On November 20th our congregation held its fall congregational council meeting. We discussed and acted on several important matters in the life of our community, including the calling of new leadership, approving a budget and pastoral renewal agreement for 2012, adopting a statement of welcome and inclusion, and choosing to join the Supportive Communities Network. 

New Leadership - After thanking Enten Eller and Travis Poling for their time spent as part of the Ministry Team, we approved the following slate of leaders for 2012:

Ministry Team Chairperson - Todd Miller (3-year term)

Ministry Team At-large - Aidan Ottoni-Wilhelm (3-year term)

(Joining Jenny Williams-clerk, Jane Muller-treasurer, Matt McKimmy-pastor, Margaret Buroker, Mark Stosberg)

Annual Conference Delegate - Matt McKimmy

District Conference Delegate - Kurt Ritchie (2-year term)

(Joining Todd Miller, Mark Stosberg, and Matt McKimmy)

District Conference Alternate - Mary Eller

All of our currently-serving area coordinators were re-affirmed. In addition we happily received the news that two Outreach Co-coordinators have answered the call to help lead us in this area: Karen Poling and Becky McKimmy. Also, Hopi Stosberg was officially recognized as Assistant Financial Secretary and Josie Tolton was affirmed as an alternate representative to the Open Arms Ministries board for times when Pastor Matt is unavailable. 

2012 Budget - Our budget for next year posed several challenges for us: 1) we are committed to contribute $2000 towards repaying our loan from the South/Central Indiana District, 2) we have chosen to keep Pastor Matt at ⅘ time and on the denominational pay scale, and 3) based on our stewardship campaign earlier this year and the insight of our financial secretary, we are expecting congregational giving to be approximately the same next year as we anticipate for this year - $80,0000. 

The Ministry Team proposed two budget options, one which included some cuts in other ministry areas but absorbed some of these increases as a ~$3,700 deficit, and the other which included a more comprehensive re-alignment of budgeted expenses with actual expenses from the past few years and resulted in a balanced budget of $80,000. After discussion, those gathered chose to move forward with the balanced budget option. Pastor Matt’s 2012 compensation and benefits, including a housing allowance re-allocation, were also approved. 

Statement of Welcome, Joining SCN - After a multi-year process of conversation and discernment, we unanimously consented to adopting a statement of welcome and inclusion. The full statement is available online , or upon request from the church office. The centerpiece of the document is the following statement:

 

Following the example of Jesus, the Richmond Church of the Brethren welcomes and invites the full participation of every person. We embrace diversity in age, nationality, race and ethnicity, marital and family status, gender identity and sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, educational background, socioeconomic situation, and faith experience.

 

We hope this statement will help us to share this part of our identity and ministry with others, and will challenge us to live more fully into our calling as followers of Christ. 

A second statement, relating to the larger church on issues of LGBTQ inclusion, was also approved and is available in the same places listed above. 

In addition to adopting this statement, we also approved joining the Supportive Communities Network of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. Congregational leaders will follow-up with the application process in the coming weeks and months. This network will help connect us with other similar-minded congregations for support, advice, and ministry opportunities.