»2009 Congregational Annual Meeting Report
The
congregation met on Sunday, May 3 for its annual business meeting; an
opportunity to review our past year and consider the road ahead.
Jim
White opened the meeting with a prayer asking for a quiet moment to collect
our thoughts as we plan for the coming year, and calling for gratitude for
our thriving and opportunities, and asking blessings on our community.
John
Lewis led a brief children's business meeting, which gave the children
present a chance to participate in a short meeting devoted to their
interests and to share their worship priorities with us. For the group in
attendance, singing is a big hit.
The
congregation approved the minutes of congregational meetings in the past
year: the April 27, 2008 Annual meeting; the November 30, 2008 special
congregational meeting on hosting the encampment; and the February 22, 2009
Financial meeting.
Moderator
John Lewis shared the highlights of the busy past year, and thanked the many
people who have supported our church with their time and energy. He formally
recognized all who served the church in an official capacity during the past
year.
Sue
Landeen introduced the nominations for 2009-2010. Sue reminded the
congregation that Boards are still open. Please let her know if you would
like to serve on a Board or committee in the coming year.
Peter
Ilgenfritz installed the new officers and board members for the 2009-2010
church year.
Peter
asked for suggestions to help shape the summer preaching series. Please
contact him with ideas for sermon topics or hymns you would especially like
to hear, or if you would like to take part in a dialogue sermon.
Catherine
Foote reminded the congregation how we have been living into our vision
statement: "Imagine love and justice. Jesus did, we do. Come join
us." In the coming year we will continue to explore how this statement
helps shape our sense of self.
George
Burns, chair of the Ministerial Search Committee, gave an update on the
search process. Out of nearly 60 qualified applicants, the committee has
focused their attention to the top dozen candidates, and has completed the
first round of phone interviews. Now they are conducting background checks
and are preparing for in-person interviews. We are hopeful that the new
minister will be able to start by the fall. In-coming moderator Kathy Kripps
thanked the search committee for all of their work.
Marty
Curry gave an update on the work of the University District Ecumenical
Campus Coalition (UDECC). This group of University churches is planning to
move out of their aging buildings into a new campus that will have an
ecumenical focus and allow for concentrated support for social justice.
UDECC has asked our church to approve a feasibility study to consider our
Lot C parcel (along with some adjacent buildings to the north) to be used
for the UDECC campus. We hope to respond to their request by mid-June. Marty
asked members to attend the forum on Sunday June 7 to discuss this
request.
Catherine
Foote gave a closing blessing anticipating the coming year and giving
gratitude for the past year.
—Elaine
Mathies
Secretary
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