The Faith Church Council met virtually on Tuesday, December 9, 2020, for the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Old and New Business topics included:

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1. The following approved motion concerning the Annual Meeting usually held at the end of January

In light of pandemic prohibitions on large size gatherings, the congregation will postpone it’s Annual Meeting until Summer 2021

-2 of the 3 Council members who would be vacating their positions will remain with the group until an in-person vote for new members can be held. Our constitution provides us a range for council membership and we will still be in that range with this action.

-Budget approval process is described below.

-Information regarding the state of Faith will most likely be presented during Sunday worship on January 24, 2021.

-More updates coming after the January 12, 2021, Council Meeting.

2. Continued discussions on creating a balanced budget to present for 2021. The proposed budget will follow the principles outlined below:

Focus on our shared mission: Led by the Spirit to share God's grace

Adaptability in times of rapid change

$0 net profit (expenses will not exceed income)

At this time, plans for adopting a tentative budget for 2021 include final draft preparation by staff through December, review and recommendation by the Finance committee in early January, and review and approval by the Council on January 12.

A document sharing the planned budget and reasoning behind the decisions that were made will be available to the congregation by late January.

Council welcomes dialogue regarding budget details at any time.

3. Updates regarding Christmas events and worship times as outlined in the most recent email communication, social media posts, and website information. A mailing will also go out to those challenged by technology and internet access.

4. Update from the Sacred Settlement Development Team

The team has met with the city officials and discussed a number of issues including set backs and distance codes along with fire safety issues and Watershed District issues.

-The team will proceed with submitting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) once these issues have been resolved, but there’s a lot that needs to happen before any actual building on our property would begin.

-All of this is preliminary and Faith is not committed to building until a congregational meeting is held to garner support from members.

The team is pivoting to provide more ways for the congregation to enter into homeless ministry since the timing of building a settlement is a ways off.

The house sponsored by Faith and built for a veteran will be part of the Christmas display at Faith between December 20 and 26. This house will only be here temporarily. 

5. Pastor John is currently waiting final confirmation that he will be away for National Guard training from January 21 through March 4. Plans for pulpit coverage and pastoral care coverage are in place if this training period is confirmed.

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The Council is grateful to the congregation and community for their continued financial support, prayers, and outreach to neighbors in need. We are in this TOGETHER. We are serving our God in new and exciting ways! Amen!