St. Alban’s Congregational Meeting
State of Our Union Update
August 15, 2010
Mother Cathy reviewed the list of accomplishments and those things that still need to be addressed.
Christian Ed./Kids:
Confirmation class has 1 student enrolled. Anyone else who is interested should notify Mother Cathy or Deann Megonnell as soon as possible. Squires to Knights for the boys will resume in the fall. We are developing plans for a Bible Story Timeline for the remaining students and will be asking members to volunteer to teach their favorite Bible Story.
Plans have not yet been made for a play area for the broad age range of our youth.
We are continuing Operation Christmas Child this year and some members are scheduled to help check and assemble boxes for shipping in Minneapolis.
A trip to the castle in progress is scheduled for Saturday, August 28.
Ministry:
Dates are set for working on rag dolls: September 22 and October 20 (both Wednesdays). Dolls have been requested for El Salvador, Botswana and the Red Cross.
Prayer shawls are being worked on individually. If you know anyone in need of a shawl please let Mother Cathy know. Dean and Sally are available to teach how to make these.
Please write all events on General Calendar or check with Becca to eliminate conflict on dates.
Max will look at laptop and skype to try to get it up and running.
Share your Christmas: we’ve been given teen-agers this year, ages 14-18. Some gifts will come from Angel Trees. Should you pick up a name from the Angel Tree please look for this age group, as it will help with our task.
Grounds:
Remember to contribute to mowing fund. Consider carrying this over for snow removal.
Water on the north needs to be diverted from the building. Consider the lack of water accessibility on the north of church. This is a problem for watering flowers and plants. Those who are concerned with this need to discuss.
Please clean up any mess you make. Crush boxes and put in a plastic bag. All trash and garbage must be in bags or the service won’t take it. Put in black bags before putting outside.
Cleaning schedule is working well. Is a good idea to have an alternate so they can step in when someone is ill or needs to be out of town.
Administration:
The Financial Report is finished. There were no discrepancies and all was in order. This will be signed and sent off to the diocese.
Gardens:
Mother Cathy reports these have been a disaster due to health of gardeners and extreme weather this summer. Much is overgrown. Paula, Marcus and Mother Cathy have been watering but the heat has prevented the necessary weeding and other care. The garden committee suggests we take under serious consideration suspending gardening for next year and transfer our energies to canning and gardening education. It may be more economically feasible to can what is donated or purchased from farmers markets to place in our pantry. It is also suggested we consider workshops for members and community on canning, as in old fashioned canning centers. It not only provides food but also fellowship.
Suggestion is made to use raised beds for growing flowers for the altar. Is it possible to move them up closer to the building to provide for easier watering and could a weed barrier be placed to reduce the task of weeding? It is suggested we consider how these could be restructured to better serve our needs.
Altar Guild:
Louise has served as chair of the altar guild for 20 years and will relinquish this duty in the fall. She suggests we set up an altar team with a captain who would serve from 3 to 6 months. The captain would schedule for Sundays and make sure things are done. There are plans to make more altar cloths. Be aware that volunteers may be needed in the future.
This discussion will continue next Sunday.
Submitted by:
Cathy Carleton
