12/18/14 Minutes -- Strategic Leadership Council
St. John United Church of Christ
Meeting duration: 6:30 - 8:55 pm
Attending: Tim Smith (chair), Melissa Stephens, Mitch Leigh, Theo Baldwin, Pastor Keith Haithcock.
Excused absence: Stan Bowling, Sandy Kerlin.
Meeting opened with a reading and prayer by Melissa Stephens. All read the St. John Vision and Mission.
Consensus Items Approved: 11/20/14 SLC minutes, November 2014 Financial Secretary’s report.
Generative Discussion
Goal Setting (continued from previous SLC meetings)
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OMG-related goal (SLC will partner with OMG - Outreach Missions Group so that St John's effort
in mission and ministry to Seniors is incredibly successful.)
o This goal will be discussed as part of SLC/OMG retreat in January.
Tim updated on assigned goal: St John will consistently extend an extravagant welcome to
visitors and members.
Develop plan/roadmap and touch points for every new visitor (including print materials),
and define what minimum experience visitors should have. Share plan with congregation
and those most impacted (ushers, worship team, housekeeping, etc). Engage recent
visitors and others to discuss their experiences.
o Timeline for a basic structure of the plan: late January.
Melissa updated on assigned goal: St John will increase its visibility in - and engagement with the community.
o Focus on growing our relevance. Examples:
 Nativity – very positive event. Discussed considerations and changes for next
year. Pastor Keith would like a team of approx. five people to assist with
planning, and discussed potential changes to procession.
 Discussed other outreach ideas, including how to work with existing successful
outreach work such as Women in Theatre (WIT) and Music on the Avenue.
 Continued interest in Little League sponsorship. Will get further information
about this and resources required (financial, etc).
Tim and Melissa will updates for master planning spreadsheet for goals.
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Proposals, Presentations, Planning
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Choir Rehearsal Space / Worship Aids Storage (Pastor Keith)
o Pastor Keith will take lead on determining needs and process in these two areas, with a
proposed timeline of March for a plan to SLC.
 Larger main room outside of volunteer/copier office has previously been
designated as Choir Rehearsal room. Need to complete work to set up the room
as such.
 Worship Aids storage (banners, flowers, materials) space needs to be
established, since elevator construction eliminated the majority of this storage
space.
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Synod Support (Pastor Keith)
o UCC Ohio Conference (host of 2015 Synod) sent a letter requested fundraising support
towards expenses for the UCC General Synod, scheduled in June 2015 in Cleveland. SLC
discussed how to approach local fundraising or special offering toward this need, as well
as methods of educating the congregation about Synod in general (i.e., testimonies from
past attendees).
Staff Recognitions (Pastor Keith)
o Discussed providing Christmas gifts to the church staff, in the form of gift certificates.
SLA affirmed these gifts, as this follows previous years’ practices.
MOTA and Sanctuary Floors (Theo)
o Discussed aesthetic and acoustical concerns regarding current flooring situation,
including a potential need for temporary flooring (mats). SLC members will follow up on
options with MOTA chair, Steve Phillips.
Follow-up / Ongoing Items
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Renovation Progress & Finances (Tim for Mary Anne)
o Mary Anne provided project and renovation cost updates via email.
 Duke Energy and installation of pole
 Need to locate deed for church property for Duke Energy’s “readiness
agreement” for pole installation. Deed may be difficult to find at clerk’s
office due to historical church name or address. Church office will follow
up.
 Elevator has been delivered. Awaiting confirmation from elevator contractor on
installation date.
 Installation of air conditioning is nearly complete.
 Discussion on location of thermostat control.
 Imbus exterior roofing work completed (cost: $4,210).
CD Purchase / Investment Profile (Mitch)
o Awaiting confirmation from Dean regarding purchase of the CD through Bank of
Kentucky.
o No update on investment profile statement to be provided to Bank of Kentucky.
Financial Report (Mitch)
o Financially, November 2014 was a very challenging month. For December thus far,
giving is better.
o Discussion on Memorial Fund savings account and it use.
o Tim Smith discussed a report he provided showing consolidated YTD and 7-month
forecast giving vs. MMAP budget need.
Joint SLC/OMG Meeting January 10
 January 10 is scheduled joint meeting date. January 17 is backup date (e.g., bad weather).
Autism Center
 Bruce Horn met with representatives from the autism center to show the church space.
Backburner: EBTH, Emergency Ops
 No progress on Everything But The House.
 No progress on Emergency Ops plan.
Staffing and other updates:
 Pastor Keith has utilized Linda (temporary assistant to the Pastor) for 4 additional hours
(previously approved) to work on improvements to Church Windows system and filing system.
 Pastor Keith has hired a nursery worker for Christmas Eve.
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Pastor Keith has partnered with other churches to obtain a portable labyrinth cloth that will be
used during Lent.
Actions & Assignments, Next Meeting Preview
Confirm Actions and Assignments arising from meeting
 Tim & Melissa update spreadsheets, send to Theo
o Tim – plan for extravagant welcome
o Pastor Keith – look at needs for worship arts space and choir rehearsal space
 Tim will purchase staff gift cards
 Theo talk to Steve regarding sanctuary flooring, Tim look at Cintas options
 Pastor Keith will ask Linda to call Clerk of Courts re: deed
 Mitch talk to Dean re: CD, investment policies
 Tim and Pastor Keith look at records retention options
Next Meeting is 1/22/15. Meditation: Pastor Keith
Future meeting items:
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Discuss Pastor Relations Committee Recommendations (first on agenda).
Adjournment: Move to adjourn. Mitch moved, Melissa second. Motion passed.
Closing prayer led by Tim Smith.
Next Regular SLC Meeting: 1/22/15 (Meditation: Pastor Keith). Meeting is open and welcome to all.
Minutes recorded by: Theo Baldwin, SLC Secretary