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Transition Update - The final narrative for Mt Zion was presented to the Congregation during the single service on Sunday June 22, 2008. The congregation affirmed the narrative as part of the service and remained afterward for a Q&A session with Council Moderator Anne Wantz. The self study team will turn their efforts to completion of the profile during the next 6-8 weeks. A planning session will be held on July 27, 2008 for the Study Team and Church Council, using the narrative and profile, to identify Mt. Zion's need in the next steps of calling additional staff. Another congregational question and answer session will be held on Sunday August 3, 2008. Council will review a draft of the profile during their August meeting, which will be brought to the membership during a congregational meeting to be called in September. Please contact a member of the Study Team or Council Moderator Anne Wantz with any questions.
Security System - The new security system has been activated as of Tuesday June 24, 2008. See article on page 13 for more information.
Newsletter Distribution - Council did review information pertaining to concerns about delays experienced by members receiving the newsletter. The mailing has since been tracked without a repeat experience. The problem does appear to be within the post office system. The process will continue to be monitored, and revisited if problems arise again.
Blood Pressure Screenings - The Membership/Church Vitality Committee will discontinue the blood pressure screenings offered on Sunday mornings. There has not been interest in utilizing this service.
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NEW SECURITY SYSTEM - Council approved the expenditure of an additional $1,136 to install an access card reader at the side door.
UPDATE ON THE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT FROM THE THEFT IN 2007 – A cash settlement has been received from our insurance company for the majority of items stolen. Purchases of replacement equipment are underway.
NEW MEMBERS – Mt Zion will be receiving new members on April 27th.
ADVENT/LENTEN COIN FOLDERS - The Finance Committee has recommended that instead of the Advent/Lenten Coin Folders, a pre-printed envelope be mailed to each household along with schedules and other materials pertaining to these very important times in our church year.
CHANGES TO OUR MISSION GIVING SCHEDULE – The Mission Committee made the following changes to the schedule: the 5th Sunday mission offering in June will go to the Mt Zion Adopt a Cabin at Hartman Center, the 5th Sunday offering in December will go to the retired UCC pastor and widow’s fund, and the December mission offering will go to the Good Samaritan fund.
GIVING FROM TWO OF OUR MISSION’S FUNDS - The Mission Committee recommended and Council approved$162 expenditure to the Mt Zion Adopt a Cabin Hartman Center Fund. The Mission Committee also recommended and Council approved an expenditure of $500 of our Disaster Relief Fund to help a local resident that was a victim to a recent fire at her home. This money will be sent to the Red Cross Local Fire Fund.
LENTEN DINNER OFFERINGS – The monies collected from our free will offerings at our Lenten Dinners will be placed in the Good Samaritan Fund.
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NEW SECURITY SYSTEM - Council approved the expenditure of $10,000 from the Property Improvement line item of the budget to install an alarm system for the entire church with a separate system for the church office and an access card reader for the front and bottom doors. The contractor for the project is HyStar Enterprises. Council felt that this was necessary to keep our property safe after the theft to the building in late 2007.
REPAIRS TO THE ROOF - Council approved the expenditure of $4,000 to replace wall flashings and edge metal striping as well as repair some rotted damage to our roof. Double ‘D’ roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. will do this work.
DRAFT MUSIC FUND POLICY - Council approved the draft Music Fund Policy as one of our Board Designated Funds as recommended by the Investment Advisory Committee. Council also approved the make up of the music committee as required by this policy as interested members of the Worship Committee and the paid music staff. This policy must now be adopted by the congregation.
PROCEEDS FROM THE MANGOLD FUND - Council approved as recommended by the Mission’s committee the use of the proceeds from the Lois and Ed Mangold fund go to the York Association’s Microlending Program to be used as matching funds. This is in keeping with the wishes of the Mangolds.
REVISED WEBSITE – Our thanks to Jack Herlocker who is now our new webmaster and is making exciting changes to our website. Please take a look at www.mtzionucc.org
ADVENT/LENTEN COIN FOLDERS - The Finance Committee has been asked to investigate alternatives to our Advent and Lenten coin folders.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA - The agenda for Church Council meetings will be made posted on the orange bulletin board in the west narthex at the same time it is mailed to Council members. Members of the congregation who have input are welcome to attend the meeting or discuss with any Council members.
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Council elected Anne Wantz as Moderator and Katie Miles as Vice Moderator for 2008.
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A check was received in the amount of $1,220 from our insurance company to satisfy some of the claim due to the break-in at the church in December. The Council elected to take the $1000 insurance deductible from the Good Samaritan Fund. The Mission Committee will be asked to consider that one of the 5th Sunday Mission Offerings be directed towards this fund to help replenish this loss.
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In December 2007, Mt Zion received $20,000 from Pastor Walters as payment in full for the loan made to him early in his tenure so that he could purchase his own home. This amount has been placed into the Parsonage Fund.
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Council approved the list of members who were inactive in 2007. A person is considered inactive if they do not attend worship, commune or contribute financially to the church for a calendar year.
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Council voted to remove from the church roster persons who had been inactive for the two year period of 2006-2007 and the three year period of 2005-2007 in accordance with the Constitution/By-Laws.
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The initiative to improve the church's financial situation has begun. The desig-nated cherry-colored envelopes for this can be found in the pews or by asking any usher.
The 50th anniversary of Mt. Zion UCC will be taking place in December. Stay tuned for further details regarding a time of remembrance and celebration.
Discussion of the current status of the church's transition plan was discussed by church council. If you have any questions regarding this ongoing plan, please speak with Jim Groff.
The congregational meeting took place on November 18 and the 2008 church budget was discussed and passed. Thank you to the many members of the congregation who participated with their questions, comments, and insight.
A new description of the duties and goals of the Membership Vitality Committee was presented to Council and was accepted.
There will be a congregational meeting on February 24, 2008. More details will be available as the time nears.
The Personnel Committee is continuing their search to fill several positions in the church. These positions include a youth director, choir director, treasurer, and webmaster. Please see Robin Schriver if you or someone you know is interested in any of these positions.
In accordance with the Constitution and By-laws of Mt. Zion U.C.C., adopted by the congregation Nov. 26, 2006, persons who have not been active members, as defined by attendance at worship, communing of contributing financially to the church for two consecutive years will be removed from the Membership roll effective Dec. 31, 2007.
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- Dr. King presented the Penn Central Conference’s recommended plan for proceeding with the pastoral transition of Mt. Zion, and provided a host of resources. Dr. King will be available to assist us in this process, as will be a liaison assigned to us from the York Association. We will be further assisted by an interim minister, recommended by the Conference and approved by Council.
- The comprehensive plan allows Mt. Zion to:
- come to terms with our history as a foundation for moving forward
- discern our purpose and identity
- examine current and future leadership, both lay and staff
- reaffirm our ties to the denomination and the community
- commit to new leadership and new ministry
- The transition phases, and their approximate timelines, are as follows:
- Saying good-bye, grieving and readjusting
a. Already begun; on-going
- Developing plans for the transition period
a. July through December, 2007
- Congregational self-study
a. October, 2007 through March, 2008
- Preparing our Church Profile
a. January through March, 2008
- Search for, nomination and election of pastoral leadership
a. April through December, 2008
- Reception and commencement of Mt. Zion’s next era of leadership
a. Early 2009
Dr. King cited multiple examples of congregations who have attempted to short-cut this process, and, in every instance, the results were less than desirable.
- Council discussed plans to recognize the considerable contributions of Pastor and Mrs. Walters.
- Council approved the distribution of an Audit RFP (Ensminger/Everhart). Responses are due back from interested parties by 8/15/07.
- Council approved the appropriation of $800 (40% of a recent undesignated gift) to the Operating Reserve Fund (Firestone/Ensminger).
- To date, the following responses have been received following the mailing to inactive members:
- 3 have contributed to Mt. Zion
- 2 have communed
- 7 letters were returned with no forwarding address
- Council approved the hiring of John McGuire as custodian effective 7/16/07 (Schriver/Wantz).
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- Letters were sent in June to all Inactive Members.
- Council has received a letter of resignation from Winnie Walters, effective 8/31/07. Worship Committee, Personnel Committee and others will begin discussions for moving forward.
- Mt. Zion has received a $2000 undesignated gift. We will deposit $1000 into the semi-permanent endowment fund at YCCF, tithe $200 to Hartman Center, and advertise receipt of the gift in the upcoming Spirit and weekly bulletin for congregational input as to the disposition of the remaining $800. Lefever/Maletz. Approved.
- It was moved that Anne Wantz, as vice moderator, be added to the list of check signers for the general checking account. Firestone/Lefever. Approved.
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- Rescind motion of 4/15/07 to deposit $91,412.37 into undesignated funds account. Upon further reading, this was actually a designated gift. Instead put 100% into semi-permanent portion of Endowment Fund.
- Accept recommendation of IAC to opt to receive 4 ½% of earnings from investments in 2007.
- $2500 Undesignated funds – 10% tithe ($250) to go to Mt. Zion Scholarship Fund at LTS. 50% ($1250) to semi-permanent endowment. Balance split between Capital Improvement Fund ($500) and Parsonage fund ($500).
- Letter to inactive members was finalized and will be sent to those currently on inactive member roster, those to be added to inactive member roster, and those on 2-year inactive member list.
- List reviewed and adopted as amended.
- Job description will be amended so that new Sexton relates to the Property Committee but reports to a designated Pastor.
- Email vote to hire Sherri Keller as new Senior High Youth Coordinator was ratified.
- Senior High Youth Coordinator job description to be modified so that she relates to E&P but reports to a designated Pastor.
- Council will meet at 11AM on 6/24/07, rather than in the evening, to avoid a conflict with the non-traditional worship service.
- Mt. Zion will reimburse Pastor Walters $280.50 for quarterly Medicare payments. Net savings to church approximate $1100/yr.
- *** and Sally Lefever have accepted the invitation to serve as our delegates to the York Association for two years.
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COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS JANUARY 21, 2007
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Council elected the following officers for a one year term:
Moderator, Jim Groff
Vice Moderator, Anne Wantz
Council also appointed Jackie Malone to a one-year term as Council
Secretary
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Council appointed York County Community Foundation repository and manager of our Endowment Fund.
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An internal audit team led by Anne Wantz will perform an audit of our financial records for 2006.
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In accordance with our new By-Laws, Council will contact in writing all members on the Inactive Member list advising them of the new guidelines, and encouraging them to attend worship, contribute to the Church and/or participate in communion before December 31, 2007 in order to maintain their membership status.
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