First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 269 Mill Street,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-3111
Council Meeting Minutes – September 22, 2010
Attendees:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Recording Secretary
Member-at-large
Member-at-large
Pastor
Mike Soyka
Anne Cross
Mike White
Pat White
Patty Driever
Linda Gregorius
Pastor Bruce Schoup
Trustee #1
Trustee #2
Deacon #1
Deacon #2
Adult Faith
Stewardship
Children & Youth
Mike White
Laura Coons
Dotty Martinez
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
With a quorum present, Council President Mike Soyka opened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Dotty
Martinez led us in an opening prayer.
Previous Meeting Minutes: Mike White moved to accept the June minutes; Patty Driever 2 nd;
motion carried. The first two bullets of the CFD section of the August minutes were amended.
Mike White moved to accept those minutes as amended; Dotty Martinez 2 nd; motion carried.
Prior to discussing business Mike Soyka stated that there would be no further consideration on a
proposed change in committee structure. This can be addressed after the new Pastor arrives.
BUSINESS
Bright Visions 2011 Presentation: Rebecca Edwards







A committee was appointed by Council to think about how to raise funds to match the
grant funding. Rebecca requested that the minutes reflect her thanks to the additional
committee members Mary Gesek, Bob Campbell, Mark Colvson and Pastor Bruce for
their efforts.
The committee recommends the church not undertake a full capital campaign right
now but rather to wait until the new year.
First Priority Goal: Match $50,000 from EPF to restore sanctuary stained glass and related
woodwork. Balcony windows are the most urgently needed repair; parking lot side
needs a little less work, but the refurbishments are definitely needed.
Second Priority Goals: (a) enhance children’s ministry by hiring a Sunday School Director
after arrival of FCC’s new permanent pastor, (b) raising funds for outreach and publicity
on arrival of new pastor, (c) enhance impact of stained glass work on visibility and
welcome
Cost of proposed Bright Visions Work: Total $77,700. Funds to be raised total $82,000 to
allow a cushion in case we need extra.
Recommendations: (a) refrain from signing contract with stained glass studio until FCC
has raised $20,000 in cash gifts or near-term (2011) pledges, (b) devote any funds raised
over $77,700 to strengthen children’s ministry initiative
Timeline: Planning in September/October 2010 with completion of windows work by fall
2011 and completion of Mile 2 work in Fall 2011-Fall 2012
Further Business:






Anne Cross will work on coordinating Sunday Fellowship.
With regard to posting Council minutes on line, Patty Driever feels this should not be
available to everyone, only individual items meant for public information.
Mike Soyka will check with Tracy with regard to the location of the calendar on line.
Crop Walk is Sunday, October 17, 2010.
Nominating committee: next month we will start on this, to be concluded by the annual
meeting in January 2011.
Work day is Saturday, November 6, 2010.
Council Meeting Minutes-Pg. 1




Project Hodos: We are looking to have two people from the congregation attend
services for a period of time. Pastor Bruce will contact parishioners about this. John
Speers is looking for a new musician to replace the existing musician.
Fundraisers: Linda Gregorius will coordinate volunteers for the Thanksgiving dinner which
will be held Saturday, November 13. We need to get the word out and work on
publicity. Linda will assist Tracy with this.
Pastor Bruce was approached by Ila Carnes and asked if we want to participate with
Bardavon/UPAC in collecting donations for an organization in our area. Dutchess
Outreach has been selected to be the beneficiary from our part of this effort.
Council endorsed Pastor Bruce’s request to invite the Muslim chaplain of the NY Police
Department to deliver a message at a worship service on a date of his choosing.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Trustees/Property: Mike White




A letter and congregational meeting minutes were presented to HVFCU to move forward
with our $110,000 line of credit application.
Transitional Builders was selected for soffits, fascia and gutter repair work at a cost of
$29,850.
Kathy Saulino is the Trustee volunteer for stewardship.
The current value of the church Ameriprise endowment is $517,929
Treasurer’s Report: Mike White (July not available at this time; will report in September)



Total Income for August: Actual: $18,752.95, Budgeted: $14,387.83, Difference: $4,365.12
Total Expenses for August:
Actual: $13,122.87, Budgeted: $16,654.41, Difference:
$3,531.54
YTD Surplus (Deficit) Total: Actual: $5,469.31 Budgeted: ($15,232.84), Difference:
$20,702.15
Deacons: Dotty Martinez






Deacons for October: Mary Stuart and Linda Riedeburg
Working on welcome brochures
Margaret Chapel summer worship will continue
Deacons reviewed Pastor Bruce’s performance
Worldwide Communion Sunday is October 3
The cost for the Easter sunrise service on Walkway Over the Hudson will be $400 since the
amount of attendees classifies this as a major event. We need to consider how this will
be funded. It is the consensus of the Council that the $400 fee for this event is worth the
expense and is endorsed by Council.
Adult Faith: Absent
Children & Youth: per Patty Driever

The older Sunday school class is serving the homeless children dinner next Wednesday.
Donations are welcome.
Stewardship: Absent
CFD: Linda Gregorius




Four employees have been dismissed and further reductions in staff are being
considered.
Laura Coons is the new FCC liaison, replacing Mary Gesek.
The new CFD website is cfdcenters.org.
Estimates are ongoing to replace the divider in the toddler rooms on the first floor of the
education building.
Council Meeting Minutes-Pg. 2
Member-at-large: Patty Driever

The Haiti project and brunch will be held on October 24
Pastor’s Report: Reverend Bruce Schoup

Items are addressed under “Further Business” above.
The next Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. With no further
business, Laura Coons moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.; Linda Gregorius 2nd; meeting
adjourned.
Members and friends in need of prayer: Laura’s friend’s mother Patricia diagnosed with cancer;
John Speers; Len and Marilyn O’Connor; Laura Valentine; Barbara Rhudy
Pastor Bruce led us in a closing circle prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia White
Council Recording Secretary
Council Meeting Minutes-Pg. 3