Present:  Greg York, Christiane Sears, Jeremy Eyre, Josh Hanauer, Janet McNeel, Mandy McLaughlin, and Dave Nixon

Meeting was held and the Hanauers home on Spencer Ave.

The first part of the meeting was spent reflecting on recent developments within this leadership body.  Members were given the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings about the current situation.  Specifically of concern are the recent resignations of Bethany Rogers(overseeing gatherings), Kevin Gilles (overseeing house churches/networking/ leadership community) and Sarah Ross (overseeing finances).  Earlier resignations this year included Kenny Havens and Brad Rogers.

For the time being, Dave Nixon will oversee the Leadership Community.  There are tentative plans for Hearth and Terra Nova house churches to cover the next two months of planning and carrying out the activities associated with monthly gatherings.

Sarah Ross is moving and Greg York is fulfilling her role of overseeing finances.  A meeting will be scheduled soon with Ken Hanauer to help the VC finance committee set up a more efficient system of tracking finances.

The group considered the question of what are the few things that we need to be focusing on to do well.  There was discussion about doing community vs. doing church and where we see VC at present with either or both.

Josh reviewed some recent connections with new folks and how we are still drawing individuals who are interested in community and relationships in a spiritual context.

The group read the lectionary together and shared communion.

Greg York gave a brief update regarding our financial status.  We have approximately $8000 in the bank.  We are roughly spending about $500 more than we are taking in each month.  Compared to last year, giving is down 5%; over the past three months giving is down 17%.  Salaries are up 80% over last year so this is the most noticeable difference in expenses.  Collection of studio rent has improved and the YMCA membership situation was resolved for the first 6 mos.  We need to be sure that Beth Reed will take this on for the next 6 mos. period.  There was a broken coffeemaker earlier this year and an effort will be made to provide compensation for that.

Jeremy has been in communication with the Pomegranates and they have agreed to give a fundraiser concert in December.  More details will be provided later.

The Google Wave has been scrapped by the developers so we will not be using this now.

Josh will communicate the date for the next PC meeting.

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING

March 28, 2010

Present:  Jeremy Eyre, Dave Nixon, Mandy McLaughlin, Sarah Ross, Janet McNeel, Christiane Sears, Owen Brock, and Josh Hanauer.

Meeting led by Josh Hanauer.

Brief updates shared by each member.

Mandy (Communications) – Reports 172 people are on the VC email list (about 50% regularly open the message).  Recent addition of the PC minutes on website was most popular page.  Plan to encourage joining email list.

Christiane (Orientation) – Kenny Havens has stepped down from co-leadership of this area.  Christiane is in the process of setting specific dates when the orientation group will be offered.

Dave (Pastor – Internal Focus) – Has been working on House Church Handbook.  Also plans to offer opportunity for 15 weeks of discipleship teaching on Sunday evenings – venue will be either Speckled Bird (or possibly 1801 Mills).  To start this on April 25 and continue until early August, then break for few weeks, resuming next 15 weeks (repeated topics) in late August and run until December.

Sarah (Finance) – Stewardship Committee is going to meet in next 1-2 weeks, looking at ways to strengthen financial status.

Jeremy (Facilities) – Two house churches have taken on room remodeling/improvement Projects.  Mills HC is doing children’s room; Hearth has selected room at front left (formerly S. Brock’s area).  Planning to set up yearly maintenance schedule for St. E’s.

Considering fundraising concert with local group for the fall.

Janet (Admin/Support) – Assisting Dave in reviewing HC Handbook and planning for discipleship group meetings.  Has reviewed bylaws and will assist Bd. of Trustees with revisions.  Trying to be informed in all areas and available to help as needed.

Josh (Pastor – External Focus) – Shared that he has recently sold his home in Cheviot and will soon relocate to Norwood.  Will involve two moves due to timing—first move to Speckled Bird apartment on April 30 and second move into newly acquired home on Spencer Ave. on May 27.  (Side note:  Jill and Jonathan Hicks have recently moved to Red River Gorge area).  Josh has attended meetings of the Cincinnati Faith and Justice Group.  There will be a workshop/conference soon on April 30 and May 1^st at the First Christian Assembly Church.  Topic is Re:Discovering Biblical Justice with special speaker coming to present.  More information will be shared soon.

Easter update – Hispanic mass will not be happening.  Attempts to reconnect with individual at Su Casa have largely been difficult, not as warmly received.  Decision has been made to look for other ways to extend outreach to our Hispanic neighbors.

Josh has been working on a mission idea/project which will involve selecting a school in South America that does not have a library.  Plan will be to fill a large shipping container with books and sent this to the school (e.g. children’s books available in Spanish to be purchased — available fairly inexpensively).

AGENDA  (Reviewed by group, all but one selected by voting)

1) Way to Present Items to PC in the Future

Josh has recommended book Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott, will start using format suggested there,  members complete form beforehand and share via email or bring to next meeting with information filled in.  Josh will put this form on Google Wave.

2)  Who is a Member/Who is a Friend of VC

Owen explained how this issue arose a few months ago when this PC model was implemented.  Discussion followed regarding how various other churches address the matter of membership and what if any of those elements would be valuable to consider.  General consensus is that this is a very important topic and that membership needs to be delineated in some manner.  Owen volunteered to complete form referenced above as a way to capitalize on important aspects.  He will bring this to next PC meeting.

3)  Hospitality Committee

Unable to discuss due to PC member not present today.

4)   Building Issues

—Maintenance
—Renovation
—Need to remove this from responsibility of either pastor
—There had been a committee looking at options. Options such as selling, retaining ownership but involving another entity (leasing?), tearing down bldg. and rebuilding.
—Wedding business and how this would be related to building needs to be clarified   (This item generated discussion as to status—Owen and Dave and Greg will discuss this as Board of Trustees, will meet soon).

Mention was made of need to catalog what is going on at VC.  Mandy will explore and together with Sam determine how to present this on the website with brief sentences and photos.

Josh gave an update about Norwood Rugby and his goal to have volunteers (at least 6-10) involved in tutoring (Rugby players must maintain 3.0 grade point average).  This rugby will be co-ed.  It will be primarily through Norwood Middle School.  Will be 6 week long program probably in the summer.  The tutoring relationship will continue throughout the year.  This is flag rugby (noncontact).  PC gave support to Josh to continue his involvement as a outreach ministry for VC.

Dave mentioned that the Regional Conference for Vineyard Churches will take place in Columbus, Ohio, May 11-14 if anyone is interested in attending.

Next meeting of Pastoral Council will be Sunday, May 2 from 1:00 – 4:00 (at Tilden Ave. – Brocks’ home).