FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXNGTON, KENTUCKY

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

September 22, 2003

 


7:05 p.m. Foster Ockerman, Jr., chair called to order the First United Church Administrative Council

 

CONVENING THE BODY

 

 

 

Foster Ockerman, Jr. presented the Minutes of June 16, 2003.  There being no corrections or additions a motion to accept the Minutes was made by David Bratcher and seconded by Ernie Stamper. Motion approved.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

 

 

 

Dr. Al Gwinn encouraged those on the Administrative Council who presently receive Interpreter Magazine to be sure and read it.

 

Items for rejoicing and prayer:

·        Dr. Gwinn asked the Council to rejoice with Russ and   Meredith Clark in the birth of their little boy. 

·        Many others who need our prayers.

 

Dr. Gwinn read from the 5th Chapter of James: Confess your faults one to another and pray that ye may be healed.  Dr. Gwinn asked the assembled:  Who are you confessing your faults to besides God?  Where is your accountability and to whom, a small group of people or an individual?  At that time the Administrative Council broke into small groups for a time of table sharing and prayer.

 

CENTERING TIME

 

 

 

Andover Task Force

·        Dulaney Wood, chair, began his report by sharing how he came to be chair of the Andover Task Force.  The Andover Task Force mission is:

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS

°      Our Mission is to open as many doors as possible.  To think outside the box so the Andover Campus is used in a manner that brings people into the church and builds relationships of those that are already members.

 

Dulaney explained as the Task Force began dreaming what could be done with the Andover Campus they posed the question to themselves:  “If we had ________________, then we could do ______________.   A few ideas were:

°      Recreation and Athletics: Softball, wiffleball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, ping pong, miniature golf, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, indoor soccer, exercise classes, kick

 

     boxing, self-defense.  Tailgate party for football games with

     Use of big screen TV’s to watch games

°      Discipleship/Worship:  Small group bible studies for the Andover area, programming for parenting, singles, married, divorced, Christian speaker series.

°      And more.

The following recommendations were made to the Administrative Council by the Andover Task Force:

  1. Plan at least 4 annual church wide events.
    1. Church wide picnic
    2. Christian Arts Fair
    3. Christmas Carol night/music
  2. Starting in January, have at lease one event each week.  Some may repeat on a monthly basis.
    1. Monthly speaker series
    2. New Neighbor Hospitality Night
  3. Decorate the outside of Andover for Christmas, outdoor lights, etc.
  4. Christmas programming.
    1. At least one high profile Christmas event.  Suggest it be music related, possible something like an evening of Christmas Carols inviting church members and Andover community.
    2. Parents’ night out for Christmas shopping.  Include the MOMS program as a base from the Andover area.
  5. Every program committee of the church meet at Andover in the next 60 days to brainstorm ways to expand programming at Andover.  We must have the input of those with vision to provide programming and staffing.
  6. Hire a program/facilities manager in the first quarter of 2004.
  7. Offer Easter Sun Rise Service in 2004.

 

Dulaney and the Andover Task Force challenged the Administrative Council to come up with additional ideas. 

 

Foster Ockerman, Jr. shared his excitement of being on the Task Force.  He also reminded the Council the Andover Task Force will be retired when a plan for the property is in place.  Foster shared several items of interest regarding the Andover property:

°         The Task Force would like to call the facility the Christian Activity Center at the First United Methodist Church Andover Campus. 

°         The Task Force would also like to advertise the Andover Campus by means of a low volt radio announcement. 

°         Foster also reported 1st UMC will close on the Andover property right-of-way with in the next 60 days with the possibility of the $77,500 purchase price could be a large part of the staffing salary.

°         In talking with Planning and Zoning there are 30 residential rights on the property.  Whether the residential rights can be sold off into lots is yet to be determined.

°         The Andover Community Church sign has been taken down with the plan for a new sign to go up at Christmas along with a schedule.

There are so many decisions yet to be made regarding the Andover Campus that Foster recommended the matter be tabled and revisited as “old business” next meeting.

Athletics Committee

·     Dulaney Wood, chair, reported about the successful golf scramble held on September 21, 2003 at Widow’s Watch Golf Course in Jessamine County.  73 golfers ages 14 to over 70 years old participated in the church wide golf scramble.

The program consisted of eating first, golf and then ate desert. 

A few results were as follows:

°         1st place score 57 - Ryan Heidinger, David Marshall, Paul Sullivan, and Jim Heidinger

°         2nd place score 58 – Matt Wood, Larry Radtke, Dulaney Wood, and Bill Bosta

°         Low score teams 63 - John Melvin, Allen Jackson, Carolyn Yates Cunningham, and Vince Barber

°         Highest score 81 – Cindy Baker, Barbara Newquist, Mary Mowery, and Caltha Mikesell

°         Special thanks to many for their hard work and/or gifts to make the event possible.

Dulaney shared that he would like to see the scramble become an annual event and possibly even a 9-hole league.

Finance Committee

·     Ernie Stamper, chair, reported he is much less disappointed and very much heartened by the finances through August.  He said that he is optimistic about our stewardship in spending close to budgeted areas.  Ernie shared the Andover banking proposals are due to come in from four (4) institutions.  He also mentioned to Scooter Leonard he would like see a separate line added to the Finance Report for “Secured Debt $540,000”.   Foster Ockerman, Jr. called for a motion to accept the Finance Report, so moved by Mark Miller and seconded by Ken Williams.  Motion approved.

Endowment Foundation

·        Bob Flemming, chair reported the Endowment Foundation is planning a Planned Giving Seminar for October 20 at 6:00 p.m. The evening will begin with a light dinner followed by Pamela Davidson, an outstanding speaker.

 

Missions Committee

·        David Bratcher, chair reported the Missions Committee met last Wednesday to explore new directions and reflect about where we’ve been in the past.  They looked at ways more people can be involved like the 1996 trip to Estonia.  David brought one recommendation from the Missions Committee to the Administrative Council:

°         $10,000 for the 1st UMC’s Habitat house.  Saturday is the       last day to paint.  The hope is to dedicate the house early in       October.  Recommendation approved by the       Administrative Council.

Nominations

·        Dr. Al Gwinn reported the Nominations Committee nominated Patty Wilkins to fill a vacated position on the Nathaniel Mission Board.  Foster Ockerman, Jr. called for all who approved the nomination to say Amen.  Nomination approved.

Evangelism Committee

·        Rev. Ken Klemme reported for Diona Mullins, chair.  1st UMC has taken 90 individuals into membership.  Ken shared the staff sometimes feels like they don’t have time to bait the hook for fish jumping into the boat!   The new Door Step Ministry materials are now in and ready for the Door Step Ministry team to begin distributing them to first-time visitors.  The new blue gift bags, complete with 1st UMC logo, will contain a blue booklet of ministry opportunities, a refrigerator clip and a thermo style blue mug also with the 1st UMC logo on it.

Stewardship Committee

·        Bill Bosta, chair reported the Stewardship Committee recently had their first meeting.  The 2003 Stewardship Campaign theme will be “Together We Can”.  An initial letter will be mailed out to the membership in the next few weeks.  The Campaign Kickoff will be on October 19 with Commitment Sunday being on November 9.

Staff Parish

·        Richard Dorton, chair reported the hiring of Judith Henny McKee as the new Youth Minister - she was excused from attending the Administrative Council meeting this evening due to a youth Bible study.  Richard shared with the Council Judith’s husband is a very talented musician and will be working with the Youth Choir.  Richard reaffirmed to the Council about Dr. Al Gwinn’s nomination for Bishop and the possibility he will be leaving.  With that prospect in mind the Staff Parish Committee will prepare as though it will happen.  It is planned for Bishop King will come to 1st UMC to preach sometime this fall or winter and the Staff Parish Committee plans to meet with him while he is here.

 

Building Task Force

·        Richard Dorton, chair reported about the 1st UMC’s Family Meeting held last Wednesday evening to provide information about the

proposed expansion models.  The Building Task Force is planning to meet within the next week or so to deal with parking.

Other reports

·        Foster Ockerman, Jr. asked it there were other reports.  There were none.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS continued…

 

 

Dates to Remember:

·         Church wide Barbeque (Sponsored by UMW)     10/12 After worship

·        Laity Sunday                                                   10/19

·        Stewardship Kick-Off                                     10/19

·        Planned Giving Seminar                                   10/20 - 6:00 p.m.

·        All Saints Carnival                                           11/2

·        Commitment Sunday                                       11/9

·        Charge Conference                                         11/17 – 7:00 p.m.

·        Christmas Events at Andover                           No date as yet

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

 

 

 

No questions were asked.

 

WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE?

 

 

 

At 8:30 p.m., there being no further business, Foster Ockerman, Jr. adjourned the meeting with a closing prayer offered by Dr. Al Gwinn

 

ADJOURNMENT AND CLOSING PRAYER

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Joyce Miller

Recording Secretary