Council met on January 9 at 7 p.m. in the church library. Much of the meeting focused on long-term transitional planning in the wake of Pastor Kelly’s departure.
Treasurer Peter Shick said the year-end appeal to congregation members to help erase the anticipated budget shortfall was very successful. In November, it looked like the church might finish the year having spent $7,000 more than was received in offerings. By the end of the year, that deficit had been reduced to $282.
Pastor David reported that church administrator Laura Latham agreed to boost her hours for the next six months to help meet some of the short-term administrative needs created by Pastor Kelly’s vacancy, and Kelly Miller Truax, a teacher at St. Philip preschool with family ties to the church, agreed to work 10 hours a week as a volunteer coordinator. She will be at church on Sundays to help connect people to the work that needs to be accomplished.
Many volunteers have already stepped forward and been assigned tasks and responsibilities, and even more have said they’re ready to help out. Pastor David said he’s feeling very good about the short-term transition effort.
Council spent some time brainstorming about the church’s future, how to best engage the congregation and what kind of long-term staffing solutions to consider. This will be an ongoing conversation.
The next council meeting will be January 30 at 6 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.