334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005  Fax - (785) 379-5061

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2005 Annual Church Conference Tecumseh United Methodist Church November 20, 2005              Those in attendance at Church Conference were District Superintendent Kent Melcher, Pastor Dottie Forinash Knetsch, Ernestine Adams, David Barkley, Betty Fergola, Diana Halstead, Nelta Hennessey, Jan Kieffer, Rev. Piet Knetsch, Jeanette Johnson, Donna Johnston, Neva Martin, Virginia Martinson, Frances Noble, Willa Norwood, Darlene Peck, Jane and Tom Romig, Nancy Rush, Carole Stone, Linda Taylor-Morgan, Herb Whitlow.             District Superintendent Kent Melcher opened the meeting and thanked those present for attending. Rev. Melcher conducted a devotional time. He led the group in singing “Rock-A-Bye, Baby”. The analogy being that not wanting to fall out of the tree, churches want things to go along smoothly. Unfortunately, we sometimes become complacent. In these instances it is good for the wind to blow to cause changes for the good to take place. He then led the group in singing “Itsy-Bitsy Spider”. Each time the spider gets washed out he climbs up again and  again. The spider shows great perseverance but doing things over and over is not always productive. The way we present the gospel and reach out to people changes with every generation. Rev. Melcher shared the saying, “Management is doing things right, Leadership is doing right things”. He closed the devotional time with prayer.             Reports:             Church Council – Herb Whitlow, chairman, reported from council the concerns of reaching more people. We feel a need to be more involved in the community. We take very good care of our members but need do to more outreach.             Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee – Darlene Peck, chairperson, reported that her committee met monthly and she was very pleased with the committee who were regular and prompt in attendance. She wanted it known that  everyone supported Pastor Dottie and the church staff.             Congregational Care – Carole Stone reported that the committee has increased visitation. Those who are called upon are always most appreciative of the visits.             Missions – Neva Martin, chairperson, reported that her committee is working on a Disaster Plan, and have made informative contacts including the Red Cross. Rev. Melcher pointed out that the district is planning to have a disaster plan in place before the next tornado season.             Worship – Nelta Hennessey, chairperson, reported that in addition to the written report, plans are currently underway to institute a mid-week service beginning in January.             Health Ministry – Neva Martin, chairperson, reported her committee is very excited about the beginnings of our Health Ministry program. It is also somewhat scary. Initial plans will be finalized by December 1.             Education – Ernestine Adams, chairperson, referred to the written report as all-inclusive of current activities. United Methodist Women – Virginia Martinson, president, reported on several activities of the two circles.  The UMW’s big event each year is the Fall Festival held in October. The festival is sponsored by UMW, but is made possible and profitable through the efforts of the entire congregation.  Proceeds from this event allowed Tecumseh UMW to present a check to the church’s general fund in the amount of $5,000.             At the end of the reporting time, Rev. Melcher shared a video with the group. In it, Bishop Scott Jones shared the four questions he asked at Kansas East Annual Conference; How can ministry be strengthened in every church in Kansas, How more new congregations can be started, How can we strengthen our ministry with people of color, and How can we strengthen youth ministries. Gary Beach, Director of Connectional Ministries, pointed to a time line for having plans in place to answer the above questions. Rev. Melcher expressed appreciation for the focus of priorities. Oliver Green, Lay Leader, shared the need to be relevant to the needs of youth. It was pointed out that we are inheritors of 150 years of work by Methodist Christians.             Rev. Melcher pointed out that every church has a beginning. Someone saw a need and founded a congregation. We are the benefactors of so many people. We must to continue to see the need. Rev. Melcher asked if we knew where there is the greatest potential of growth in eastern Kansas. It is in Wyandotte county near the race track. The area is projected to grow by 75,000 people. Churches need to be in strategic locations and then they need to be supported.            Rev. Melcher shared the importance of campus ministries. College students away from home for the first time, even those having been regular church attenders, may find it easy to drop out. It has been found that students involved in campus ministries are those most likely to enter the ministry. He will be asking churches to make a donation through a special offering to fund campus ministries. He asks that in the next few weeks that Tecumseh church ask for a special offering to aid Washburn University’s Campus Ministry.             Pastor Dottie Forinash Knetsch reviewed her printed report. It is important that we accept that Tecumseh church is not a small church but a mid-sized church, and therefore, we are in transition from being pastor-centered to becoming program-centered.  Pastor Dottie said there is great potential in reaching out to local unchurched people in our community. There is assistance available from the district office in making contact with these people, for example, a Percept program can be accessed on the district web site to gain information on families in the community.             Rev. Melcher echoed Pastor Dottie’s opinion of our congregation. There will be Leadership Training at First Methodist Church in Topeka on January 22. There will be many workshops conducted during the day, including worship, trustees, mission, etc. He pointed out that in a pastor-centered church (membership approximately 137) the pastor is expected to do everything. In a program-centered church (membership around 200) the pastor becomes the resource person. Rev. Melcher pointed out that Tecumseh church is already program-centered in many ways. A program that has been in place for many years is not always the most effective. Perhaps in dispensing with a program  which is no longer working well, our congregation will be led to achieve greater goals. There are people at the district level who will help our congregation to think outside our normal routine. Rev. Melcher pointed out that churches can advertise but the most effective tool is personal contact.             Pastor Dottie reviewed the printed membership report.             The Lay Speaker’s Annual Report was reviewed. Neva Martin said she had attended one basic and two advanced courses. She requests that she be classified as a Certified Lay Speaker. ACTION: Jan Kieffer moved that Neva Martin be classified as a Certified Lay Speaker. Virginia Martinson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.             Trustees – Jan Kieffer, vice-president, reported that all information was included in the printed report.             Finance Committee – Darlene Peck, S/P-PRC chair, reported that support for Pastor Dottie meets guidelines. ACTION: Unanimously approved by voice vote.             Lay Leadership Committee Report – Rev. Melcher agreed to Dottie’s recommendation that all open committee positions will be filled by the January Church Council meeting. ACTION: Administrative Council – approved by voice vote Stewardship and Finance – approved by voice vote Trustees – approved by voice vote Staff/Parish Relations – approved by voice vote Lay Leadership – approved by voice vote             Rev. Melcher asked if there was any other business needing to brought before Church Conference. There was not.             Neva Martin moved the conference be adjourned. David Barkley seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.             Rev. Piet Knetsch closed the conference with prayer.  Respectfully submitted, Nancy Rush, Tecumseh Church Council Recording Secretary