Consistory Meeting

Woodstock Reformed Church

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16 Tinker Street

Woodstock, NY 12498

Minutes for February 1, 2022

Time and Place:

A regular meeting of the Consistory of the Woodstock Reformed Church was held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at the Woodstock Reformed Church. Meeting started at 7:05 PM

Members Present:

Pastor: Reverend Cari Pattison (CP)

Elders: Annie Lavalle (AL), Sandy Todd (ST), Shannon Godfrey (SG) (Attended Remotely)

Deacons: Jim Ulrich (JU), Michael Terner (MT), Mike Cooter (MC), Ed Jabs (EJ)

Meeting Open:

• Cari opened with a Love Is..word search hand out with hidden words from Corinthians 13:4-8 and briefly reviewed what words meant the most to each consistory member.
• Cari also handed out ministry booklets by Betty Voskuil of the World Church Service to each deacon and elder.
• Consistory approved February agenda and January minutes.

Discussion of the opinion article by Tish Harrison Warren “Why Churches Should Drop Their Online Services”

• Although Cari made it clear that she was not suggesting discontinuing Zoom service (remote service), she nevertheless is concerned about quality of the church experience for those attending remotely and suggested the consistory discuss how to improve it.
• Ed shared his experience with getting COVID and commented on how valuable remote attendance has been for he and his wife.
• Cari suggested promoting remote participants keep their video on during the course of service and following the bulletin as if in person.
• Annie suggested continuing the remote feed after services in an effort to promote social interaction with those attending live.
• Sandy suggested breakout groups after services for those interested in conversation.  

Personnel:        

Update on Sexton- Bob Carelli- clarity on job description, chain of command, etc.

• Bob officially started Feb 1st  with a commitment of at lease 6 hours per week.
• Mike C and Ed will help Bob get acclimated to his duties
• Mike C has developed a “to do list” for both the parsonage and Church.
• Any new work requests should go through Mike C.

Update on Cleaning Crew- to whom do they report, addressing issues, etc.

• Ed suggested that Mike C develop a general task list for the cleaning crew to be given to Dottie for translation into Spanish.
• Ed also expressed concern that the women of the cleaning crew are not covered by workers comp insurance unless they are listed as employees of Arturo Cleaning Company. This should be verified by the owner of Arturo moving forward.

Update on Children’s Ministry Director

• Cari shared her interview experience with a local college student named Amanda who is studying to be an English teacher. Cari pointed out that Amanda was enthusiastic during the interview and was impressed with the overall vibe she got from Amanda.
• Cari expressed some concern that Amanda is not a practicing Christian, but also admits that previous search efforts for this position have yielded very minimal results. Cari asked for the Consistory’s input.
• Jim offered to interview Amanda if everyone thought it would be helpful.
• Annie and Sandy suggested a probationary period for Amanda.
• Mike T made the comment that for younger kids with less complicated faith related questions, a person like Amanda would most like do fine in this position.
• Shannon suggested the Church give Amanda a try in this ministry role.
• Cari also agreed to give Amanda a chance.

Property:

• Ed cited the importance of the written agreement WRC has published for use of the Village Green in making good decisions for it’s public use, since it is such a popular centerpiece of the village.

Update from FOC and budget matters

• Sandy reminded the consistory that the book keeper position remains open. Annie may have a lead on a resource for this.

Update on Annual Report Meeting Feb. 13, and preparing for that

• Each committee head should be prepared to present their bullet points at the meeting.
• Cari suggested having the presentation in the sanctuary with food served in the basement community room. A large 6-foot sandwich was determined to be a more COVID compliant option rather than a pot luck.

Update on Stewardship from Jim, etc. – See Appendix A for Jim’s Report

• Jim started off by expressing how impressed he has been to hear the stories of giving from various members of the congregation. However, to date, 13 households that pledged in 2021 have not yet renewed their pledges for 2022.
• Sandy suggested follow-up calls to these members, which has been effective in the past. Jim agreed to make the necessary calls.
• Jim also questioned what a successful stewardship program looks like. What are its goals? What should be communicated?
• Sandy suggested telling congregants what is necessary to give in order to make up any budget deficits.
• Jim suggested one goal should be to finance Cari to be a full-time pastor.
• Cari suggested establishing and promoting more forward and inspirational stewardship goals among the congregation.
• Jim to provide a thankyou card for Bill Rhodes to be signed by all members of the Consistory.

Stained glass window discussion and plan for small committee to be involved in that

• A committee of Mike Cooter, Shannon Godfrey, Bill Rhodes and Ernie Meyer was suggested be formed to make best use of this gift.

Insurance and investments matters

• Mike T’s written policy on sexual harassment and abuse was accepted by the insurance company.
• See appendix B for Mike T’s breakdown of worker’s comp insurance related coverage and costs for volunteers and WRC employees.
• Mike T suggested that Mike C become a part time employee of WRC in order to be covered by the higher worker’s comp health insurance coverage.

Consistorial reports for 2021

• Cari suggested reviewing the consistorial reports on Feb 22nd via Zoom.

Pastor report, new member Sunday, and closing prayer:

• Cari asked to schedule consistory devotions and Church closings which yielded the following:

Devotions:

        March – Mike T

        April – Sandy

        May – Annie

Church Closing:

        Feb – Mike C

        March – Mike C

        April – Mike T

        May – Jim

Closing prayer by Cari

Appendix A: Stewardship Pledge Report

Stewardship Pledge Report for 2021
For Consistory 1/2/22
As of Mid December:
We had 15 reported pledges as of mid December for 2022.
We’ve had 9 members who haven’t been attending and/or haven’t been pledging.
There were 25 pledges in 2021.
There were 11 pledges for 2020 that were not renewed in 2021.
There are 13 households that pledged in 2021 which have not renewed for 2022.
What if anything should we communicate to the 13 who have not renewed their pledge?
What can we do to improve the spirit of financial stewardship among the congregation?
What should be our goal for financial stewardship in 2022?

Jim Ulrich, Stewardship

Appendix B: - Workers Comp Insurance Summary Email from Mike T        

SO you have it via email, this is the summary of my inputs on insurance and getting good medical coverage.

Current WRC policy provides $5K max  medical coverage is a volunteer gets injured.

To get good coverage you need to be coverage by the WRC workmen’s compensation policy.  It coverage is:

• Bodily Injury  by accident - $500,000
• Bodily Injury  by Disease – Policy Limit - $500,000
• Bodily Injury by Disease – Each Employee - $50,000

To be covered, you cannot be a volunteer, you must be a WRC employee – part-time counts.

For the past time sexton the added cost to the WRC (assumes on avg 6 hours/wk at annual salary of $5K) the insurance premium will increase ~ $150.

If we were to add Mike Cooter (volunteer/part time employee) so he would have better medical coverage in case of an accident, assuming ~ 12 Hrs/Wk for an additional $10K annual compensation (assumption would be that this is return back to the Church – i.e. as a “volunteer”) the incremental increase in annual workmen’s compensation cost would be ~ $300

I will communicate the above during the meeting.  To now have it via email as well.

Mike T