Arena Congregational Church
Minutes of the
Annual Meeting - January 19, 2003

1. The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by Board Vice President, Joyce Reimann.

2. Opening prayer by Pastor Shultz.

3. Motion by Pastor Shultz, second by Bob Reimann to allow Joyce to appoint a Vice President Pro-Tern to run the annual meeting. Motion carried.

Joyce Reimann appointed Steve Wilkinson to chair the meeting.

4. Minutes of the 2002 annual meeting were read by Colleen Wahljohnson.

Motion by Bob Reimann to approve the minutes as presented.

Second by Marion Sanford.

FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS REPORTS

1. Clerk's Report - was read by Colleen Wahljohnson.

Motion to approve by Karen Wilkinson.

Second by Emma Abplanalp. Motion carried.

2. Church Financial Report - was presented by LaVerne Sneath.

Motion to approve by Marv Everson.

Second by Bob Reimann. Motion carried.

3. Discussion was held on the amount of money currently in the checking account. It was suggested that the board talk about putting excess amounts in a golden passbook account.

4. Pastor's Report - was read by members.

Motion to approve by LaVerne Sneath.

Second by Joyce Reimann. Motion carried.

5. Sunday School Report - was read by members.

Motion to approve by Vivian Dodge.

Second by Colleen Wahljohnson. Motion carried.

6. Volunteer-Missionary Society Report - was read by Vivian Dodge.

Motion to approve by Marion Sanford.

Second by Karen Wilkinson. Motion carried.

Appreciation of Thanks was given to the members for the quilts and lap robes they make and their participation in Project Linus.

7. Budget Report - was presented by LaVerne Sneath.

Discussion was held on a salary increase for Pastor Shultz, increase in water/sewer rates, and a heating cost increase. Replacement of the furnace was also discussed.

Motion by Joyce Reimann to increase Pastor Shultz's salary from $175.00/week to $185.00/week.

Second by Darlene Mellom. Motion carried.

Motion by Bob Reimann to approve the general fund budget proposal for 2003.

Second by Marv Everson. Motion carried.

Old Business:

1. Painting or siding of the fellowship room - The estimate for siding the fellowship room from Mounds Creek Siding was approx. $8,000.00. The board recommends getting additional bids which may be lower in cost or to paint the addition again. Bob Reimann suggested we put a hold on siding the fellowship room at this time due to the necessity of replacing the furnace. After that expense is explored then a decision on the fellowship room will be made.

New Business:

1. Board Member Terms

Motion by Bob Reimann to rescind the rule in the constitution, for the year of 2003, that requires a member be off the board for a one year period before they can be reelected.

Second by Helen Everson. Motion carried.

2. Motion by Pastor Shultz to nominate Vivian Dodge, Colleen Wahljohnson, and LaVerne Sneath to repeat their terms in office for three more years and to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot.

Second by Bob Reimann. Motion carried.

3. Other Positions:

   1. Sunday School Superintendent - Karen Wilkinson

Joyce Reimann nominated Karen Wilkinson and made a motion to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot.

Second by Vivian Dodge. Motion carried.

2. Choir Director - Steve Wilkinson

Bob Reimann nominated Steve Wilkinson and made a motion to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot.

Second by Vivian Dodge. Motion carried.

3. Church Secretary - Steve Wilkinson

Marv Everson nominated Steve Wilkinson.

Motion by LaVerne Sneath to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Steve.

Second by Helen Everson. Motion carried.

4. Head Ushers - Bob Reimann, John Reimann, Jim Favreau, LaVerne Sneath, Ray Johnson, and Marv Everson.

Pastor Shultz nominated the above to act as head ushers and made a motion to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot.

Second by Matthew Wilkinson. Motion carried.

5. Furnace - Discussion was held on replacing the current furnace with a high energy efficient furnace. The furnace is a converted oil to natural gas furnace that was put into service prior to 1964. A zone valve in the Pastor's study was replaced and the thermostat in the fellowship was leveled last week. The work would be completed in the summer. The following committee will look into options and costs and report back to the board: Ray Johnson, LaVerne Sneath and Bob Reimann.

6. Wisconsin Congregational Association - The Governing Board recommends to the congregation that the church seek affiliation with the WCA. which is a covenanted body of Congregational Christian Churches in the tradition of our spiritual ancestors. It is voluntary, affirms and maintains the freedom of individual conscience, and it is compatible to our doctrine.

Motion by Matthew Wilkinson to approve the board recommendation to join the WCA.

Second by Karen Wilkinson. Motion carried.

7. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services - A chili dump will be held on Maundy Thursday. Pastor Shultz expressed the desires of some members of the congregation to hold the Good Friday service in the afternoon instead of the evening. The service will be at 1:00 p.m.

Motion by Colleen Wahljohnson to adjourn the meeting.

Second by Karen Wilkinson. Motion carried.

Comments of appreciation were given to the congregation and to Pastor and Helga Shultz for the past good year.

Closing prayer by Pastor Shultz.

Respectfully submitted,

Colleen Wahljohnson, Clerk