Heard It at Council (September 2014)
September 9, 2014
Following a two-month summer hiatus, Council returned with much energy and with anticipated updates on church renovations and new educational offerings.
The renovations to our historic building are moving along. While still a sore-sight and causing disruptions, the project is nearing completion: including the installation of efficient, interior storm windows, central air, and an air handling system which, though not directly cooling the sanctuary, will circulate fresh air and provide much comfort. We are well along in the process of converting our antiquated oil and furnace heat into gas. One of our two elevators now goes to the basement (a major renovation in the project) and both elevator cabs will be refurbished. And importantly, sprinklers are now installed through out the building. On the technology front, Old South Church has added building-wide Wi-Fi, thanks to many efforts by Chris Breen. Project AIR runs through October and the Operations Committee is highly appreciative of all the efforts of staff and church members to facilitate the work.
An update to Council from Trustees, via Tom Wetherald, concerned the sale of silver and the endowment. Much diligence is underway with respect to deaccessing our silver, currently under the care of the Museum of Fine Arts. However, many details are still under discussion including talks with the MFA. In terms of Old South’s endowment, some adjustments are being made to a small fraction of the investment strategy, but in general the overall portfolio is within expectations.
An exciting journey begins this month with the introduction of Godly Play children’s curriculum at the 10 am hour as well as multi-generational programming at the same time. This effort is the result of many months of discussion and planning mediated by the Christian Education Committee under the guidance of Maren Batalden and Rev. Anthony Livolsi and with the leadership of Director of Children and Family Ministries Kate Nintcheu. Everyone can participate in spiritual and educational programs, with adult offerings rotating throughout the year. For children, there are also music programming, carefully staged to coordinate with the 10 am Godly Play hour and still allow partial participation in both worship services. Harry Huff described Joyful Noise, ages 3-5, led by Amy Budka. He also noted that the new Kinder Choir, grades K-2, and the much-admired Children’s Choir, grades 3-6, will be directed by Linda O’Donnell.
The Leadership Committee held its first meeting of the season recently and is beginning the task of compiling candidates for various positions. The group, led by Lisa Loveland, has open ears for suggestions regarding candidates to serve on our boards and committees.
Moderator Mark Schueppert and Council welcomed back Rev. Nancy Taylor after her much deserved sabbatical. Rev. Taylor and the Vision Working Group have been thinking about Old South Church’s 350th anniversary in 2019. Council will take up this topic at the next meeting.
In new business, the Listening Campaign, steered by the Christian Service and Outreach Committee under Ruth Ricker and Rev. John Edgerton, is moving along nicely. The first phase, one-to-one conversations, has been completed. The next phase involves small groups. The goal is to collect church stories to guide our work for the future.
A few other notes were made. Ruth mentioned that the City Mission Society invited Old South Church to host an educational forum in October in anticipation of state ballot initiatives in November. Rev. Taylor mentioned key work that Kate Rogers has been doing to coordinate Evening Worship, and Council formalized this role. Nancy also noted that the Planned Giving Committee, under Jennifer Craig, will hold an information session on September 25th after Jazz Worship focusing on health care proxy, power of attorney, and wills.
The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Lisa Mahnke, Clerk