111th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SHELTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

MINUTES FOR JANUARY 25th, 2004

The annual meeting of the church membership was conducted on January 25th, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the Shelton Congregational Church. The meeting was called to order by church manager, Kim Karkut. Rev. Jean McCusker, interim, then offered an opening prayer. Betty Ogden, clerk, reported that 34 members were in attendance and a quorum, specified by the bylaws as ten percent of the church membership (currently 175) was deemed to be satisfied.

The minutes of the previous annual meeting held on January 26th, 2003 were reviewed and accepted.

Kim Karkut asked for questions or comments on the regular (non-financial) officer and committee reports as listed on pages 4 to 17 of the current 2003 Annual Report. Lucille Wells, Women’s Fellowship President, asked that the Women’s Fellowship Report, page 15, reflect the following amendment. The $200.00 listed as our annual donation to our Mission Schools, Homes and Organizations be changed to read $175.00. Kim Karkut then asked for a motion to accept the 2004 Officer and Committee Reports as amended. There being no further discussion a motion was made and seconded. The church membership then voted to accept the 2004 Officer and Committee Reports. Motion passed.

Bill Barker presented the Treasurer’s Report, prepared by church treasurer Bruce Nichols, in Bruce’s absence. Bill expressed our gratitude to Bruce Nichols for the dedication and significant amount of time acting as our treasurer. The report showed income in 2003 of $ 94,825.14 against expenses of $125,718.24. The figures do not include pass through income of $3,371.36, which represents money collected for charities and such during 2003 and forwarded directly to designated agencies. Due to the improvement in the portfolio values during the year, the net worth of our investments fell by only $7,411.69 despite the large budget deficit. Value of cash and securities at the end of 2003 stood at $236,194.18. At the end of 2002 it had been $243,605.87. During the year Trustees voted to sell 200 shares of Fidelity Puritan Fund-$3084.00, 190 shares of General Electric-$4998.99, 294 shares of Verizon-$11,440.96, and 442.968 shares of Fidelity Short Term Bond Fund-$4000.00. The $23,523.85 in securities was sold to cover budgetary deficits. In addition, the $1,923.32 was transferred from the Sabbatical Fund (which was closed) into the Webster Super Now Account. Bill Barker added a few details on key items of income and expenditures. Though our expenses exceed our income, it is not due to extravagant spending. We are a downtown church. Our church stewardship is very generous, but pledging only covers half of our expenses.

Bill then asked for questions or suggested amendments from the church membership.

Jeff Holton questioned the large variance for church maintenance on page 26. It was explained that the church experienced some unexpected maintenance expenses, such as a burst water pipe in the church basement, water damage, and pipe replacement. Not all was covered by insurance. Walter Crosby asked if there was any insurance recovery to the church involving the Lead Abatement. Bill responded no. The lead abatement is 95 % completed. A huge amount of money was saved because our Pastor Greg Schmidt and church members were willing to physically do as much of the work as possible. A grant was available from City Hall. It would have been a lengthy process burdened with much red tape. Because of time requirements from the Health Department we were not able to consider this option. Kim Karkut then asked for a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. A motion was made and seconded and there being no further discussion a vote was taken to approve the Treasurer’s Report. The motion passed.

Kim Karkut then called upon Bill Barker, Asst. Church Manager, to present the proposed church budget for 2004. Details appear on pages 27 to 29 of the current 2003 Annual Report. Bill discussed highlights of the proposed budget, with estimated income of $87,308.00 and expenses of $120,275.92 for the year 2004. He noted this expense budget is less than the church expenditures of $122,346.88 in 2003 and does not include a full-time pastor’s salary. Another source of income to the church is the rental apartment in the Parish House. Bill thanked the budget committee, Lesley Barker, Betty Ogden, Carol Edson, Peggy Gilmore, Ron Karkut, Bruce Nichols and Glenn Wells for the time and effort given in preparing this budget. Bill then shared the news the Trustees Committee has been negotiating with the Fairfield Presbyterian Korean Church who is interested in renting our church. They will be using our facilities four times a week at a rental fee of $320.00 a month. This will add an additional $3600.00 a year to our income. Council approved this at the January 21st, 2004 meeting.

Bill then asked for questions or suggested amendments from the membership.

Walter Crosby questioned the 1/2 year budgeted amount under ministers housing allowance. Bill explained that assuming we have a permanent pastor by mid year, the allowance for the second half of the year would be in the budget. Kim Karket then asked for a motion to accept the 2004 budget as proposed. There being no further discussion a motion was made and seconded. The membership then voted to accept the 2004 budget.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

1. Kathey Maillet expressed her opinion the negotiated amount of $320.00 a month given to the Fairfield Presbyterian Korean Church was too low. Bill Barker explained we have a non-profit fee schedule in place and that is how the
amount was determined.

2. Jeff Holton and Shirley Keller asked how our fee schedule compares to other organizations in the area. Perhaps the Trustees Committee could compare our fees with others in the area and revise our fee schedule accordingly.

3. Sue Nofi-Bendici asked if the added costs to the church because of the additional building use have been calculated. Mainly the cost of heat. Bill replied that had not been done.

4. Dick Conklin and Walter Crosby both asked that Trustees track the added expenses incurred by the Shelton Congregational Church because of the Fairfield Presbyterian Korean Church using our building.

5. Donna Hasiotis asked if we could raise the rental fee next year.

6. Kathey DeMarco expressed her opinion that because of the membership concerns perhaps we should offer only a 6-month lease. Bill replied that a 12-month lease had already been negotiated.

7. Pastor Jean McCusker then rose to say how proud she was of the Trustees Committee and Church Council for approving this. This is a mission. An outreach. We have a small church of 16 adults and 10 children dedicated and committed to supporting their church. We are supplying the facilities. God blesses us when we are generous.

8. Walter Crosby then asked for a resolution on the request that Trustees track additional expenses incurred to us because the Fairfield Presbyterian Korean Church’s usage of the building. It was so agreed

Cheryl Patrick on behalf of the Nominating Committee presented the slate of proposed officers and committee members for 2004. There is one opening on Deacons. One opening on Trustees. One opening on Fundraising. A motion was then made and seconded to accept the proposed nominations. The membership then voted to approve the proposed Officers and Committees for 2004.

Rev. Jean McCusker led the membership in a closing prayer. It was then moved the meeting be adjourned. This motion was seconded and passed. The meeting then adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Ogden, Clerk