2019 Minutes

2019 ABIDING HOPE ANNUAL GATHERING MINUTES December 8, 2019 (approximately 60 people in attendance)

1. Call to Order 2. Opening Prayer (Pastor Doug) 3. President’s Report (Stacia Rumer) 4. Recognition of MLST outgoing president, Stacia Rumer, and outgoing MLST member, Stephanie Harper. Introduction of MLST nominees, Kim Sandman and Amy Corneillie. 5. Lead Pastor’s Report (Pastor Doug) A. Congregational values B. Leadership changes 2017 – 2019; 7 new staff members in the past two years C. Recognition of each staff member and roles D. 2019 focused on building ministry teams; 2020 will focus on drawing people into teams E. MLST member status for 2020 6. Financial Report (Paul Schultz) A. Review of 2019 actual expenses compared to the 2019 spend plan B. 2020 spend plan – essentially the same total as the 2019 spend plan C. The Forward in Faith pledges for 2020 have been encouraging D. The next Generous Life cycle will be mid-2020 to mid-2022 E. The preschool operation generates excess revenue 7. Preschool Expansion (Pastor Doug and Erin Fisher) A. There is a long waiting list for the existing preschool, and there is a significant need for special-needs preschool services B. A business plan has been prepared for an integrative and nature based special needs preschool C. Properties are being evaluated and mortgage alternatives are being researched D. There is a potential to be operational by the fall of 2020 There was a general consensus by the meeting attendees to support continued research and evaluation for the preschool expansion plan. After more details are known a separate congregational meeting is to be held to seek approval to proceed. 8. Constitutionally Mandated Actions A. Approval of 2018 annual meeting minutes B. Approval of the Financial Report C. Approval of MLST member nominees Steve Smith moved that the three items be approved. Gene Selzler seconded the motion. Attendees approved the motion, and a motion to adjourn the meeting. 9. Closing Prayer (Pastor Jay)