Parish Council Meeting Minutes (19DEC17) Attendees: Father Mark, Betsy Adams, John Bielinski, John Kohlhaas, Sue Loeffler, Riyan Mendonsa, Lynn Norby, Jan Parsons, Bob Schlitz, Tim Springer
Absent: None
Opening prayer
Anniversary Celebration “Gifts Giving” on 10FEB18 to celebrate our campaign anniversary.
Filipino theme not viable as central contact is presently out of the country through January 2018. Other like themes: Hawaiian, Polynesian, South Pacific, Tropics
John and Sue Bielinski will man the kitchen; Betsy Adams, and Bob Schlitz will help out in the kitchen. Jan Parsons will manage the floor, décor, waitstaff. Sue Loeffler will also help but unsure of specific time commitment at this point. Hope to enlist funeral prep team for deserts.
Menu: Pineapple ham bake; rice; bread, deserts. Can order biodegradable paper plates, cups, silverware, etc. en masse; cost control as well as huge time saver
Goal is to keep cost at a minimum; must break even but don’t necessarily need to realize a profit.
Last two dinners had 150 and 175 respectively. Rough estimate for this dinner
Loaves and Fishes two full weeks later; may impact use of leftovers.
Will be advertised in the bulletin two weeks in advance; will also have signage in the Narthex; Lynn Norby to take on signage
Need to think about table games; Polynesian word find/puzzles as placemats; hula hoop; Sue Loeffler will research
Advent-ure Labyrinth participation small (15) but dedicated 16DEC17. Didn’t expect large crowd due to Saturday during holidays. Hope to build on in the future now that it is built.
Advent-ure international celebration 17DEC17 great success. Thirteen by country booths; wide assortment of local foods; children activities/presentations. St Nicholas roamed; Advent Bingo; Procession; card making. Very well attended; over 100 people showed. Hard to hear speakers (Susie) as table conversation too lively. Suggestion to somehow tweak flow; too jammed at the beginning; side-by-side Mexican tables also very popular (plentiful food) which also caused a bit of a logjam
Updates Stewardship drive will be discussed during the Parish Council meeting on 21DEC17. Good response to date; not specific deadline so pledge cards still trickling in
Working on the Capital Campaign strategy; Steering Committee meeting 02JAN18; will discuss next steps; expected to be a “big” meeting
Photo/directory updates being discussed by Parish Resources Committee. Time consuming process being replaced by LifeTouch software. Basically creating digitial book. Terry Schulyer point person for committee; Christina Loma degree in graphic design. May contribute as well
Wondering how tax reform will impact charitable giving. Topic for Finance Committee. Standard deduction will be doubled in new plan. Therefore, may want to “double up” this year. May also impact giving down the line as less “beneficial”. Will take effect in 2018.