May 1, 2011

Abigail Jacqueline Ruffner

Alexander Stephens Ruffner

May 22, 2011

Hollyn Grace Paporello

1.      The voters unanimously approved a request by the New Jersey District that we join the rest of the district in supporting the call for a special district convention to be convened Fall 2011, to consider changing the NJ District constitution especially as it refers to the full-time status of the district president.

2.      The voters unanimously elected the Church Council officers and Ministry Teams for the next year.  Council officers are: Donna Morella, President; Jack Baron, Vice-President; Scott Hacker, Secretary; Chad Kokenge, Finance Committee Chairman; Pastor Kuppler (terms of office and all ministry teams are listed elsewhere in this issue).

3.      SHLC Finances - Ron Bringewatt reported on the current fiscal year financial status.   Expenses will be below budget; expenses vs. income ought to result in a surplus at the end of the FY.   The ministry budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 which runs July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012 was presented, with a modest 3% increase in budgeted expenses. The voters unanimously approved the proposed budget.  The budget summary will be posted on the hallway bulletin board; any and all details are available in the church office upon request. 

4.      Don Richards led the presentation of the proposed Renovation and major maintenance plans, which the Church Council approved for the voters to consider, as follows: 

·        Renovate the existing church office into a new classroom and bathroom for use by our Gentle Shepherd Christian Preschool.

·        Relocate the church office into 1) a portion of the space currently used as library/gathering, and 2) a small portion of the pastor's office

·        Slightly downsize the pastor's office

·        Renovate the existing library/gathering area into one large, open area by removing inner walls and doors; insulate and new ceiling in gathering area and all (non-school) hallways; relocate library shelves to the (mailbox) wall;

·        Improve or replace 3 sets of outer doorways (church entrance by pastor's office, doorways to front lawn, school building entrance) for heat retention purposes

·        Install air conditioning for renovated hallways and gathering area, as well as fellowship hall, 2 bathrooms, classroom, office, and (possibly) kitchen in the older wing. 

·        Repair parking lot cracks and reline

·        Install new roof on school building

·        Sanctuary renovation including: flooring to the right of the altar to match recent renovations, creating a flexibly located pulpit/reading stand more central to the worship space, replace carpeting; upgrades to the sound and projection systems

In the Spring of 2010, the Church Council approved the spending for architectual plans for the renovations and these plans were used for contractors to bid on the project.  Separate bids have also been received on the major maintenance and air conditioning  items. 

The Church Council decided to put all items - renovation, maintenance, and air conditioning into one "project" for the congregation to consider, since they are all timely and relate in one way or another.   At the same time, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod made available a special loan rate for congregations to consider, but needed to be locked in prior to this date.   The Council approved that we apply for a loan which would be available should the congregation approve the proposal for renovation and maintenance.  The LCEF approved our request for $175,000, which is essentially a line of credit for us to use, if and when needed.  There are no costs involved and no interest until we use the loan. 

After reviewing the bids, the Church Council recommended using HOMAX Construction as the contractor for the renovations.   Maintenance and air conditioning choices are now firm, and being finalized. 

The cost of the proposed renovations and maintenance plans is estimated to be in/around/near $175,000, of which approximately $46,000 is already in hand from pledges/gifts made by the Child Care Ministry Team, Air Conditioning Fund, existing memorials, and individual donor(s).  The remainder of the costs will need to be borne by the congregation, and may be funded through a capital drive (professionally led or led in-house by SHLC), voluntary contributions, or simply included in as a line item in our budget.  This will be determined by the Church Council following the outcome of the vote on the proposal.

Much good conversation followed the presentation of the proposal; all items are seen as timely, worthy and acceptable as presented, with the exception of some of the details of the sanctuary items, where it was felt that more information and the opportunity for more congregational input was desired.    In order to be able to move ahead (summer is the time to renovate for the classroom to be used in the fall), it was suggested that since the sanctuary items are not time-sensitive, that the voters decide on the spending of the funds for the entire proposal, and that more information about the sanctuary items be gathered and dispersed to the congregation for discussion at a later date.  This will be done. 

The voters unanimously approved the renovation and maintenance proposals.   All members are urged to speak directly to Pastor Bob, Cheryl Delgado, Don Richards, or Donna Morella so that we might identify the questions, ideas, and comments regarding the sanctuary items.   This is necessary so that all people will have a say and be heard and so that it may be discussed in an open forum in the weeks and months ahead.

HOUSE CHURCH UPDATE FROM VICAR DANIEL FENCO

We are moving forward with our house church "Vacation Bible School" (VBS)!!!  We want to reach out to the community where the Figueroa family lives.  Our plan is to have an evening VBS at the Figueroa's house from July 25th - July 29th.  We thought of doing our VBS in the evening to help those families that work fulltime and can only bring their kids to an evening VBS.  We will go around the neighborhood filling out registration forms and we will also spread the word with flyers. The Figueroa's will participate in this summer adventure and this will also be part of Jazmin's confirmation project.  Some of our members have offered their help, but we will still need more help.  With God's help, we will have about 20 to 25 kids in our VBS.

I would like you to pray for the following::

·        God will bring kids to our VBS

·        Provide for staff needed.

·        VBS will be a door for more people to come to Christ.

Also, please contact me if you would like to help in any way.

We are planning our VBS for the last week in July and it will be in the evening.  Details will be confirmed this week. 

SOMERSET HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH

 SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH

11:30 am

The Market

995 Mt. Kemble Avenue

Harding Township

908-502-5106

$20 tax and tip included per adult

$10 tax and tip included per child

(up to age 12)

Adult meal includes:

Choice of 5 Entrees:

- Crab Cake Benedict

- Market Quiche

-Steak and Eggs

- Salmon Nicoise (salad)

- Duck Hash

BYOB

Children's meal includes:

- Chicken fingers & Fries

- Mac & Cheese

- Mini-burgers

- Kid's pizza

Soda

Please sign up in the Library area.  Contact Ken or Jan Pomplun at 908-766-2315 for more info. 

June 12^th

Following Worship

Please join us for The Sunday School Happening following worship.  The children will be singing, sharing a bit of what they have learned, and redeeming their manna money.  We will be recognizing the Sunday school teachers and enjoying fellowship over bagels.

Please sign up in the Library area.

The Prayer Group will meet June 14th at 10 am in the Conference Room.  We will be considering God's Silence--When He Doesn't Seem to Answer.  In preparation, please read 2Corinthians Chapter 12.  Please plan to attend!

Info?  contact Betty Vetter at bavetter@verizon.com.

Carmen Scialla Jr. performed in a piano recital at Carnegie Hall this past month as a winner in the New Jersey Young Pianist Competition.  At age 8, this was Carmen's first competition, as he competed with almost 200 other pianists from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, placing in the top 30 and winning the Solo Recitalist award.  Carmen Jr. studies music with his father, Carmen Sr., and has been heard frequently here at SHLC since his arrival last September providing prelude and pre-service music for our congregation. Congratulations Carmen! God's gift to you is music, and he loves that you share it with us.

--------

Congratulations

 Eric Becher!

At the Spring 2011 commencement of the University of Louisville, SHLC'er Eric Becher was awarded the Ph.D in Higher Education Administration.

Congratulations, Dr Becher!

The quilters will meet Friday, June 10th at 9:30 am in the Conference Room.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Our National LWML Convention is coming up in Peoria, IL on June 23-26, 2011.  The theme for this convention is "Being with Jesus:  Living on the Edge"...Acts 4:13 & 20.  The NJ District is sponsoring a bus to Peoria which will stop at SHLC on June 21st at 4pm to pick up anyone interested in going.  For further information, contact Arlene Price or check the convention website at www.lwml.or/convention. 

Faith and Jason are hoping to get a group of youth together to go to this awesome event!  If interested, contact Faith at faith@shlc.net and be sure to check out the website here:  http://www.bridgefm.org/

bridgefest.asp.