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A Message from Your |
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June 19, 2007 By: Jane Ellis, Bishop’s Committee Clerk
Music Ministry Myrna Crooks-Owen, who has agreed to function as our Music Director, reported on a three day workshop which she attended recently. The workshop, entitled “Music that Makes Community” was designed to “teach musicians, clergy and lay people to select and lead paperless music in their congregations”. Approximately forty clergy and lay leaders from around the country met to “discuss, sing, worship and analyze”. Myrna began her presentation on “paperless worship” by leading the attendees in an example of praise singing. Then she outlined the process and advantages, from a more focused and “present” congregation experiencing easier participation in the music by all, to savings in copying costs and efforts. Those present thanked Myrna for her enthusiastic presentation and agreed that the idea was attractive and should be pursued.
Treasurer’s Report Steve was absent, but had provided a proposed Expenditure Approval Process outline, designed to regulate discretionary spending. Unfortunately, this proposal could not be ratified at the meeting, because of the lack of a quorum. This will be followed up at the July meeting. In the meantime, the proposal should be used as a guideline for expense processing. Anyone anticipating making a purchase should contact the B. C. Liaison responsible for their program area for information and guidance. Steve plans to provide pledging members with a pledge status report. He had indicated that, in most cases, pledges currently in arrears are for known reasons and are expected to be caught up.
Bishop’s Election Convention The majority clergy vote and near-majority (missed by three votes) lay vote on the first ballot was described as “something of a miracle” and a testament to the hard work by many in the diocese to reorganize, reconfigure and communicate. Several members of St. Philip’s, including two youth, attended one of the five area presentations attended by all five candidates and communicated their candidate preferences to our voting delegates. While there was not unanimity of preference among our delegates, all were impressed by the venerable Mary Gray-Reeves’ credentials, experience and personal integrity.
Tidbits · Art & Wine Festival: Donna Seelbach and Camilla Shaffer will be hosting an art booth, under the auspices of St. Philip’s, at the Art and Wine Festival, August 11 and 12. · Harvest Festival: Pastor Mary reported that the office has been fielding vendor inquiries regarding the Harvest Festival for the past two months. She will meet with Jose Gonzalez, Fundraising Liaison, to determine what steps need to be taken to manage the vendor inquiries and seek a chair person for the Harvest Festival. We need someone to step forward as soon as possible to direct this project. [Editor’s note: Pastor Mary has now met with Jose and he agreed to receive the names of prospective vendors while he actively seeks a chair person to lead this fundraising project.] · Newsletter Publishing: When Pastor Mary reminded the B. C. that Karin Clift plans to “retire” after completing the September issue, the idea was proposed, and well-received among those present, that we should phase out the printed newsletter and continue providing the web-based edition, with email notification of its availability. Those members who do not have access to the internet will be invited to request a printed copy be prepared for them, which will be available for pick-up at the church. It is anticipated that the savings in both aggravation (due to our recalcitrant copier) and printing/mailing costs will be substantial. |
