Present: Bob Morse, Carrie Skeffington, Carl Murphy, Nancy MacLean, Phil Whitney, Elinor Redmond, Gary Roberts, John McCall, Elsa Peters, Roger Addor, Peggy Murray, and John Shoos.
Absent: Matt Early, Robin Reinhold
Guest: Ellie Chatto

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. with an opening by John Shoos.

The minutes from the March 15, 2012 Council meeting were approved.

MINISTER’S TIME:
John McCall reported that our Easter services went very well. He discussed the New England Women’s Celebration which takes place every 4 years at various locations in New England. The purpose of the Celebrations is “to reach women in the pews and to involve them in learning and sharing their faith beyond the local church and Conference setting.” (from website). It is organized by women from United Church of Christ congregations across New England, however women from all denominations and religious traditions are welcome to attend. In 2013 it will be held in Portland. Organizers of this celebration have a goal of raising $5000 from local congregations and are requesting $1000 from FCC UCC to cover costs of the speakers, facilities, and other related expenses. Following discussion there was a motion by Peggy Murray, seconded by Bob Morse, to support this event with $1000, to come from the Cabinet Fund 3527-1. The motion passed unanimously.

John also reported that the photographs of our pastors are being restored (enhanced and digitized) with money approved from the Memorial Fund.

John said we received a bequest of $15,432.96 from Rosella Loveitt. Our guidelines stipulate that unless directed otherwise, bequests and gifts of $2,500 to $25,000 are to be used as follows: 10% of the principal given to support mission and outreach; 10% of the principal to Major Maintenance Fund and 80% invested through the Church’s unrestricted Endowment Fund. The Council, as the governing board of the church, must vote to receive and accept the gift or bequest. A motion was made by Bob Morse to accept the bequest, seconded by Carl Murphy. The motion passed unanimously.

A bequest of $10,000 from Meredith Ahlsen will be received soon and the Council will discuss it when it is presented.

REVIEW OF CHURCH AUDIT REPORT:
Ellie Chatto, representing the Administration Team, presented the draft of the audit review. She said this is a review to see if financial statements conform to standards, and not a full audit which would be more expensive. Overall she said the church is financially strong with $3 million in assets (fortunate to have cash, land, building) and very few liabilities. Endowment investments had losses this year. Pledges income in 2011 exceeded pledge income in 2010. We had a slight operating loss but better than anticipated in the budget. We have many funds to keep track of and Cyndi Alden does a good job reconciling the statements. Ellie looks at the statements every month and we have a person outside the church who also reconciles the statements. Phil Whitney asked if we use a private accounting firm. Ellie said we use Wayne Smith, from Smith and Associates, CPA who is very familiar with church accounting. Roger Addor asked about the large number of restricted funds. Ellie said we are bound by law to use the restricted funds as the donor intended. Phil asked about the $3 million in assets. Ellie said that represents $1 million in fixed assets (land, building and equipment); approximately two million in endowment funds, investments, and cash. She said the audit report will be in the annual church report. She said the Administration Team looks at the operating statements. Elinor Redmond asked if we need a full audit. Ellie said there is no requirement to be audited.

Nancy says she signs off that the Council received and approved the audit review.

ROSTER OF NOMINEES:
Regarding nominees for teams for 2012-2013, Nancy said teams are doing their own recruiting. Our responsibility is recruitment for the Council. Elinor volunteered to help Nancy with names. Characteristics we are looking for: 1) historical perspective and 2) people who are active and dedicated to the church.

On June 21 Nancy will not be here for the meeting. A meeting date of June 14 was discussed.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Next Council meeting: Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Recorder/opening: Carl Murphy

In attendance: Jan Bosse, Sarah Randall , Co-Chairs; Mike Kasputes, Richard Parker, and Kristen Silvia.

Opening Devotion: Jan Bosse

April Minutes: approved unanimously without change.

Treasurer’s Report: Mike presented the treasurer’s report detailing collections from the Easter Offering and One Great Hour of Sharing.

Minister’s Moment: No new agenda items.

OLD BUSINESS:
Agency Reviews - We reviewed the new binder holding our agency reviews and matrices. Richard will finalize a summary which he hopes to have available for our June meeting. He also suggested we review our work with new members next year.

NEW BUSINESS:
Disbursements - We made the following disbursements based on our agency research and determination of level of need:
• Grace Street Ministries $750
• Friendship House $750
• Pilgrim Lodge $750
• Preble Street Soup Kitchen $500
• Maine Council of Churches $500
• Equality Maine $500
• Family Crisis Services $500
• Protestant Hospital Ministries $500
• Long Creek Ministries $500

Possible new members - Margaret Anderson has agreed to join us. We will continue to look for 2 more new members.

New Treasurer - Kristen agreed to be next year’s Treasurer.

Micah Project - We brainstormed some ideas for upcoming Micah projects, including Pilgrim Lodge fall cleanup, a beach cleanup, assistance for Elder church members, Habitat build.

Closing Devotion: offered by Jan.

Next Meeting: June 7th, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Sarah will bring snacks and Jan will provide drinks.

Present: Bob Morse, Carrie Skeffington, Carl Murphy, Nancy MacLean, Phil Whitney, Elinor Redmond, Gary Roberts, John McCall, Elsa Peters, Robin Reinhold, and Roger Addor.
Absent: Matt Early, Peggy Murray, and John Shoos.

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. with an opening by Gary Roberts.

The minutes from the February 16, 2012 Council meeting were approved.

MINISTER’S TIME:
John McCall reported that our Elder Chaplain, Nancy Foran, completed her ministry with us this week. The position was originally funded from “the Gift” and Nancy was hired at 15 hours a week in September, 2000. She cut back to 6 hours a week in 2005 when she was called as part-time pastor of the Raymond Village Church. Her visitations will be continued by Elsa and John.

John also reported that the church will be receiving a bequest of $10,000 soon from Meredith Ahlsen.

CAMPERSHIPS FOLLOW-UP:
Elsa reported that the money available for camper support this year is currently $1,284.
Plus a $300 donation from the Guild would a total of $1,584 for camperships awards. Campers can sign up for $100 campership assistance through the first day of camp.
After brief discussion the sum was approved.

2012 MISSION TRIP TEAM:
Elsa reported that the Mission Trip has been cancelled for 2012 due to small number of participants. We will be looking forward to returning to Cherryfield in 2013. Therefore, the Mission Team’s request to have a fund raising event has been withdrawn.

ANNUAL MEETING:
The Annual meeting was scheduled for May 20, 2012, the only open date between May 1 and the end of June.

QUIET ROOM:
The Council again considered the question of children’s noise in church, as originally discussed in December. Members agreed that, at this time, there is no need for a “quiet room”; excessive noise does not occur on a regular weekly basis.

ESKIMO’S CLUB SIGNAGE:
A request from the Eskimo Club to put up signage in the back foyer was discussed and approved.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL FOR NEXT YEAR:
Council members of the Class of 2012 are asked to decide about continuing on. We will be considering nominations at the April meeting. It has historically been the outgoing members’ responsibility to find their replacement. The Participation and Opportunities list may be a place to start.

ONGOING: EXERCISES IN FINANCIAL PRIORITIZING
Elsa led an exercise in Appreciative Inquiry for FCC UCC in which we paired off and interviewed each other using six questions relating to how we feel about the church and where it’s going. How we view ourselves and others as members in the church and what we have to offer. What we would wish for the churches future, etc. Many of our answers were similar and showed we each have a strong positive relationship with the FCC UCC.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Next Council meeting: Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Recorder/opening: John Shoos