TRAVERSE CITY ORTHODOX MISSION CHURCH
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
3010 Hastings Street
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m.
Members Present:
John Batsakis, Karen Kain, Helen Knapp, Stephanie Long, Doug Partlo, Harriet Rennie, Theresa Patterson, Bob Underwood, and Judy Weston.
Guests Present:
Ray and Martha Ealy, Donna and John Psaros, Helen and Samantha Dalbo.
Opening Prayer:
Father Iakovos led the assembled in the opening prayer.
Stewardship Report:
Stewardship Chair Helen Dalbo presented the current numbers in stewardship. To date we have stewardship pledges from 37 unites for a total of $71,270.00. The average unit pledge is $1,900 for the calendar year. This is above the national average. Ms. Dalbo presented a letter from Mr. Themie Majoros. Discussion followed and Ms. Kain was asked to answer Mr. Majoros’ concerns with a letter.
Accounting:
Mrs. Donna Psaros has volunteered to track our stewardship and weekly offerings. She presented the council with the form that she will be using. Also, she assured the Council that while she does most of this work on her computer, she has paper backup for everything. In addition, quarterly statements will be mailed to everyone beginning with the first quarter of 2008.
Approval of the Minutes:
A motion by Stephanie Long, seconded by John Batsakis to accept the minutes of January 9, 2008 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
Loukamathes Machine:
Mr. John Batsakis has investigated the offer of the loukamathes machine from Holy Trinity in Lansing. He will make arrangements to pick it up and store it. Mr. Batsakis stated that he had inquired about the shredding of the old liturgy books. The cost would be approximately $15.00. After shredding, it would be an easy job to burn them. A motion by Karen Kain, seconded by Judy Weston to have Mr. Batsakis continue with this project. The old choir robes will be donated to the Salvation Army.
Offering Envelopes:
The offering envelopes will be mailed out in the middle of March to begin in April of 2008. We will be sending them to 59 units. In addition, there is also a special Easter flower offering envelope in the first mailing.
Items for the Altar:
Father Iakovos stated that we still need two items for the altar. An artoforia and tabernacle are needed to hold the pre-sanctified gift for the celebration of liturgies on Wednesdays and Fridays during Great Lent.
He will put a notice in the Sunday Bulletin asking if someone would like to donate these items. A motion by Doug Partlo, seconded by Theresa Patterson to purchase the artoforia and tabernacle as they are needed now. Hopefully, donations will off set the amount spent. Motion passed with Stephanie Long abstaining.
Salary-Housing Resolution:
The council has been notified that under the tax law, a minister of the Gospel is not subject to federal income tax on the parsonage allowance paid to him as part of his compensation to the extent used by him to rent or provide a home. After considering the estimate of Rev. Iakovos Olechnowicz for his home expenses of $16,800, a motion was made by Stephanie Long, seconded by Helen Knapp to adopt this resolution. Motion passed unanimously.
Lenten Services:
Father Iakovos discussed service times for the evening services held during the Lenten season. It was the consensus of those present to hold all evening services at 5:30 p.m. All agreed that we need to put an ad in the local papers with our Lenten and Easter services. A motion by Theresa Patterson, seconded by Stephanie Long to authorize this expense. Motion passed unanimously.
Taste of Greece Venue:
After reviewing the comments of John Batsakis and Robert Underwood, a motion was made by Helen Knapp, seconded by Theresa Patterson to hold the event for 2008 at St. Francis High School. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes of the Web Site:
A motion by Stephanie Long, seconded by Doug Partlo to publish the minutes of the Parish Council on our web site. Motion passed unanimously.
Travel:
A motion by Stephanie Long, seconded by Helen Knapp to pay all of Father Iakovos expenses when he travels to the Detroit area to hear a lecture by Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia and meet with the Metropolitan Nicholas. Motion passed unanimously.
Yellow Pages:
Mr. Doug Partlo is investigating putting a small ad in the AT&T yellow pages. When this information is available, we will have an electronic vote by the Parish Council via the internet. Since our phone number is not correct, as it has been listed in the past and to have it corrected from now on in all publications of phone directories, a proposal was made to authorize the spending of $864 on this one time advertisement. On February 22 a motion by Karen Kain, seconded by Judy Weston to advertise in the phonebook for a cost of $864 for one year. Motion passed with 7 yea, 1 nay, and 2 abstentions.
Closing Prayer:
Father Iakovos led the assembled in the closing prayer and the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Judith Weston
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