FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

MAY 21, 2001

I. CONVENING THE BODY: Mary Wis Haggin: The May 21, 2001, Administrative Council meeting was opened with prayer by Mary Wis Haggin at 7:07 PM.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mary Wis Haggin: The March 5, 2001, Administrative Council minutes were approved with one correction: Item III.D.2.: the March 8 United Methodist Women luncheon meeting had guests from the High Street Neighborhood Center.

III. CENTERING TIME: Al Gwinn

A. Core value #1, “We are the Body of Christ”, using text from Romans 12, was discussed at the March 5 meeting.

2. Core value #2: “The Scriptures Are God’s Word for Us”, text from II Timothy 3:16-17

1. How does this core value make us different from other organizations? We are different because decisions are made differently from other organizations – we work from God’s decisions, not our own.

2. If the Bible is the guidebook, what value do knowledge and experience have? We depend on the Quadrilateral (Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience) to form the knowledge of what is to be.

3. If the Bible is the Holy Book, what role should it play in our church? Council members are to think about this question for the next meeting.

IV. DECISIONS FOR THE BODY

A. Vision Team Report: Richard Dorton

1. One subcommittee has been formed to study how to best utilize the existing property.

2. Another subcommittee has been formed to study the ministry of the church.

a. One group in this subcommittee is studying the demographics of the church.

b. Another group is studying the core values of the congregation.

B. Trustee Reports

1. Sale of Surplus Property: Nick Thompson

a. The Trustees have been asked, and agreed (pending Administrative Council approval), to sell some surplus property in the old parsonage basement.

b. Motion from Sandy Shafer, second by Paul Sullivan, approved unanimously: proceeds from the sale of old parsonage surplus property are to be donated to the Estonia mission trip.

2. Report of Kitchen Committee: Brenda Nally

a. Due to sustained commercial use of the church kitchen, Jerry Hester has been asked to relocate his business.

b. He was asked to remain as church cook, but no answer has been given.

c. Jerry has found another location for his business.

C. Staff Reports

1. Children’s Ministries: Dina Melvin: Dina is excited about the opportunity to be part of the children’s spiritual lives.

2. Preschool Ministries: Linda Svec: Linda is excited about working with expectant parents through kindergarten age children and hopes to have staff training and improve the facilities.

3. Youth Ministries: Tiffany Hollums

a. Tiffany noted that there were 11 confirmands, 80 persons attended Icthus, 40 youth will be performing Godspell, and 16 persons will be going to Estonia.

b. She praised the youth counselors, especially the many college students who volunteer.

c. She noted that God is moving in small ways, as demonstrated by the College Accountability Group, the youth Servanthood group, and the prayer group meeting before UMYF.

D. Finance Report: Scooter Leonard

1. Pledged income is behind budget, but actual expenses are trailing actual income.

2. Scooter praised the work of Ann Holt, the church financial secretary, and the volunteers who assist her.

E. Other Reports

1. Endowment Committee: Foster Ockerman, Jr.: The Endowment Committee has organized and elected officers and organized investment and education committees.

2. United Methodist Women: Kathy Sullivan: Kathy recently visited the UMCOR headquarters in Louisiana and would like to see First Church become more involved in UMCOR’s ministries.

3. Mary Wis Haggin recently visited the Mary Kendall Campus in Owensboro and came away excited about the ministries of the United Methodist homes in Owensboro and Versailles.

V. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW OR WOULD LIKE TO KNOW: No questions were asked.

VI. CLOSING PRAYER: Al Gwinn: The closing prayer was offered at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Phillip E. Nally, Secretary