Bruce Fredrick made the motion supported by Lee Thomas to accept the December 11, 2016 minutes as presented. The motion carried.

Transcription

1 CALL TO ORDER Following the church service and after declaring that a quorum was present, James Bandstra, Moderator of the Governing Board, called the annual meeting of the United Church of Big Rapids to order at 10:36 am in the sanctuary. Moderator James Bandstra asked Pastor Jake to offer the opening prayer. Moderator James Bandstra explained that the By-laws of our church require this annual meeting for accepting reports from all Commissions and recommendations from the Nominating Committee for Elders for the coming year and others who will serve on Commissions. They will be voted on by the Congregation. Any other items pertinent to the congregation concerning Church concerns may be handled at this meeting. Moderator James Bandstra explained that the very well written reports from the eight commissions are included in the Annual Report. Copies are available to those who desire one. Specific questions should be handled by the representative of the commission in question. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 11, 2016 MINUTES Bruce Fredrick made the motion supported by Lee Thomas to accept the December 11, 2016 minutes as presented. The motion carried. TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer Robert Hampson reported that the 2017 Budget is in good shape. For the second straight year, we did not use any of the growth of our Endowment Fund to pay for part of our budget. Bob thanked Don Stephen for various repairs to the building which ultimately influence the budget. This is the second year of a new approach for stewardship; currently, the results are not final. Pledging for 2018 will make it easier to budget. If anyone has questions, please see or call Bob. Bob thanked the congregation for their continued generosity. Bruce Fredrick made the motion supported by Betty Goldammer to approve the Treasurer s report. The motion carried. PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE Alice Bandstra updated the congregation of the progress of their work toward hiring a new settled Pastor. Interviews are continuing after a possible candidate was called by another church. Alice thanked the congregation for their patience and prayers.

2 PAGE 2 ELDER/COMMISSION REPORTS Wayne McKay made the motion supported by Patricia Heeter to accept the Elder/Commission reports as written. The motion carried. RECOGNITION OF RETIRING BOARD MEMBERS James Bandstra expressed appreciation to all members who have served during the past year on Commissions, special committees, and as Elders on the Governing Board. Elders retiring from the Governing Board are Don Olree, Lee Thomas, Therese Zimmer, Donna Dunstone, and Marilyn Stolberg. James Bandstra also expressed appreciation to Carolyn Chipman for her years of service to the church as Clerk. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT Chairman of the Nominating Committee, Wayne McKay, presented the report. New Elders for 2018 with terms ending December 31, 2020 are Julie Kysela, Tracey McMullen, Jane Grzybowski, Todd Weber, and Linda Stricker. New Elders for 2018 with terms ending December 31, 2018 are Frederick Guenther, and Don Stephen. Corey Thompson is returning for a second term. Commission members are listed in the report. Commission members with terms ending December 31, 2020 are Paula Hampson on the Administration Commission, William Burmeister on the Campus Mistry Commission, Leslie Daniels and Shirley Garlick on the Christian Education Commission, Linda Vance and Randall Vance on the Congregational Group Life Commission, Don Olree, Joan Olree, and Delores Van Horn on the Property and Finance Commission, Marilyn Loken on the Member & New Member Care Commission, Laine Mitchell on the Mission/Social Action Commission, and Maryanne Heidemann on the Spiritual Life Commission. James Bandstra asked if there were other nominations for Elder and/or Commissions. There were none. Maryanne Heidemann made the motion supported by Bruce Fredrick that all those nominated for the office of Elder should be elected for the coming year. The motion carried. Wayne McKay made the motion supported by Patricia Heeter that all those nominated for the Commissions be elected for the coming year. The motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: NONE INTERIM PASTOR REPORT Pastor Jake referred to his written report and asked if there were questions; there were none. ASSOCIATE PASTOR S REPORT (see written report included in the Annual Report)

3 PAGE 3 PRESENTATION OF 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Moderator James Bandstra thanked Julie Cole, Secretary, for preparing the Annual report. Robert Hampson made the motion supported by Patricia Heeter to accept the 2017 Annual Report as presented. The motion carried. BENEDICTION/ADJOURNMENT Moderator James Bandstra asked Pastor Jake to offer the closing prayer. The meeting was adjourned by Moderator James Bandstra at 10:58 am. Respectfully submitted, James R. Bandstra, Moderator Carolyn M. Chipman, Clerk

4 Congregation Annual Meeting, December 9, 2018 Call to Order Following the church service and after declaring that a quorum was present, Moderator James Bandstra called the annual meeting of the United Church of Big Rapids to order at 10:35 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Moderator James Bandstra asked Pastor J. T. to offer the opening prayer. Moderator James Bandstra explained that the By-laws of the church require that an annual meeting be held each year for accepting reports from Commissions and recommendations from the Nominating Committee for Elders for the coming year. Approval of the December 11, 2017 Minutes Roger Peterson made the motion supported by Marshall Henry to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2017 meeting as presented. Motion approved Treasurer s Report Treasurer Bob Hampson reported that the 2018 budget is in good shape in spite of some extraordinary expenses, including the recruiting and moving expenses for Pastor J.T., remodeling of the church office, and the revision program all of which were covered from a $25,000 bequest from Marian Beadle. Other additional onetime expenses included repair and sealing of stained glass windows, replacement of doors and the recent repair of the elevator. Trusts, memorials and other reserves were used to cover these expenses. These are funds that will not be available in Bob gave special recognition to church volunteers whose efforts reduced expenses for the congregation. In particular, he praised Paul Heidemann for his attention to the needs of the organ and other church systems, Don Stephen for all of the maintenance work he does regularly around the church and Bob Cassidy for helping with any heating system issues. After 15 years of service as Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer, Bob announced he plans to step down as Church Treasurer. He is seeking a volunteer to take on these duties with his commitment to work with them to learn the system. Moderator Jim Bandstra thanked Bob for his years of service to the congregation. Elder/Commission Reports Bruce Fredrick made the motion supported by Lee Thomas to accept the Elder/Commission reports as written. Motion approved.

5 Recognition of Retiring Governing Board Members Moderator Jim Bandstra thanked all of the members who served during the past year on Commissions, special committees and as Elders on the Governing Board. Elders retiring from the Governing Board are Fred Guenther, Doug Miron, Don Stephen, Wayne McKay and Mary Morgan. Corey Thompson has resigned her position. Nominating Committee Report Wayne McKay, chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the report. He pointed to page 25 of the annual report for the formal report. Nominees for Elders for a 3 year term beginning January 1, 2019 are Deborah Ducat, Kristina Coby, Briggette Ashby, Kurt Somel and Lee Thomas. Wayne indicated there is room for one more member and welcomed any volunteer who would like to join the Governing Board. Election of Elders Bruce Fredrick made the motion supported by Roger Peterson to accept the Nominating Report and Slate for incoming Elders. Motion approved. Election of Commission Members no action taken New Business None Pastor s Report Pastor J. T. referred the members to his written report. He expressed how grateful he is to be at the United Church and thank the congregation for their warm welcome and support. Presentation of the 2018 Annual Report Sara Daniels made the motion supported by Carolyn Chipman to accept the 2018 Annual Report as presented. Motion approved. Closing Prayer Pastor J. T. offered the closing prayer. The meeting was adjourned by Moderator James Bandstra at 10:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted: James R. Bandstra, Moderator Delores K. Van Horn, Clerk