• SHUT-IN'S: Estelle Sheldon and Jerry Helsher
• William Fender, blood clot, back issues
• Mark Carroll, cancer is in remission- PRAISE!!!!!
• Rohen Stamey, went home - PRAISE!!!!
• Brooke Payne, leukemia (Marcia Schoen's neice)
• Paul Helsher, home
• Mike Lawrence, heart surgery-home
• Mary Ann Wampler
• Doug Zillweger, home
• Alice Drummond, health issues
• Caryl Cullom, home 
• Bob Proffitt, health issues
• James & Judy Byrd, health issues
• Ada Lee Hipps, home
• Pat Bullet, health issues
• Rich Eten, health issues
• Deena Bingham, home
• Marcia Schoen, facial spasms and trigeminal neuralgia
• Bobby Jack & Shirley McAllister, health issues
• Rhonda McCall, missionary to Ukraine
• The Kohman Family, MTI
• Your church staff
• Dr. John Fowler and his wife, Liz
• Jonathan Taylor, U.S. Army (grandson of Charles & Nancy Williams)
• J. P. Tabor, U.S. Air Force 
• Michael Bingham, U.S. Marine 
• Ellis Jackson, U.S. Navy
• Logan Eckert, U.S. Navy
• James Adam Click, U.S. Marine
• FOR OUR NATION/LEADERS
• For children in foster care and foster parents
• Pray for those who don't know Jesus.
• Pray for those looking for a job/employment.
• Pray for caregivers: Those caring for the elderly, parents, children, etc

1. Two Dessert Makers are needed each Tuesday. When you sign-up online, you'll see the open slots for each Tuesday. 
2. Each Dessert Maker prepares one homemade dessert - 14 generous servings of something that can be easily placed in a take-out container.
3. Do not pre-slice your dessert. If possible, please use a disposable container (otherwise, please plan to come back for your dish in the next day or two following your dessert night).  
4. Deliver to the church kitchen no later than 2:30 p.m. on the Tuesday you are covering. 

1. Online Sign-Up: Please click HERE to sign-up (or copy & paste this link into your browser: https://www.TakeThemAMeal.com/RHVA5469)

       2.  Phone sign-up:  If you don't want to sign up on-line, please call or email April Henkel at 850-228-1228 or email henkelag@outlook.com or Donna Woodie - 828-442-2232 or email donnawoodie55@gmail.com.  They'll be able to tell you what dates are open and add your information to the online sing-up at Take Them A Meal, the website we use for coordinating the Higgins' Meal Ministry (it's a free website used by many churches and groups).   
 

1. Provide your email address and you'll get an email reminder the day before your day to bring the dessert. Pretty handy!
2. Be sure to "unclick" the little blue boxes if you don't want to receive "weekly inspiration and meal taking tips" from Take Them A Meal. Here's what the screen looks like ("unclick" the two blue boxes):

1. Call to Order & Devotion. Chair Russ Darnall called the virtual meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The agenda was emailed to members in advance. Devotion: Pastor John gave a devotion; Scripture from Romans 8:5-7.
2. Approval of the October 27, 2020 Minutes. The minutes were emailed to members prior to the meeting ...

• ACTION: Donna Woodie moved the minutes be approved; second by Dennis Smith. Motion carried.

1. Finance Committee. Chair Wanda Proffitt reported having received official notice the Payroll Protection Program loan was forgiven and repayment not required. The financials for the month were reviewed (copy emailed to members). The Finance Committee's goal is to pay off the van loan as quickly as possible and will seek donations from church members to reach it. Approval has been given to purchase equipment needed to live-stream services. In preparation of the 2021 budget, chairs were asked to submit committee budgets to Wanda. She noted that in 2021, there will not be another PPP grant. Russ thanked Wanda for all her work on the PPP. ACTION: None.
2. SPRC Committee. Chair Wade Shehan reported progress on staff evaluations; the committee meets next on December 2 to complete their work for the year. He praised Higgins' staff and expressed appreciation for all they have done and continue to do for the Church. ACTION: None.
3. Family Life Committee. Co-Chair Donna Woodie reported on continuing projects. The Tuesday meals for shut-ins will not be distributed Thanksgiving week or Christmas week. Through the Card Ministry and with the help of church members, Christmas cards will be sent to military members and shut-ins, along with care packages; these activities are organized and overseen by Marcia and Cliff Schoen and Mary Tom Aldridge. She thanked Kim Garland for organizing and delivering appreciation cards and candy to teachers and school employees; in addition, the FLC is having "in appreciation" yard signs made for each school to thank all school staff for their commitment during these many months of Covid restrictions. Joel Robertson is making the signs and the FLC will place them at schools and high-traffic areas. Donna is working with the City of Burnsville to ensure sign ordinance compliance. ACTION: None.
4. Christian Education Committee.Chair Sharon Honeycutt reported on the Committee's November 4^th meeting to discuss offering a smaller version of Living Inside Out (LIO), to launch December 1. In light of recent Covid increases in the county, however, she and Kim Garland have decided to wait until after January 1 and re-evaluate. She reviewed the proposed smaller LIO plan (copy mailed to members). The program will be limited to 10 elementary-age children with top priority given to previous LIO attendees. Staffed by 4 volunteers in addition to Kim, the program will meet every Wednesday on the Higgins campus; transportation will be provided in the Higgins' vans from Burnsville and Blue Ridge Elementary. The number is limited to 10 to follow safety guidelines. All Covid precautions will be taken to ensure safety for both children and adults (screening, cleaning, prepackaged food, distancing, etc.).

1. Worship Committee. Chair Elizabeth Bush reported the Committee had not met, but as chair, she strongly recommends Higgins not resume inside worship given Yancey County's recent Covid increase. Action: None.
2. Resuming Indoor Worship: Pastor John recapped the Council's recent decisions regarding indoor worship. In September, the Council voted (and the UMC advised was allowable) to resume indoor worship starting in November. At the October Council meeting, it was decided to delay meeting inside due to the rise in Covid numbers and to revisit it at today's meeting (November). He reported the Methodist Church had given permission for indoor church, but at the same time, expressed concerns. There was a lively discussion of the pros and cons of resuming indoor worship. Pastor John thanked members for contributing to the discussion. He reminded the Council it must make decisions based on what's best for the entire congregation. In light of the discussion, he recommends Higgins continue offering only drive-in and online services and revisit it in January.

1. Missions Committee. Chair Peirce Bingham was not in attendance; others gave informal updates. The community-wide Thanksgiving meal will be pick-up only this year as indoor seating cannot be offered due to Covid. Kim Garland is organizing the Angel Tree; there are 32 DSS foster children's names on the tree and today 7 additional names were added. Action: None.
2. Trustees. Chair Jeff Reynolds was not present. Charlie reported the lentil repairs will begin next week. Meanwhile, a leak around the chimney into the prayer room is also being addressed. Action: None.
3. Lay Leader's Report. David Cort not present; no report.

1. Kathy Williams - Office Operations and Communications. Kathy reported the 2020 Alternative Giving for Christmas will be publicized in the newsletter and weekly bulletins.
2. Andrea Bailey - Music Ministry. Andrea reported with the purchase of equipment needed for streaming, they hope to be live-streaming by December 6^th. Meanwhile, she is working with Brian on ideas for the choir.
3. Charlie Willis - Facilities. Charlie reported Operation Christmas Child brought in 450 boxes, a lower number than in recent past years. More volunteers were used this year, which was very helpful. The "church painting ministry" has concluded (stop by and see the results!). See also item #10, Trustees Report.
4. Teri Darnall, RN - Faith Community Nurse. No additional report.
5. Kim Garland - Children's Ministry. Kim reported she is recording a daily advent message for families and daily craft bags for Advent have also been prepared for families.
6. Dorene Branton - Office Administrator. Not present; no report.