COUNCIL

COMMITTEE REPORTS for the January Meeting of Council

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CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT

Under the enthusiastic leadership of Allyson Watson, the CE Committee continues to look for innovative virtual ways to engage Christian Education across the age groups—until we are able to meet in person again.

Sunday school was offered by Zoom through much of the Fall. Teachers will continue to stay in touch with families going forward until the lifting of Covid restrictions allows on site learning again at all level. In the mean time the children will be engaged in outreach to the shut-ins in our congregation at Valentine’s Day.

 

The possibility of a short on-line Lenten series on the Environment is being explored by David Pederson and friends.

Adult Bible study likewise will resume both Covid. A daily on-line mediation is offered by Jo Ann Silcox in the interim.

 

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

On-line Worship services have continued to be offered several times a month under the musical direction of Erich Knapp and the worship leadership of Rev. Tom Hiscock and Rev. Ann Corbet, during Dr. McKane’s current medical leave.

 

Planning going forward is dependent both on the availability of in-house resources and of Covid regulations re public meetings of any kind.

 

Members have been encouraged to access the ongoing on-line services of Metropolitan, Siloam and Riverside United Churches

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FINANCE

The December 2020 and year-end Income Statements are appended to the email with his report. The statements are subject to adjustments, if late year invoices are received in January for work done in 2020 or revenue from external sources is received in January but properly credited to 2020.

 

As the December 2020 Income Statement (revenues and expenses) shows, our financial position at the end of 2020 was much better than anticipated. Although our revenues were $31,208 lower than budgeted, expenses were $65,742 less than forecast. Simply put: the pandemic affected our finances significantly and staffing expenses were reduced as the result of vacancies. The net effect: our operating deficit is $84,667 rather than the $119,202 anticipated. That means the call on the Proudfoot Trust fund will be within the $100,000 amount the Trustees are comfortable with.

 

Other Trust Fund revenue will be shown on the finalized statements.

 

The 2021 Budget as reviewed by the Finance Committee, which allows for the ongoing pandemic, will require a $100,000 draw on the income of the Proudfoot Fund. As has been my mantra of the past couple of years, we will need to deal with the changes necessary to our operations in order to avoid reducing the capital amounts of our investment portfolio in the very near future. That situation will arise once our lives are back to something approaching normal.

 

In February, the Finance Committee will be developing financial forecasts outlining several “what-if” scenarios.

 

MUSIC

Services in December 2020 and January 2021: As London moved into zone Red for Covid on December 14, in person services ceased.  The services on Dec 20, 24 (Christmas Eve) and 27 were all virtual with Rev. Tom Hiscock leading and Erich with the FSA Chamber Choir.  These services were filmed with the three video cameras so that the effect was much the same as services from September to mid December.  The music for these services was as engaging as ever and the Christmas Eve Service included four choruses from Messiah.  Igor Saika-Voivod lead the FSA Strings in selections for this service.

 

On January 3, the service was videoed and was available for the Jan 10 service.  This is continuing throughout January, and until further notice, (depending on covid-19 restrictions on London and the province) with the service being filmed one week in advance of being released for viewing.  From January 24, (filmed on Jan 17) the Chamber Choir will be four singers (SATB) to reduce the numbers in the church as each service is filmed.  The singers are Natalie Nelson – soprano and Camila Montefusco – alto, our two Eberhard vocal scholars; Owen Spicer – tenor and Alastair Smyth – bass.

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PROPERTY

During the fall of 2020, the Property Committee has been relatively inactive since the building has had minimal use.  Having said that, regular maintenance has been ongoing.  Cleaning  2X per week, daily inspections and routine services (elevator, fire protection, pest control etc)

 

In late December a significant boiler issue was detected which required major service calls over the holiday period.  (close to $8000.00) Although the issue seems to be corrected for the time being it is evident that plans need to be considered for updating the heating system at FSA.  This was identified in the Avis report sometime ago and we have been fortunate to maintain our boiler system to this point.  With that in mind the Property Committee will meet next week to begin outlining a process for moving forward.  More details will be forthcoming but we need to be prepared that we are looking at a major capital expense. 

 

Rental income has been seriously impacted by Covid.  All concert revenue, some parking revenue and some of our contract longterm revenue has been lost.  We will be looking at how to rebuild rental income when things return to prepandemic conditions. 

 

Security and vandalism has been an ongoing issue particularly at the south narthex entrance.  We will be installing security gates in this location as a short term solution to prevent overnight loitering/camping in the covered entrance. This has become an immediate concern since evidence of several small fires have been found. 

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RE-OPENING TASK GROUP

 

In light of recent government announcements regarding lockdown and stay at home orders the Task Group met on Jan 14 with the various stakeholders to determine how best to move forward.

 

Recommendations:

 

1. Building is closed to public use.  No access except for MoW and staff on an as needed basis.

 

2.  Maintenance schedule will not change.

 

3.  Virtual services will continue through a combination of onsite recording (small group) and home recording to be edited for weekly distribution. 

 

4. Gift Card program will continue through curbside pickup (see eblast) or home delivery.