Council Summary: September, 2020
It is clear from our Council Meeting Sept. 10 that the church is still alive and well. We are performing our ministry among congregants as well as continuing with outreach mission and social justice work.
Rev. Barry Cammer is our pastor on call this month. He is visiting people – sometimes in person and sometimes virtually. Examples of projects of the Boards are the following: Building and Grounds Trustees are continuing to take care of repairs and plantings around the building, and have hired a new gardener. They are supervising cleaning and sanitizing of the church including seeing to some “deep cleaning” that is difficult to do when we are all around. Missions and Social Justice Board is looking ahead to special offerings, and a possible modification of our Christmas work with Neighborhood House. Faith Formation’s “Wise Hearts” group will continue to meet quarterly. Faith Formation contributes inspirational pieces in the Parishscope and is sponsoring the next Virtual Pot Luck. The Racists Anonymous group has evolved into “Becoming Anti-Racist: A Mission of Arlington Community Church,” with Zoom meeting at 4:00 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Their discussions of how we live our faith values feels like combined work of the Faith Formation Board and the Missions and Social Justice Board – thanks to Helen’s leadership. Newcomers are welcome. Be sure to come to the Friday afternoon Zoom session Oct. 9 in which Rev. Dorothy Streutker will lead a discussion of local ballot issues, our values, and faith-filled voting.
The Council continues to function as stewards of the church. We are carefully considering our expenditures, considering lost income from room rentals and reduced rental income from the schools. The schools are operating at low enrollment as staff carefully navigate the Covid-19 prevention protocols. Since income is down, the Council is beginning to consider changes we will need to make in the budget for 2021. Randy Laferte, our Treasurer, anticipates lost room-rental income of about $20,000 and lost school rental income of about $20,000 total for the year. Our expenditure priority remains salaries for our valued employees. Given these numbers, it is not too early to ask you to consider whether you are able to increase your pledge for 2021.
Linda Young: Moderator, ACC.