Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren
Leadership Team Meeting
November 19, 2020
Present: Ann Healy, John Jordan, Amy Saum, Zack Wampler, Bill Wood. Ex-Officio: Ryan Cooper – Pastor; Tess Southerly – Treasurer. Absent: Kenny Wheelbarger, Deborah Hoover, Joe LaPrade, Brian Whitmore. Ex-Officio: Darlene LaPrade, Church Clerk.
Zack called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. In the absence of a quorum (4 of 9 voting members present), Zack called the group to order for an information session. Pastor Ryan opened with prayer.
There were no corrections to the minutes from the October meeting.
Calendar Roundtable: December 5 – Women’s Fellowship Silent Auction; December 24 – Christmas Eve Services (7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.); January 3 – Bread and Cup Communion January 9, 10 a.m. – SNL youth ice skating party in Bridgewater, 25-person limit.
The church office will be closed Dec. 24 through January 4. Pastor Ryan will be on vacation Dec. 26 through January 1.
The Treasurer’s report was discussed. Pastor Ryan noted that for the 2022 budget and following years it would be good to match up the pastoral contract with line items in the budget. As an example, the “group insurance” line of the budget includes such categories as medical, life, and long-term disability that would be more understandable if broken out individually.
Matters for Leadership Team:
- The Instant Choir is planning a socially distanced singing of one Christmas hymn and video shoot on Sunday, Nov. 22 right after the service.
- Pastor Ryan reminded the group that we still need a Worship Focus Team member and a recommendation for a Gifts and Calling Team member.
- Ann asked about the current status of the Church of the Brethren’s potential denominational split. Pastor Ryan says the matter is currently in a holding pattern, and things may be clarified within a few months. So far there is nothing that requires an immediate decision.
Old Business: Tess reminded the group about the importance of calling the church office to sign up for a Christmas Eve service, 7 or 11 p.m.
New Business: Pastor Ryan noted the Governor’s measures designed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Worship services can continue to operate under current restrictions for social distancing, but non-worship events are limited to 25 participants. By making the Hanging of the Greens part of a worship service we can have a COVID-safe version of that event. The group was supportive of going ahead in this fashion.
COVID-19 may worsen in the winter months. Pastor Ryan recommended that the Leadership Team consider meeting remotely by Zoom during that time (January-February-March).
The Women’s Fellowship Silent Auction would have a limit of 25 participants, and it’s uncertain how that might work. For now the intention is to proceed. Although the fund-raising potential of a restricted silent auction is low, the church can use the Good Samaritan Fund to cover referred winter heating hardship cases.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Next Meeting – December 10; Devotions – John Jordan
Bill Wood, substituting for Darlene LaPrade – Church Clerk