HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE OFFICIAL BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 28, 2008

1. Present: Andy Adamson, Jennifer Bennett, Lynda Ann Boulter, Erma Bracken, Bonnie Brown, Fergus Brown, Linda Brown, Rob Christie, Millie Cuthill, Don Coleman, Elaine Lazier, Ann McDougall, John McDougall, Nancy Moore-Carr, Darlene Nicol, Marni Pederson, Jeanette Pixley, Rev. Lynda Price, Gord Ramer, Gayle Robertson, Ardith Wolsey, Don Wolsey

Regrets: Carolyn Brown, Hannes Friedli, Ralph McInnes, Elfleda Watson

John McDougall was chair. Jennifer Bennett agreed to be secretary.

2. Nancy Moore-Carr’s opening worship was a story based on the Gospel of John chapter 17, about the church working together as a flexible rope made of fibre rather than a chain, which is only as strong as its weakest link. Andy Adamson will provide the opening worship at our next meeting.
He asked to be reminded by the new chair, Rob Christie.

3. The agenda was adopted, with additions. Lynda Boulter/Gayle Robertson. Carried.

4. The minutes of the November 19, 2007 meeting were accepted. Linda Brown/Elaine Lazier.

5. Business arising

Desert Lake Retreat Response Committee: Marni Pederson reported that a lot has been happening in terms of changes in the worship service but there have not yet been any meetings of the committee.

Gospel of St. Mark: Jennifer Bennett reported that Matthew and Jennifer Gibson will present the play at St. Paul’s at 7pm on April 19th. The ticket price will be $10, available from Jennifer Bennett, Gayle Robertson and local merchants. Trinity will supply refreshments, with coffee and tea made by St. Paul’s. Linda Brown, Ann McDougall and Darlene Nicol offered to put up posters.

6. Correspondence
a) Theological College: we were thanked for our donation of $200
b) General Council sent a report justifying the request for additional funds. The report is available from John McDougall

7. Minister’s Report
a) February 3 is Transfiguration and Communion. In honour of Black History month in February, a family from the Congo will come to fellowship after church at Trinity on February 10. February 17 will be Baden Powell Sunday at Trinity, while St. Paul’s will have “my favourite hymns.” February 24 is a combined service at St. Paul’s, where the Grandmother Connection, who deal with AIDS-affected African families who are being cared for by grandmothers, will be present ahead of the service for snacks and a display, and will talk during the sermon time. Children are invited to bring their grandmothers to the service.
b) Communion dates in 2008 are February 3, March 16 Palm Sunday (at Trinity only), March 30 Easter (St. Paul’s only), June 15, October 5 WW communion, November 30 Advent 1, December 24 Christmas Eve, 9pm at Trinity.
c) Lynda suggested, as a cost cutting measure, we photocopy our own bulletin covers rather than buying published ones, except for special occasions. So moved by Fergus Brown/Gayle Robertson. This year’s bulletin covers have already been purchased.
H-V Official Board January 28, 2008 - 2

8. Treasurer’s Report and Website
Don Coleman presented the financial report as detailed in the Annual Report, 2007 which was distributed at the meeting. He also reported on the re-designed website. Marni Pederson offered to send updates of Saint Paul’s information to Don for inclusion.

9. Committee Reports
a) The M&P committee has met with Trinity session, provided Christmas gifts for staff, and has held one meeting this year.
b) Fergus Brown noted that the sale of the Manse must be approved at St. Paul’s annual meeting on Sunday, before anything can be done by Official B oard.
c) Stewardship has not met yet. Marni Pederson reported that Roy Huntley attended a meeting on stewardship and will report to the committee about it. John McDougall will also ask Glenda Turner.
d) Rev. Linda Price says the Joint Worship committee has been meeting on a fairly regular basis. There is a majority recommendation that we continue with joint services whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month. In 2008, those dates would be March 30, June 29, August 31 and November 30 (Advent 1). The only concern was that children from the non-hosting church don’t come to Sunday school on the joint service days. Moved to continue meeting as a joint service on the 5th Sunday of the month. Gayle Robertson/Marni Pederson. Carried.
e) Presbytery discussed the 10 per cent increase in the budget. Cooke’s-Portsmouth United Church has prepared a petition protesting the increase, to be taken to the Conference annual meeting to be held at the end of May. It was moved that we obtain and read the Cooke’s-Portsmouth petition and support it if appropriate. Gayle Robertson/Darlene Nicol. Carried.
Darlene also suggested that, based on the report from Martha’s Table at Presbytery, extra fundraising events could support Martha’s Table.
The housing allowance will rise in 2009.
f) Andy Adamson reported that Trinity Session is recommending improvements to the windows at Trinity. Lucy Spain has suggested three alternatives which will be decided upon at the AGM. A stair track, to allow wheelchairs to be transported up and down flights of stairs, has been donated to Trinity. Marni Pederson reported that St. Paul’s is also recommending window improvements and may be eligible for a grant.
g) Lynda Boulter reported on the activities of the Trinity Stewards. They are keeping a blue book that details all fundraising plans and results as a useful record for future events. Parking lot improvement estimates will be requested in the spring. A Night in Tunisia is planned for February 22, with funds donated to M&S. A raffled quilt being created by a group of Trinity women will be part of a quilt show to be held later this year. All of the felt shutters have been completed by Dorina Friedli. The Saturday morning breakfasts have been a social and financial success.
h) John McDougall said the Trustees need to know how to use the Ila Townsend fund. This will be voted on at the AGM.
i) Darlene Nicol reported that the UCW sales of pins and snowflakes continues. The Kingston Presbyterial Annual UCW meeting will be held at Trinity on April 9. The UCW is also preparing for the World Day of Prayer.
j) Millie Cuthill is the Session liaison person with Trinity Sunday School. The anthem is now sung before Sunday School so choir members can help.
k) St. Paul’s Council will host an Italian night on February 16 from 4:30 to 6:30. They are looking into window improvements. Nancy Moore-Carr is the new treasurer.

10. New Business
a) It was moved that minute taking be changed from hand writing to a typed format, as soon as possible. Gord Ramer/Ann McDougall. Carried.
b) Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was very successful. Linda Brown said she is happy to continue to organize it but would be happy if anyone else wanted to.

11. The next meeting will be on April 21, 2008 at St. Paul’s at 7:00.

12. Adjournment was moved by Nancy Moore-Carr

Rev. Lynda Price thanked John McDougall for acting as chair for 2007.