One of this year’s Parish Committee objectives is to provide more communications to the congregation about who we are and what we do.
With that objective, we’ll be providing a monthly update in the Parish News and posting information on the bulletin board in the hall between the kitchen and the robing room in the Sanctuary building.
For this article, let’s cover some basics and answer the following questions:
- What is the Parish Committee?
- Who is on the Parish Committee?
- How are members selected?
- When and where does it meet?
In future articles we will share the topics that were discussed in our last meeting and will provide a link to the latest set of approved minutes.
What is the Parish Committee?
In short – it is the governing board of First Parish. As outlined in the FPL by-laws, the committee has several areas of responsibility:
- General control and management of most affairs of the church.
- Preparation of a proposed annual budget including expected income and proposed expenditures. The proposed Budget is voted on by the congregation at the Annual Meeting in June.
- Care and custody of all property of the church – but no power to sell, buy, mortgage, lease or transfer any real estate of the church without specific authority to do so by a vote of congregation.
- Management of the funds of the church. The Parish Committee can (and has) appoint a Finance Committee to be responsible for these matters.
- Appoint sub-committees, agents and employees as deemed necessary for carrying on the activities of the church.
Who serves on the Parish Committee?
Nine FPL members serve on the Parish Committee, each for a term of three years. No more than two consecutive terms may be served. Members of the Parish Committee are nominated by the Nominating Committee and are approved by a congregational vote at the annual meeting.
Current members of the Parish Committee:
Chris Andrysiak
Gina Halsted, chair (parishcommittee@fplincoln.org)
Sarah Cannon Holden
Lloyd Dahmen
Edwin Elineema
David Elmes
Peter Hussey
Tom Mielke
Jane O’Rourke
When and where does the Parish Committee meet?
The Parish Committee generally meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Stearns Room. Occasionally, meeting time is adjusted to accommodate school vacation weeks or holidays. All meetings are posted on the FPL calendar.
Summary of topics being discussed
Next month will include a summary of topics discussed at the September meeting.
The September Indicator: Cups of Coffee (40-60ish)
Each month we will provide an “indicator” of how First Parish is doing. The monthly Indicator may be statistical in nature (such average attendance at Sunday services) or it may be more … fun. The general idea is to provide a sense of how the church is doing.
Let’s start with a fun indicator: Cups of coffee made for Hospitality
For the past 10-12 years I have been part of the Hospitality team. Our team prepares coffee and other refreshments for folks to enjoy after the Sunday service. For as long as I can remember, we’d make about 40 cups of coffee in a large urn and have plenty for everyone.
At some point last year, we began to run out of coffee during Hospitality, and the team was advised to make a full pot (about 50+ cups). We still ran out of coffee with some regularity.
Currently, to ensure that everyone gets their cup of java, the Hospitality team makes two urns of coffee, around 60-70 cups in total. We’ve also had to increase the amount of cream provided each week.
Increased amount of coffee seems to be an indicator of engagement. More folks are attending the Sunday service and enjoying hospitality. Or perhaps, more folks are staying around longer and enjoying a second cup!
Gina Halsted on behalf of the Parish Committee (Chris Andrysiak, Sarah Cannon Holden, Lloyd Dahmen, Edwin Elineema, David Elmes, Peter Hussey, Tom Mielke and Jane O’Rourke)
