Called Congregational Meeting Minutes - 4/20/08

The meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. by Rev. K. O. Noonoo, with the Prayer of the People serving as the opening prayer.

The first item of business: Ruth Short, chair of the nominating committee, placed in nomination Norma Hiatt, to fill a spot on the committee. Calling for and hearing no further nominations, the motion was seconded and passed. Rev. Noonoo then gave a prayer of installation for Norma.

Second item of business: An overview of church finances, was presented by Ruth Short, chair of the Trustees.

State of Church Finances
April 4, 2008

Maybe the Presbyterian Church is having a kind of resurrection after a long period of being on hold as we waited for new leadership. Whatever you want to call it our church has a lot of reasons to celebrate. One can feel the excitement and we can see the impact of the children’s programs we have added since Pastor K. O. Noonoo came. We have demonstrated amazing focus and much encouragement for each other, with or without pastoral leadership. This is our great asset.

Now, with Pastor K. O., our church family is gaining new members as well as new programs. Consecration Sunday was a big success and annual pledges reflect the confidence we have in our future. Another positive indication is that 97% of those voting at the congregational meeting voted to renovate. The renovation drive brought in a substantial amount of money. Unfortunately, at the moment, since we are working with an old building, several structural surprises are challenging a smooth path to renovation. The ACC and the Trustees are working together with the common purpose of having a successful renovation without exceeding the budget you set: i.e., the Alma Cassin Fund plus the amount pledged in our campaign.

However, we do have a problem with cash flow in the general fund that we can not ignore. For several years our spending has been exceeding our pledged income by $50,000+. That’s a considerable amount, but we balanced the budget by using money that came in as special donations and the Alma Cassin bequest. The Alma Cassin money was then used for seed money for the renovation fund and tithing for missions. There is nothing left in the general fund of that bequest. Our reserve money consists mainly of the Vineyard Trust. After this year that fund will have a balance of $180,285.08 plus some revenue.

To date: We have cut spending in 2008 to the bone.

1. No new enrichment supplies, just basics needs for teaching.

2. Members are picking up material at the church that traditionally had been mailed as we try to cut costs.

3. We are looking at ways to become paper free. Perhaps by establishing a web site where members would have access to reports, budgets, etc. That information will be mailed to those who do not have computers.

4. We continue to push for a reduction in energy costs and that really requires everyone’s help to turn off lights and turn down furnaces.

5. We welcome suggestions. This is not an insurmountable crisis, but it needs to be acknowledged. We need to share this challenge together as a church family and trust that through prayer and good stewardship we will find the solution. Thanks be to God.

The Trustees
Ruth Short, Chairman
Bill Atkinson
Bill Gore


A graph of spending for preceding years showed that the church, for many years, had funded part of its expenses from special donations from years past. This means that pledging for the most years in the recent past have been much less than what was required to balance the budget. We need to become better stewards, both in our expenses and giving. This will help us to balance the budget each year.

New policies are in place to do just that in 2008, with everyone’s help. The ACC committee is working closely with the trustees to keep spending in line with the wishes of the congregation to spend only what was pledged for the renovation. New, exciting programs are beginning that are funded.

Various members spoke about their concerns of spending wisely on the renovation. A Thank You was directed to the ACC committee for their on-going hard work, with the congregation responding with applause.

With no other items to come before the congregation, the meeting closed with prayer by Pastor K. O.

Elma Hurt, Clerk of Session