Heard it at Council: September 2025
By Kate Silfen, Church Historian | September 9, 2025 Council Meeting Report
September’s Council meeting was chock full of financial information and news about our efforts to build our beloved community. Treasurer Donna Matson presented Council with a financial “primer;” an overview of Old South’s regular yearly expenses and sources of revenue. Old South’s chief sources of revenue include interest from our endowment, congregational giving, preschool, and building use. Our key expenses include staff salaries and benefits, contract services, building maintenance, outreach, and communications. Donna also updated Council on the financial health of the congregation. Congregational giving remains strong. Major expenses for the past month include utility costs, higher than usual building repair, and one-time consulting expenses.
Tim Harbold and June Cooper reported on the next steps for hiring a consultant for Congregational Belonging and Engagement. They are in the process of forming a working group to hire a consultant. This will include members of (G)RACE Speaks, John Edgerton, and additional members to serve in an advisory role. They are working on strategies for engaging the congregation in this process. Tim and June hope to have a budget and position description to present to Council in November.
Lois Corman reported on the capital reserve study undertaken by the Operations Committee. The Operations Committee requested that the architectural and engineering from Wiss Janney Elstner (WJE) Associates do look at our building to develop a 10-year plan for capital repairs and improvements. One of WJE’s key recommendations includes a major masonry project. They are also looking at why our electricity costs have been so high, and to repair our window frames. This work will be expensive, and the Board of Trustees has formed a capital reserve working group to figure out how to finance these repairs. John Edgerton is confident that the working group will be able to establish a viable plan.
Rachel Barton offered an exciting update on Old South’s small groups ministry. Old South will be doubling their offerings for small groups, and more information about signing up will be available on October 3rd. Rachel told Council members to save the date for Sunday, October 5th, when there will be an information session about the new groups during the 10am Community Hour. Please be on the lookout for more information!