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Www.uuuc.org
PO Box 58 Underwood, MN 56586 218-826-6553
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Unitarian Church of Underwood |
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The Unitarian Church of Underwood is a welcoming community of diverse people who gather to reflect, to find refuge, spiritual renewal and intellectual growth; to improve our understanding of the world; to build bridges toward peace and understanding; and to improve lives and opportunities across our communities |
Unitarian Church of Underwood Newsletter
If you would like something published in the newsletter, please send it to kkensinger@yahoo.com. |
· Adult religious education is held on the first and third Sunday of each month at 9:30 am. There are discussions guides available. Everyone is welcome. · Children from age 3 through sixth grade will also meet on the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 am. · Teens (and their parents) who are interested in the “Coming of Age” program should contact John Minge for information. |
At the annual meeting, members of the church voted to purchase a grand piano for the church. The piano and costs for tuning and moving will be $3,800. Pledges and donations in the amount of $1,650 have been received. If you wish to contribute to the fund, please send donations to the church. Please put “piano fund” in on the memo line of your check. |
If you know of a congregational member or friend that might like a visit, a card or phone call, let one of the Congregational Support members know. They are Connie Hamrum at And Mary Worner at 218 828 6998 or worner@prtel.com. |
Empowerments Grants Please see the March minutes below for a list of recipients. |
MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING UNDERWOOD UNITARIAN CHURCH
Members Present: Kathy Kensinger, Ron Roller, Dave McRoberts, Stephanie Sanderson, Betsy Wells, Ellen Eastby, John Minge, Luke Anderson , and Wally Warhol.Others in Attendance: Coordinator Kris Warhol. Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Luke Anderson. 1. Agenda: The proposed Agenda was approved. Stephanie/Betsy 2. Minutes: The Minutes of the February 17, 2010, Board meeting were approved. Dave/Betsy 3. Treasurer’s Report: Written reports were presented by Wally. Those reports included a profit/loss statement for February of 2010, a profit/loss statement for April 1, 2009, through March 14, 2010, and a budget-to-date report. It was pointed out that February was a bad month for collections. The loss that has been experienced in this fiscal year to date is as has been expected. Ron indicated that he would like to make sure that the budget allows enough for speakers. No action was taken regarding the items that were discussed. The financial reports were filed for audit. 4. Outreach Committee Report: Ron Roller presented this report. a. Ron reported that empowerment grant applications in the total amount of $9,000 had been received. Of those requests, $4,800 is available to be allocated. The recommendation of the Outreach Committee is that the following grants be made:
● Annual chili dinner $1,000 ● Annual animal foster care $ 300 (Otter Tail County Humane Society) ● Slow Food Lake and Prairie (speakers) $ 500 ● Many cultures $ 400 (Pelican Rapids project) ● Circus Mondu High (Mongolia project) $ 400 ● Food distribution program $1,300 ● Computers for immigrants $ 400 (for language improvement) ● Orphanage in Guatemala $ 500
TOTAL $4,800
The foregoing recommendation regarding the empowerment grants was approved. Ron/Betsy Ellen and Dave abstained due to the fact that they were connected with two of the grant applicants.
b. The chili dinner is scheduled to take place on April 30 of this year. It has been suggested that we need a “special events” permit that costs $250 per year. Ron is going to check into this to see if there is someone who has such a permit that we can use.
5. Program Committee Report: Betsy Wells reported on the activities of this committee. There was no discussion at this Board meeting regarding the sale of the “fair trade” coffee. On another topic, Kris reported that Roger Parks is scheduled to speak four times this summer.
6. Facilities Report: Dave reported on the activities of the facilities committee. The facilities are looking good. There isn’t anything to report yet regarding the sprint clean-up day. It is not yet clear what will be done on that day. Dave also indicated that the half-dead tree outside the church is being monitored.
7. Administrative Concerns: a. The annual meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2010, after the Sunday morning church service. Luke summarized what is anticipated as follows:
1. Tables will be set up outside the sanctuary so that, following the Sunday morning service, committee chairs can answer questions regarding committee activities from those who are in attendance at the Sunday morning service.
2. After the service and after congregation members have had a chance to discuss committee activities, there will be a pot luck dinner in the church basement.
3. The business meeting is to be relatively quick. Luke would like to have a chance to summarize his thoughts regarding what has happened in the past year and what lies ahead. He also said that there will be three Board members whose terms are expiring — John, Wally, and Luke. Each of them are eligible to serve a second three-year term. Susan, Bob, and Luke are working on a slate of nominees.
b. Stewardship survey results. Kris said that the results of that survey are to be put into written form and to be provided to the Board. Luke talked about giving us estimates to date and a written report was provided.
8. Old Business: There is only one item of old business ― the weather closing policy and procedures. Luke has revised this policy and he presented that in written form to the Board. It was approved. Ron/Betsy. A related issue is what to do about speaker fees in the event of the cancellation of a Sunday morning service. That issue was deferred to a later date.
9. New Business. a. Review of the building usage and rental policy. A written policy that has been used in the past was passed out. It was suggested that we have a simple contract that can be used in the event that somebody wishes to use the church facility. This contract would be intended for private events. The idea is that we make the church more accessible and available to members than to non-members but that it continue to be available for use for non-member activities. The consensus was that this issue needs to be worked on and that the church can be made friendlier by being made more accessible. There was also some discussion regarding liability insurance coverage for non-church functions.
b. Prairie Star Conference and General Assembly. The Prairie Star Conference is scheduled to take place in Davenport, Iowa, from April 23 to April 25. The National General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Minneapolis from June 23 to June 27. The General Assembly is more expensive than the Prairie Star Conference. The General Assembly is estimated to cost $500 per attendee – at least $300 for registration and the balance for housing. There was discussion regarding the cost of attending and having the church help defray that cost. It was moved and seconded that $250 be allocated for 3 people to attend the General Assembly or the Prairie Star Conference with the understanding that at least one of the three would attend the General Assembly. The motion passed. Stephanie/Ron
Meeting was adjourned pursuant to a motion of Betsy which was seconded by Ron. The next meeting is April 21, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at the Church.
Respectfully submitted,
John Minge Secretary
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Notes from Kris,
· Office Hours Monday 9 to 12:00
· UUA Annual Conference is in Minneapolis June 23 to 27th, 2010. More on that at www.uua.org.
· We are now meeting year round. Summer Services beginning @ 9:30 AM. |
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May 2 — 9:30 am; Religious Education
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Luke Anderson, President
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