2015 May Stewards Minutes

Seekers Church

May 3, 2015 Stewards Meeting

Present:

Marjory Bankson (notetaker), Peter Bankson, Kevin Barwick, Ken Burton, Pat Conover, Cynthia Dahlin, Judy Lantz, David Lloyd, Sandra Miller (worship), Trish Nemore, Brenda Seat, Keith Seat (moderator), Vincent Shepherd (angel), Margreta Silverstone (angel), Deborah Sokolove.

 

Jacqie Wallen

 

Roy Barber, Larry Rawlings, Elese Sizemore

Stewards will meet on Sunday, June 14 at 5:30pm

was offered by Sandra, using Ted Loder’s poem, “This Catch of Light,” from Wrestling the Light, followed by reading the CALL of SEEKERS CHURCH together.

UPDATES

  1. Jim Cawley has just returned from a month in Winterveldt with Bokamoso. The program has grown from 55 to 65 students in the 9-month ADP (Adolescent Development Program). There are 41 scholarship students in post-secondary programs, mostly IT, nursing and social work. All 11 students who were here in January are enrolled in college-level programs. They raised $90,000 while in the U.S. and have distributed $30,000 in scholarships already,

    The major challenge has been the unexpected death of Solly, founder and director since the beginning. He operated in a traditional manner, not writing things down. The current staff selected Mmule as the director, and they want to work in a more transparent and collegial manner, but the learning curve is steep for all of them. The stateside Boka Board authorized a retreat for the staff and the staff is arranging to have the local retreat leader continue as a mentor for the staff.

  2. Is there any sense of more local support for Bokamoso? (Ans.) Yes, they do have a local board, but frankly these people have no contacts. Johnny Miloto, who was connected with the Embassy here, is now back in Pretoria and he is willing to help. That may be an opening.
  3. Would raising the rate for guest-house use (to support Othandweni) impact usage? (No answer)
    1. Trish

    Although Paul and Sallie worked hard to make the two overnights a success, interest in content seemed low. Ditto for the two-month course on different religious traditions provided by Cynthia. The Team plans to meet with parents and grandparents about how to engage the kids (and make prep worthwhile for teachers).

    all children will be expected to stay in worship. Crayons, books and questions to think about will be provided and mission groups will be asked to have someone ready to staff the nursery IF NEEDED.

    OUTREACH

    1. Margreta

    Margreta talked with the management of the new apartments across the street. They do have a welcome kit and Seekers is listed as a place of worship because of our membership in the Old Town Business Association. There were suggestions about how to make ourselves more visible to residents.

    • Sandra said the Carroll Café Board would consider “comp coupons” for first-time visitors
    • Dave suggested an article using the words on our front window: creative, inclusive, working for peace and justice
    1. Larry

    The TP Folk Festival will be held on September 20 this year.

  4. Other Stewards indicated their willingness to help: Ken, Margreta, Kevin, Sandra, Vince, and Trish.
  5. Trish and Brenda (SLT)

    What are the questions that Stewards want to know?

    • How is the SLT doing with only two members? (Maybe every other month)
    • What members are in crisis or need? What’s your “gut sense” of our health?
    • How many groups are using the building (I liked Peter’s pie charts)
    • I’d like a shorter verbal report on Church of the Saviour connections

    followed by Soul Talk.

    Present:

    Marjory Bankson (notetaker), Peter Bankson, Kevin Barwick, Ken Burton, Pat Conover, Cynthia Dahlin, Judy Lantz, David Lloyd, Sandra Miller (worship), Trish Nemore, Brenda Seat, Keith Seat (moderator), Vincent Shepherd (angel), Margreta Silverstone (angel), Deborah Sokolove.

     

    Jacqie Wallen

     

    Roy Barber, Larry Rawlings, Elese Sizemore

    Stewards will meet on Sunday, June 14 at 5:30pm

    was offered by Sandra, using Ted Loder’s poem, “This Catch of Light,” from Wrestling the Light, followed by reading the CALL of SEEKERS CHURCH together.

    UPDATES

    1. Jim Cawley has just returned from a month in Winterveldt with Bokamoso. The program has grown from 55 to 65 students in the 9-month ADP (Adolescent Development Program). There are 41 scholarship students in post-secondary programs, mostly IT, nursing and social work. All 11 students who were here in January are enrolled in college-level programs. They raised $90,000 while in the U.S. and have distributed $30,000 in scholarships already,

      The major challenge has been the unexpected death of Solly, founder and director since the beginning. He operated in a traditional manner, not writing things down. The current staff selected Mmule as the director, and they want to work in a more transparent and collegial manner, but the learning curve is steep for all of them. The stateside Boka Board authorized a retreat for the staff and the staff is arranging to have the local retreat leader continue as a mentor for the staff.

    2. Is there any sense of more local support for Bokamoso? (Ans.) Yes, they do have a local board, but frankly these people have no contacts. Johnny Miloto, who was connected with the Embassy here, is now back in Pretoria and he is willing to help. That may be an opening.
    3. Would raising the rate for guest-house use (to support Othandweni) impact usage? (No answer)
      1. Trish

      Although Paul and Sallie worked hard to make the two overnights a success, interest in content seemed low. Ditto for the two-month course on different religious traditions provided by Cynthia. The Team plans to meet with parents and grandparents about how to engage the kids (and make prep worthwhile for teachers).

      all children will be expected to stay in worship. Crayons, books and questions to think about will be provided and mission groups will be asked to have someone ready to staff the nursery IF NEEDED.

      OUTREACH

      1. Margreta

      Margreta talked with the management of the new apartments across the street. They do have a welcome kit and Seekers is listed as a place of worship because of our membership in the Old Town Business Association. There were suggestions about how to make ourselves more visible to residents.

      • Sandra said the Carroll Café Board would consider “comp coupons” for first-time visitors
      • Dave suggested an article using the words on our front window: creative, inclusive, working for peace and justice
      1. Larry

      The TP Folk Festival will be held on September 20 this year.

    4. Other Stewards indicated their willingness to help: Ken, Margreta, Kevin, Sandra, Vince, and Trish.
    5. Trish and Brenda (SLT)

      What are the questions that Stewards want to know?

      • How is the SLT doing with only two members? (Maybe every other month)
      • What members are in crisis or need? What’s your “gut sense” of our health?
      • How many groups are using the building (I liked Peter’s pie charts)
      • I’d like a shorter verbal report on Church of the Saviour connections

      followed by Soul Talk.