>>>Zion United Church of Christ – Minutes of Quarterly Congregational Meeting
The January 26, 2025 Quarterly Congregational Meeting was called to order at 10:21 AM in the church sanctuary with a prayer by Wally Smith.
Present: Wally Smith, Barb Smith, Elliott Smith, Rod Randall, Carol Randall, Ron Korte, Ruth Korte, Ramona Carlyle, Bruce Romine, Phyllis Romine, Katherine Drake, Howard Kamm, Deanna McDonald, Ron Mriscin, Jane Mriscin, Michael Mriscin, Jessica Rice, and Rev. Dr. Jennifer Little.
Minutes of the October 6, 2024 Quarterly Congregational Meeting were approved as presented.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented showing a balance of $191,001.37 in the General Operating Fund, $805.00 in the Anniversary Fund, $425.00 in the Fellowship Fund, and $8,845.00 in the Memorial Fund as of December 31, 2024. Rod Randall made a motion to accept the financial report. Rod Korte seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The Endowment Fund Report was presented showing a market value of $205,277.98 and disbursable interest of $18,978.40 as of December 31, 2024. Rod Randall made a motion to accept the report. Bruce Romine seconded the motion which carried.
Pastor’s Report: Rev. Jennifer Little went through her written report that mentioned several upcoming activities including: March 5 is Ash Wednesday – the start of Lent, she is willing to lead Lenten studies, intends to make more pastoral calls, possibly provide office hours, help with more outreach programs, and help keep Zion’s Facebook page better updated in 2025.
Old Business: The plasterer has been recently contacted and will return to Zion for a second look about the work that needs to be done in the sanctuary. There is still an unusual water usage issue at the church.
New Business:
Action: Ron Korte made a motion that the nominations for Trustee and Elder be closed. Bruce Romine seconded the motion. President Smith cast a unanimous vote for the following: Phyllis Romine, Trustee (3-year term) and Bruce Romine, Elder (2-year term).
Action: Barb Smith made a motion to accept the Pastoral Services Agreement as presented for 2025. Katherine Drake seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Action: Carol Randall made a motion to accept the 2025 Church Budget showing estimated expenditures of $139,300.00. Ruth Korte seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Action: Ron Korte made a motion to celebrate Zion’s 155th Anniversary on Sunday, June 8, 2025 with a special 10:00 AM worship service and lunch afterwards for all attendees.
Action: Ron Korte made a motion for Zion to have an Ash Wednesday evening worship service on March 5, 2025. Jane Mriscin seconded the motion which carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 AM on a motion by Barb Smith, a second by Howard Kamm, and a prayer by Rev. Little.
>>>Pastor’s Report-Quarterly Congregational Meeting
January 26, 2025
Rev. Dr. Jennifer A. Little
Worship Weekly Advent worship was fun. Preaching followed the lectionary and the Advent themes were included.
Christmas Eve worship was a blast! Attendance seemed good, spirit seemed good.
I began posting on Facebook with pictures from Zion’s windows to attempt to spark discussion or engagement on Facebook. It was pretty well received. People seem to really like looking at the beauty of the sanctuary.
During Lent, a similar process might be fun. In the interim, I conducted an informal poll about what people might like to see on Facebook, but there wasn’t much response. Not sure what I will do—ideas welcome.
There is a wedding coming up! February 9th will celebrate the wedding of Bruce Romine and Kathryn Drake. I have conducted pre-marital interviews and am satisfied this is a great match.
Lent begins Wednesday, March 5 –late this year. Ash Wednesday service is an option. We have ashes and oil at the ready.
Education: I will host a Lenten movie/Bible Study beginning the week of March 5-7 and running for four or more weeks. I will use a bible/film study titled Chocolate for Lent: A Creative Approach to Your Lenten Journey (2003) written by Hilary Brand and based on the movie Chocolat starring Dame Judy Dench and Johnny Dep with an outstanding performance by Juliette Binoche. (Can you tell I love this movie?) Days and times to be mutually agreed upon for viewing of movie first time and for consequent viewing and discussion. I have two books and can obtain more, or you can order your own.
Pastoral Care: I am adding Office Hours and some other visiting projects. Don’t be surprised if I text you and ask if you’d like to have coffee. Just working on my visiting comfort. The schedule will be a bit flexible to begin with, seeing what works best. I will keep you updated.
Outreach: While I am “down Zion way” during some weeks, I plan to hang out in various public places getting to know people. On my list is Flessor’s in Tuscola, the Vault in Tuscola, the Library in Arthur and other places to visit. Recommendations and introductions are welcome.
Facebook viewership and engagement has declined a bit after holidays as weekly posts have taken a bit of a vacation.
>>>Zion United Church of Christ – Minutes of the Consistory Meeting
The December 9, 2024 Consistory Meeting of Zion UCC was called to order at 7:07 PM with a prayer by Rev. Little.
Present: Wally Smith, Howard Kamm, Rod Randall, Phyllis Romine, Bruce Romine, Ramona Carlyle and Rev. Dr. Jennifer Little.
Minutes of the November 11, 2024 Consistory Meeting were approved as presented.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented showing a balance of $146,838.33 in the General Operating Fund, $805.00 in the Anniversary Fund, $425.00 in the Fellowship Fund, and $8,845.00 in memorials as of November 30, 2024. Rod Randall made a motion to accept the report. Bruce Romine seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Pastor’s Report: Rev. Little is considering doing Joys and Concerns differently during Sunday morning worship services by directly responding to what is being shared at the time. She also went through her written report with the Board (attached). She is interested in possibly expanding Zion’s social media presence and will start posting new things on Zion’s Facebook page.
Old Business: Items discussed included: Burgener Plastering, Inc. has not returned to take a second look at sanctuary repairs; the glass company has not returned a call about repairing a sanctuary storm window; there is still intermittent unusual water usage at the church; Ron and Ruth Korte will take care of putting together goodie bags for Christmas Eve; nothing more has come up about Douglas County Health Department’s mentoring program; a list of recipients for Christmas fruit baskets was reviewed; and the outside wall anchor plates should be painted white when weather permits.
New Business:
Action: A motion was made to accept the 2025 Budget Proposal for presentation at the January Quarterly Congregation Meeting by Rod Randall. Bruce Romine seconded the motion which carried.
Other new business included reviewing the proposed slate of officers and the Pastoral Services Contract for 2025.
In January there will be Sundays scheduled to take down the Christmas decorations and to hold a Quarterly Congregational Meeting after church.
Bruce Romine announced that on Sunday, February 9, 2025 there will be a wedding at Zion following the morning worship service. He and Katherine Drake are going to get married and everyone is invited to stay for the wedding and attend a reception lunch afterwards.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM with a motion by Rod Randall and a second by Howard Kamm.
>>>Zion United Church of Christ – Minutes of the Consistory Meeting
The November 11, 2024 Consistory Meeting of Zion UCC was called to order at 7:04 PM with a prayer by Wally Smith.
Present: Wally Smith, Howard Kamm, Rod Randall, Phyllis Romine, Bruce Romine, Ramona Carlyle and Rev. Dr. Jennifer Little.
Minutes of the September 9, 2024 Consistory Meeting were approved as presented.
The Treasurer’s Report waspresented showing a balance of $147,475.51 in the General Operating Fund, $805.00 in the Anniversary Fund, $425.00 in the Fellowship Fund, and $8,845.00 in memorials as of October 31, 2024. Rod Randall made a motion to accept the report. Bruce Romine seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Pastor’s Report: Rev. Little asked how the Board felt Sunday worship services were going and the response was positive. Up until now, pastoral care has been mostly through phone calls and email, but she is willing to do home and hospital visits as well. She is also ready to renew after-worship Christian education programs whenever the congregation wants. She also noted that $46.00 in donations has been received from her string bag project. She enjoyed the church wiener roast and hayride.
Old Business: Items discussed included: Rod will contact Burgener Plastering, Inc. again about sanctuary repairs; Wally will continue checking on intermittent unusual water usage at the church; Greg White has finished repainting around the front entrance of the church; the church’s telephone/internet billing has been set up for online payment; and Rod will try to find a different company to repair a broken storm window of the church.
New Business: Several upcoming events were announced: There will be a lift inspection on November 12 at 9:30AM; Terry Smith’s ordination and installation service will be on November 23 at 11:00AM at Lake Fork UCC; Arthur will host a community worship service on November 24 at Penn Station; Zion will do Hanging of the Greens after the worship service on December 1; and Zion’s Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service will be at 7:00 PM. There will be no Christmas Day service, but there will be our regular service on December 29.
It was decided to order poinsettias again this year. Wally will check to see if anyone wants to prepare goodie bags for the Christmas Eve Service, but it was also suggested the church could look into purchasing small pre-packaged boxes of candy instead. Either way was OK with the Board.
There was discussion about the church’s Pastoral Services Agreement with Rev. Little. She indicated she would like to spend more time on church activities on a regular basis. Some of her ideas included office hours, home visiting, newsletters, reenergizing Zion’s social media, doing “radio theatre” podcasts, etc. She suggested a time commitment and compensation for these increased activities. The Board will present these ideas and budget considerations to the congregation at the January 2025 Congregational Meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM with a prayer by Rev. Little.
>>>Zion United Church of Christ – Minutes of Quarterly Congregational Meeting
The October 6, 2024 Quarterly Congregational Meeting was called to order at 10:31 AM in the church sanctuary with a prayer by Wally Smith.
Present: Wally Smith, Barb Smith, Rod Randall, Carol Randall, Ron Korte, Ruth Korte, Ramona Carlyle, Bruce Romine, Phyllis Romine, Brian Dukeman, Katherine Drake, Howard Kamm, and Deanna McDonald.
Minutes of the July 14, 2024 Quarterly Congregational Meeting were approved as presented.
The Treasurer’s Report was presented showing a balance of $148,083.49 in the General Operating Fund, $805.00 in the Anniversary Fund, and $425.00 in the Fellowship Fund, and $8,845.00 in the Memorial Fund as of September 30, 2024. Barb Smith made a motion to accept the financial report. Bruce Romine seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The Endowment Fund Report was presented showing a market value of $211,004.22 and disbursable interest of $17,863.12 as of September 30, 2024. Rod Randall made a motion to accept the report. Ron Korte seconded the motion which carried.
Old Business: It was reported that the Church Board determined it would not be cost effective to convert the church and parsonage to natural gas instead of LP at this time.
New Business: Zion will hold a wiener roast and hay ride at Brad-O-Clen on Sunday, October 20 at 5:00 PM.
Action: Howard Kamm made a motion to send $1000.00 to the UCC for the Hurricane Helene relief fund. Ramona Carlyle seconded the motion which carried.
Other items discussed include: Lift repairs have been completed including replacing its original batteries. There will be a benefit fundraiser for Bourbon Baptist Church’s pastor, David Babbs, on November 1. The congregation approved archiving the church minutes on Zion’s website. Katherine has some interesting pictures of the church that she will bring and show to everyone.
Bruce Romine mentioned the upcoming 155th Anniversary of Zion in 2025.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 AM on a motion by Barb Smith and a second by Howard Kamm.