2007 July Stewards Minutes

STEWARDS MEETING MINUTES

Seekers Church

July 1, 2007

Present: Marjory Bankson (recorder), Peter Bankson (worship), Ken Burton, Lewise Busch, Pat Conover (shepherd), Kate Cudlipp, Alan Dragoo, Jane Engle, Sue Johnson,  Muriel Lipp, David Lloyd, Sandra Miller, Trish Nemore, Deborah Sokolove (moderator).

Absent:, Cynthia Dahlin,, Brenda Seat, Keith Seat, Margreta Silverstone

Worship: Peter used the farm bell which Emily had purchased for Seekers, inviting our meditation on David Whyte’s poem, “The Bell,” in preparation for the meeting.

Housekeeping for next meeting on August 6 at 5:30 (at Carroll St):

Worship: Sandra

Shepherd: someone from the shepherd’s group (Ken, Jane, Sue & Pat)

Moderator: Ken

Recorder: Dave

Angel (for cleanup): Alan & Peter

UPDATES

Financial Report (Sue)

Sue distributed copies of the 2007 Budget vs. Actual and answered questions. With 50% of the year complete, contributions are right on target, at 49.5%; building use income is up slightly, at 57%. Expenditures are proceeding smoothly. International giving has been completed and distribution for domestic recipients is beginning. We are putting money aside each month for year-end interest and principal repayment.

Approved: Repairs up to $10,000 may be authorized by Time & Space Mission Group. Beyond that amount, expenditure for repair must also be approved by 2/3 of the SaLT.

Website (Peter)

The website accountability report is attached.  All mission groups except Celebration Circle and Living Water have identified a “web content contact.” Peter is continuing to invite people for a “web information management team.”

Stewards affirmed the sample web page.

Sunday School (Trish)

Trish reported on the second meeting of a monthly group (Brenda, Pat, Kate, Sandra, Trish) that will support Anna as our new Sunday School coordinator. She was appreciative of Anna’s energy and direction for what had been a “cobbled together” effort. Their next project is to go through the resources and update them.

CONTINUING CONVERSATION on “being in solidarity with the poor:” (Marjory)

Background In the Stewards’ commitment statement, we pledge to “foster justice and be in solidarity with the poor.” Several Stewards have voiced discomfort with those words, so we tried a new format which would allow for back-and-forth conversation within the hearing of all. No decision was intended.

Pat, Deborah, Sandra, and Marjory faced each other to begin the conversation in the center of the larger circle of Stewards. An empty chair invited others to participate and, when finished, any speaker could return to the larger circle. As we listened to each other, the primary objection seemed to be that labeling others as  “the poor” objectifies them, denies “their” individuality and their strengths, and undercuts relationship.

There was substantial agreement that Stewards want to continue fostering justice for those who are economically disadvantaged. Finding language to express our commitment will be our next step.

After dinner, Alan and Muriel shared their current spiritual lives in some depth. That was followed by Soul Talk and early adjournment.

Submitted by

Marjory Bankson

July 2, 2007