Building Relationships with People in Christ

September 7, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting     (H)

 Items to be included in Session's consent agenda – none*

Items to be voted upon or needing discussion by Session – * none (unless Pastor’s research determines that Session needs to vote on insurance renewal – see 7 below)

Items for information only – see below – Especially note need for budget requests – see 8 below

 Members present – Ed Ingram, Bill Melewski, Sandy Moore, & Linda Schumacher.  Pastor Elizabeth was also present, and Paul Luce joined us via speaker phone.

Members absent – Barry Holmes, Don Pine, & Don Young

 Ed Ingram began our meeting with a terrific devotional and prayer about heart-lead stewardship.

 1.  August Minutes were approved

2.  Financial Secretary Report

·         Nothing to report

 3.  Treasurer's Report (see August 2021 reports in Drop Box)

·         Paul reviewed the August reports with the committee.  Considering all the recent repairs including the unexpected new air conditioning for the offices, our financial picture is still doing ok.

·         Since the $95,000.00 that was transferred from savings was transferred to pay bills, it is reflected in H1 “Church Repairs” rather than on H2 “Transfer from Savings”

·         August Treasurer’s Reports were approved.

4.  2022 Stewardship Campaign – the following additional plans were made

Ø  Ed will compose this year’s letter using parts of today’s devotional and incorporating the theme “Better Together”.  He will have a draft for our next meeting on 10/18 and Linda will print and mail it out along with the pledge form no later than the middle of the next week

Ø  Pastor Elizabeth will create a graphic for this year’s campaign

Ø  Sandy will give the introductory Stewardship “talk” and find another couple of folks to share their stewardship thoughts on following Sundays.  Note:  we will have guest ministers on 10/10 & 10/17

Ø  Pastor Elizabeth will give a special stewardship sermon on Pledge Sunday, November 7

 5.  Capital Campaign

Ø  The Finance Committee agreed that we wanted to allow some time between our annual stewardship campaign and whatever means we take to try to recoup some of the $95000.00 we’ve taken from savings – whether that is a Capital Campaign, fund raising from outside sources or a combination of both

Ø  Further discussion about this was tabled until January 2022

 6.  Steeple Repair/Painting - The Finance Committee requests that the Property Committee get some cost estimates so we can determine if or how we can pay for this.

 7.  Insurance renewal

Ø  Payment due by October 1

Ø  Insurance Company has made some modifications due to the pandemic and have offered a discount if we change to a higher deductible

Ø  Ed is going to scan and email the details to Finance Committee members.  Committee members need to reply asap to allow time for us to make a decision by September 20^th so that Session members have time to be notified before the September Session meeting on September 23.

 8.  2022 Budget – Committee Moderators need to make their budget requests in writing (either on paper or via email) to Sandy Moore by October 17^th (prior to the next Finance Meeting on October 18)

 9.  Joy Scholarship –

Ø  Joy Scholarship deadline is 10/1 for the Spring Semester.

Ø    Sandy will contact our most recent recipients and it will be publicized in newsletter

Ø  Ed made a motion; Bill seconded the following:  Retroactive suspension of our rule to disburse scholarships directly to the educational institution and approve the reimbursement directly to Yvonne Chi for her schooling costs for the Fall Semester because her online school is the American University of Antigua College of Medicine which is out of the country.  Motion carred.

 Next meeting – TUESDAY – October 18 – 1:00 pm  (different week than usual because Paul will be in town)

Ø  Location is Sandy Moore’s home at this point…but it could be changed to church

Ø  Bill Melewski will give the devotional

 Pastor Elizabeth closed the meeting with a prayer.

 Respectively Submitted, Linda Schumacher

 

Building Relationships with People in Christ

August 9, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting     (H)

 Items to be included in Session's consent agenda - none

Items to be voted upon or needing discussion by Session – see 3 & 7 below (memorial funds)

Items for information only – see below

 Members present – Ed Ingram, Bill Melewski, Sandy Moore, Don Pine, Linda Schumacher, & Don Young.  Pastor Elizabeth was also present, and Paul Luce joined us via speaker phone.

Members absent – Barry Holmes

 Linda Schumacher began our meeting with short devotional and prayer.

 1.  June Minutes were approved (no meeting in July)

2.  Financial Secretary Report

·         Linda does not plan to order any offering envelopes for 2022 – we have an ample supply left of the ones ordered for 2021

 

3.  Treasurer's Report (see July 2021 reports in Drop Box)

·         Paul reviewed the July reports with the committee. 

·         Don Pine made motion to use some non-designated memorial funds to pay for recent repairs as needed.  A list of those funds is attached. Motion Carried

·         July Treasurer’s Reports were approved.

4.  Joy Scholarship – Sandy will be making vouchers to send the $500 checks (each) to the schools for Celeste Cummings, Molly Wiltfang, Yvonne Etombi, and Owen Lockwood for the fall semester. 

5.  2022 Stewardship Campaign – the following was decided by consensus

Ø  Theme will be “Better Together” with a puzzle piece graphic and Acts 4:32 as the bible verse

Ø  Pledge Sunday will be November 7

 6.  Building Repairs

Ø  The Finance Committee agreed via email communication to transfer $95000.00 from our savings to enable us to pay for repairs needed to plumbing, security/fire alarm systems, gutters and air conditioning in the offices. 

Ø  Check received last week, deposited in the bank and posted to account number 28611 – PRO-Church Repairs

 7.  Pastor’s Discretionary Fund -  Don Young made a motion that the memorial fund for Pat Jackson – 28338 be transferred to this fund so Pastor Elizabeth will have some funds to use at her discretion when needed.  Motion Carried

And we have made a note to increase this amount in the budget for 2022

 8.  Items tabled for next Finance Meeting

Ø  Discuss ways to replenish our savings (e.g. Capital Campaign, fund raising, grant writing, etc)

Ø  Discuss whether or not at that time we are in the financial position to ask Property to pursue painting/repair of steeple

Ø  Determine who is going to write “the letter” for 2022 Stewardship Campaign

 Next meeting – TUESDAY – September 7  (different week and day than usual due to several scheduling conflicts)

Ø  Ed Ingram will give the devotional

Ø  We also discussed moving October meeting to the 18^th when Paul will be in town.

 Pastor Elizabeth closed the meeting with a prayer.

 

Building Relationships with People in Christ

June 14, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting     (H)

 

Items to be included in Session's consent agenda - none

Items to be voted upon or needing discussion by Session – see 5 & 8 below (memorial funds and fundraising)

Items for information only – see below

Members present – Ed Ingram, Bill Melewski, Sandy Moore, Don Pine, Linda Schumacher, & Don Young.  Pastor Elizabeth was also present, and Paul Luce joined us via speaker phone.

Members absent – Barry Holmes

 Bill Melewski began our meeting with a devotional about trusting God to supply our needs.

1.  May Minutes were approved

2.  Financial Secretary Report

·         Linda will be out of town 6/29-7/7 so there won’t be a deposit made on 7/5. 

·         Ed will put away offering on July 4^th.

·         It was the consensus of the committee that it is ok not to issue mid-year statements.  Linda will put in weekly email and newsletter to contact her if anyone has questions about their giving to BRPC so far this year.

 3.  Treasurer's Report (see May 2021 reports in Drop Box) –

·         Paul reviewed the April reports with the committee.

·         Don Young made motion to increase Fixed Assets 10180  to $200,000.00 due to the recent upgrade the Audio Visual Equipment – Motion approved

·         May Treasurer’s Reports were approved.

4.  Joy Scholarship – Timely applications have been received from, Celeste Cummings, Molly Wiltfang, Yvonne Etombi, and Owen Lockwood for the fall semester.  Don Young moved to award each applicant $500.00 each.  Motion approved.

5.  Heartland Presbytery Camp – CE will be awarding scholarship for Bella Cummins and Justin and Matthew Urriola.   Linda Schumacher moved that the balance of cost of camp for Bella, Justin and Matthew after the CE scholarship be paid from Edgar Urriola’s Memorial Funds #28336.

6.  Stewardship Theme tabled till August meeting.  We will plan to decide on a theme at this meeting.

7.  Fire Protection Our building needs some updates to meet fire codes.  Property Committee is getting bids.  Looks like it may cost $40,000.00-$50,000.00.

7.  Capital Campaign will be needed to help with the expense above.  At Pastor Elizabeth’s suggestion and with her guidance, the Finance Committee would like a list of all of the improvements/enhancements that we need/want with the goal of a capital campaign to raise funds for all of the most needed/desired improvements (e.g. steeple painting, gutters, Covid memorial etc.) not just for fire protection updates.

8.  Rummage Sale – CE would like to have sale August 25 through August 28, 2021.  Don Pine made a motion that this fund-raising request be approved.  Motion carried.  FYI – Property Committee has also approved use of the 1^st Floor Meeting Rooms and Hallway as follows (with the possibility of a short delay if fire protection work is scheduled)

8/2 - set up tables; 8/3 thru  8/24 - accept and price items; 8/25 thru 8/28 - SALE 10am-4pm each day; 8/29 - BRPC members shop after worship - 1/2 price; 8/30 - REAP gleaning in the morning - Packing after that

8/31 - Leftovers picked up by Red Rack (or whoever we can get to come this year)

 

No meeting in July.  Next meeting - August 9, 2021  (Linda devotional)

Don Pine closed the meeting with a prayer.

 

Building Relationships with People in Christ

May 10, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting     (H)

 

 Items to be included in Session's consent agenda – Insurance Upgrade (see 4 below)

Items to be voted upon or needing discussion by Session – none

Items for information only – none

 Members present – Ed Ingram, Bill Melewski, Sandy Moore, & Linda Schumacher.  Pastor Elizabeth was also present, and Paul Luce joined us via speaker phone.

Members absent – Barry Holmes, Don Pine and Don Young

Ed Ingram began our meeting with a devotional and prayer.

1.  April Minutes were approved

2.  Financial Secretary Report

·         Linda shared some wording for the new BRPC web site regarding “general giving” that had been added by the web site committee to the information the Finance Committee had provided last month.  Pastor Elizabeth is going to talk to the web site committee, and she will help reword this section to better reflect the theology she and the Finance Committee agreed upon.

 

3.  Treasurer's Report (see April 2021 reports in Drop Box) –

·         Paul reviewed the April reports with the committee.  Once again, we are grateful that we are still “in the black”.

·         Paul pointed out that there is over $1000 in the Endowment fund that needs to be transferred to the savings account where it can earn some interest.  Sandy will take care of this.

·         April Treasurer’s Reports were approved.

 

4.  Insurance Increase – based on information from Bill Melewski, when we first updated the audio/video for the sanctuary, we spent approximately $115,000.00.  Since then, with the projector upgrade, the projection screen upgrade and the new chancel lighting, we’ve added approximately another $85,000.00.  So, we have $200,000.00 just in AV equipment.  We currently have $250,000.00 in coverage.  The Finance Committee approved increasing our coverage by another $100,000.00 via email in March.  The added cost is $200.00.

 

5.  Joy Scholarship

·         As discussed at last month’s meeting Sandy has informed Meagan Berry that we could not use Joy Scholarship funds to pay for books that Meagan purchased with her personal credit card.  Meagan has sent BRPC a nice thank you for the financial help she received from the Joy Scholarship fund along with an announcement of  ????

·         The deadline for applications for the Fall Semester is June 1.  Sandy will be publicizing this in BRPC weekly email and newsletter.

·         Amount to be awarded to each applicant will be decided at the June meeting.

 

6.  Stewardship Theme for 2022

·         It’s not too soon to be thinking about this.

·         We’ll bring our ideas to the June meeting.

 

 

 Next meeting will be 1:00 PM on June 14, 2021.  

 

Opening devotional/prayer will be given by Bill Melewski.

 

Pastor Elizabeth ended our meeting with a prayer.

 

Building Relationships with People in Christ

March 19, 2021 Finance Committee Meeting     (H)

 

Items to be included in Session's consent agenda – none

Items to be voted upon or needing discussion by Session – none

Items for information only – none

 Members present – Ed Ingram, Don Pine, Bill Melewski, Sandy Moore, Linda Schumacher, & Don Young.  Pastor Elizabeth was also present, and Paul Luce joined us via speaker phone.

Members absent – Barry Holmes

This meeting was held at BRPC – hooray!

 Don Young began our meeting with a devotional and prayer.

1.  March Minutes were approved

 2.  Financial Secretary Report

·         Linda plans to reorder bank deposit slips from Costco rather than the bank because it is less expensive.

·         Linda reported that information received from Bettie Forbach’s attorneys regarding her trust of which BRPC is one beneficiary.  Anticipated distribution of her estate will be by August 2021 “barring any unexpected issues”.

 

3.  Treasurer's Report (see March 2021 reports in Drop Box) –

·         Paul reviewed the March reports with the committee.  Thankfully, our finances are still in relatively good condition considering the circumstances.

·         March Treasurer’s Reports were approved.

·         Sandy made sure New Covenant Funds has our PO Box so we should receive statements in a timely manner now.

 

4.  Joy Scholarship

·         Sandy received a little more information from Meagan Berry regarding her request for additional assistance from the Joy Scholarship.  Meagan is no longer a student.  She is asking for help paying for books which she paid for with her personal credit card.  The committee reiterated that the criteria established for the Joy Scholarship is for current educational expenses and we are only allowed to send the funds directly to the school, not the individual.

·         As discussed last month, the class in which Celeste was enrolled was cancelled.  Since no refund of the $500 sent to Celeste’s school has been received, the Finance Committee authorized Sandy to check with Celeste and find out if she intends to attend in the fall.  If that is the case, the committee agreed that the funds could be kept by the school for to be used for the fall semester.

 

5.  Heartland Presbytery request for Mission Support

·         There is $1000 in Mission’s budget for this and $500 has been paid.

·         Pastor Elizabeth texted Presbytery to let them know this.

 

6.  Survey from Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program

·         Sandy completed the survey and let them know that we are not in need of any of their services at this time.

 

7.  Finance Information for new BRPC Website

·         The committee reviewed/revised the draft Linda had prepared and the agreed upon wording will be sent to Mary Ziegenhorn for use on the upcoming new BRPC website.

 

8. Heartland Presbytery Camp Scholarship

·         A request for assistance with camp expenses was discussed and the decision was made that this request should go to the Christian Education Committee first and then if additional funds are needed, the Finance Committee will consider designating some memorial funds for this purpose.

 Next meeting will be 1:00 PM on May 10, 2021.  

 Opening devotional/prayer will be given by Ed Ingram.

 Don Pine ended our meeting with a prayer.