| Opening prayer – Pastor Mitzi led us in prayer. Approval of last Council meeting minutes – The November 8 Council Minutes were approved with these corrections: Page 1, Christian Education: George Penniman asked the question about teenagers teaching, not Pastor Mitzi. Page 1, Clergy Staff Report, Pastor Mitzi, 2nd paragraph: Pastor Mitzi is not working on serving communion in members’ homes; she currently performs this service. Page 2, 1st paragraph 1st sentence, Open and Affirming: Emily Williams brought a written report . . . which was received by Council and discussed. Page 2, 2nd paragraph, Open and Affirming: Change “sexual preference” to “sexual orientation.” Board and Committees Reports Stewardship – Dudley Bickford reported that as of 12/12/07, pledges stand at $200,753. To date 27 pledging units have not pledged yet. Total pledges potentially could be $220,000. We have had a decent return on the challenge to increase one’s pledge but not what the committee had hoped. We will have to take about $50,000 from the endowment to meet the budget. Membership Church Directory – Mellicent Hawke reported that Olin Mills will be at the church to take pictures of members for a church directory on March 28, 29 and on April 11, 12. Mellicent will be the contact person for the project and is asking for help from others. Picture appointments can be made on-line. The church directory will be on-line which will allow us to make changes; hard copies will be available. Eagle Festival – The dates are February 16 and 17. We are in the program and will be making and serving chili at the church (as opposed to Pettipaug Yacht Club) as a fund raiser. Signage – The town approved the new church sign and holes have been dug to install the sign. Lighted Steeple – Sherry Clark commented that during the Trees in the Rigging celebration the newly lighted steeple looked beautiful from the river. Clergy Staff Report Pastor Ken Spring Retreat – Due to lack of response the planned spring retreat is being rescheduled to the fall. Pastor Mitzi commented that we will continue to have local one day retreats. Worship Services – The Thursday 6:30 a.m. service continues. The youth choirs will present a Christmas program on Sunday12/16/07. On 12/23/07 services are at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Christmas Eve, services are 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Vacation – Ken will take a week’s vacation beginning the day after Christmas. Annual Fiscal Meeting -- Is scheduled for 01/27/09. Only financial reports are due. Coffee Hour – Ken asked us to “jump out of our circle” to meet other people, especially new members and anyone standing alone, to make a commitment to circle the room one time and to wear our name tag. Pastor Mitzi Adult Education – The Health Series was held 2 Sundays this month with about 8 people attending each. The series on Islam, scheduled for 2 Sundays and 2 Wednesdays, begins in January. Mitzi will have reading material and will confirm the exact dates. Old Business Budget Process – Stewardship schedules a meeting with 3 Trustees and one member from each committee to develop a budget to present to Council for approval. The first meeting will occur before 01/09/08. Endowment discussion -- George Penniman proposed that we form a committee to create a vision and policy on how to use the endowment. The vision/policy will be presented first to the Council for review and approval and then to the congregation for review and approval. Committee members will include two trustees, an investment committee member, a council member and a member at large; Pastor Ken will be ex-officio. George asked Council for suggestions on whom to ask to serve on the committee. A motion passed giving George approval to form an endowment vision/policy committee. Upon the appropriate approvals, the policy would become part of the by-laws. Council would like the recommendation by this summer. ONA (Open and Affirming) – Susan Nilsen asked if anyone had heard feedback about ONA which was the subject of an article “Passages.” Discussion of Church by-laws Page 2, Article V. Membership Page 2, #3, Termination of Membership, Page 3, d, Covenant and Parish – Dudley Bickford submitted suggestions (which are part of these minutes) to replace section d. A discussion of the suggestions included the following comments: The purpose (of the proposed suggestions) is to help keep our roles current. The Members Emeritus classification has not been defined. The Membership Committee stresses sensitivity. Remove “inactive” from 1. Reorder the 6 paragraphs. Confirmands will be taken off the rolls if not active or here 10 years after confirmation. Council decided that modifications will be made to Dudley Bickford’s proposal. Page 2, #1 – Council discussed section #1 under Membership. Comments included: A Covenant member will be recognized . . . (Pastor Ken will develop the wording). Parish members will be those people who wish to remain associated with the church and who attend. How do we report membership accurately? Isn’t this the purpose of “defining” members? We are talking about by-laws and shouldn’t go into this level of detail (membership definitions) in by-laws. The Membership discussion was tabled until next Council meeting. Fellowship Opportunities – Council discussed fellowship activities like the monthly church suppers where each committee sponsored a supper. House and Grounds were complimented on the breakfast they hosted on 12/09/07. “Soups On” is scheduled for January 18, 2008. George Penniman suggested we restart the May Breakfast in 2008 and schedule it to coincide with May Market. Susan Nilsen will include Fellowship Opportunities in January’s Agenda. Discussion of By-law revisions for pages 6 through 10 Page 6, Article VII, Boards and Committees Page 6, #1, a. – Add four members at-large with two members’ terms expiring each year. The Moderator, Treasurer, Ministers, Secretary, Treasurer and Clerk do not have a vote. A motion passed to allow the Moderator to vote to break ties. Page 7, #2, The Diaconate, Page 8 – A motion passed to accept changes made. Page 8, #3, The Board of Trustees, c – The Trustees shall be responsible for proposing the annual budget. Question: Should Trustees go from 9 to 7 members? Council will continue Board of Trustees by-laws discussion at the next Council meeting. Page 9, #4 – The Stewardship Committee – A motion passed to have a minimum of 4 members. Three members will be a quorum. Page 9, #6 – Nominating Committee – Betsy Steele suggested we have a formal nominating process as currently defined in the By-Laws. The Nominating committee shall consist of 1 member of each committee. Page 10, #7, c – House and Grounds – House and Grounds would like the ministers and diaconate to be included in sanctuary issues. Page 10, #7, a – Music Committee – Change the number of members from 6 to 5. A majority is a quorum. George Penniman kindly volunteered to take the minutes for the January 9, 2008 meeting. Closing Prayer – Pastor Ken led us in prayer. Respectfully submitted, Marian Messek, Clerk Next meeting: January 9th at 7:00 p.m. | 
