OUTREACH COMMITTEE

Minutes of June 2, 2008 Meeting

The meeting opened with prayer at 4:07 P.M. Present: Paul Vecchi, Jean Marie Walker, Wendy Francis, and Bob Bernhard.

Minutes for May 5, 2008 were accepted.

Correspondence:

A. Recognition of the 25th anniversary of We Care will take place on June 4, noon at the Knollbrook Church . Brown bag lunch, dessert and coffee.

B. Community Outreach celebrates an anniversary on the third Wednesday of June.

Newsletter Articles:

July – Community Outreach – Bob

August – CARDV – Paul

News

Vicki Hesse is moving soon, meaning that Paul Vecchi will be taking her place on Vestry. Paul will talk to Brian Gifford about taking over the Outreach ministry area because Brian cannot make it to Outreach meetings.

Old Business:

1. Committee mission statement:

A motion was made by Bernhard, seconded by Vecchi, and carried to accept the committee mission statement as follows and to change the committee title to Outreach and Social Ministry: To show Christ’s love by reaching out to help those in need. We promote volunteering and charitable giving at local, national, and international levels. We honor those within the church who help others through individual giving or by volunteering their time.

2. Bishop’s Blend Coffee:

Coffee prices have gone up. Discussion ensued as to whether our selling prices should increase. We forward profits to Episcopal Relief and Development. The decision was made to keep selling prices as they have been. It was agreed to have signage at church coffee hours to promote the sale of Bishop’s Blend Coffee and easy access to the sign-up sheet. A newsletter article about the sale of Bishop’s Blend Coffee should occasionally appear. Orders will be placed by Paul on a monthly basis. Sign-ups must be placed by the last Sunday of each month.

3. That’s My Farmer:

Local farmers will continue to offer goods for sale after Sunday church services. The owner of Bina’s Garden is interested in having the youth group visit her garden. Bob Bernhard will propose to the youth group a field trip for sometime in mid-July.

4. Theological education:

This and the outreach budget in general were discussed. It was agreed that we should propose to the Finance Committee that $ 2,000 be donated to We Care and $ 2,000 donated to the Pastoral Counseling Center, monies coming Christmas and Easter offerings, and that a total of $ 2,000 be donated to schools providing theological education as follows: $ 500 each to Nashota House, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, and Virginia Theological Seminary. The outreach budget should also include funds to support the annual volunteer recognition dinner. It was moved by Bernhard, seconded by Vecchi, and carried for Vecchi to prepare a budget request for the Finance Committee to consider in accordance with the above. The plan would include monthly designated offerings to charitable organizations designated by the Outreach and Social Ministry Committee and received from parishioners in envelopes designated as special offerings.

5. Adult Forum:

It was suggested by Jean Marie that the Adult Forum include a series of speakers about the ministries we support by designated offerings. When a new leader of the Adult Forum has been identified, Jean Marie will discuss the idea with him/her.

New Business:

1. Homeless Project. Some discussion took place about exploring ideas to help the homeless.

2. Bernhard agreed to chair the project we had before to provide Christmas gifts for Families in Transition. Wendy indicated that she may want to see if Cat’s Meow would be interested in involvement.

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Bob Bernhard

Next meeting: Monday, August 4, at 4:00 P.M. in the Library. (There will be no meeting in July.)