Serving One Another
On any given day, almost half or the Bethel community provides leadership for the activities of the church. Together we keep the work of the church going. Below you will see Who Does What at Bethel -- Please forward additions and corrections to Tom Pierson [email protected]
Organizational Structure of Bethel Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) March 16, 2015Note: (1) duties in italics are stipulated in the church’s constitution; (2) chairpersons/coordinators/team leaders are listed for each organizational entity.
Board of Directors (two-year terms) Co-Moderators Jessica Metta and Tom Pierson (terms end 2016) · Preside at all regular and special Board mtgs/congregational mtgs · Arrange Annual Meeting program, together with pastor · Act as designated lay leaders of the church · Serve as co-signers on church bank accounts · Ex-officio members of search committee · Supervisors to/liaison with paid staff · Liaisons to Beth El Shalom Board · Preside as chairs of nominating committee (for Board members/officers) Secretary Barbara Young (term ends 2016) · Keeps (in permanent form) the minutes of all regular and special business meetings of the church and the Board · Sends and receives correspondence arising out of Board actions Treasurer Judy Davis (term ends 2016) · Pays, upon proper authority from Board, all bills and taxes of the church · Sends monies to Central Pacific Conference for our “dues” and any special offerings · Works with Financial Officer (and Finance Committee) to develop the annual budget and to manage accounts · Works with Financial Secretary to properly account for and deposit tithes, offerings, and gifts to the church · Serves as co-signer on church bank accounts · Pays all church employees and contractors and manages filings with the IRS o Office manager o Musicians o Web master o Child-care providers · Fiscal agent for Peace Village · Liaison to Fundraising Committee Board Position 1 Kathy Williams (term ends in 2016) · Board members act as trustees of church, administer its business affairs, and supervise its program of activities. Furthermore they are responsible for the care and management of church property and the financial affairs of the church. Board Position 2 OPEN (term ends in 2017) · Board members act as trustees of church, administer its business affairs, and supervise its program of activities. Furthermore they are responsible for the care and management of church property and the financial affairs of the church. Board Position 3 Tom Wilde (term ends in 2017) · Board members act as trustees of church, administer its business affairs, and supervise its program of activities. Furthermore they are responsible for the care and management of church property and the financial affairs of the church. Board Position 4 Pam Tindall (term ends in 2016) · Board members act as trustees of church, administer its business affairs, and supervise its program of activities. Furthermore they are responsible for the care and management of church property and the financial affairs of the church. Deacons’ Representative to Board> Marcy Nordwall · Liaison to Deacons Pastor Rev. Kelly Ryan · In charge of the spiritual welfare of the congregation, with the assistance of the deacons · Preaches, administers sacraments, leads or supervises all services of public worship, and administers church activities in cooperation with the Board of Directors and appropriate committees · Informs Office Manager of all marriages, baptisms, and deaths Deacons (three-year terms) Board representative/Chair Marcy Nordwall Members Terms ending in 2016: Marci Nordwall, Shirley DeArmond, Lisa Mullis Terms ending in 2017: Sue Pennington, Rick Davis, Chris Heald · Deacons help plan and lead worship and, together with the pastor, are responsible for o Designing/planning liturgy for regular Sunday services and any other special services o Arranging for pulpit supply or for “reflections” from lay members o Picking music (incl. hymns) for services (input from Gil, Tim, and Bob) o Picking readings for services o Soliciting people to read o Collecting announcements for Sunday bulletin (getting info from office manager) · Chair oversees Pastoral Care Team , which provides o Pastoral care o Spiritual counseling o Hospital visitation o Crisis support o Organizes/maintains list of retired pastors to be on call for this team · Chair meets/coordinates with pastor for deacons’ participation in services Other Elected Leadership Positions – one-year terms Financial Secretary Katey Price · Receives, records, and deposits the tithes, offerings, and gifts to the church · Gives record of receipts to the Treasurer · Keeps individual record of contributions from each identified contributor · At year’s end, sends record of contributions on church letterhead to each identified contributor for tax purposes · Serves as co-signer on church bank accounts Financial Officer Bill Whidden · Provides an auditing of church financial operations annually · Chairs the annual budget committee; presents budget at Annual Meeting together with Treasurer · Advises Treasurer and the Board on financial matters · Chairs the Finance Committee · Serves as co-signer on church bank accounts Finance Committee Bill Whidden, elected chair; Treasurer (Judy Davis); Board-appointed portfolio manager (Rick Davis); Jessica Metta · Produces annual investment report · Produces annual treasury report · Oversees and manages the church’s insurance portfolio (property, liability, officers/board members policies) Pastoral Relations Committee Sue Pennington, Joan Sweetwood, Pam Tindall, Bill Whidden · Meets regularly with pastor about any needs or problems · Acts as liaison between pastor and Board, as needed Personnel Committee Board officers: co-moderators (Jessica Metta and Tom Pierson), Secretary (Barb Young), and Treasurer (Judy Davis) · Implements Bethel’s hiring policies · Conducts annual performance evaluations for employees · Audits training records annually of all staff and volunteers Church Employees, Contractors, and Adjunct Staff Office Manager (~15 hours/week) Lynnette Grubb · Manages church mail, phone, and email communication · Keeps the official statistics of the church (including the record of all marriages, baptisms, and deaths) · Greets and monitors visitors and workers at church during the week · Manages maintenance of church office equipment (computer, copier/printer currently) · Formats, edits, and prints weekly service bulletins after getting information from Worship Planning Team · Organizes schedule of musicians for services after getting input from Worship Planning Team · Procures and organizes supplies needed for church buildings (e.g., paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, light bulbs, dish/dishwasher detergent, etc.) and for services, incl. communion · Advertises regular and special events held at church to the broader community (e.g., Taize, special concerts and lectures, etc.) · Ensures that church piano is tuned twice a year (winter and summer) and keeps record of piano maintenance (last tuned Feb 28, 2013) · Responsible for keeping master calendar of planned church activities and special events (receives input from committees and teams); provides this information to web master to post on church website (or posts directly) · Responsible for maintaining/organizing church records and archives (a special records/archives “spring cleaning” needs to be planned with the Board) · Responsible for keeping Church Directory up to date (including email addresses) · Collects and files visitor and newcomer information from deacons · Devises and maintains system for collecting and filing basic church data: attendance numbers for Sunday services, Next Generation, Taize, baptisms, weddings, special services · Assists pastor, Board, and deacons with special tasks as needed if able · Oversees and directs cleaning of church by janitorial contractor NEW TASK Web Master (~5 hours/month> Lynnette Grubb · Maintains church website · Updates church website for upcoming events · Instructs committee chairs and team leaders on how to post directly Childcare Coordinator (~10 hours/month) Katherine Walker · Schedules, procures, and supervises childcare providers for Sunday services and for special events · Assures that necessary documentation is provided by childcare providers · Organizes and prepares materials for children’s activity room · Coordinates activities with youth ministries team Background Check Administrator Jennifer Giorgi · Runs background checks on childcare/Next Generation staff and volunteers Peace Village Executive Director Dee Campos Davis · Organizes and runs Peace Village in the summer Janitorial Services (~4 hours/week) Silvia Gutiérez · Cleans church interior Unelected Committees and Teams Just Peace Ministry Becky Williams and Rick Davis · Raises awareness in congregation of peace and justice issues · Provides education to congregation and wider community on peace and justice issues · Organizes actions to “make a difference” in promoting peace and justice in our community and in the world · Supports PEACE VILLAGE (Dee Campos Davis, Exec. Director) Food Bank Garden Judy Davis · Grows food for local food bank with help of young people in church · Involves and teaches Next Generation kids about food justice issues Youth and Children’s Ministries · Next Generation Debra Pennington-Davis and Judy Davis o Sunday AM – Ages K-8th grade · Random Friday Group Debra Pennington-Davis (shared with Elaine Thompson at Riverside) o Fellowship and discussion for middle-schoolers (combined with Riverside) · Second Sunday Night Group OPEN (shared with Elaine Thompson at Riverside) o Fellowship and discussion for high-schoolers (combined with Riverside) Property Committee Paul Pennington, Sue Pennington, and Tom Pierson · Responsible for upkeep and maintenance of church property and infrastructure (buildings and grounds), including annual maintenance on HVAC systems, safety equipment · Manages rental agreements and relations with tenants in fellowship hall · Manages vacant lot adjacent to former parsonage · Plans periodic “work days” at church · Monitors/supervises construction projects on church property · Hires lawn and garden care for church property, as necessary · Maintains church lawnmower Giving Campaign Rick Davis, Barbara Young, and Barbara Bell · Plans and leads annual giving (stewardship) campaign GEM Representatives Pam Tindall and Barbara Bell · Attend Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM) meetings |
Board Tidbits -- May 2015
David Duncombe Library Dedication Scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, following the weekly potluck, this time with David’s family as our guests. Other invited guests are the Peace Fellowship members and other friends of David’s. A multi-media presentation is being organized. Bethel Board Highlights – November 6, 2015
Board members were very pleased to welcome Pastor Kelly Ryan to the meeting of the Governing Board during her first week as our pastor! Look for changes in Bethel’s office space during the next year, as plans evolve to accommodate the needs of both Pastor Kelly and Office Manager Katey Price. Vice-Moderator Tom Pierson reports strong candidates for Bethel leadership in 2015. Several positions, including that of Board secretary, still need to be filled. If you are interested in serving on the Board, as a Deacon, or in another leadership role, please contact Tom. The Congregational Meeting to elect candidates is scheduled for December 7. Our Safe Church Policy has been written, amended, and adopted. Procedures will soon be ready for implementation. Many thanks are due Ruth Lusk, Judy Davis, Debra Pennington-Davis, Tom Pierson, and others for working diligently on this important project. Bethel is in need of a Child Care Coordinator, and Child Care Assistants. These are paid positions. Please contact Katey Price if you are interested, or know someone who might be interested. Child Care Assistants can be responsible older youth who work with an adult. (Sue Pennington, Secretary) October 2nd Board HighlightsBoard Highlights from 10/2/2014
1) The Board approved a Revised Budget for the remainder of 2014. Many thanks to Treasurer Judy Davis and Finance Committee members for their diligence in rewriting the budget, which takes into consideration the hiring of Pastor Kelly Ryan, starting in November, and also the sale of the parsonage, which closed on September 5, 2014. 2) Rick Davis introduced Bethel's Giving Campaign for 2014. Rick, Barb Bell and Barb Young are heading up the campaign this year. Contributions from all are important to the success of the Bethel Community. Consider pledging for 2015 with an open heart. Your gifts of money, time, and talent make possible the welcoming and inspirational community we value so deeply. 3) Bethel is in need of a Child Care Coordinator, and Child Care Providers. These are paid positions. Please let Katey Price know if you know of someone 18 or older who might be interested. 4) The Board adopted a Safe Church Policy, prepared by Ruth Lusk, with help from Judy Davis, Debra Pennington-Davis, Tom Pierson and others. A special thanks is due Ruth for her arduous work on this important safety policy for our children and adults at Bethel. 5) Vice-Moderator Tom Pierson has begun recruiting candidates to fill open positions for 2015. Please contact Tom, any Board member, or office manager Katey Price if you are interested in serving as a Board member, Deacon, or in another capacity at Bethel. Don’t be shy! 6) The Board agreed with a request to discontinue regular Taize services, due to very poor attendance. There is not sufficient support or interest within the Bethel community to sustain Taize services at this time. 7) In preparation for the arrival of Pastor Kelly next month, Tom led a review of Bethel’s Organizational Flow Chart, – our structure “on paper”. Leadership was noted in various church programs, for instance, Next Generation, Middle & High School programs, Food Bank Garden, Just Peace, Property Committee, and Giving Campaign. Board members agreed to strike reference to programs that currently lack leadership – including Sunday Coffee Hour, regular Pot Lucks, Special Events, Fund Raisers, Retreat Planning, and Taize Services. The revised Organizational Flow Chart more accurately reflects our structure at this time. (A challenge for everyone: Which of these “gaps” might we want to address as a “radically welcoming” community, and how might we go forward to create the organization we envision?...) Sue Pennington, Secretary August 7th Board Highlights
Highlights - Bethel Governing Board Meeting – August 7, 2014
Summary of Exit Interview with Interim Pastor Donna Faith Eldredge - Donna Faith reported her most valuable experiences at Bethel include – working with Office Manager Katey Price, journeying with individuals during pastoral care, and formulating intergenerational worship services during the past nine months. Group members offered appreciation for Donna Faith’s contributions – especially in intergenerational worship, in helping the Bethel community to define and describe current Core Values, Vision, and Mission, and for the pastoral care she provided for individuals in our congregation. Group members thanked Donna Faith for her faithful (and sometimes surprising) service during her time with us. Donna Faith leaves Bethel with these words – and challenge – “Onward and upward!” We wish you all the best, Donna Faith! Peace Village 2014 kept Treasurer Judy Davis busy writing checks during the past few weeks - in addition to her usual Bethel treasurer duties. Did you know that Bethel provides the financial “umbrella” for Peace Village operations? It’s one way we sponsor this valuable program in the greater Gorge community. Property Committee – The Bethel Bargaining Team accepted a bid for sale of the parsonage, pending approval of the subdivided lot (to be retained by the church) by the City of White Salmon (Approval granted 8/13/2014). Many, many thanks to Tom Pearson, Jim Tindall, Rick Davis, Katrinka Hibler, CJ Rench, Paul Pennington – and to realtor Ginger Swanson for a successful process to date! 8/17/14 Sue Pennington July 2014 – Governing Board Highlights -
The Bethel Governing Board met at the home of Judy and Rick Davis outside of Mosier on July 10 at 6 PM. Following a tasty potluck supper, Donna Faith led a session regarding perspectives on board governance. The discussion centered around three articles - re-imagining traditional church organizational constructs. New ideas were tossed about. Board members affirmed the importance of building relationships and a welcoming community in everything we do at Bethel. Property Committee/Parsonage Update – 1) A dozen or so people participated in a work party after potluck on July 8 to “spruce up” the church grounds before pastoral candidates visit Bethel. Many thanks to those who turned out - in 90 degree weather, no less! 2) We have engaged the services of realtor Ginger Swanson of Windermere for the sale of the parsonage. 2) The application for a subdivided lot – to be retained by Bethel - was completed by Paul Pennington, and submitted to the city of White Salmon. Approval is anticipated in mid-August. Next Generation - Nia Wellman reviewed her plan for coordination of a Next Gen program for 2014-15. The stories and activities will be for all children, ages 5-15, with the older among them having opportunities to assume leadership or mentoring roles. Preparation and trainings will begin in August. Stay tuned! Sue Pennington |