Lowman's Church Council usually meets on the second Sunday of every month at 2:30 pm. All members and interested parties are welcome to attend. Here are some highlights of our last meeting.
Evangelism/Missions: Amanda Garner, Carla Hazen
Looking for other ways for Lowman congregation to serve (to start a spark) Some ideas:
* Barbecue with Sheltered Living and Loving Hearts - go to their group homes
* Pickup team - to bring people to church
* Help our rep to Doorstep, Susan Venis, get more people to contribute
* Once a month have a mission moment in worship
Worship/Music: Wendy Smith
* Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14 - service at 7:30 pm
* Palm Sunday, March 25
th
- will probably participate in the Palm Walk again
* Easter, April 1st - Son's Up service, breakfast during Sunday school hour, cantata during 10:15 service
Children & Family Ministry: Lauri Wright
* March 11- basket auction begins
* April 8 - baked potato bar
* VBS - July 13-15 - Christmas in July (weekend VBS) Operation Christmas Child will be the mission project
* Mother's Day - have SS kids sing a song in worship
* Quarterly mission projects to include care kits for Sole Hope in Uganda; fall mission project to collect items for veterans; another project would be to make and take something to shut-ins
Lay leader
:
Pastor Tony said we should be finding someone for this position, a person to work as a liaison between the pastor and the congregation. This person lets the pastor know what the current feelings are in the congregation, also could help to lead worship services
Technology/Communication: Adam Schafer
Electronic sign has been changed - should we have a message calendar regarding what's going to be on it?
SPRC: Jackie Howard
New member this year:
Freda Ensley has now been hired as a nursery worker - will look for others to use "as needed"
Had a nursery during the Evidence of Journey concert; want to provide a nursery for memorial services potentially
Finance: Rosie Cooper
We recommend to the council that we pay 20% of our Mission Shares in 2018 - divide this percentage into monthly amounts to meet the amount on a monthly basis rather than wait until the end of the year. We'll be showing a video in worship to tell the congregation what Mission Shares pay for; the recommendation was adopted.
Housing CD ($100k+) can be used for capital improvements. Jackie moved that the Council strongly recommend that the Trustees adopt the recommendation of the Finance Team to use monies from this CD to match dollar for dollar (up t0 $40K) the funds raised for the construction of a new playground and any landscaping necessary to the project; motion passed.
Stewardship: Diane Schafer
Volunteer service inventory - then pair persons who already volunteer with those who want to become involved.
Lauri talked about the mite boxes that will be given to SS kids during Lent, extending this idea to give mite boxes to the congregation also to help pay Mission Share. Diane will remind the congregation every Sunday during Lent to continue. (A mite box is a small cardboard box in which to collect change.)
Trustees: Kevin Garner
* Water main break out front during the really cold weather - most subsequent problems have been addressed.
* Water shutoffs replaced in the men's restroom
* Need to reach out to people to find who has skills and/or connection to help get things done
* Add new piece (not equipment) to our HVAC system: McElroy's maintenance service agreement
* Track lighting in the sanctuary- will continue this project that David Mills had been working on
* Blessings tree - have sold a stone and six leaves - Gregg Smith is working on the trunk, etc. We believe that after the base is on the wall, more people will be prompted to buy leaves.
* Pastor Tony is getting info on an active shooter class.
* As of today, we have $32K (which includes Memorial match) toward a new playground - this is to be a "right now" (this spring) project
* Jr & Sr High room renovation
Memorials: Diane Schafer
In the future and on a regular basis, we will provide memorial reports to chairs so they can make decisions on how to use monies, especially designated ones
Youth: Susan Conrade
* Jr-Sr High room to be renovated - kids will help
* Mission work for youth to do
* Need to build a stronger foundation
Stephen Ministers: Diane Schafer
Cancer care continuing ed will begin in February.
Pastor Tony's comments:
* We welcome Amanda Conrade to the position of lay member to Annual Conference.
* Church security - need to look into this - what will we do in an emergency - Topeka PD would do a security evaluation, just need to connect with the department - we need to practice a plan and we need to do this during worship
* Time, talent, giftedness survey - where people would be interested in helping in the church
* Feb. 11 will be an all committees meeting. Lunch will be served.
* Unification talks with Crestview - we'll be talking with the DS and the facilitator this week - and will share with the congregation EVENTUALLY
* The Lowman congregation gives a great amount of care (illnesses, deaths, etc.) as has been exhibited especially in the past few weeks. How can we, as followers of Jesus, change people's lives?
* Pastor Tony and Bryce are working on email for prayer concerns, to include shut-ins.
* Lots of ideas came out of the young people joining the unification talks - mainly that Lowman needs to ACT - we are not a dying church and we need to show that!
Old Business
* Kevin Garner - mass text messaging could be piggybacked on the prayer concern emails
* LifeTouch mobile directory app is awesome. (They have a condolence package that is FREE, providing pictures of a loved one.)
* There is a communication gap between committees and within committees.
* Adam is working on the chimes.
* The square is awesome - can be used for any fundraiser or other event.
* It was suggested that every event/fundraiser give 10% to help pay Mission Shares.
