Church Council
News
Meet the Church Council
Click
here for the pdf Church Council brochure.
Church Council Update
The Church Council met on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m in room 200. Susan Barrier, our Lay Leader, opened our meeting with lighting the Christ candle and worship. We received a report from Finance on February's financial statements. Our Lead Pastor, Carl Frazier ask the church council to consider the following questions: Why do people need Jesus Christ?, Why do people need the church?, Why do people need First United Methodist Church Cary?, What ministry is uniquely ours? How do we stay focused on it? Our discernment and responses to those questions will be passed along to the Joel Team to discern a vision for FUMCC. Ralph Gordon closed our meeting with prayer. The Church Council’s next meeting is on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in room 200. All are welcome to attend.
The Church Council met on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:00 p.m in room 200. Susan Barrier, our Lay Leader, opened our meeting with lighting the Christ candle and worship. We spent time celebrating our accomplishments of Connecting with God, Connecting with People, and Connecting with Service since the last time we met in October. Our Lead Pastor, Carl Frazier presented to the church council 'The State of the Church'. Out of that presentation the council approved the formation of a Joel Team to work with the Lead Pastor over the next year to discern a vision for FUMCC. Carl's presentation will soon be available on the website. Chip Kitchings, Finance Chair, reported that our 2012 expenses exceeded our donations by $96,000. Ralph Gordon closed our meeting with prayer. The Church Council’s next meeting is on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in room 200. All are welcome to attend.
The Church Council met on Thursday, December 13 and approved a 2013 budget of $2,527,482.87. This represents a 4% decrease from our 2012 budget. Please click
here for the 2013 budget.
An update from the Called Church Conference on Tuesday, December 11.
Jon Stother, District Superintendent, presided over our Called Church Conference.
Matt Sawchak, Chair of the SPPRC, proposed Jason Darden, Mac McNair, and Nick VanHorn as candidates for Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church. The SPPRC unanimously recommends Jason, Mac, and Nick after examination using the traditional John Wesley criteria for ministry set forth in The Discipline. Jason, Mac, and Nick spoke of their call to Ministry at the Called Church Conference. The Called Church Conference approved overwhelmingly the recommendation of Jason, Mac, and Nick as candidates for Ordained Ministry.
Skip Dyer, Long Range Planning Chair (LRPC), presented the conceptual Long Range Master Plan for our church campus to the Called Church Conference. The master plan was developed by Tice-Kiester from the responses to our church-wide survey. The Called Church Conference approved overwhelmingly the conceptual building locations. Click here for the Master Plan.
There was a called Church Council meeting on Sunday, November 11 at 12:15pm.
Council Chair, Ralph Gordon opened in prayer.
Chip Kitchings, Chair of the Finance Committee, provided an overview of the forecasted budget shortfall. The Finance Committee took into consideration historic giving data for December as well as the current financial data. The shortfall is forecasted to be a deficit of $130,000 - $166,000. The Finance Committee recommended not spending the following unspent budgetted items on this year's budget to offset part of the shortfall:
- $10,000 from Trustee's Equipment Replacement
- $48,000 from Trustees' Reserve Capital Fund
Mr. Kitchings explained that removal of these items from the budget saves $103,000; the balance of the shortfall would come from Reserve Fund.
Mr. Doug Richmond moved to approve the Finance Committee's recommendation and the motion was seconded.
Discussion followed around the impact of not spending these funds. Pastor Colin Snider, who supports the Missions Committee, indicated that the Missions Comittee would reduce its giving to outside agencies to make up for the reduction in their budget. It was suggested that in the next budget year, Missions giving to outside agencies be made a priority. A question was asked about how the further reduction in the Reserve Fund would impact the church. Ms. Lisa Varani, Assistant Church Treasurer, pointed out that the church's Reserve Fund is currently at 50% of its funding due in part of using cash reserves in 2009 to purchase the Zev Summit properties; reducing this fund by $103,000 would lower the percentage even further. Ms. Varani explained that the Reserve Fund has been determined to be at 100% when the amount in the fund is equal to 2.5 months' operating expenses.
Mr. Gordon called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
The Church Council met on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m in room 200. Susan Barrier, our Lay Leader, opened our meeting with lighting the Christ candle and worship. We spent time celebrating our accomplishments of Connecting with God, Connecting with People, and Connecting with Service since the last time we met in July. Some of our celebrations included: MannaFest weekend, Disciple Classes, Beginnings, Way of the Child, Blessing of the Animals, Mighty Mondays, Fall programing, Bell Retreat, Fair Booth, Mission Teams, Youth Kickoff, Consignment Sale, and MInisters of Hospital Visitation.
Carl Frazier, Lead Pastor, led us in a discussion of "Inside the Large Congregation" by Susan Beaumont. The council was asked to consider the following questions: In what areas do we feel we are effective/functioning? In what areas do we feel we need improvement? What is our focus and where are we going? The council felt that the following areas are effective and functioning: our staff team design and function, clergy leadership and governance and board function. The council felt that our strategy formation and execution needs improvement. The council felt that we have so much going on that it is difficult to focus at times. The size of our leadership team is too large. Maybe we should change our council meeting schedule to every other month, with one meeting being business and the next meeting be a strategy/visioning session.
The Council discerned and took action on the following items:
- The council discerned and approved the Funeral Handbook & Policy as presented by Linda Miller, Worship Committee Chair. These guidelines were much needed and are new to our church. Linda pointed out that when people are grieving, they need assistant and guidance. The funeral fees are similar to our wedding fees and are appropriate. Honorariums are suggested to members and non-member fees are as follows: Pastor $275, Organist $250, Audio $75, Custodial $100.
- Skip Dyer, Long Range Planning Chair (LRPC), presented the conceptual Long Range Master Plan for our church campus. The master plan was developed by Tice-Kiester from the responses to our church-wide survey. The church council approved the conceptual building locations, which included an identified location for the columbarium.
Chip Kitchings, Finance Chair, reported that our September YTD expenses are exceeding our donations by approximately $200,000. Giving is down and we are expecting a shortfall of $100,000 by year end. Chip is asking everyone to catch up on their pledges and to participate in the stewardship campaign. The Sanctuary Camera system is currently on hold.
As an act of leadership, the church council brought their Advancing Through Faith Commitments forward. Carl led the council in praying the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer:
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Ralph Gordon closed our meeting with prayer. The Church Council’s next meetings are as follows: All are welcome to attend.
- November 18 - Charge Conference, 2:30 p.m. at Macedonia UMC
- December 13 - Budget Approval Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in room 200
- January 24 - Next Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m. in room 200
The Church Council met on Sunday, July 22, 2012 and began the business portion of our meeting at 3:30 p.m. in room 200. Susan Barrier, our Lay Leader, opened our meeting with the lighting of the Christ candle and worship. We spent time celebrating our accomplishments of Connecting with God, Connecting with People, and Connecting with Service since the last time we met in April. Some of our celebrations included, Confirming 62 youth, Celebrating High School and College Graduates, Annual Conference, Colin Snider and Joyce Horn Ordinations, Mission Week, Youth ACS, ZOE, Bolivia, Bosnia, and ASP Mission trips, 100 fans distributed to South East Raleigh, Opening of First Cup, and Music and Arts Camp. Ralph Gordon, our Church Council chair, led us in prayer thanking God for all that he has done in and through our congregation over the past three months.
The Council discerned and took action on the following items:
- Approved an addendum to Safe Sanctuaries Policy. Please click here to see the addendum.
- Approved a Sanctuary Camera System. Implementation of the system is pending funding identification. Please click here to see the proposed camera system.
- Approved a recommendation form the Fundraising and Special Sunday Review Team. Please click here to see the report.
Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) Chair, Skip Dyer, gave the following update. LRPC has contracted Tice-Kiester architects to review and update our Campus Master Plan. Tice-Kiester was selected after receiving proposals and interviewing three local architectural firms that specialize in church projects. (Tice-Kiester was the architect for the Templeton Building and the Sanctuary renovation in 1996). LRPC will be conducting a church-wide survey to get everyone’s input in the next few weeks. Please be sure to complete a survey! Two Town Hall meetings will be held in August where Tice-Kiester and LRPC will answer questions from the congregation regarding the Campus Master Plan.
Chip Kitchings, Finance Chair, reported that our June YTD results are tracking to budget. He also shared with the Council that we paid off our parking lot loan in July. We now will begin to pay ourselves back the reserved cash that we used ($476,363) in purchasing the three lots on Zev Summitt Lane in 2009.
Ralph Gordon closed our meeting with prayer. The Church Council’s next regular meeting will be October 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in room 200. All are welcome to attend.
There was a called Church Council meeting on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in room 118. The express purpose of the meeting was to discern a recommendation proposed by the FUMCC Trustees as they relate to a FUMCC Security System. The Church Council unanimously endorsed the recommendation and thanked the Trustees for their diligent and thorough work on this important project. The FUMCC Trustees will be working on the timing of implementing the Security System and will keep the congregation fully updated as to the progress of the implementation. Please click here to see the Trustees presentation.
There was a called charge conference on Sunday, May 20th at 12:15 p.m. in room 200. The Church Council unanimously approved the Nominations and Lay Leadership report of the 2012-2013 leadership positions. Click here to see the report. The new terms will begin in July.
The Church Council met on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in room 118. Susan Barrier, our Lay Leader, opened our meeting with the lighting of the Christ candle and worship. We then prayed over our pastors, thanking God for their ministry and asking God to continue to fill their hearts and minds with his spirit and guidance. We spent time celebrating our accomplishments of Connecting with God, Connecting with People, and Connecting with Service since the last time we met in January. Some of our celebrations included, our Lenten study, Holy Week, Outreach to the Hispanic Community – Mighty Mondays, Hospital Visitation, and Congregational Care workshops. Ralph Gordon, our Church Council chair, led us in prayer thanking God for all that he has done in and through our congregation over the past three months.
Carl Frazier, our Lead Pastor, discussed the new district lines, names and structure of NC Conference of UMC to the Council. The link to this information can be found in the ‘Spotlight’ box on our webpage at www.fumc-cary.org.
Our Trustee’s Chair, Curtis Westbrook, Sr. shared items from the Trustees Committee with the council. Trustees will most likely make a recommendation regarding a security system for the church at the July Council meeting. The Council also discussed replacing the louvers in the bell tower with stained glass windows. A design committee is to be put together and an update will be given at the July Council meeting.
Chip Kitchings, Finance Chair, reported that our first quarter financial results are tracking to budget. He also shared with the Council that we will pay off our parking lot loan this summer. A financial snapshot can be found at www.fumc-cary.org/churchcouncil.
Ralph Gordon closed our meeting with prayer. The Church Council’s next regular meeting will be in July. There will be a called charge conference on Sunday, May 20th at 12:15 p.m. in room 200. The Council will take action on the Nominations and Lay Leadership report of the 2012-2013 positions.
The church council serves to guide the church’s missions and ministries. All meetings are open to the congregation. Please contact Ralph Gordon at gordonsnug@aol.com or Christine Hildebrand at childebrand@fumc-cary.org or at 467-1861 if you have any questions about the church council and the items discussed.
FAQ on the Church Council
What will the Church Council do?
The Church Council is charged with the overseeing and evaluating the strategic direction of the church, as well as approving the annual budget and elected leaders. The Council is comprised of the Pastoral and representatives from Church Staff and 23 Lay Leaders representing 20 different ministry areas.
- Facilitate the four areas of ministry: Stewardship, Outreach, Christian Formation and Leadership Development to implement the mission and ministry goals, to provide an administrative infrastructure; to align the plan with the mission of the church and to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and act as the administrative agency of the Charge Conference. The groups set their objective to accomplish the Goals within the defined mission of the church.
How will the Church Council make decisions?
The Church Council will move to a Consensus Model based in Prayer and Spiritual Discernment.
How will members of the Church Council be selected?
First United Methodist Church Cary follows the Book of Discipline. The Nominating and Lay Leadership Committee seeks input from current team and committee members, staff and other congregation members. In addition, interested congregation members will be encouraged to self-refer. The Committee undergoes a careful discernment process to prepare a slate of nominations for consideration by the Charge Conference. The Charge Conference, at the annual meeting, makes the final decision regarding leadership. The Lead Pastor, with the approval of the Superintendent, may call a Charge Conference as needed. Elected leaders will participate in various leadership development opportunities.
Through the GPS Model (Connecting with God, Connecting with People and Connecting through Service), all are invited to serve in mission and ministry together. To be considered for the Church Council you must be:
- A full member of FUMCC
- Actively fulfilling membership expectations through prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness
- Prior involvement and/or leadership within church ministries is needed for a leadership role on the Council
- Alignment with the church’s mission statement
- Ability to bring balance and/or diversity to the committee
- Appropriate talents or skills
- Ability to attend meetings and fulfill requirements
- In order to secure experience and stability, the ministry area members are divided into three classes, one of which is elected each year for a three-year term
If I would like to learn more about the Church Council or am possibly interested in serving in a leadership role at FUMC-Cary, whom should I contact?
How often will the Church Council meet?
According to the Book of Discipline, the Council will meet quarterly. The Council Chair or Lead Pastor may call additional meetings as needed.
What will implementation of the Church Council model mean to committees and chairs?
The role of the committees and chairs, will essentially, remain the same; however, there may be fewer leadership meetings to attend and decisions can be expected in a shorter time period. It will hopefully allow more direct involvement for participants in the grassroots issues of mission and ministry and enjoy more autonomy within the boundaries of the overall mission focus for the church.
For Example, The Worship Committee meets to determine the needs for Worship such as Communion, Acolytes, Seasonal Decorating, etc. They would come to the Council for new/additional budget issues that can’t be met by redistributing within their allotted funds.
How do I get a program idea approved?
Mission and Ministry Toolkits are available on-line and by request from the church office. Toolkits should be submitted to the appropriate Ministry Area Director for assistance with implementation.
For Example, If you would like to start a new “mission outreach”, you would work with the Pastor of Outreach Ministry. If you would like to lead a small group, you would work with the Pastor of Christian Formation.
How long will Church Council members serve?
Currently, there are no changes to the length of service for nominated positions; however, further review may indicate changes. For now, there will still be three classes each serving for three years.
Whom should I contact if I have questions about the Church Council?
Members can always contact church leadership on items of concern or interest. The Church Council Meetings are open to church members. Contact Rev. Carl Frazier at (919) 467-1861 or
cfrazier@fumc-cary.org.
Leadership Resources
Forms
Submit Content to the Connection (e-mail form) Please note: Announcements will be published two weeks prior to event or registration deadline, space permitting. All announcements are subject to editing. Submissions must be received by Tuesday at 10 a.m.
