COUNCIL
COMMITTEE REPORTS for the May Meeting of Council
WORSHIP
-
Pulpit Supply—a list of guest preachers has been drawn up to cover Joshua’s Study and Vacation Leaves. Rev. Karen Low has graciously agreed to cover during the first study leave beginning May 21st and including the 28th.
-
VAM—Rev. Karen Low has been appointed by Antler River Region as a Voluntary Associate Minister—based at FSA.
-
Narthex Co-ordination continues under the overall supervision of Jean Wright.
-
Anne Cunningham has graciously agreed to provide Scripture readers for June/July/August.
-
Jim Silcox and team continue to provide Videography services extensively.
PROPERTY
1. Lawyers office (north neighbor) had copper tubes stolen from exterior AC unit. They relocated unit higher out of reach.
2. Terminix Pest Control was contacted to investigate carpenter bee/ant holes in exterior west Narthex masonry. Custodian reported interior wood dust repeatedly building up on floor. Pesticide applied. Masonry deteriorating in that area and needs repair.
3. Terminix Pets Control services have been replaced with A-1 Pest Control due to scheduling issues and cost. We now expect a more personalized local service from A-1 Pest Control at reduced price. Due to the cleanliness of the facility, we seldom have issues with exception of seasonal ants.
4. The west Narthex balcony railing loosened and is now secure.
5. The east and west balcony door locks have been binding and are now repaired.
6. The lighting in the Narthex is dim and the bottom steps of each stairway are difficult to see. In the past we have attempted installation of yellow tape on the steps but 3 different tapes would not hold over time. A battery motion sensor light has been installed for trial at the bottom step. It triggers well for up traffic but is slow to trigger for down traffic. Addition battery motion sensor lights were purchased with less improvement. London Electric has been contacted to quote a permanent installation that will resolve this safety issue. Increasing the existing lighting may be distracting. Dedicated stair lighting could be an option.
7. Additional rubber anti-slip floor mats were purchased to cover the deteriorating Proudfoot Hall Kitchen floor.
8. There was a break in on Saturday, April 16 approximately 12:40 am. Someone broke a Proudfoot Hall Kitchen window and entered. Progarde responded to security alarms but did not locate the individual inside. At 3:00 am Progarde again responded to alarms and located someone in the Upper Room. Police and Ron Bradley responded also. Glass Canada boarded up the window and are scheduled to replace the glass. Since basement window damage is becoming more frequent, metal guarding should be considered.
9. Simpson Fence inspected the exterior window well near the Sunroom and quoted on a fence to protect that area.
10. Extra cleaning was assigned to the Custodian for areas used by Ark Aid including walls, stairs and floors.
11. Ron Bradley completed multiple painting projects from Ark Aid abuse.
12. Progarde completed nightly grounds inspections for the month of April. Still waiting for their report.
13. One short section of balcony pew has been removed. The live streaming table has been assembled and installed in that location. Horizon is scheduled to start live streaming hardware installation May 18. London Electric will install a 120V receptacle and data receptacle near the table for the equipment.
14. Sanctuary Light Button #1 at the main entrance from the Atrium is worn out. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Must push hard to operate. Horizon is investigating a replacement parts.
15. Sanctuary piano benches (2) have become unsecure and are in the process of being repaired. One required welding.
16. Rick's Airconditioning installed the window AC units (3) in Pastor Office, Meals on Wheels room and Facilities Office. The spare 2nd floor office and the rental room above the Parlour have window AC units still in closets due to being vacant.
17. London Electric additional outstanding work:
a. West exterior lighting underground shorted. Dig permit pending.
b. Lightning cable replacement due to theft
c. East building LED light not working
d. Upper Room GFI nuisance tripping
e. Fluorescent to LED interior light upgrades
f. West entrance exterior light not working. Add LED wall light?
18. Recommend renting the empty parking space (previously Deb Carter parking) at the west parking area for additional income. Also, some rental parking spots in the east parking lot are still available to rent.
19. Daymar Security investigated issues with the latest south security camera. All existing camera recording is by motion. This new south camera will only record continuously. Compatibility issue. Must resolve issues before installing west side camera(s).
20. The Atrium door access camera was vandalized. The lens was scratched and it is now difficult to view. Also monitors for viewing are experiencing interference. Monitors are located in the Reception and Administration offices. Chubb is investigating a solution.
21. East fire escape door was ajar and opened during the night resulting in a Progarde security response call. Door lock has been serviced to prevent reoccurrence.
22. Vanderley Landscaping started grass cutting services. Hedge trimming is required, volunteer or outsource?
MEMBERSHIP & NURTURE
-
We are happy to be welcoming Lillian Reid to our Committee.
-
The recent distribution of an updated Members Contact Roster has been well received.
-
Responses to the Time and Talent survey are gradually coming in and include some generous offers of time and talent. Please encourage your committee members to complete the survey.
-
Donna Thompson has replenished the pew cards and offering envelopes in the pews.
-
Glenna Hall is developing a streamlined and simplified system for the preparation, serving and cleaning up after Coffee and Conversation. This volunteer activity can be exhausting because it can consume almost three hours of time on a Sunday morning. Consequently recruiting for Coffee and Conversation has also been exhausting. Glenna is proposing that people bring their own mugs from home and take them home for washing. There will be disposable biodegradable cups for those who do not bring mugs. As well we are proposing that each committee be scheduled to take one month for the preparation, serving and cleaning up of Coffee and Conversation. Instructions will be available in the kitchen. All supplies, including milk will be supplied. Membership and Nurture will take the first month. Our plan is to begin serving Coffee the Sunday after Labour Day.
-
Lemonade on the Lawn will be served beginning June 12. As in recent years I will do much of the serving but will be looking for volunteers on some summer weekends.
-
At Joshua’s request I attended the wonderful ecumenical memorial service for Covid healing at Wesley-Know United Church on Sunday, 15 May. The only other FSA member that I saw was Bob Peel. The service was inspirational.
-
Responses to the pastoral care survey have included volunteers to participate in the Lay Visitation team and the Caring Callers. I will be meeting with Mary Mattar team leader of the lay visitation team and Annabelle Logan leader of the Caring Callers to share the names of volunteers so that the teams can be reconfigured.
-
Gerry Meacham has sent out six letters of support or consolation to members experiencing health challenges, loss or change.
-
We are pleased to welcome several new people to the pews.
Pastoral Care Task Group Report to Council-May 2022
The Pastoral Care Task Group has not met this month as we await the return of our recent survey. Reponses have been reasonably brisque. As of Sunday May 15 we have received 55 responses. Many people have offered to help with calling or visiting. We are very grateful for their offers. All but one of these responses, however, has been from people who regularly attend church. In the next two weeks we will make a concerted effort to reach out to people who are less able to attend because of their current circumstances. We anticipate being able to report a summary of our findings at the June Council meeting.
MUSIC
Senior Choir:
The senior choir is rehearsing on Thursday nights with the Chamber Choir until May 26. The choir will sing in services until the end of June.
Laudamus Bells:
The Laudamus Bells, Richard Frank, director, will be performing in the service on Sunday, May 29 with the choir and for the postlude.
FSA Strings:
Under the direction of Igor Saika-Voivod, the Strings will participate in the service on Sunday, June 12 and on Wednesday, June 15 they plan to give a concert.
Friday Noon Spring Recitals:
The three scheduled recitals have all taken place and were well received. It was a success to be able to complete the series which is the first time since December 2019. The recitals were videoed and will be posted on the FSA website at https://www.fsaunited.com/music-concerts
-
April 8 – Eberhard vocal scholars Emma Battel – soprano, Ellita Gagner – mezzo soprano; Ken Baldwin – trumpet and Lynda Kennedy – piano
-
April 22 – Richard Frank – saxophone, Paul Merritt – piano, organ
-
May 13 – Laudamus Bells – Richard Frank, director
Summer Concert Music Festival:
Due to a successful grant application by Barrie Evans to the “Community Activator Program – My Main Street”, close to $40,000 has been awarded to support this summer concert music festival on the outdoor stage at FSA. The program entitled “In Diversity there is Harmony” (the name of the organ sculpture in the Eco-Meditation Garden) is intended to reflect our position as an affirming congregation in the selection of artists who will perform and featuring different genres of music, including classical, opera, jazz and alternative music forms.
Ellita Gagner, an Eberhard vocal scholar this year, is the producer and coordinator of the festival. She will be drawing on her experience with the organization she co-founded, the “Can of Soup Collective”, which is dedicated to supporting emerging and young artists.
Music Director Search:
The search committee interviewed two more candidates this week. It is hoped that as soon as schedules can be aligned, one of these candidates can come for an in person meeting with the committee and others.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
WORSHIP
Jo Ann Silcox, chair
Stephen Adams
Jean Wright
Rev. Lawrence, staff
FINANCE
Laura Wood, chair, treasurer
Kerry Hill
Tristin Hill
Ivana Klouda
Doug McGregor
Lesley Pergau
Barb Ridgewell
Colleen Garrett, (contract bookkeeper)
MEMBERSHIP & NURTURE
Heather Locking-Cusolito,
chair
Glenna Hall
Mary Mattar
Annabelle Logan
Gerry Meacham
Deanne Pederson
Jo Ann Silcox
Donna Thompson
Lillian Reid
Rev. Lawrence, staff
MINISTRY & PERSONNEL
Kerry Hill, chair
Bruce Moor
Linda Badke
Stuart Eberhard
Ardath Finnbogason-Hill
Kathryn Patton
Margo Christodoulou
MISSION & OUTREACH
Kerry Hill
Barb Dalrymple
Pat Pettit,
Linda Badke
Marilyn Beach
Janice Elliott
Liz Galbraith
Jan Hendry
Bill Knowles
Laurel Kenney
Donna Thompson
David Knoppert, chair
Rev. Lawrence, staff
MUSIC
Merran Neville, chair
Jane Archer Smith
Glenda Baldwin
Igor Saika-Voivod
Terry Peters
Paul Cooper
Ardath Finnbogason-Hill
Ann MacPhail
Janis Wallace
Margaret Wardlaw
Paul Merritt, Viki Meredith, interim staff
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT
Michael Feeney
Allyson Watson, chair
Katie Glaves
Susan McKane
Christina Lindsay
Jo Ann Silcox
David Pederson
Elizabeth Stewart, staff
PLANNING
Steve Elson, chair
Barrie Evans
Kerry Hill
Bob Swartman
George Jolink
Kathryn Patton
Nancy Johnson
Laura Wood
Rev. Lawrence, staff
PROPERTY
George Jolink, chair
Heather Vouvalidis
Sandra Black-Evans
Ron Bradley
Bill Guthrie, secretary
Peter Ross
Tim Miedema, staff
Willis Buckingham, consulting
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(not a Council committee but reports regularly to it)
Paul Cooper, co-chair
Jackie Williams, co-chair
John Eberhard
Janice Elliott
Russ Gonder
Don Jones
Bob Kennedy
David Manness
Al Salmoni
Jim Silcox
Mary Vernon
Jean Wright
David Wake
Katherine Wonfor
Rev. Lawrence, staff
+ advisors Kaitlin Norman, Doug Jones, Del McLennan, Bob Schram, Michael Cooney
UCW
(not a Council committee but reports regularly to it)
To get the names of the current UCW executive, contact the church office
ARCHIVE OF COUNCIL MINUTES
Note: Where no link is indicated, either the meeting was cancelled or the document is unavailable electronically