Heard It at Council (February 2016)

February 9, 2016

Moderator Deb Washington opened Council with a prayer and reflected on the success of the Annual Meeting which she described as inspirational and “filled with light.” Members liked the single church service followed by the meeting which garnered healthy attendance and participation which was bolstered by terrific written materials and oral presentations. Especially welcomed was the overall introduction of the Old South Church 350 Campaign, a major endeavor which will be the focus of much discussion and engagement in the coming months. Its presentation at Annual Meeting heralded the unveiling of Old South’s first ever capital campaign. Although not all funding issues can be known at this time, the $5 million goal is believed to be realistic and important. We ask ourselves: What are our goals as a congregation and as disciples of Christ? What is God calling us to do? What will be our legacy?

Approximate directed funding of the campaign is broken down as follows into four different categories:

1. Do Justice: The Micah Mission ($1.8 M)
2. Love Mercy: Open Door Productions ($1.8 M)
3. Walk With God: The Teaching Church ($500,000)
4. Facility: Ministry. Program. Access. ($925,000)

Do Justice: The Micah Mission will endow and help ensure justice on particular campaigns and projects such as racism, gun violence, disability awareness, and the homeless. Rev. Nancy Taylor explained that approximately $75,000 would be allotted annually to respond to critical and urgent sociopolitical issues as they arise which, naturally, would vary from year to year, month to month.

Love Mercy: Open Door Productions will endow our mercy work and outreach in the form maintaining and improving our ability to communicate our message through technology, media, and advertising. Live-streaming, for example, is an immediate goal.

Walk With God: The Teaching Church builds upon our work as a teaching and leadership church as we act upon our faith: teaching and training members, leaders and youth to go out and build bridges in peace-making, diversity, cross-cultural immersion, and other areas. We work with promising new faith leaders of our own who are preparing for the ministry.

Facility: Ministry. Program. Access addresses the physical health and needs of the church and its facilities: renovations, improvements, different-need accessibility. Overseen by the Operations Committee, Facility will accommodate the brick-and-mortar needs of the congregation and help ensure and improve the continued physical integrity of the building and its elements for all persons.

Separate from the campaign, Council established a 350th Anniversary Committee to commemorate our sacred, historic birthday. Comprised of members and staff including the Church Historian, Senior Minister, and Communications Administrator, the Committee will organize all facets of our celebration including music, worship, publicity, speakers, and memorabilia.

Committees have been busy. Christian Service and Outreach Chair Ruth Ricker reported that new member Tony Smith assists residents who re-enter society from prison through the New Start Program. Katie Swayne-Gerrish from the Mission Ministry Team will continue to focus on homelessness with an eye to upcoming mission trips. The Membership Committee, headed by Allison Cooley, indicated that one way of increasing membership would be to establish a network of ambassadors who would try to engage perhaps 30 people. The Christian Formation Committee, represented by Chair Kate Nintcheu, announced an upcoming mentorship program with a bifurcated committee made up of members and students.

For Finance, Chair Rodney Click noted the general fiscal wellness of Old South Church, managing to stay within the budget despite the volatility of the stock market where some of the church’s assets reside. The cessation of Evening Worship which was not well-attended was noted. Operations Committee Chair Chris Bocchiaro reinforced the goal of ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of our energy systems. In the near future there will be a greater discussion of the capital plan (not to be confused with Old South Church 350, the capital campaign), a kind of a maintenance blueprint for the next twenty years. Planned Giving Chair Sherry Blanchette announced that a new planned giving brochure is being designed which will be sent to members encouraging participation in the Mary Norton Society. One of the ways of rewarding Mary Norton members is to continue to provide them with unique access to historic items and documents. The brochure will also stress in general the importance to members of having a will and creating a trust.

Ministers also gave brief updates. Senior Minister Rev. Nancy Taylor offered that two more silver pieces were sold, and there is still a plan to sell further silver not otherwise constrained. Rev. Anthony Livolsi reminded us of the Lenten feasts Thursday nights, a special opportunity for members to engage and to meet others in the community of Christ. Rev. John Edgerton noted that, as we are a congregation engaged at the grass roots, we have advocated – through his meetings with community leaders and others – for care and treatment of addiction and recovery programs. City leaders may continue to be “called out” when the neediest people are denied basic services and rights.

With these needs spoken, Rev. John Edgerton concluded with a prayer and the meeting was adjourned.

Robert Gabler, Clerk