January 1 2014 - First United Methodist Church, Medina

Scripture of the Month
“Behold, the former things have
come to pass, and new things I
now declare; before they spring
forth I tell you of them.”
Isaiah 42:9
Sun
January 2015
Mon
Tue
Wed
MEDINA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
P.O. Box 158 ∙ 500 W. Church Avenue
Medina, Tennessee 38355
731-783-3230
[email protected]
www.medinafumc.com
Thu
1 New Year’s Day
Fri
2
8:15 am Worship
9:30 am Sunday School
9:30 5Points House Blessing
10:50 am Worship
8:15 &10:50 Church Council
Officer Installation
12:00 pm Christmas Undecorate
12:00 pm Trustees Meeting
5 Gibson Co. SSD school
starts (out at noon)
6
7
8
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
10:00 am Staff meeting
6:00 pm Praise Team
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
11 Baptism of the Lord Sunday
12
8:15 am Worship
9:30 am Sunday School
10:50 am Worship
3:30 pm UMW Meeting
Fellowship Meal reservations
due
10:00 am Staff meeting
13
2:00 pm Children's Ministry
Team Meeting
3:15 pm 5Points Ministry Team
5:30 pm Girl Scouts
6:00 pm Methodist Men
18 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
19 Martin Luther King Jr.’s
20
21
8:15 am Worship
9:30 am Sunday School
10:50 am Worship
Birthday Observance
Fellowship Meal reservations
due
Fellowship Meal reservations
due
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
5:15
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
7:00
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
Church office closed
No school Gibson Co. SSD
25 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
26
Confirmation Retreat
8:15 am Worship
9:30 am Sunday School
10:50 am Worship
Fellowship Meal reservations
due
10:00 am Staff meeting
5:30 pm Girl Scouts
27
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
14
Wednesday Programs Resume
5:15
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
7:00
pm Fellowship Meal
pm Confirmation Orientation
pm Classes for all ages
pm 5Points
pm Praise Team
pm Chancel Choir
28
5:15
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
7:00
10
16
17
6:30 pm Boy Scout Den
15
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
February Newsletter
information due
6:30 pm Boy Scout Den
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
23
Confirmation Retreat
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
6:30 pm Boy Scout Den
24
Confirmation Retreat
11:00 am Fellowship Hall
Reserved
6:30 pm Boy Scout Den
29
pm Fellowship Meal
pm Confirmation Class
pm Classes for all ages
pm 5Points
pm Praise Team
pm Chancel Choir
9
9:00 am Parent’s Day Out
11:30 am Out-to-Lunch
Bunch meet at China Pan
22
pm Fellowship Meal
pm Confirmation Class
pm Classes for all ages
pm 5Points
pm Praise Team
pm Chancel Choir
3
8 am Seven Loaves Food Box
Breakfast & Distribution
Church office closed
4 Epiphany of the Lord
Sat
30
31
Our next meeting will be held on February 16, 2014.
Joyce shared with the Council that she continues to see so many of the students at the Middle School that are in need of food and
the basics that we often take for granted. Scarlett shared that 15 food boxes were taken to the schools for Thanksgiving. Scarlett
added that because of the Christmas break, these families, as well as others, may need additional food because children that
would be provided breakfast and lunch at school would need to eat at home. We agreed that we need to continue to find ways to
spread the word about our food pantry, and to be willing to take food to those unable or uncomfortable coming to the church for
assistance. We want to continue the breakfast and food box distribution that we are trying as a community outreach and time of
fellowship.
The Finance Committee is holding money accrued to pay the building principle until the end of the year to make sure we remain
financially sound and meet expenses. Only funds that are specified to the Building Fund will be made toward the principle during
the year. The Finance Committee will continue to do this until the operating funds/general fund improve.
Budgets for ministry teams have been cut substantially for 2015. All teams have done a good job of working within their budgets
during 2014. The financial struggles continue to be tied to giving rather than expenses.
Michael Strickland shared the Finance Committee’s report. Because the budget is based on giving history rather than pledged
amounts, the budget presented for 2015 is $361,668.00. A motion was made and seconded to approve the amount presented to
the Church Council. The Council voted and approved $361,668.00 as the budgeted amount for 2015.
The SPRC agreed to make an adjustment to Chris’s current salary. Chris will be allowed to defer $1500 of his current salary
amount to be placed in a discretionary account for reimbursable medical expenses. This is a benefit due to tax purposes.
Scott Rich gave an update to the SPRC report. On November 18, SPRC met to discuss staff reviews. Mary Beth was a great help in
streamlining the evaluation process by developing an evaluation form that is consistent with the job description for each position.
The evaluations will be completed and reviewed with staff members. There will be no raises to any staff member this year due to
the financial situation we are facing.
Mary Beth is working to update our website. As a gift to the church, she purchased Weebley to use on a trial basis to work
on revisions and a new design for our website. Our current site is still active and has not been updated yet. To view the
updates go to medinafumc.weebley.com. Comments and suggestions on the revisions are welcome. Weebley is less
expensive than our current host site.
Mary Beth also shared the need for a database for church membership records that allows for easy maintenance and works
with financial record keeping systems that are currently being used. At the present time there is no database of church
members. No motion was made to purchase Servant Keeper at this time. Mary Beth and Chris will continue to look into
this and make a recommendation.
Mary Beth also shared that she would like signage and information to be placed in the Narthex to be more welcoming to
visitors. This will be place on the agenda at the next Trustees meeting.
Rodney shared the Trustees report, highlighting that the gutters at the church are now installed. At the Youth House, the
accessibility ramp is completed and the electrical inspection will take place soon. There will be a blessing of the Youth House on
Sunday, January 4th, 2015, during the Sunday School hour. He is going to contact Martin Paving regarding repairs to the driveway
for the youth house and trailer.
Mary Beth shared the following additions to the Pastor’s Report:
United Methodist hymnal CDs have been ordered by the Worship Committee. This will allow us to have a cost-effective way to
have musical accompaniment if a substitute pianist is not available.
Ministry Team Reports were shared and reviewed by Council members prior to the meeting. The following points were discussed
and updates were given:
Meeting Minutes from the October 20, 2014 Church Council meeting were approved.
The MFUMC Church Council met on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM.
Medina First United Methodist Church
Church Council
December 8, 2014

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