Amboy Friends Monthly Meeting met November 16, 2014, after a carry-in meal. There were 33 members present.
Clerk Michael Reynolds opened with prayer.
The October minutes were read and approved with two corrections. Part of the funds from the Upward Basketball checking account will be used to cover the cost of upgrading microphone jacks in the sanctuary, not the podium. Also, an email was sent from Amboy Friends to Indiana Yearly Meeting, stating clarifications we think should be made to their changes to faith and Practice.
The passing of Sheila LaGue Cramer on November 3, 2014, was recorded.
The October treasurer’s report was presented and approved. Clerk Reynolds noted that the budget through October is $88,090 with offering income totaling $84,008. This leaves a shortfall of $4,082.
The Pastor’s report was approved. In his report, Pastor Dwight Elliott shared about the new youth band, a new small group, and the continual growth of the Social Adult Meal.
The Youth Pastor’s report was presented and approved. Youth Pastor Brock Sizelove said the group worked hard at Quaker Haven and on the youth room at Amboy Friends. He thanked Kristin Dubois for the initial idea of having a separate youth space and said the entire group is taking ownership of their room. Overall, the group average has risen from eight to 15 with a few spikes of 23 youth attending. Upcoming events include: promoting the Free Meal Ministry, continued Prayer Partner meetings, Christmas caroling, Super Bowl party, and Winter Sneak.
The Missions Committee treasurer’s report was presented and approved. Missions Treasurer Kyle Dubois explained that the committee recently received another $6,000 from the church farm, so the balance of over $24,000 is a bit misleading. The committee has already donated over $31,000 to several missionaries and ministries and will be making year-end gifts to White’s, the Salvation Army, and others. Chair Greg Hunt added that Missions has also started praying about the church’s next missions trip. Please see a committee member if you have any suggestions.
New Business
Newspaper Ad: The church received a promotional from the Peru Tribune, concerning special advertising rates for Christmas events. The meeting declined the offer.
Meeting Change: It was approved that the December Monthly Meeting be cancelled due to the holidays. The next Monthly Meeting will be January 18, 2015, following a carry-in meal. Year-end treasurer’s reports will be presented at this time.
Representative Council: Alan Hunt reported from IYM Representative Council. Pat Byers, current camping director for Western Yearly Meeting and assistant pastor at Wabash Friends, was approved as assistant superintendent. This position replaces that of IYM camping director formerly held by Aaron Hughes. It was also announced that revisions to Faith and Practice that are currently being worked on will not be finalized until Yearly Meeting 2015.
Membership Info: Mary Brown and Stephanie Dubois have been meeting weekly to transfer membership info from paper files to electronic storage. While the births and deaths of members are being recorded correctly, it does not appear that member marriages have been recorded for several years. Such recording will restart immediately.
Advent Study: Scott Dubois, chair of Ministry & Oversight, shared that the church will be holding special dinners and an Advent study on the evenings of December 3, 10, and 17. More information and exact times will be announced at a later date.
Michael Reynolds, Clerk
Tracy Dubois, Recording Clerk
Clerk Michael Reynolds opened with prayer.
The October minutes were read and approved with two corrections. Part of the funds from the Upward Basketball checking account will be used to cover the cost of upgrading microphone jacks in the sanctuary, not the podium. Also, an email was sent from Amboy Friends to Indiana Yearly Meeting, stating clarifications we think should be made to their changes to faith and Practice.
The passing of Sheila LaGue Cramer on November 3, 2014, was recorded.
The October treasurer’s report was presented and approved. Clerk Reynolds noted that the budget through October is $88,090 with offering income totaling $84,008. This leaves a shortfall of $4,082.
The Pastor’s report was approved. In his report, Pastor Dwight Elliott shared about the new youth band, a new small group, and the continual growth of the Social Adult Meal.
The Youth Pastor’s report was presented and approved. Youth Pastor Brock Sizelove said the group worked hard at Quaker Haven and on the youth room at Amboy Friends. He thanked Kristin Dubois for the initial idea of having a separate youth space and said the entire group is taking ownership of their room. Overall, the group average has risen from eight to 15 with a few spikes of 23 youth attending. Upcoming events include: promoting the Free Meal Ministry, continued Prayer Partner meetings, Christmas caroling, Super Bowl party, and Winter Sneak.
The Missions Committee treasurer’s report was presented and approved. Missions Treasurer Kyle Dubois explained that the committee recently received another $6,000 from the church farm, so the balance of over $24,000 is a bit misleading. The committee has already donated over $31,000 to several missionaries and ministries and will be making year-end gifts to White’s, the Salvation Army, and others. Chair Greg Hunt added that Missions has also started praying about the church’s next missions trip. Please see a committee member if you have any suggestions.
New Business
Newspaper Ad: The church received a promotional from the Peru Tribune, concerning special advertising rates for Christmas events. The meeting declined the offer.
Meeting Change: It was approved that the December Monthly Meeting be cancelled due to the holidays. The next Monthly Meeting will be January 18, 2015, following a carry-in meal. Year-end treasurer’s reports will be presented at this time.
Representative Council: Alan Hunt reported from IYM Representative Council. Pat Byers, current camping director for Western Yearly Meeting and assistant pastor at Wabash Friends, was approved as assistant superintendent. This position replaces that of IYM camping director formerly held by Aaron Hughes. It was also announced that revisions to Faith and Practice that are currently being worked on will not be finalized until Yearly Meeting 2015.
Membership Info: Mary Brown and Stephanie Dubois have been meeting weekly to transfer membership info from paper files to electronic storage. While the births and deaths of members are being recorded correctly, it does not appear that member marriages have been recorded for several years. Such recording will restart immediately.
Advent Study: Scott Dubois, chair of Ministry & Oversight, shared that the church will be holding special dinners and an Advent study on the evenings of December 3, 10, and 17. More information and exact times will be announced at a later date.
Michael Reynolds, Clerk
Tracy Dubois, Recording Clerk
