STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MINUTES – October 27, 2008

Attendance: Bob Brundage, John Colby, Dick Hough, Betsy Lee-Myers, Jean Scott, Pastor John

Pastor John showed a slideshow on his computer of the recent Precinct Meetings, Pie with the Pastor. He stated that about 38% of the congregation attended.

HOW TO FOLLOW-UP ON THOSE NOT ATTENDING the Precinct Meetings:

• Contact Precinct Captains – they call those not attending

• They can place their envelopes in the ballot bags Sunday, Nov 2, or

• Offer to pick up their envelopes from their homes

• After Sunday send reminder through email; then regular mail

Write thank you notes to Precinct Captains – who will do this?

Committee’s focus: 1) percentage of households making pledges

2) amount pledged

3) experiences at participation of meetings

Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 7:00 p.m.

• Discuss lessons learned this year to help form guidelines for next year

• Next Year’s Theme?

• Start in January? Continue through each month so as not to concentrate all pledging in the fall

• Encourage neighborhood groups to gather – in homes, picnics, etc.

• Think of means to INVOLVE PEOPLE!

Meeting closed with a prayer by Pastor John.

(notes by Jean Scott)

STEWARDSHIP MEETING September 8, 2008

Attendance: Bob Brundage, Barbara Burke, Jan Gerk, Barbara Sletten, Jean Scott, Pastor John

Opening Prayer by Pastor John

Orientation of new members is September 28

FALL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN PLANNING:

Precinct List – Bob is finalizing Precinct Captains. He is trying to get two captains per group. He will send a letter to them explaining their duties with a script for use when they telephone members in their precinct. Bob will follow up the letter with phone calls to the captains for confirmation, questions, etc. There are 19 Precincts.

Introduction Letter The group edited the letter which will be mailed with next week’s newsletter.

Pies – Jean formed a sign-up sheet which is on a clipboard that will be out with the Precinct Map each Sunday.

Debates will begin next Sunday. Pastor John has written scripts. Bob Brundage and John Colby will be the “debaters.”

1^st Debate: We can’t choose Jesus until God chooses us.

2^nd Debate: Financial Fair Share

3^rd Debate: Time and Talents

Stickers: Pastor John will work with Marilyn to create:

“I Voted” and a sticker to seal the envelope that will be sent to all members with the stewardship info.

Offering Boxes: will be at the Precinct Meetings in alphabetical order for members to find themselves and take home.

Precinct Containers Barbara will gather bags for each precinct that will contain the Stewardship “Ballots” for presentation at the altar November 2^nd.

Preparation for Bulk Mailing Thursday, Sept 25, 9:30 a.m.

Next Meeting Thursday, Sept 25, 9:30 a.m.

Notes by Jean Scott

STEWARDSHIP MEETING August 11, 2008

Attendance: Bob Brundage, Barbara Burke, John Colby, Jean Scott, Pastor John,

Carol Paul (Guest)

Proposal by Carol Paul: What are there, 250 worshippers every week? I would like to challenge them to increase their giving by $1 each. That's $1000 per month without increasing our debt. Sounds do-able to me. Personally speaking, my income is irregular but I have been easily able to increase it since the congregational meeting and adding another $1 certainly won't change my lifestyle!

FALL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN PLANNING

Timeline presented by Pastor John:

Aug 24 & 31 – Temple Talks – Introduce and explain our Theme:

“A Vote of Confidence”

Sep 7 – Rally Day - Information Table: Display Map w/group numbers

Information and Schedule Lists

Mid September Send out the cover letter (include in a newsletter?)

Sep 14 – Temple Talk - Debate #1 Theme: We can’t begin to vote for God until we recognize how God votes for us.

Sep 21 – Temple Talk - Debate #2 Theme: Financial Stewardship

Sep 28 – Temple Talk - Debate #3 Theme: Time & Talent Stewardships

Note: Script Writer will be Pastor John who will also consult with Pastor Eric

Sep 22-26 - Assemble packets for mailing

- Prepare “Ballot Boxes”

- Sort and assemble offering envelopes

Sep 29 – Monday Mail Stewardship Materials to all Homes

Materials:- cover letter

- pledge card

- time & talent sheet

- blank envelope

Oct 5 – Sunday 2:00 p.m. 1^st Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 5 – Sunday 4:00 p.m. 2^nd Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 7 – Tuesday 7:00 p.m. 3^rd Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 12 – Sunday 1:00 p.m. 4^th Brown Bag Lunch & Pie w/Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 16 – Thursday 7:00 p.m. 5^th Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 19 – Sunday 2:00 p.m. 6^th Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 19 - Sunday 4:00 p.m. 7^th Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 23 – Thursday 2:00 p.m. 8^th Pie with Pastors – Leisure Vlg precinct

Oct 23 – Thursday 7:00 p.m. 9^th Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Oct 26 – Sunday 7:00 p.m. 10^th Pie with Pastors – 2 precincts

Nov 2 – Sunday – “Election Day” all services, ballot boxes to altar

Nov 3 – Monday - Begin follow-up, calls/contacts/visits

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION NOTES

Precinct Captains Thank you to Dick Hough, Bob Brundage, and Pastor John for organizing this list. Bob will confirm names with Dick, Pastor John, and Captains.

Ballot Boxes Just one big box will be needed at the Pie with Pastors meetings where envelopes from home containing pledge cards and time and talent sheets will be placed.

It would be nice to have smaller individual containers holding the ballots for each precinct when presenting them to the altar. Final decision on this can be made at the September meeting.

I Voted stickers – decision next meeting

Precinct Groups will also be useful for:

- welcoming new members

- provide meals when needed

- hmmm, I haven’t seen you in church!

- disaster response team

Closing with prayer by Pastor John

Next Meeting Monday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m.

(notes by Jean Scott)

STEWARDSHIP MEETING MINUTES – June 9, 2008

Attending: Bob Brundage, Gayle Johnson, Barbara Burke, Jean Scott (Council Liaison) Pastor John

Absent: Dick Hough

1. Opening – Prayer by Gale Johnson

2. Review: of May 12 minutes – approved

3. Goals: Gayle distributed -

Year Round Emphasis

Continue Neighborhood Groups

Grow Committee Membership

Continue garden route or pony express fall drive

Include children and youth

Stewardship of our resources

Encourage member participation

4. Ideas for 2008 Stewardship Campaign

Theme: Elections Pie with the Pastors in Your Precinct

Pastor John stated that he had discussed this idea with Pastor Eric and he was favorable to participate. The pastors will work on team building activities with the possibility of each selecting an animal as a “mascot” such as Pastor John being leader of a giraffe group…..

Groupings/Dates: Precincts would be formed using the former Garden groups with some alterations. Bob will work with Dick Hough refining these groups. There would be approximately 20 groups. With two groups meeting at a time, that would mean the need for ten meetings. Pastor John will work on a tentative calendar for these meetings. Noted: October 12^th is the CDC dinner. Locations could be at Mount Cross and/or in homes.

Mailing of Materials: Letters and materials would need to be mailed by Monday, September 29^th. Boxes of envelopes would be distributed at the Pie with the Pastors meetings when commitment pledges are put in the ballot boxes.

Ballot Boxes: Pastor John will alert Marilyn to save empty boxes from Xerox paper. We’ll need about 20. These boxes will be organized to hold the envelope boxes and other papers as well where the commitment pledge envelopes would be inserted.

Precinct Captains: Prior Master Gardeners for each group; would collect any commitments not gathered at the Precinct Meeting. Bob has the list and will talk with each.

Final “Commitment Day” Sunday, November 2^nd Sunday before the National Election when all ballot boxes would be presented during worship services.

Other Ideas: Pastor John will investigate the possibility of finding real voting booths and machines which could be used with the youth groups for a mock election noting our American freedom to vote.

Buttons and Banners and Stickers: for promotion of the Pies with the Pastors campaign

Colors: Green, White, Gold

Pies: Time & Talent Sheets, Cooks Club, sign-up sheet on patio; will also need paper goods and beverages

Next Meeting: create an timeline for the Pie with the Pastors in Your Precinct

Transition Planter: Bob will place a flower box in the entrance of the Narthex as a symbol of successful gardeners of last year’s campaign of “Growing Our Gifts,” for the next two Sundays. Pastor John will coordinate this with his sermon of The Dead Sea.

5. Letter for Financial Statement: Gayle will write a letter to be included in the quarterly statement that is mailed to all members the end of June.

6. Newsletter Article: Gayle’s turn. Need volunteers for July and beyond.

7. Recruiting Members: Bob will write an intro letter (with Pastor John as editor) explaining events, programs, and campaigns that this committee is working on with an invitation to join our July meeting. Bob will use his list of Master Gardeners. The letter will be followed up by a courtesy phone call. Pastor John will be considering a potential chairperson for this committee. Persons will be encouraged to participate to help with various tasks, not necessarily requiring attendance at monthly meetings.

8. Thank You to Gayle as Chairperson of this committee. Her devotion and time spent on this committee are much appreciated.

9. Closing with a prayer by Pastor John

NEXT MEETING: July 14, 7:00 p.m.

Notes by Jean Scott

Stewardship Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2008

Attending: Bob Brundage, Barbara Burke, Gayle Johnson, Jean Scott (Council Liaison), and Pastor John Soyster Absent: Dick Hough

1. Opened with Prayer

2. Review:

Time and Talent: Pastor John shared a list of members that did not turn in a Time and Talent report for 2008 as requested by the committee. Discussion ensued as to removing any names from the list that are plugged into the church and how to involve others in the life of the church.

Finances for 2008 to date: The first quarter of the year shows pledges coming in at a rate of 97% and giving is up 6% over the same time last year. Unfortunately the income needed for the 2008 budget is behind due to growing expenses and growth of a more ambitious budget.

3. Goals:

Pie with the Pastor: To initiate neighborhood / garden route group get-togethers. The small group setting will provide the opportunity for members that live close by each other to meet and interface as well as provide face to face time with the Pastors and leaders of the church. Discussion of this idea needs to be shared with the church council as it will involve leaders of the congregation and work in conjunction with other committee volunteers such as Evangelism and Fellowship. The committee desires the church council to respond to the worthiness of this endeavor.

Grow the Committee: Each of us will work at recruiting members to join the committee.

4. Communications:

Year round emphasis: We discussed ideas to begin our year round communications for Stewardship encouraging giving and participation. Pastor John, Bob and Gayle in that order will write articles for the Grapevine newsletter. Encouraging the “Simply Giving” program and presenting a positive approached were ideas floated for articles. We will also put out an appeal for members to contribute articles on Stewardship for the Grapevine.

Financial Statements: Starting with the June quarter our committee will provide a letter of note of thanks and encouragement to be included in the financial statements. Please inform Jenny Christensen and have communications before June 15, September 15, and year end.

Next Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2008

Stewardship Committee Minutes – January 14, 2008

Attending: Bob Brundage, Barbara Burke, Herb Holler, Dick Hough, Gayle Johnson, and Pastor John Soyster

1. The meeting began with a Devotion and Prayer by Gayle.

2. Follow- Up:

Stewardship Response to date: 89% Response and Pledges at $332,175.

Time and Talent Sheets Distribution: Committee members discussed the importance of distributing and acknowledging the volunteer responses on the Time and Talent sheets. Everyone felt it is very important to see that all volunteers get involved with emphasis on enfolding new volunteers. The sheets will be distributed at the Council Council Leadership and Staff Retreat on Saturday, February 2^nd. Gayle will write a cover letter (with assistance from Bob) to request the acknowledgement and involvement of volunteers by the various committees, leaders and staff. Pastor John will highlight new volunteers listed on the Time and Talent sheets.

Thank You Notes and Encouragement Cards: Notes to thank members for their Stewardship response is almost complete. Letters of encouragement were also sent to enlist participation.

Stewardship Record Keeping: Explored what kind of record keeping we need as the Stewardship committee to assist with the fall drive. Dick will check with Marilyn on the specific workings of the church Revelation computer program.

The Church Web: Gayle will request Marilyn to have the Planned Giving Card and Time and Talent Sheet available on the web. It will be added to the Stewardship link joining the Resource Guide and Simply Giving Sheet.

Goals for 2008: Discussed the goals and need for continued communication. The committee will take turns providing articles for the newsletters. The neighborhood groups were discussed with emphasis to continue working on this idea at the next meeting.

New Committee Members: Members will contact others to join the committee.

Strategic Plan and Vision: Members discussed the importance of continuing to uplift the Strategic Plan, Vision and Core Values to support our stewardship and ministry.

Next Meeting: Monday, February 11, 10:00 a.m. in the church office.

Respectfully Submitted, Gayle Johnson

Stewardship Meeting Minutes – November 26, 2007

Attending: Bob Brundage, Barbara Burke, Herb Holler, Gayle Johnson, Pastor John

Absent: Dick Hough

Growing Our Gifts –Stewardship Program

1. Response to date: Over 85% and $318,000 pledged for 2008.

2. Follow-Up:

Thank You Notes: Postcard will be sent to thank all those who have responded to the Planned Giving and /or Time and Talent commitment.

Notes of encouragement: A personal note will be sent to those who have not responded to encourage participation.

Bob and Gayle will see the cards are sent.

3. Evaluation: Continue the garden route or pony express type of fall program. At the next meeting we will evaluate the numbers to improve participation and giving. Promote and continue a personal touch, acknowledgement, and thanksgiving to members of the congregation.

4. Expenses: Baskets for Garden Routes: $174.86, Cakes for Celebration Sunday: $114.

The baskets are being used in the church office as requested.

5. Finance Committee Report: Budget for 2008 projected at $488,000.

6. Year Round Stewardship:

a) Discussed the idea of starting a rotation of small groups get togethers created by the Garden Routes. There will need to be some reorganizing or the current route lists as well as the addition of members not in the garden routes to create the small groups. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for members to meet once each year in an intimate setting with the Pastors and leaders of the congregation to dialog regarding vision and stewardship and enjoy fellowship.

b) Communicate information to the congregation frequently including graphics, numbers and thanks.

c) Assist in the education, expansion and clarity of our Stewardship process. Include children and youth in our stewardship emphasis.

d) Continue the relationship and correlation of our Vision and Core Values for ministry with our stewardship.

7. Invite and encourage additional members to the committee!

Next Meeting: Monday, January 14, 2008 at 10 a.m.

2005 Stewardship Timeline

September 22 – Last year’s Time & Talent Report was sent to leaders of the church so they can edit it in preparation of this year’s version. We want the list of ministries and opportunities to reflect as accurately as possible the actual needs we have. We don’t want anyone to sign up and never get called to serve.

September 25 – 1^st of series of six Did you know? postcards appears in worship folder (see below). Series will either be mailed or appear as inserts in the worship folder.

October 5 – GrapeLeaf mailed containing outline of stewardship theme and schedule.

October 9 – Banner announcing Stewardship Event(s) goes up on patio and Stewardship display table appears on patio. Here is where we will begin to “Show ‘em where we want to go, what we want to do…”

October 16 - Stewardship sermon. Following worship, everyone will be asked to go out to the Stewardship table on the patio and collect their pledge packet for 2006 containing a cover letter, a pledge card and a Time & Talent Report. They will not contain the handbook we have given out in the past. The front portion of the handbook (stewardship education information) has been transferred to six “Did you know?” postcards. The back portion of that handbook (descriptions of all the categories on the T&T) will appear in the next member directory.

October 17 – Remaining Stewardship packets mailed 1^st class mail.

October 18 – Phone-a-thon; 3:30 – 5 PM; 6:30 – 8 PM.

October 19 – GrapeVine mailed, This can have follow-up stewardship information in it but should not contain time critical info as it may not arrive in time.

October 23 – Stewardship display table continues on patio during the morning.

October 23 – 4:30 PM, Stewardship Dinner and Program. This year we will try to recapture the fun we had with last year’s Amazing Stewardship Race, but we will build the game around a Jeopardy or Knowledge Bowl theme.

October 30 – 2^nd and last chance to turn in commitments.

October 30 – Weekly Stewardship display table concludes on patio.

November 1- 7 – Follow-up program begins.

November 8 – Final numbers presented to Church Council

SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 MEETING

1. Reviewed suggested theme (& verse): “Walk In Newness Of Life.” (“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4)

2. Reviewed plans and timeline:

A. Congregation-wide mailing of stewardship materials, including Pledge Card and Time & Talent Report. Many revisions have come in. Mailing date: October 8. Keith and Mary volunteered to assist Gaye’s crew with folding, stuffing, addressing, etc.

B. Temple Talk Schedule – “Let Me Tell You A Little About My Walk.” Pastor John is contacting members of the church who have had to face difficult or interesting challenges to give a temple talk at one (or more) of the services in October.

C. Congregation-wide “phone-a-thon” for the purposes of encouraging response and obtaining RSVPs for the Stewardship Dinner will take place at Mount Cross on October 19; 3:30-5 and 6:30-8 PM. We’ll use all four Mount cross phone lines plus extra cell phones as needed or available.

D. Stewardship Dinner and Time & Talent Show at which time commitments will be received from all attending. Date confirmed – Sunday, October 24. Location confirmed: Mount Cross. Cook’s Club confirmed. Room take-down and set-up confirmed. Program confirmed: Pastor John will lead The Amazing Stewardship Race.

E. Follow-up phone calls for those who did not attend the dinner or respond with a Pledge Card or Time & Talent Report at the October 31 worship service: week of November 1-5.

F. November 8 – Pastor meets with Jenny Christensen for results of pledging and totals forwarded to Budget Committee.

Still to arrange:

Who will get the prize tickets to hand out at the dinner

Who will gather the prizes

Who will arrange for the children’s activity

Who will coordinate decorating the room for the dinner

3. Next meeting: tba. We will consult via phone and e-mail.

August 31, 2004

Stewardship Committee meeting

1. Suggested theme for Fall program: “Walk in newness of life.”*

2. Suggested theme verse: “Therefore we have been buried with him