Annual Report of the Church Council (2003-2004)

Church Council is responsible for reviewing the work of the church and acting in the name of the congregation between congregational meetings for administration of the church’s business.

Aside from monitoring the budget and keeping in contact with the boards and committees of the church, one of Council’s main initiatives this year was to work to better understand our relationships with the United Church of Christ, the New Hampshire Conference and the Rockingham Association. We worked to learn more about those relationships and share the information with the congregation through newsletter articles, Mission Moments during worship and welcoming the Rev. Dr. Beth Nordbeck, President Elect NH Conference, as a guest preacher in March.

Our Church web site has a new look and added information thanks to the work of Paul Lindemann. Paul volunteered his time and talents to give the web site a new look and to help us understand the possibilities for our web site. Council will continue to work with Paul to make further updates and enhancements. Council also appointed a Web Site Policy Task Force to recommend policy for content and use of our web site.

The Council appointed a number of other ad hoc committees to look at various aspects of church’s work. The Building Restoration Fundraising Committee is investigating ways to raise money for the major restoration work needed for the historic part of our building. The Safe Church Task Force is reviewing our practices and policies to ensure we operate in a manner that is safe for all. The Youth Ministry Task Force completed its work with the recommendation to form a Youth Ministry Committee to implement the goals identified by the task force.

First Parish Church was the recipient of estate gifts from Millie Tyler and Ira “Pete” Moore. The two gifts combined to total just over $107,000. Council is recommending the money be used in two ways. We feel it is important to share the gifts we receive and are therefore recommending we give 10% for mission. We would ask the Board of Christian Outreach & Mission to find appropriate mission for these gifts. Council recommends the remaining 90% be held to help fund the cost of the building restoration. Not only would it represent a significant help in funding the considerable costs of the restoration work, it would also serve as seed money for things such as the matching grants the Building Restoration Fundraising Committee is researching.

For 2004/2005 Council is presenting a balanced budget for approval by the congregation. We are pleased to present a balanced budget for a second year in a row, but, like last year, a balanced budget does not come without making some hard choices. Like last year, we did not fund the Organ Replacement Fund, Office Equipment Replacement Fund or Paint Fund. In addition we did not fund additional money requested by the Music Board to expand the music ministry, nor were we able to fund additional money requested by the Board of Christian Education or the Facilities Board. In May and June Council will be setting its goals for the year and welcomes input from the congregation on those things you would like to see us concentrate on.

Church Council:
Becky Fleury, Moderator; Bill Mann, Assistant Moderator; Joe Merrill, Treasurer; Pat Plouff, Clerk; Alice Ling, Senior Pastor; Lucy Alexander, Associate Pastor; Bill Armstrong, Facilities; Dana Breeden, Youth Representative; Ray Crowell, Music; Gail Hepworth, Member at Large; Moira Merrill, Christian Education; Warren Pillsbury, Stewardship; Dick Plouff, Member at Large; Joe Weaver, Christian Outreach & Mission; Heidi Webster, Diaconate