Council Report
By Kathryn Barry for Council
Meeting of December 2022
Council approved $42,000 housing allowance for Rev. Rob Mark, $29,400 housing allowance for Rev. Joshua Lazard, and approved allocating Rev. Kate Carlisle's total salary from both positions as housing allowance as part of the draft 2023 Operating Budget.
Council approved to make the Reparations line item for $1619 a recurring line item in the Operating Budget, and to create a fund called Reparations to receive the funds from the reparations line item.
Council approved up to $2,400 for a general building re-organization, clean-up and decluttering in 2023.
Council called a special meeting for Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 5-6:30 p.m. for the purpose of approving the budgets and to entertain a motion from the Hybrid Ministry team.
Council approved to transfer the membership of Eileen Gradwell to Allentown Presbyterian Church, PA.
Council approved to change the membership of Joan Lanigan, Mary Heney, Karen Clay, and Darian Clay to inactive.
Council approved to remove Jonathan and Laura Toles from the Affiliate Membership rolls.
Report on Staff From the Pastor
Winter Walk as worship on Sunday, February 12, 2023, with follow up breakfast sharing with Women’s Lunch Place.
Attended an energy efficiency presentation with Betty related to federal energy efficiency incentives (the need to keep pushing for more efficiently re-designed 67 entrance, hot water heat pumps, etc.) Lunch Forum with two pastors on Vocational Discernment with Life Alive age newcomers on Sunday, Jan. 29, noon-1:30 p.m. in Bates Hall.
Envisioning Hybrid Ministry
Met with Derek Holbrook and we are ordering a second PZT camera to be mounted in the chancel looking back to the congregation, and additional equipment that will enhance our Zoom worshippers experience.
UCC doings
Kathryn Barry reported on the Ecclesiastical Council for Martha Schick. She was approved for ordination with the date still TBD.
Presbytery doings
Kate Carlisle will be the moderator of the Boston Presbytery.
Committee Reports:
Climate Jubilee Centered Innovative Outreach –The UCC's Southern New England Conference has a Green Congregation Challenge. We have now completed enough tasks to gain Level 2 Status. Barbara will submit our accomplishments for approval and, if approved, COTC will be acknowledged.
Save March 21, 2023, for a Third Act Day of Action to stand up for Climate Justice. Stay tuned as the plans develop.
Building Committee-Renew the Light – $81,826 left to raise. Need to continue to bring in pledges, look at other sources of outside funding. Chronicle is doing a segment on COTC, within a show about Preservation. They came to the church to film the sanctuary. The segment will air at the end of December or early January.
Masonry repair above the Dorcas window – leak has been occurring. It has been repaired, will monitor it to see if more repairs are needed.
Membership Development Committee-Isaac Anthony Miller Waters, son of Ellice Miller and Joe Waters, was born on November 4, 2022.
Committee on Youth and Children’s Education – We offered the childcare position to Kelsie Lawhorn, and she accepted. Alleluia! Her first Sunday was December 11. We hope to schedule First Aid and CPR training for those who work regularly with Covenant's children and youth. Rev. Kate will be on vacation from Christmas through Epiphany (January 8). We are planning on the Epiphany walk-through of Covenant – bringing the light of Christ through all our spaces. And there will be cake!
Adult Education – An Adult Ed session on the columbarium will be held on March 5, 2023.
