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Council Minutes
Eastern Valley
United Baptist Association
February 4,
2006
The Council met
at New Minas Baptist Church on February 4, 2006.
Present:
Wayne Merrill, Hedley Hopkins, Ron Baxter, Marilyn Heber, Graham Thomas, Marion
Jamer, Jennifer Levy, Glenn Wooden, Barbara Cochran, Pamela Estey.
Regrets:
Emily Samson, Ellen Hunt, John Beers, Jeffrey White
Moderator Graham
Thomas called the meeting to order at 9:05 am. He welcomed everyone and led in
a devotional reading from the book “Heaven In A Wildflower.” He then led in
prayer.
Minutes: The
minutes were circulated, reviewed and approved as circulated.
Old Business:
Liability Insurance:
There was no one to report on this topic. It was mentioned that
Dan Jamer had distributed information about a company called “Ecclesiastical”
which specializes in faith and non profit organizations. It was also noted that
we need to DO something, especially for Kingswood Camp. It was suggested that
we ask Gary Nelson for a legal opinion and assistance in finding the right kind
of insurance. Graham will speak with Gary. If Gary is not available he will
speak with George Lhones.
Association Website:
Pamela noted that our website is not in operation. Glenn noted
that this was probably because it had not been renewed. He volunteered his son
to investigate this for us. All agreed to this course of action. It was also
noted that there is $400 available in the budget for website expenses.
Special
Council Meeting:
Graham informed us that he has arranged for Gary Nelson and Roger
Cann to facilitate at our Spring Association. This was arranged because we have
invited Convention Council to come and dialogue with us about the recent notice
of motion regarding officiating at same sex marriages. Wayne reported that the
invitation had been sent and Dr. Gardner had replied and indicated that he would
pass the invitation along to members of council although he would not be
available to attend. Graham suggested that we follow the same format that we
used at our special Council meeting in January. All Agreed. It was further
suggested that as soon as the location of the Spring Association is known a
letter of invitation be sent out to the churches outlining the program and
encouraging churches to have some discussion about this among themselves.
Rally
In The Valley:
Pamela announced that the next Rally in the Valley will be held
on February 19 at Kentville Baptist Church and the March Rally will be at
Wolfville Baptist on March 19. Hedley noted that the Social Action Committee
would like to do their next presentation at a Rally in the Valley on the topic
of a “Christian Concept of Sexuality.”
Minutes
of the Special Council meeting
held January 7, 2006 were
approved as circulated.
Correspondence:
Wayne announced that he will be resigning as Clerk of Association
following the May meeting.
Motion:
(Hedley/Glenn)
that we accept with regret and thanks Wayne’s resignation following the May
Association meeting. Motion Carried.
It was noted
that there will be a nominating Committee meeting in the very near future. If
you have vacancies please let John Beers know.
Reports:
Moderator:
Graham reported that he has had a fairly light year so far. He arranged for the
special Council meeting in January and has had several communications with
various committees.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer’s report was not available. It will be emailed to us soon.
Stewardship:
No report. It was noted by Wayne that several committees had changed in
November and he forgot to contact them and find out who the new chair of each
committee is. He will do so.
Evangelism:
No report.
Social
Action:
Hedley distributed a written report and commented on it. Some churches are
responding to the request for EMO to use their facilities in the event of a flu
pandemic. A workshop on Family Abuse was held at Hantsport Baptist Church on
November 12. They are hoping to present a program to the youth at Rally in the
Valley on “Sexuality from a Christian Perspective.” Hedley also mentioned the
book “Wars Are Never Enough; The Joao Matwawana Story” and recommended it for
our reading.
Motion:
(Hedley/Barbara) that we accept the Social Action report. Motion Carried.
Leadership & Development:
Jennifer reported for Ellen. She noted that sub committees had
been formed to work with Youth Association, Kingswood Camp and ___?_____.
There was a meeting in January to which people were encouraged to come for
training for Kingswood. The Committee would like to have two more members added
to bring the total to nine.
Motion:
(Jennifer/Pamela) that we accept the Leadership & Development report. Motion
Carried.
Missions:
Marilyn reported that the committee had met with churches requesting grants and
noted the churches that have had their grants renewed. She also noted that
Association had agreed to give $1000 to Forest Hill and wondered if this had
been done yet.
Motion:
(Marilyn/Hedely) that $1000 be paid to Forest Hill Baptist Church. Motion
Carried.
Motion:
(Marilyn/Glenn) that we accept the Mission report. Motion Carried.
There was some
discussion as to the state of the small churches and possibilities for the
future. Is there any way we can encourage them? It was noted that there are
ongoing discussions.
WMS/ABW:
Noted that the
World Day of Prayer is happening March 3.
Kingswood Camp:
Glenn Wooden reported that the committee consists of 11 members
and Jennifer also meets with them. They meet monthly. There are also several
sub committees. He noted several things that are of concern:
- Water crisis:
They have had to meet with NS Department of Environment and Labour to discuss
the bad water tests and how they handled it. They were given instructions on
what to do. This included sealing the well casing and having a water meter and
ultra violet light system installed.
- Finances of
the Camp are strained: Maintenance issues and missed funding are the reasons.
They have begun to assemble a team of people to help with funding the camp.
- Building of a
new double cabin this Spring.
- Policies are
being developed to cover such things as rental of the camp and water monitoring.
- Committee is
short members and the Associations do not seem to be able to fill them. Need
knowledgeable members with time to get work done.
- The amount of
work that needs to be done. It is a big operation and there are many things
that need to be looked after. The property is not being used to its full
potential. Need visionaries, knowledgeable, willing workers, creative minds,
and willing donators to move ahead.
- Liability
insurance: This needs to be addressed now. If this is not sorted out there
will not be camp this summer. There were some close calls last year and the
trustees and Association are all liable if something happens. Also noted that
Tidal Impact needs assurance that there is coverage before they can send people
there this summer.
- Executive
Director: This was a two year arrangement for a half time position. Now we
need to think about what we do with this position. Keep the same, make full
time, go back to how it was in past etc.
Glenn noted that
this is among the most exciting ministry in the Association and the challenges
are “growth challenges.”
Motion:
(Glenn/Marilyn) that we accept the Kingswood report. Motion Carried.
Discussion
followed and it was noted that Camp opens in April and the issues of water and
liability need to be sorted out by then.
Motion:
(Hedley/Glenn) that we empower the executive to proceed with obtaining
appropriate liability insurance by April 1, 2006. Motion Carried.
It was also
asked that if we know of any people that may have an interest in being
benefactors to the Camp or serving on a fund raising team to please make them
known to Glenn.
Youth
Association:
Pamela Estey reported that there was a meeting on January 14 and a new executive
was formed. Pamela is chair, Marion Jamer is vice chair, Jon Levy is finance
and Jon Dixon and Todd Coldwell are publicity. They looked at the needs, looked
back, and looked forward. They adopted the convention logo “Stronger Together.”
They set three goals: 1) Networking - to make connections between groups. 2)
Equipping - sharing resources and training. 3) Encouraging - getting groups
together for prayer and sharing.
Some questions
they have: 1) financing - is there money for them in the budget? It was noted
there is $500 allotted to Youth Association 2) Is it ok to contact churches of
the Association in our area. It was agreed this was ok. 3) Website - Youth
website has been shut down. What about finances for a website? It was noted
there is money in the budget for websites. Suggested that there may be youth
who would take this on for the association as they are up on these things.
Pamela also
noted that a packet will be put together to give to new people as the leadership
in churches changes.
Motion:
(Pamela/Jennifer) that we accept the Youth Association report. Motion Carried.
Some discussion
followed. Who is rally in the Valley accountable to? It was noted that they
will be accountable to the Youth Association and will become a sub committee.
This will be worked out as Association continues to meet.
Gladys
Manning: No
Report
Regional Minister:
Ron gave an oral report. He noted he had been in St. John this
week and was given a banner that had been produced some years ago to celebrate
the 150th year of convention. It was an Eastern Valley Association banner. He
asked what we would like to do with it. Several ideas were mentioned such as
putting it in the archives at Acadia or at ABU. It was decided to keep it and
fly it at our Association meetings this year and then send it off to Acadia or
ABU.
Ron reported
that there are two congregations looking for pastors. Newport and Bethany
Memorial.
He made
reference to the new publication from Convention called “Convention
Connection.”
He noted that
the UiM fund only reached 87.88% of its goal.
He noted there
will be a Deacon training workshop on March 11 at Harmony Baptist.
There will be a
special service at Zion Baptist in Yarmouth as part of the 100th anniversary of
Baptist Union celebrations. This will be April 20 at 7 pm.
Motion:
(Glenn/Barbara) that we accept Ron’s report. Motion carried.
Region
II Committee:
Ron noted that the committee consists of John Bartol, Peter
Lhones and Gail Whalen-Dunn. They met in January. Ron suggested that we
encourage them to offer a report to Association.
Nominating:
will be meeting soon
New Business:
Next Association
meeting will be May 6. Location to be determined.
Next Council
meeting will be September 16 at 9:00 am at New Minas Baptist Church.
Fall Association
will be November 4. Location to be determined.
Announcements:
Kingswood Camp
Work Day - April 8
ADC Days For
Discovery - March 2-3 (High School and up)
Kingswood
Leadership Training Camp - March 4, April 21-23, June 30-July2. Looking for
people to help lead workshops.
Ron announced
that his term as Regional Minister concludes this year and churches will be
asked to renew it. Probably in April.
Ron closed the
meeting with prayer.
Motion to
adjourn was given by Glenn.
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