Heard it at Council: December 2024

By Kate Silfen, Church Historian | December 10, 2024 Council Meeting Report

The Reverend Ashley Popperson opened our December Council meeting with a reading of "An Avent Poem" by Mary Oliver. Treasurer Bill Bulkeley offered an update on Old South's finances. November pledges are below budget, but December is a busy month for pledges, so Bill anticipates an influx of payments this month. We still expect to see a large deficit at the end of the year, but we have ample surplus funds to manage this. Bill reported that we also have new, more efficient financial and volunteer management software.

It has been a busy season for our Board of Trustees. Chair Debby Kuenster reported on the work of an ad hoc committee. Senior Minister John Edgerton requested the formation of this ad hoc committee to look at more efficiently managing our liquid assets and restricted funds. These funds can make accounting more complicated, and the committee is working on a new gift policy that will simplify the management of these funds. Debby also reported that the Trustees are drafting a new conflict of interest statement. Council will vote on these new policies next month.

Members of Council received updates on several important initiatives. Pam Roberts and Deborah Washington are continuing the work of researching recommended practices for supporting a BIPOC minister by speaking with other congregations that are preparing to hire or recently hired a Person of Color. John Edgerton has also been talking with past ministerial interns about their experience working at Old South. The Old South leaders are also moving forward with the strategic visioning process. A few weeks ago, about 30 congregation members gathered to learn more about this process. John asked attendees to reflect and share their thoughts on Old South's strengths. The Task Force looking to revise the church by-laws and rethink our governing structure has met with Rich Nelson, an OSC member who has helped shepherd other congregations through this process.

Council heard updates from the Christian Service & Outreach Committee and the Membership Committee, who have also had busy seasons. Phil Dearing reports that the Christian Service and Outreach committee is awarding grants to "Legacy Lives On" (a restorative justice organization), Eastie Farm, and Friendship Works. David Connaughton reported that the Membership Committee recently wrapped up its calling campaign. He noted that many members desire deeper community connection within Old South.

At the end of a full meeting, John Edgerton closed the last Council meeting of 2024 with a prayer from Frederick Buechner.