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Ad Council Meeting Minutes and end of May Finance Report Below Minutes
6/1/25/25
Ad Council Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Andy Bryan, Rachel Ward, Rona Chandler, Colette Cummings, Cathy Todisman, Jerry Blackwell, David Phelps, Charlotte Phelps, Diane Watkins, Kevin Watkins, David Vierse, Barb Riney, Renee McDonough, Tim McDonough, Bailey Schuchmann
Opening
• Rachel Ward opened the meeting discussing lessons from a story at work and how
we are becoming less pastor-led and more congregation-led, and we as leaders are
“outsourcing” much of the church’s work to others in the congregation. This only
works when our leadership and structure are strong.
Approval of 4/27/2025 Minutes
• Motion to approve by Diane Watkins , second by David Vierse, APPROVED
Celebrations and Upcoming Events
• 4 new members!
• Pastor Adrienne’s sermon, and how she was able to take a song – Boots on the
Ground – and turn it into a sermon
• Generosity of the congregation and community - Pillows, socks, and underwear that
we gathered (over 700 items!), along with money to share with Union Memorial and
organizations that are supporting tornado relief
• Having additional Second Time Around Shop hours to support people impacted by
the tornado.
• Graduation celebration
• Special o<erings were in excess of $5,000
• Andy Bryan went to planning retreat and was able to plan themes through the end of
December
• Gabe Bryan did very well at the Special Olympics
• Andy Bryan is starting his doctorate in the fall
• Upcoming:
o Freedom School
o Tuesday book discussion starts – runs for 3 weeks
o Griefshare session starting, led by Steve and Lis Wall-Smith
Finance
• See report that was provided
• More money being given to Union Memorial than what was provided on the
report.
• Over $1,000 for California Wildfire Relief
• As of end of May, we’ve had $8,000 more than anticipated / budgeted. Expenses
are below budget.
Trustees
• Action item – request approval for up to $4,700 to add a steam trap in addition to
the boiler cost.
o Kevin may have a resource to complete this work.
• Accessibility
o still working on pricing, however Barb Riney has met with destruction and
construction vendors. Would need as much space for a lift chair as an
elevator.
o Colette Cummings also has a vendor resource to complete an
accessibility audit for the building.
o Barb Riney and the trustees are maintaining a shared document, that may
be shared with the full Ad Council as part of next month’s meeting.
o Brainstorm ideas for accessibility:
Ramp directly into fellowship hall, and add an elevator inside the
building instead of the southeast tower
Ensuring access to the entire building (including 2nd floor of
Sunday School building)
Elevator inside fellowship hall, in the corner (would require going
through two separate walls)
Elevator at double doors on Sunday school room
Elevator in Trustees room
Ramp across church below the stained glass that gets to the
sanctuary level to gain access to fellowship hall and sanctuary
Remove steps on Sutton and build a ramp into fellowship hall
Elevator should be large enough to carry a casket for funerals.
Two elevators – one large that goes to sanctuary and fellowship,
second smaller elevator that goes to 3rd floor.
Accessible restrooms (how many do we need? Question for
accessibility audit)
o Andy Bryan will ask Larry Schmid for floorplans similar to what is posted
around the building, and ask for his opinions.
o Priorities are access to all three levels and accessibility audit
PPRC
• Cathy Todisman and Andy Bryan are having discussions about time o<
• David Phelps sent an email to Andy Bryan and Rachel Ward about time o< as a
potential option
• Review Music Director and Administrative Coordinator job descriptions that
Andy Bryan shared for approval next month.
Freedom School
• 20 students enrolled, waitlist of 5-6 students (15 are returning)
• 11 students for aftercare
• Volunteers for readers, meal service, and aftercare signup available online
• 1 teacher and 1 assistant hired
• Have Aftercare coordinator and assistant for aftercare
• New food service, snack not provided. Will need more snacks purchased / donated
• Discussed w/Webster Hills and they will partner with us on providing school
supplies and some volunteers
• Cleanup day this Thursday
• Setup in classrooms 6/16
• Freedom School is 6/23-8/1
• Training for meal service after church on Sunday
• Events:
o Ice cream social
o Dental Cleanup
o Weekly field trips
o Garden is blooming, many radishes that are up for grabs, students will work
there once / week and potentially use food from the garden in their meals
• Bailey Schuchmann is working with local businesses to sponsor a meal or activity.
Ensure thank you’s are posted on social media.
o Bailey has secured at least 1 sponsored meal per week!
Pastor’s Report
• Suzanne Thompson has agreed to lead the Outreach Team, Andy is meeting with her
to discuss.
• Vacation 7/7-7/20, working on getting coverage for the two Sundays.
• Beginning after vacation – theme will be Maplewood at the Movies.
o Watch a movie on Thursday night
o Discuss spiritual themes of the movie the following Sunday
o Theme – Feline Films
Flow
Life of Pi
The Incredible Journey
The Lion King
Other Business
• No response received from City of Maplewood re: Parsonage letter.
Next Steps
• All - Review job descriptions for approval next meeting
• Trustees - Accessibility Audit and priority list
• Bring in time o< for approval
• Andy Bryan to connect with Larry Schmid re: drawings
• Upcoming meetings:
o 6/29/25 at 12:15
o 7/27/25 at 12:15
o 8/24/25 at 12:15
Action Items
• Action item – request approval for up to $4,700 to add a steam trap and the
boiler repair.
o Moved by David Vierse, second by Rona Chandler APPROVED
Motion to adjourn – David Vierse moved to adjourn, Cathy Todisman seconded;
ADJOURNED
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