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Ad Council Meeting Minutes
4-26-2026
Attendees: Andy Bryan, Colette Cummings, Cathy Todisman, Jerry Blackwell, NancyThompson, Rachel Ward, Kevin Watkins, Diane Watkins, David Vierse, Al Whitehead,Kathryn Cox, Ray Jauregui, Barb Riney
Opening
Rachel opened with discussion of our own spiritual journey which she often thinksabout as a private journey. But – that is not how Jesus intended it. He wants us togrow together and learn from a larger community that extends us from our comfortzones. Lean into the discomfort and the storm and the rocky side of the mountain. We will see things di-erently and need to lean into to grow and stretch together.
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Celebrations and Upcoming Events
94 people at the Thursday night dinner
Easter celebrations and collaborative service from five congregations
2nd parents night out
Kids went to the garden today during Sunday school
Jimmy started and the bathrooms are clean
Finance
Didn’t do a special Easter o-ering, but will be doing a post-Easter o-ering that will
fund the Summer Scholars Academy
Will send an update at the end of the month
Giving is up vs last year
Discussed documentation / reporting with Ty related to Community Unity Center
Financial policies are still in progress
Trustees
Floors in fellowship hall will need to be stripped and re-finished after winter; Jimmy
(new housekeeper) has experience doing that so we can rent equipment for him to,use.
Technology
Streaming – looking into additional options for live streaming
Stage lights – installer reviewed and discovered poor connection in extension cord. Has been corrected.Video cameras – one camera is having intermittent issues; power supply has been replaced and appears to be operating as expected.
Summer Scholars Academy – June 8 – July 24
Struggling to get applicants for sta-ing the academy
o Have kids signed up, but if we don’t have sta- will not be able to move
forward
o Lifewise is providing teachers, we are providing sta- through summer
associate VISTA program (at no cost to us)
There are links on our website to the VISTA application for this program as an
attendee; Andy will check to ensure the sta- application is posted as well
Pastor’s Report
Administrative coordinator role request to move to full-time, which would assist with,some growth within the congregation.
o Additional hours have taken a lot o- of Andy’s plate and has added some
additional tasks including opening o-ice on Mondays and launching parents
night out event.
Some of our unhoused neighbors have been sleeping on the porch of the parsonage they have permission to seek shelter there in the rain. Police have been contacted by neighbors, and Corporal Schuster reached out to Andy to understand the church’s stance. Trying to understand if there is a city ordinance being violated.
o Discussion:
Consider signage with expectations, boundaries, capacity, removing
items, times, etc.
Potential to have a conversation or send a letter from the church with
neighbors, city social worker, and police o-icers to understand
specific concerns
Need clarification on conditional use permit email from city manager
to better understand what that applies to
o Determined that Andy, Colette (as lay leader) and Rachel (as Ad Council
Chair) will draft a letter to share with neighbors to address concerns and also
communicate expectations to the people staying on the porch such as no
smoking, no drugs, no alcohol, removal of personal e-ects daily
Have received ~$17,000 in memorial funds that are undesignated
o Building task force meets this week
Barb spoke with Cardinal elevator company, they suggested she visit a
building in Belleville that has a lift installed similar to what we havediscussed and to bring someone with her that would use it to ensure
they would be comfortable
o Summer Scholars Academy
o Organization / more efficient use of space where items are stored in the back
corner of the shop
o Add small plaques to areas updated with the funds or add to a memorial
book if we have documentation related to it and if family would like it to be
noted
o Kitchen – i.e., new wipe-able tablecloths
Leaders Circle scheduled for May 9th, 10-11:30 am
Get Connected scheduled for 5/3 – have identified 15 newcomers since the last Get Connected
5/24 is Pentecost Sunday and Confirmation (7 confirmands) and 4 Baptisms and 2 parents that will join; Reverend Melissa Dodd (assistant to the bishop) will be a special guest to assist with the confirmands
Action Items
Requests for approval
o Minutes from March meeting
Moved by David Vierse, seconded by Colette Cummings
APPROVED
o Make administrative coordinator role up to 40 hours per week max to support
growth in congregation and church programming
Moved by Cathy Todisman, seconded by Diane Watkins & Nancy
Thompson
APPROVED
For next meeting
Next Steps
Financial policies are being addressed
Upcoming meetings:
o 5/31/26 – 12:15 pm
o 6/28/26 – 12:15 pm
Motion to adjourn executive session and council meeting – moved by Jerry
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