Family of Hope Annual Business Meeting January 24, 2021

5:30 pm Jan 24, 2021, via Zoom

Present: Dick Dumas, Guy Vlasits, Harvey and Alma Jean Yoder, James and Ruth Stauffer, Susan Campbell,Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt, Lois Rivera-Wenger, Kent Palmer, Paul Swarr, David Weaver

1. Review and approval of minutes of last year’s meeting.

2. Much appreciation was expressed for Kent setting up Zoom meetings.

3. Review of 2020 FOH Income and Expenses report, noting that our total receipts were $13,985.96, up by nearly $4000, partly due to getting an Everence Matching grant to help someone get a better vehicle. We have a bank balance of $3023.48 after our budgeted giving to Virginia Conference and MCUSA, along with other institutions and agencies.

4. Discussion of whether we should contribute $2000 of that surplus to some needy cause, whether for something like MCC or for a local need. Susan suggested giving to something for which we could get an Everence Matching Fund grant. 

5. Reviewed congregational expense items, and discussed whether to continue to list items such as personal retreats or congregational retreats, since we have’t used either for some years. Local expenses were again far below budget, with only $50 used for a special speaker, for example. Did not set up a special category for an annual $200 for Faith in Action, but will again take that from the Discretionary Fund. It was agreed that we hold $2000 of what we have in our bank account for awhile to make sure we would have enough to help with any need by one of our members until we get more in the FOH account. Harvey agreed to check with Everence and report back about local giving where they would match the amount. Agreed to keep the same budget with the same items and numbers for 2021.

6. Discussed what kinds of Bible studies we would do this year. Dick Dumas misses using the lectionary, and Kent wondered about using the alternative Narrative Lectionry that Park View Church is using.  Lewis expressed appreciation for the sharing of our stories, and he and Mary Ellen prefer book studies over the use of lectionary texts. Jim likes a mixture of the two, as does Guy Vlasits. Alma Jean prefers book studies, and Susan would like just going through the Bible, chapter by chapter. Harvey agreed to come up with a proposal that would take all of these suggestions into account. 

7. Adjournment at 5:25 p.m.

Lois Rivers-Wenger, acting secretary