San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church

San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church

Church Council Minutes

March 21, 2017

Attendance: Debra Carter, Don Field, John Green, Luke Ham, Paul Kuelz, Jim McKnight, Mark Miller, Rhonda Poole, Bill Rust, Terry Sherman, Fred Toney, and Joanne Van Bezey.

Absent: Ron Dunn, Lea Hickman, Harry Knapp, Carol Warnock.

Guests: Jim Burk, Stephanie Ham, Carole Johnson, Dick Lam, Dave McWilliams, Dean McWilliams, Laurie Stocking, and Greg Warwick.

CALL TO ORDER

Church Council Chair, Terry Sherman, called the meeting to order at 7:05pm in the Fireside Room.

OPENING DEVOTION/PRAYER

Pastor Luke Ham offered a prayer to open the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION

It was moved the Church Council February 21, 2017, minutes be approved as presented. The following corrections were made:

Re: 2017 Budget.

2016 2017 __

Total Income $1,114,950 $1,145,200

Total Expenses $1,129,945 $1,154,938

Net Position $ (14,995) $ (9,738)

The minutes were unanimously approved.

DIVERSITY UPDATE

Lay Leader Debra Carter reported the Diversity Task Force meeting was held March 17. The Task Force added youth representative, Lilly Hickman, and hopes to add another. The Task Force actions include: -Developing a line-up of speakers, films, panel discussion subjects which would focus on diversity issues, cultural differences and awareness. The events will be open to public and community.

-Identify opportunities to include the diversity perspective, by coordinating with other church groups and committees, sermon series, etc.

-1) Setting and assessing metrics for objectives; 2) Scheduling; 3) Commencing drive to include women and minorities in leadership roles, and how to support them on their journey.

-The Gender Equity Workshop planned for late August due to schedule of workshop leader, Gere Reist, our Conference Superintendent for Development.

FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE (Attached)

2017 YTD (Jan-Feb) Overview for General Fund. Finance Committee Chair, Rhonda Poole, presented the report (see the attached report for details).

Jan-Feb Jan-Feb Pos / (Neg) Full 2017

Actual Budget Budget Budget__

Total Income $ 300,774 $ 270,210 $ 30,564 $1,145,200

Total Expenses $ 190,958 $ 200,398 $ 9,440 $1,154,938

Net Position Pos/(Neg) $ 109,816 $ 69,812 $ 40,004 $ (9,738)

Note: This is draft of February financial statements.

Positive variance primarily due to, 1) One-time donations in response to our plea to congregation regarding our budget shortfall, and 2) Some annual pledges for 2017 were received in full in January.

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE UPDATE

SPRC Chair, Don Field, reported the assessment of SRVUMC’s current staffing structure to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the structure is ongoing. SPRC will report results to Church Council by July 1, 2017.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Strategic Development Chair, Jim McKnight, reported meeting is scheduled for March 28, with Strategic Plan leaders to review current progress and set 2017 plans.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT (Attached)

Board of Trustees Chair, Mark Miller, reported on these items:

1.  Work underway on sanctuary windows to garden; Completion expected March 27.

2.  Continuing to look for additional rental and cost reduction opportunities.

3.  ARC. Construction target completion, June 1. Parking lot paving expected completion, before Palm Sunday.

4.  Security. Meeting with Allguard in March to finalize security integration.

PROPOSED CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY REGARDING SERVING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON SRVUMC PREMISES (Attached)

Board of Trustees Chair, Mark Miller, introduced the proposed survey.

MOTION.

Rhonda Poole moved to accept the BOT-produced survey and send the survey to congregation members. Don Field 2nd. The motion passed (Yea 5, Nay 3, Abstain 1, Pastors do not vote), with the following stipulations:

1)  Within the introduction and informational portion of survey, amend the statement, “The Board of Trustees would approve individual event/permit requests on a-case-by-case basis, should it be authorized.”

2)  Within the survey, amend the program to accomplish the following: If a response to Question Nr 1 is, “Disagree,” have program skip to Question Nr 5 and bypass Questions Nrs 2, 3, and 4.

RISK TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE UPDATE

Risk Taking Mission and Service Chair, Paul Kuelz, recapped the progress of the Ahmed Zai family, referring to the extensive report produced by Liz Bayat. SRVUMC continues as a participant with many individuals active in supporting the family. A date is to be determined for a Meet and Greet with the family at our Church.

During this year's Lenten period (March 1 to April 16) we will be focusing on the Thomas Food Project, and in particular the solar oven program. Our goal: $15K, the cost of one solar oven to greatly increase the number of meals.

In response to a question, Paul reported how mission projects are selected: During our Strategic planning, it was decided that we needed to find a focus. We decided that we would attempt to choose new mission opportunities that fell within one of three groups: Health (MedShare, Rise Against Hunger, CC Food Bank); Education (College is Real); and Housing (Habitat, Weed Fire Rebuild, Katrina, Baton Rouge flood).

PASTORS’ MOMENTS

Pastor Luke Ham reported on these items:

1.  Lenten sermon series, “Gifts of the Dark Wood,” continues.

2.  SRVUMC will host an interfaith youth gathering in April. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim students will be in attendance.

3.  Our bishop had to cancel the Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat for our area. Luke took the lead to put together an alternative retreat for confirmands from SRVUMC, Lynnewood, and Livermore UMCs. Speaker was our Conference Lay Leader, Michelle Pope.

4.  Participated as a Chaplin with California High School in San Ramon. Program, “Every 15 Minutes DUI Education Program,” and participated in a simulated memorial service at the school-wide assembly.

5.  Starting April 3, Luke and Tawfick will be taking 10th grade students from SRVUMC on a college road trip, visiting 10 different colleges; will be given tours by SRVUMC alumni; and check-in with our young adults away at college.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (Attached)

1.  Peace and Justice Committee Chair, Laura Sanchez, provided the Council a flyer announcing the Peace and Justice committee will sponsor three Adult Classes on the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church on Sundays following Easter, April 23, 30, and May 7, Fireside Room, at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.. The Social Principles handbook is available for all interested persons.

OTHER BUSINESS

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 7pm in the Fireside Room.

CLOSE AND ADJOURNMENT

Chair Terry Sherman adjourned the meeting at 9:05pm.

Respectfully submitted,

John L. Green

Church Council Secretary

2