First Wednesday February 4, 2009
by Patti Warden for the Deacons and the Stewardship Team
Our meeting began about 6:35, with a welcome from Barbara Glasscock on behalf of the Deacons. She offered a short job description for being a Deacon: “we’re there if you need us.” They work behind the scenes. Both members of the congregation and those outside the congregation come to them for help.
Reflecting recent events, a question was raised about what to do when someone from outside the congregation walks in asking for help. Depending on their request, we can consult the Deacons, but Scott added that we used to refer people to OEC, and now that OEC isn’t in existence, we are trying to find a central source of help.
Scott went on to recount the story of a woman who came in Sunday, asking for a ride into Seattle. Diana Kordus responded, and ended up spending about 6 hours with her, taking her to Virginia Mason clinic and staying with her as long as it seemed necessary.
We can also refer people to the Salvation Army. Roger Paulsen mentioned that the Mission Team has a meeting set with the Salvation Army Captain, which may shed more light on this kind of situation.
Scott Anderson continued, mentioning that the scripture for the coming Sunday is about the first Deacon. He talked about our need to serve each other, and how that results in our own healing. Then we are able to help or heal others.
Julie Kae Sigars spoke next, calling attention to her handout in the package of handouts. She told us that the vision for the music program is not hers, but St. Andrew’s, and it deals with the function of music in worship. She noted that Seattle Pacific University, where she teaches, has just instituted a program in music therapy, and after talking with folks involved with that, Julie Kae learned that when we sing together we learn to trust each other more. Our society wants to pay others to sing for us, and in some cases fosters the feeling that if you’re not the best, you shouldn’t try doing it. But that doesn’t show the value of coming together and singing together. Julie Kae noted the choir’s job is to give courage to the assembly in their singing. When they do, the courage grows. And what we do as a body is so much better. If it’s hard for you, then it’s a first step. And after you’ve taken that first step, what else might you be able to do?
She encouraged us to think about choir anthems in a different way. Rather than a performance, think about how it is affecting you. How is the music supporting the words? And if you find yourself uncomfortable, especially with something new or changed, think about what it is aobut the change that’s causing discomfort.
This led to a comment that all the musical things that are included bring joy, and including more people in the choir is good. But some in our “aging congregation” miss the “traditional things.” A suggestion followed that some older hymns be included.
A question came up about why the choir isn’t wearing robes. Julie Kae explained that it was not her decision, and that the choir had decided to wear them during Lent and during Advent. Julie Kae commented that she likes the image of people coming from the assembly to sing in the choir. These are the people who just happen to sing, and they gather to do that. She pointed out that the robes are not a symbol of faith. A further question was raised about whether uniformity was the goal. We didn’t answer that.
A further comment expressed thanks for including children in playing instruments. Going back to the subject of “traditional” hymns, a suggestion was made that a list of favorite hymns could be used to select some to be included in worship. Scott suggested that any who would like to do so can write down their favorites and e-mail them to him. Hymns are chosen for their words, and whether those harmonize with the themes being discussed on a particular Sunday.
Pattie Holt spoke next, representing the Ministry Department. Three elders make up the department: herself, Stan Hastings, and Laurie Rossnagel. The areas for which they are responsible are Worship, Fellowship, and Christian Education.
Included in the handouts were the minutes of the last Ministry Team meeting. They were not necessarily intended to be read at the meeting, but were included as an example of what the team does. Several people besides the elders help with ministry activities. In Pattie’s words, they are “here to serve you.” There are lots of ways for people to be involved.
The Homework Club now has more than 20 kids coming on Wednesdays. The Youth Group is growing, and most recently talked about the possibility of a progressive dinner. Pattie encourages any who want to participate to find their passion and act on it.
Andy Peck spoke next, representing his function as Elder at Large. An update on the projects he has been working on was included in the package of handouts. Andy talked about the Technology Committee, which Lainey Sickinger is heading. We have new high-speed internet access, and we are getting access for SharePoint. The goal is to make things easier. His litmus test for success will be whether or not Alma-jean Marion is able to do the Perspective from home. Andy related that we also have four new laptops, two of which had been used during the evening by kids in the Homework Club. The kids are thrilled.
Wireless internet access has also been established. Andy would like members to be able to bring their laptops to the church and use the wireless access.
He also recounted some recent Adult Education classes: a class he called the frugal consumer, an upcoming class dealing with Christian denominations, and one on non-Christian denominations. He is also planning a class on the basics of investing, which will mostly consist of definitions of terms.
Gary Glasscock spoke next, representing the Operations Department. He noted that Operations has responsibility for several functions: Facilities, Finance, and Personnel.
The Facilities group is headed by Paul Mitchell and Indru Primlani. One of their greatest assets is the Golden Hammer and Saw team, which always welcomes more participants. They are usually at the church on Thursday afternoons. Contact Don Patterson or Andy Resor if you’re interested. Paul and Indru deal with issues regarding the inside of the building. Alma-jean Marion handles issues for the outside of the building, sometimes hiring people to do specific work such as trimming trees.
Gary Glasscock heads the Finance group, working with Andy Resor, our Treasurer, who pays the bills, and with Mary Jo Primlani, our Financial Secretary, who counts the offering after worship and makes our deposits.
The Personnel group has job descriptions for all employees, and sees to it that annual reviews get done. This group consists of Susan Patterson and Alma-jean Marion, with assistance from Don Patterson, Pat Sharpe, and Forester Woodruff.
Facilities-related questions included one regarding whether there was available space to store items for the Deacons’ Garage Sale in May. Gary responded that there was some space, and it was available for a short period of time. Bringing things after Easter would be the best plan.
A question was raised about the roof, and about whether or not we are considering replacing it. The answer to that is yes. But the follow-on question concerned whether or not there was money set aside to do that. There is some, but not enough. The cost has increased a great deal over the past few years. A completely new roof might cost from $35,000 to $50,000, and maybe as much as $70,000. Gary thought we would need a capital campaign to raise the needed money. Facilities has also debated the wisdom of hiring an Architectural/Engineering firm to look at the possibility of doing a slanted roof, because the existing design (a flat roof) is part of the problem.
Roger Paulsen spoke next, representing the Mission Department. There are four sub-departments, Membership, Outreach, the Mission Team, and Stewardship.
Forester Woodruff spoke regarding Membership and Outreach. The Membership group has updated membership rolls, and is updating our database. They are also supporting the possible realignment of parishes for the Deacons. We will be doing a new directory, which Forester hopes to have finalized by mid-March. Another part of our Outreach has been the development of our “red bags,” small red plastic bags that contain information about St. Andrew, and are intended to be given to first-time guests, and by members to people who might be interested in coming to St. Andrew. In encouraging growth, we want to mobilize the congregation’s efforts and choose activities carefully, so our efforts will be worthwhile.
Forester also reported that we have joined the Renton Chamber of Commerce, as part of our Outreach function. Through our membership, people will be able to find a link to St. Andrew on the Chamber website.
Roger spoke about the Mission Team, and said they will be strongly supporting the Youth Mission Trip to Westminster Woods this coming summer. The youth will stay at the camp, but will work for 6 hours per day doing work on trails, painting, and general maintenance.
We will also once again be hosting ARISE in June. There had been some doubt, because of lack of funding, but Catholic Community Services (CCS) will fund what ARISE cannot, so the June activity WILL happen.
Roger described the Mission of Your Choice program. He has received 18 nominations from people in the congregation, requesting $100 each for various organizations with which they participate. A comment was made that those who submitted requests need feedback on whether or not their ideas were accepted. A further question asked what the “Be the Change” program was about. Scott gave a short description – it is a program at Liberty High School that focuses on students embodying the changes they want to see in the society around them. The name of the program comes from a quote from Mahatma Ghandi: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
A comment was that we need to call more attention to bringing food for the Food Bank.
Those who had been supporting Cross Bridge Ministry, which has gone out of existence, can make donations to the Mental Health Chaplaincy in downtown Seattle.
Patti Warden spoke about the upcoming Stewardship season. She described the planning that had gone on, and related that a brainstorming session had resulted in a strategy and a strawman schedule. There will be an all-church potluck March 7, to focus on looking toward the future.
Roger ended our discussion mentioning that Moments for Mission in the future will focus on the Shalom team and the Homework Club. We talked about the growing success of the Homework Club, and how valuable it is to have adults involved. No academic qualifications are needed. Adults function as much as mentors as tutors, and cultivating relationships is showing very positive results.