| 1, The meeting was called to order at 7:08PM 2, Pastor Ken led us in opening prayer 3. Guests: Barbara MacGregor, who represented the “sol de rummage”, offered her services as chairperson for the next rummage sale, with the proviso that she would be in charge of the “before and during” the sale, but needed an assistant to be in charge of the “after”; i.e. organization of cleanup, including research ahead for the best means of disposing leftover rummage. She indicated that after the ’07 sale, lots of clothing went to the Womens’ Shelter in New London, but Goodwill, who typically has taken away much of our leftovers, this year refused many items. She suggested that we discuss the Rummage Sale topic in the sanctuary immediately following a church service for 15 minutes and November 18 was the date decided. Her suggestion was that we not only ask for a chair/ members of a clean up committee, but also discuss a possible change of dates in order not to conflict with other May rummage sales as well as busy family/gardening activities that take place in Spring. She added that a change in timing might generate more donations and income, both of which were down this year. She will print up fliers for this meeting, detailing the concerns, and will have a similar notice printed in the next Passages. The Rev. Bill West discussed his four-way covenant and ministry at St. Raphael’s, Hospital in New Haven, detailing the hospital’s history as well as his functions as one of four fulltime and 14 parttime chaplains. St. Raphael’s, founded 100 years ago by Sisters of Charity, dedicates its services to the elderly and the poor with as many as 400 patients daily, and is committed to holistic care; in addition, 24/7 attendance is required of a chaplaincy staff member, visitation of every patient within 24 hours of admission, involvement with families as they wrestle with continuing care. His particular units of involvement are Emergency Rm., service for surgical and intensive care, adult and inpatient psychiatry, inpatient/outpatient dialysis. Additionally, he has done some work with a research nephrologist, and has officiated at staff weddings and funerals. Rev. West is seeking his recertification with the National Association of Pastoral Chaplains, and as part of the process, the Council voted to re-affirm his ministry and Four-Way Covenant 4. The Council voted to approve the minutes of the September 12 meeting with two Corrections: 1) under Pastor Mitzi’s report : she and Paula Welch …will be in Canada the first three days in October….and will be married;2) under by-laws revision, …at October meeting. Pastor Ken noted that to expedite the struggle we still seem to be having with committee minutes reaching the church website, each committee should remind its secretary of the email address (ECminutes@yahoo.com), and should write up the minute asap after their meetings and in very basic and simple prose. 5. Board and Committee Reports Membership: an application for a variance for the new sign on the hill is in progress; an ice cream social is scheduled for Sat, Nov. 3, from 6:30-7:30, at the Church during which time the official turning on of the steeple lights –“Let It Shine”—will take place; there will be a free-will offering, as well as a drawing for the first person to flip the switch; a request was made that each committee designate a person to coordinate publicity for that committee’s activities with Membership. Deacons: 8 new ivory perma-press tablecloths have been purchased to be used for church suppers, and will be kept separately from the old mix-and-match single cloths currently used. House and Grounds: A buffet breakfast for the congregation is being planned at 8:30 some Sunday, prior to the 10AM service; Dec. 9 was the chosen date; November 4 is cleanup Sunday, with the raindate on the 18th; 5 additional parking spots have been gained with the new diagonal parking. Stewardship: In the 2007 proposed Budget worksheet #1, the line item identified as Income from Endowment will be rephrased, and will be a focus as the budgetary needs are addressed and emphasis is placed on the potential shortfall ($70,000) if pledges aren’t increased. Christian Education: the second curriculum rotation starts in two weeks, and one more teacher is needed for the 4 week period. Treasurer: it was noted that the market values, as of October 10, for the Investment Fund and the Scholarship Fund were $346,039.17, and $47335.43, respectively. Trustees: The endowment fund questionnaire had been put in the hands of the trustees; but there is uncertainty as to how to proceed since there is no congregational policy which governs the use of endowment; it was suggested that the Council plan a meeting with the new “Connecticut Associate Minister for Endowment Ministries” after which the Council could then create a policy to be approved by the congregation—and then, the Trustees could tackle the questionnaire. 6. Pastor Ken’s report >there will be an Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at our church on Sun., Nov.18 At 5PM >during Dec. 9’s service, the topic of Silver Lake‘s $12million 5-year renovation Project will be addressed. >a pastoral decision was made to back off from the proposal to hold all committee meetings on one day of the month, due to too many conflicts with schedules; however, the request was made that each committee chair be in touch monthly wit the pastors, and should simultaneously touch bases with committee members via email (or other- wise) to discuss new ideas, subsequently shortening the time for each meeting. >the Christmas Eve service, at 5:30PM, will be for not by the kids; an 11Pm service is still in the discussion stage with the Diaconate. >the annual pageant will be on Dec. 16 7. Old Business-By-laws Revision # 11 Pastoral Relations Committee There was lengthy discussion about, and an eventual motion to, subdivide this Committee with a subset entitled Personnel which would consist of the 2 ministers, a Representative from the Music and House & Grounds committees, a Trustee and the Moderator to deal with the hiring/firing and salaries of staff which includes: church secretary, organist, bell choir director, youth choir director, senior choir director, and the sexton; the ministers would be recused from the committee when their positions were discussed; the Pastoral Relations committee itself would then continue to foster relations between the ministerial staff and the congregation. By-laws #10, 12 & 13 were postponed to another time, due to the lateness of the evening. 8 New Business-none 9 Pastor Ken led the Closing Prayer. 10 Meeting adjourned at 9:20PM Next Meeting, November 14, 7PM Respectfully submitted, Betsy Steele | 
