announced that the Marion Stiehl bench has been installed. Bill Hawke did the brick work. Susan installed the plaque herself. She asked about an unveiling. It was agreed that Marion would prefer it to be simple and mid-week. It will probably be this week. Susan will notify Phyllis Wollack, the Council, the Gardeners and Marion’s daughter Review of By-laws -- Chairman Nilsen distributed a copy of the pertinent section of the by-laws to each committee, together with a cover letter asking for comments by March 1. New Business: Ad Hoc Pastoral Relations Sub-committee -- Sherry Clark asked that an ad hoc Pastoral Relations Committee be established to serve as advocates for Mitzi. She would expect the sub-committee to meet part time with the Pastoral Relations Committee. The current committee serves particularly as advocates for Ken. Ted Bliss moved that a three member ad hoc committee be established to serve as advocates for Mitzi. The motion was seconded by Cindy and unanimously approved. Sherry announced that the committee will consist of Jean Karr, Don Male and Dud Bickford. Fiscal Meeting -- The fiscal meeting will be held on January 28, which is the fourth Sunday in January. As Chairman, Susan will publish the meeting as required. A nominating committee must formed to nominate financial officers and a Stewardship Committee. A meeting of one member from each committee was called for 7 PM on Monday evening, January 8, 2007, to make a final review of the proposed budget before it is presented to the congregation. Other Business: Christmas Eve -- Emily Williams asked if, in future years, the Youth Service could be held earlier. She noted that he 5:30 hour interferes with supper for young children. Betsy Steele suggested that a midnight service might also be considered. Bell choir -- Shelly Clark passed out a request from the Pastoral Relations and Personnel Committee advocating a salary of $10,000 per year for Cheryl Harger as director of the Bell Choir. After discussion, Dud Bickford moved that a token amount of $2,500 be given to Cheryl in 2007. The motion was seconded by Mary-Lawrence Sinclair and unanimously approved. The Council agreed that the entire music budget must be considered as a package and carefully reviewed considering fiscal requirements together with artistic and religious aspects. The Pastoral Relations and Personnel Committee was asked to undertake the study in cooperation with the Music Committee. Mitzi -- Rev. Ken announced that we must establish a covenant with Mitzi. Financial considerations were met in the original contract but a covenant must be entered into prior to her installation by the Middlesex ?? . No committee is need. The Covenant will be agreed to strictly by Sherry and Mitzi. Installation is tentatively set for March 4, 2007. Computer Issues -- Ken announced that there are a lot of computer issues. He is looking for technical support. Dud mentioned that the church has a contract for technical support with Cashman associates. Personal notes -- Don Male is joining the team that meets with the youth group. Judy Kells had part of her lung removed to determine how to treat her pneumonia. Jane Steinke is in Missouri following the death of her daughter. The meeting closed at 8:10 PM. Rev. Mitzi led us in the closing prayer. Respectfully submitted, Wini Olson Addendum by Church Clerk, Marian Messek: Pastor Ken Peterkin will report a $4000.00 Housing Allowance to the IRS on his tax return. | 
