Woodstock Reformed Church consistory Meeting

July 16, 2024

Present:  Pastor Cari

          Elders:  Shannon Godfrey, Bill Rhoads. Montine Jordan, Bill Rhoads, Mike Terner, Sue Ulrich

          Deacons:  Larry Todd, Ed Jabs, Ken Bailer

          Absent:  Jess Wisneski, Lisa Krause, and Gail Bonestell

Note:  As this was the second meeting in July, it was held via zoom

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm with devotions and prayer led by Pastor Cari.

Minutes of the previous meeting and agenda for tonight’s meeting were both approved.

Property report:

• Since there are a number of tasks which need attention and work in the church and parsonage, some tasks will be done by outside paid help.  We are grateful for the work that has been and will continue to be done by the property committee.

• Mike reported that the Sunday School room next to the bell room has been cleaned by Jess and Nicole Arana.  

• The room which is currently being used by the bell choir is too small, and not suitable for safe longer term bell storage, according to bell choir director Lee Corbett. A larger room is being requested. There is a need to evaluate the best use of space. A sub-committee of Bill and Montine will meet with Mike and Ed – in consultation with Krista and Lee- to clarify and address issues relating to optimal rehearsal space.

• Women’s bathroom has been fixed and problem seems to be solved. Ed pointed out that careful use of kitchen drains is important and Meals on Wheels needs periodic reminders of this.

• Pastor Cari reported that Josh Weber has started a handy man service and is seeking to spread the word about his business- via word of mouth. He can do many types of projects, for a reasonable sliding-scale rate of compensation.

• Ed reported that a tree branch fell down near the parsonage- from one of two trees in front of the house. It was suggested that they be evaluated by a professional arborist to determine if they are a hazard and might require some attention, pruning, or in worst case scenario- removal. At this point information is being gathered.

Sue Ulrich introduced her interest in having a bulletin board in the narthex to help keep parishioners aware of events. It was determined that a quality framed bulletin board to be displayed on an easel is preferable to a wall mounted bulletin. She will move ahead  with the purchase and agreed to be responsible for postings on the board. Use of the bulletin board inside the back door was also suggested.

“Dance-Stock”:  Mike reported that the dance, which is being advertised as a fund raiser, is scheduled for Friday evening, July 26.  Consistory members are encouraged to attend. Designation of what organization will receive donations has been referred to the Deacons under Jess’s leadership.

Front porch concert - Saturday, August 24

• Posters are going up around town.
• Possibility of the youth handling refreshments will be referred to Jess. Jen will follow up with Jess.

Movies with Spirit

• Mike has been in contact with Gerry Herrington, who is in charge. Holding the movie in our church involves our providing refreshments, set-up / clean-up, advertising, and donating $150.
• Last year when we hosted this, we had a total of 15 attendees, 4 of whom were from WRC.
• It can be seen as a means of outreach and hospitality to the community, says Shannon. Having someone designated to facilitate discussion of the film was suggested – perhaps Gerry handles this?
• “Moment for Hospitality” might be done during a service to encourage attendance by our church family, once a date and film are determined.
• Shannon offered to work on this.

Jen’s Gospel Music Circle

• Sunday, Aug 4, after the Lemonade on the Lawn in the Fellowship Room.  
• Instrumentalists, singers, and listeners
• Distribute music to players in advance
• Update: Jen will speak an announcement about this in church on July 28

“Messy Church” will be explored further in the fall, as a possible quarterly children’s / youth ministry. Many volunteers will be needed, as well as funding. Nicole, Kristal and Cari are working on this.

Yard Sales have come to an end.

• Annie will be working on clearing out the barn and basement of the parsonage later in the summer.  She will need help. Mike will check with her regarding dates.
• Most (if not all) the remaining goods are not sellable and will need to be taken to a dump. We may be able to hire Josh Weber to help in this regard, with whatever Annie doesn’t get to by fall.
• Since Annie has been such a tireless leader on this ministry for so many years, it was determined that special recognition of all her hard work should be planned. Sue will work with Cari on this, in consultation with ideas from Annie’s sister Dottie.

Stained Glass window remains, as efforts to sell it have not been successful.

• Shannon will talk to Dottie who donated it to the church, and see if the person who restored it might know someone who would like to buy it
• Bill Rhoads will check with Bill Pfaff who is an architect working with church buildings, to see if he has any ideas of where it might go
• Jim Cox, professional appraiser, says the window has no real art value- as it’s not by any noteworthy artist, nor is the image one that’s considered art. He suggests selling it under “antiques” or similar.
• One takeaway from this experience: is not to accept donated items like this, without a clear plan for how it will be used.

Discussion was held regarding need for consistory members to be available for meeting attendance and various responsibilities.  It appears that there may be an opening for several new consistory positions in the coming year, 2025. As Shannon and Mike will rotate off as elders at the end of this year, we also need to prayerfully consider new nominees for these vacant elder positions. There may be also some deacon shifts as well.

Larry noted that the memorial plaque on the flagpole on the Green has been moved to the cemetery. Just how we might address this issue was discussed. Is this an issue for the town or our church? Larry, Ed, and Bill will pursue the issue with input from Carol Kenyon, whose uncle worked on it.

AV Sound Tech Issue

Exploration of this hire is taking place. Two candidates have met with Ken and the committee.  The process is moving forward, with references:

• Connor Wenk came for a 2-hour consultation on our current equipment and the issue of analog vs. digital equipment. He has requested a list of our goals and what we want to be able to do. He is willing to work as the technician and has connections in the community for additional help or to fill in as needed. He has stated that $3,000 is needed to get started, in terms of the lowest tier of equipment upgrades. Where we go from there is up to us. He will hopefully have a zoom interview next week with the search committee, along with references and other materials checked- as related to the job
• Ron Kuhnkle has also met with Ken Cayea and others regarding his suggestions, which were a multi-tiered approach.

Carol Kenyon’s commissioning service (as Commissioned Lay Preacher for the Mid-Hudson Classis) is taking place on Sunday, July 21 at 3:00 pm. Bill Rhoads and Annie LaValle are heading up the reception, along with help from Jen. Greeters were also enlisted.

Meeting ended with prayer offered by Mike.

There will be no consistory meeting in August and the next meeting, Tuesday, September 3, will be co-led by Shannon and Mike, our co-vice presidents, in Cari’s absence.  Rev. Renee House will be present as Classis Clergy Supervisor.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Ulrich, Clerk of Consistory