The Cokesbury UMC Leadership Board held its first meeting on Tuesday, July 9th, at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. The purpose of the Leadership Board, which was chartered and approved at Called Conferences on May 19th and June 23rd and became active on July 1st, is to streamline decision making. It rolls into one body the duties and responsibilities of the Church Council, Finance Committee, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and the Trustees.
Leadership Board meetings are open to the congregation and we encourage you to attend as observers on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. Note that only Leadership Board members are eligible to vote on matters that arise. Confidential (personnel and certain legal items) matters will be held in a private, executive session for Board members only.
We encourage you to join us and consider your future participation as board members. Two current members will be rotating off the board at the end of each year and will need to be replaced – members will rotate off at the end of their 3 year terms.
Blessings,
Cokesbury UMC Leadership Board
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1. Call to Order at 7:00 PM
Members in attendance–Pastor Gayle Porias, Walter Blair, Bob Kucharuk, Dave Woodman, Kay Fortenberry, Mary Crist, Lisa Manikas
Guest: Cheryl Petitt (on Zoom for financial review)
2. Devotion/Opening Prayer… Mary Crist (a reading from Disciplines, 2005)
3. Prayer Practice (Pastor) Prayer of Presence–practicing the presence of God–Find a relaxing position, silence phone, close eyes, breathe deeply several times. Consciously release any muscle tension: breathe in peace and breathe out tension. Gently offer any thoughts that enter your mind to God. Become aware of God’s presence- the mystery of divine love that continuously surrounds and upholds all of creation. Become aware that God is breathing life into you at each moment. Let God’s presence fill your consciousness and rest in his presence. Imagine yourself as a small child cradled in the lap of a loving parent or grandparent, or nestled close to Jesus’ heart, or gently supported in an ocean of light, or enfolded by a peaceful warmth. Find a way that allows you to be held in God’s tender grace. Then simply rest and soak up the love that holds you. Close by thanking God for any gifts received in this time.
4. Check-in…all members shared what was going on in their lives as well as praying for the Hurricane families.
5. Board Commentary
a) Opportunities for service and study
- flood buckets are being filled–five have been completed and Pastor has committed us to five more
- Current ESL semester in progress
- Bible study following Sunday service
- weekly prayer practice on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
- Welcome Table, UMM breakfast on first Saturday of the month
- Friday with Friends on 3rd Friday of the month at 11 am
b) Opening Devotion & Closing Prayer sign up–sign up continued through the end of the year (Lisa/November, Kay/December, Bob/January, Dave/February
c) Child Protection/Safe Sanctuary Policy Renewal –updates were made
6. Pastor’s Commentary..Pastor Gayle shared the following during the commentary time:
- Charge Conference reports
- Budget for ministry groups to be able to request funds for their group
- Consideration for lay delegates for Charge Conference 2025
- Idea to have two observing associates to the Board
- Lay leader nominations are in process
- Suggestion to provide “love offerings” for missions and other needs for church
- There is a need to promote stewardship in the church–thinking of ways how to accomplish this. Revitalize the Stewardship and Endowment Program with Pastor’s guidance.
- Survey on what leadership board members can attend the Leadership Retreat in VA Beach on November 2, 2024
- Leadership Retreat will be October 26, 2024 from 12-3 PM
7. Comments/Approval of September 2024 meeting notes–last month’s minutes were approved with minimal comments
8. Reports
a) Finance Report
b) Please provide written proposals and reports
9. Unfinished Business
- Guiding Principles – Begin with SPRC, Trustees, & Finance responsibilities,
- Available Space Rental – discussion will continue along with revisiting the process on shed rental and Fellowship rental
10. New Business
- 2025 Budget
- Church audit with Dumfries Church–church parsonage, investments
- Increase the length of board meetings to 90 minutes–discuss and vote
11. Closing Prayer… Mary Crist
12. Adjournment 8:10 PM
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Next Meeting – Tuesday, November 12th, 7pm
Devotion & Prayers for next meeting -Lisa Manikas