The Village Chapel
Care of the Congregation Committee
Minutes of the September 17, 2009 Meeting
A meeting of the Care of the Congregation Committee was held at The Village Chapel on September 17, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Attendees: Absent:
Anne Fox, Bereavement Ministry Debbie Brown, Children’s Ministries & -
Roy & Tove Longhta, Shepherd Ministry Christian Education
Donna Minkler, Flower Delivery Marilynn Burton, Chair &
Al Schultz (filling in for Marilynn Burton) Home Touch Ministry
June Vetter, Upper Room Prayer Ministry Margaret Elliot, Widows/Widowers Group
Carole Weaver, Bereavement Ministry
Al Schultz facilitated this meeting as Marilynn Burton, Chair was unable to attend.
The Invocation was delivered by June Vetter.
Committee Reports:
Shepherd Ministry – Roy & Tove Longhta
Over the summer an increasing number of Shepherd flocks held flock activities, picnics,
etc. Flocks are becoming more active in getting together but we still have a long way to
go. We are making progress.
We experience a constant turnover of Shepherds. Currently we have four Shepherd openings that we are in the process of filling.
Presently we are focusing on the assimilation of new members into our Shepherd Ministry. Shepherds are being asked to call new members and welcome them into their flock; to send them flock listing and to send the new flock listing to all flock members and ask existing flock members to also call and welcome new members.
We are also involving the Shepherds in the recognition of new members during the Worship Service.
Our Fall Shepherd Newsletter is being prepared for release by October lst.
We will have a Shepherds booth for the Volunteer Fair on Sunday.
Flower Delivery – Donna Minkler
Donna reported that all continues to go well with the flower delivery to members of our congregation.
Home Touch Ministry – Marilynn Burton (absent)
No report
Upper Room Prayer Ministry – June Vetter
During the summer months a Prayer Committee was formed at the suggestion of the pastors. This came as a response to a concern that the prayer ministry be broadened and that it become a more visible ministry of the Chapel. The Committee has met and the following lists some of our immediate goals:
· Increase the visibility of the prayer ministry so that the Chapel becomes known as a “church of prayer”.
· Schedule a Day of Prayer in early 2010.
Wednesday, January 13th is set. Dr. Murray to return as speaker.
· Establish a Prayer Service to concentrate on the ministries of the Chapel.
This has already begun. Prayer Service is held Wednesdays at
5:00 pm prior to Break Night.
· Have prayer “representatives” on all committees.
Two committees already established.
· Encourage Christian Education/Children’s ministries to teach prayer to youngsters as a regular part of their programs.
Debbie Brown is establishing this emphasis.
· Begin a “prayer hotline” for emergency requests (phone and/or email).
Nancy Clay feels led to lead this.
· Recognize and participate in some of the national days of prayer.
Nancy Wetmore is interested in doing this.
· Schedule a Sunday School Class on “Prayer 101 – Lord Teach Us to Pray”.
Set to begin January 10th.
We have a display ready for the Volunteer Fair on Sunday with many of the above items mentioned and have bookmarks as handout.
Bereavement Ministry – Carole Weaver/Anne Fox
Carole Weaver reported that there was one death in August -- Wilbur Bland, on August 16th. Currently there are 19 in our Bereavement Program that are being followed. See attached report.
Carole Weaver introduced our newest member, Anne Fox.
At the time of bereavement, Anne will be working closely with the Shepherd, acting as a resource for what is available in the Chapel Library and what services are available in the community so that the Shepherd can relay this information to the spouse. Also, Anne is the contact person for the Shepherd if a Bereavement Companion is wanted/needed for the spouse.
Anne Fox met with Keith McDaniel, Bereavement Counselor, at First Health Hospice and Palliative Care in May looking for books to purchase for the Village Chapel library to assist those who are bereaved and to those ministering to them in their time of grief. Keith offered to speak to our congregation about the Hospice Bereavement Program, their Resource Center and Counseling Services. Services are available to anyone in the community, not just Hospice patients.
Anne spoke with John Pelton in June about the Bereavement Workshop that he coordinates through Sacred Heart. His mission is to help people to understand death and their reaction to the loss of a loved one. Sacred Heart holds classes for 8-10 people twice a year.
Children’s Ministry and Christian Education - Debbie Brown (absent)
No report
Widows/Widowers Group – Margaret Elliot (absent)
No report
New Business:
Roy Longhta presented a copy of a letter that he will be submitting to the Board of Trustees to hire a new trained staff person to fill the vacated position of Director of Health Ministries.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am.
Carole Weaver
Recording Secretary
Next Meeting – October 15, 2009 at 10:00
Widows and Widowers
The group is open to all widows and widowers in the Chapel. Our goal is fellowship and friendship. We meet for brunch once per quarter after church on the second Sunday in January, April, July and October at various restaurants. Please call Nathalie Scott, 295-4752, to make your reservation.
