Consistory Meeting

Woodstock Reformed Church

16 Tinker Street

Woodstock, NY 12498

Minutes 1 June 2021

Time and Place

A regular meeting of the Consistory of the Woodstock Reformed Church was held on Tuesday 1 June 2021 via internet due to COVID 19 social distancing requirements.  The Zoom meeting started at 7:05 PM.

Members Present: All Members in Attendance

Pastor:  Rev. Cari Pattison

Elders: Sandy Todd, Annie Lavalle, Shannon Godfrey

Deacons:  Jim Ulrich, David Scarborough, Mike Terner

Welcome to New Elder Shannon Godfrey – The June Consistory Meeting is the first to be attended by Shannon Godfrey after having been appointed as a new Elder.

Meeting Opening –Deacon Mike led the opening devotional focused on not being a stumbling block for others.  Key shared passages were Romans: 14:13, 14: 1-3, I Corth, 8:9 & 8:13. Ephesians 4:1-32

Revisions to the Proposed Meeting Agenda:

Additions to the meeting agenda:

1. Follow-up on Town Green Memorial (referring to the plaque commemorating the building of the stone planter in on the Green build in remembrance of Spanish American war servicemen – relative of Carol Kenyon built the stone planter)
2. Changes in Calendar for the June new Members Class
3. Investment Committee Update
4. Decision on 1/4 PIM Share Contribution in Support of the Bodes ministry in Oman

Approval of Prior Consistory Meeting Minutes – Meeting minutes for the 4 May 2021 monthly WRC Consistory Meetings were approved without any revisions.

GNFP Status Update – Input from Deacon Mike

New insight on potential GNFP departure plans were shared by Deacon Mike.  These insights are based on telecon discussions with Town of Woodstock Supervisor, Bill  McKenna.

1. Returned a voicemail message left for me (MJT) on Saturday 26 May 2021, from Bill McKenna, Town of Woodstock Supervisor, at 10 AM on Tuesday 1 June 2021.
2. Bill informed me that the Town was actively working to find a new location for GNFP to move to from WRC and given that he had come to learn that GNFP had not shared any of its moving plans for departing WRC by 1 June 2021, he thought it wise as a representative of the Town to let WRC what the current plans GNFP  moving plans are.
3. Town of Woodstock to Lease Space from Woodstock Church of Christian Scientist – Then Sublease to GNFP – This is the current proposed plan. It will be shared in a public Town meeting on 8 June.  The Christian Scientist and GNFP are aligned on the plan.  The 8 June meeting is the process the Town needs to follow if it is to follow Town processes for entering into a lease agreement as proposed.
4. Next Steps and Potential Delays – Bill McKenna informed me that once the issue has been raised at the 8 July meeting, members of the town have the right to within 30 days request a vote on whether the Town can enter into the proposed lease agreement with the Woodstock Christian Scientist Church.  If no request for a vote is raised, then 30 days after the 8 July Town meeting, a lease and a subsequent sub-lease with GNFP can be signed.  If there is a requirement for a vote, then no lease can be signed in July and the details for when if the vote is successful will need to be worked out.
5. Should WRC Proceed to Get a Court Hearing for Eviction of GNFP? – This issue was discussed as I told Bill that in the absence of any departure plan from GNFP, if GNFP had not departed WRC by 1 June, WRC would seek Court direction eviction from the Woodstock Town Court.  In addition, I told Bill that while the inputs he has just shared about the current plans for GNFP to relocate were appreciated, given the uncertainly of the plan, it was not at all clear WRC would change it plans to use the courts to evict GNFP.  I did agree to share Bill’s input with the WRC Consistory and get back to him if WRC’s approach for using the courts to evict GNFP has changed based on his inputs.
6. Bill McKenna Available to Chat with WRC Consistory via Zoom if Needed – I mentioned WRC 1 June Consistory meeting was tonight, 1 June, between 7 – 9 PM via Zoom.  Bill volunteered that if needed, he could join the meeting and answer any questions the WRC Consistory might have.

Pastor Cari mentioned that Bill McKenna wanted to meet with her on 2 June to review the GNFP situation.

Per meeting discussions, the following was decided regarding GNFP:

• With no WRC departure plans communicated by to WRC, WRC will proceed with getting a Court Order for GNFP to meeting before in the Town of Woodstock Court regarding GNFP’s failure to depart WRC by 1 June.  Deacon Dave obtain the Town of Woodstock Court order prior to mid-June and will hire a local agency to serve GNFP with court order to appear in court.
• Consistory will not ask Supervisor Bill McKenna to participate in the 1 June Consistory Meeting.

Proposal for Each Consistory Member to Champion and Provide Leadership in Specific Areas of WRC Life & Ministries:

• Subject was raised by Pastor Cari and welcomed by all as work which Consistory members would like to pursue.  Pastor Cari will develop follow-up actions and, in the meantime, she encouraged all Consistory members to consider what ministry(ies) they would like commit to.
• Elder Annie reminded all the Pastor Bode had worked with Consistory on similar actions in the past and she would share at a future meeting these efforts

FOC (Financial Oversight Committee):

• US Gov’t Covid 19 Payroll Relief – Elder Sandy reported the paperwork was submitted providing the WRC properly used the $4k in payroll funds and therefore would not have to reimburse the Fed. Gov’t for the Covid 19 Payroll Relief funds it received and used in 2020.

Personnel Committee:

• Cleaning team reported to be managing as planned.
• Next focus of the Committed is to hire a office manager.  Consistory members were asked to share any leads they might have as it appears it will be a challenge to get an office manager as the hourly rates WRC would like to pay.

Investment Committee:

• Deacon Mike reported that the gift of J&J Stock from Bill Rhoads has been successfully transferred to the WRC investment account.

Property Committee

• Committee directed to get estimates on a number of the more major WRC maintenance tasks: exterior painting, Church roof replacement, etc. , given that one of the objectives of the Bill Rhoads’ gift to WRC was for such purposes.

Proposed Expansion of Consistory Membership:

• A proposal was made by Pastor Cari to ask Mike Cooter to become a deacon.  This was unanimously approved by all Consistory members.
• Next Steps – if Mike accepts the invite, then his name will be listed as a nominee for Deacon in the Sunday Church bulletin for three connective Sunday.  Assuming no objections, the will the me a vote for approving his as Deacon at the end of a Sunday Worship service.  Target is to have him installed as a new deacon in the mid-July interval.

Annual RCS Denominational Assessment:

• WRC letter for annual denomination assessment still needs to be written.
• Discussed and agreed that Jeff Clark (WRC representative to Classis) should be asked to present an overview of assessment at a future WRC Sunday Service and prior to sending out the letter to WRC membership.

WRC Worship Service Under Covid-19 Policy

• Per meeting discussions, agreed that WRC policy will be to continue to ask all to wear masks while in the sanctuary regardless of whether one is partially or fully vaccinated.  The policy of roping off every other pew will remain in effect.
• The policy for wearing masks outdoors will be aligned with current NYS policy, which requests that non vaccinated individual wear masks when in close proximity to others.

Review of Upcoming WRC Events and Enlistment for Volunteer Support

• 2 June and Subsequent Weds During the Summer – Pastor Cari will open the sanctuary in the afternoon for anyone to use the WRC  sanctuary for prayer and reflection.
• 3 June – Start of New Bible Study – Thursdays at 7 PM on the Parsonage Porch as well as via Zoom.  Will be using the book, “Free and Simple”.
•  4 June - Consistory Dinner Hosted by Pastor Cari – Scheduled for 7 PM.  To be held outdoors on the front porch of the Parsonage.
• 6 June - Liturgist Training – After Sunday Service; meet in the sanctuary.  Objective is to offer training for new liturgist as well as provided refreshed training for WRC liturgist who have already received training.
• 13 June – Children’s Sunday - last day of Sunday School before Sunday; Presentation of Bibles to older Sunday School kids.
• 13 June – Outdoor Coffee Hour After Sunday Service – Elder Annie and Deacon Mike to Host.
•  20/ 27 June - New Members Classes – change in schedule - schedule for after Church on 20 and 27 June (11:30-12:30).  Pastor Cari requested at least one member of Consistory support by attending.  Deacon Mike volunteered for 20 June and Elder Sandy for 27 June.
• 4th July Worship Service – Pastor Cari will be preaching at his former church, Bronxville Reformed Church.  Deacon Dave agreed to be the liturgist and guide the order of worship.  The intention is to have Cari’s sermon be shared with WRC congregation via Zoom while she is preaching in Bronxville.
• 18 July – Pastor Cari away for continuing education.  Brother Josep Reinaldo Martinez-Cubero, OHC will be leading the service.
• 25 July – Pastor Cari on vacation. Suzanne Campise, candidate for PC-USA ordination will be leading the service

Post Sunday Service Sanctuary Clean-Up

• Roster for Consistory Members to Help Tidy Sanctuary After Sunday Service  – Per Pastor Cari’s request, the following schedule for Consistory Members to support the “straightening up “ (pick up of bulletins, returning hymnals to pew racks, closing of exterior windows opened during service) was agreed to:

Misc:

• Review ¼ PIMS Support of the Bode’s Oman Mission for 2021 – Deacons still open action of determining if WRC will continue to support at the rate of a ¼ PIMS share ($2425) the ministry of Pastor Josh and his family in Oman for 2021.  
• Bode’s Back in the US:   Pastor Bode and his family will be back in the US form Oman for the Summer.  This will be opportunity to hear Pastor Bode share his ministry in Oman during the past year view Zoom.   Zoom meeting invite schedule currently TBD but will be announced in the WRC Sunday Bulletin as soon as they are known
• “White Church” Painting (in WRC Library) – a Church congregant hds the painting professionally appraised and its value was set at $12K.  Given its value, during the meeting there was discussion that potentially the painting should be displayed in the Church parlor and the parlor doors be made lockable.  Deacon Mike agreed to investigate the cost of doing this.
• Representing WRC at a Woodstock Community Aspirations Forum at the Woodstock Library – 14 & 16 June (4 PM in person and 1 PM via Zoom respectively) – Pastor Cari was invited to attend one of the two meetings as the representative of WRC.  She asked if any Consistory members would like to attend as well.  Elder Shannon, and Deacons Jim and Dave expressed interest in attending along with Pastor Cari.

Closing:

• Deacon Jim closed the meeting with prayer.
• Meeting concluded 9:50 PM

Next Consistory Meeting will be via Zoom on Tuesday 6 July 2021 at 7 PM

Elder Annie will open the July Consistory meeting while Deacon Dave will lead the 6 Jul tConsistory Meeting closing devotional.

NOTE:  There will be an “ad hoc” June Consistory Meeting at 7 PM ¸22 June.  The plan is to meet in person in the Church parlor.

From Ed Jabs:

1- the town should replace the dirty worn American flag flying on the church green and also make sure the light fixture and lightbulb is fixed to illuminate at night following national protocol of having flag illuminated if left hanging overnight ( which it is)

2- a few years ago Carol Kenyon's family gave us all the information concerning how her grandfather erected the planter in which the flag pole is located -They went to a lot of trouble supplying the information as that it was built to honor the soldiers who served or died in the Spanish American War . We were supposed to have a plaque made and mounted on the planter however it died there. (money was to come from the memorial fund) I still feel it is appropriate and indicates that this is church property- which most people in the community do not realize. I think this should be discussed as this really acknowledges how long her family has been involved.   Something to consider?

3 - I am anticipating moving forward with obtaining estimates on  issues with the church that need everyone's approval to get estimates for what I consider "need to do now" projects that are obviously in need of attention. The money for this was set aside in a capital improvement fund of $5000 in the year 2020. None was set aside in 2021, however the capital improvement fund is cumulative and was not used at all in 2020. They are as follows: 

1. wooden side of church and entryway on parsonage side (paint has peeled off/bare wood exposed) requires professional painter due to height/proper paint removal/priming/ finishing
2. back side of church needs jomax spraying/pressure washing mold removal- materials only -can be done by volunteers when stream stops in August (last done 10 years ago by me and my wife) underneath of soffit also needs to be done
3. awareness of shingle roof on 1/2 of roof facing parsonage- roof continues to shed shingles every time wind blows. This eventually will be an emergency when bare roof is exposed

At minimum I believe 1 and 2 should be considered 1 being done with estimates and professional workers and 2 being done by volunteers with cost of materials to be paid by church. 

Next year's budget should include additional amounts set aside for capital improvement as needed. At your next consistory meeting I would request approval of above-mentioned projects. When costs are obtained I will again ask for approval to get both of them done. - thank you- Ed   

Additional notes from Candy

(primarily for Sandy to follow up)

Capital Improvements:  we should have 5,000 still put aside in 2019 that could be used for the church improvements Ed wants to get done this year plus another 3,000 was supposed to be moved at the end of 2020(approved by consistory in I think November). However, when I looked at the last balance sheet from Sandy, I no longer saw the 5,000 nor the 3,000 that should have been held for capital improvements. I haven’t gotten an answer as to why these are no longer listed? Maybe the original 5,000 was used for the parsonage renovations? Maybe you could get the current balance sheet and ask Sandy at consistory.  Also, would like to know what accounts she charged the renovations to if they didn’t come from the capital improvement fund.”