Arena Congregational Church
Annual Meeting - Jan. 18, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by Board President, Jim Favreau.

Opening prayer by Pastor Shultz.

Minutes of the 2003 annual meeting were read by Colleen Wahljohnson.

Motion by Steve Wilkinson, second by Joyce Reimann to accept the report as presented. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS REPORTS

Clerk's Report - was read by Colleen Wahljohnson.

Motion to approve by Vivian Dodge.

Second by Joyce Reimann. Motion carried.

Church Financial Report - was read by LaVerne Sneath.

Motion to approve by Marv Everson.

Second by Vivian Dodge. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on the installation and operation of the new boiler furnace system. Thermo Dynamics continues to work on some problems with zone valves. LaVerne is making a comparison of the number of therms used with the new system vs. the old system for the heating season. The church also locked in a set price for gas this winter.

Pastor's Report - was read by members.

Motion to approve by LaVerne Sneath.

Second by Marion Sanford. Motion carried.

Sunday School Report - was read by members with discussion held as to the financial needs of the Sunday School. The governing board voted at an earlier meeting to close the old youth fellowship account and those monies will be added to the Sunday school account.

Motion to approve by Vivian Dodge.

Second by Joyce Reimann. Motion carried.

Volunteer- Missionary Society Report - was read by members with notation that additional members are welcome.

Motion to approve by Marion Sanford.

Second by Norma Sneath. Motion carried.

2004 Budget Report - was presented by LaVerne Sneath. Discussion was held on a salary increase for Pastor Shultz from $185.00/wk. to $200.00/wk. and the stipend increase for Marie Bryant from $40.00/wk. to $45.00/wk. for playing piano. Other recent or coming expenditures of the church include a new wireless microphone, and wireless hearing devices. Discussion was also held on the increased assessment and taxes of the 5 acre church forest. The land was a donation to the church from Thomas Hodgson in memory of his wife. Sunday school classes planted trees on it.

Motion to approve the recommendation of the governing board for the salary increase for Pastor and the stipend increase for Marie Bryant and to approve the budget proposal for 2004 by Colleen Wahljohnson.

Second by Susan Favreau. Motion carried.

Old Business:

1. Fellowship Room and Office

The outside painting was completed in the fall with the exception of a small area over the office. This will be completed in May of 2004. Marv Everson has offered to trap moles if they are a problem again.

New Business:

1. Elected Positions:

Sunday School Superintendent - Karen Wilkinson

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

Second by Vivian. Motion carried.

Choir Director - Steve Wilkinson

Steve would prefer that someone else take this position.

Jim Favreau nominated Stephanie Reimann and made a motion to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Stephanie.

Second by Vivian. Motion carried.

Church Secretary - Steve Wilkinson

Vivian Dodge nominated Steve Wilkinson and made a motion to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Steve.

Second by Susan Favreau. Motion carried.

Head Ushers -

Pastor Shultz nominated LaVerne Sneath, Ray Johnson, Marv Everson, Jim Favreau to serve as head ushers and made a motion to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for them. Matthew Wilkinson is also willing to help.

Second by Stephanie Reimann. Motion carried.

The youth of the church may continue to serve as ushers.

2. Membership Transfer

Jim and Debra Howard have requested that their membership to transferred to the Arena Congregational Church. Motion by

LaVerne Sneath to accept the transfer of Jim and Debra Howard.

Second by Marv Everson. Motion carried. Michael Joseph Howard, born on Dec. 7, 2003 will be baptized at the church.

3. 4 C's Membership -

Motion by Jim Favreau for Arena Congregational Church to dissolve its membership affiliation with the 4 C's conference.

Second by Marion Sanford. Motion carried.

Discussion was held that our doctrine is more in line with the WCA (Wisconsin Congregational Association) which the church joined in the spring of 2003. President Jim Favreau with the assistance of Pastor Shultz will write a letter to the 4 C's.

4. Picnic Dates:

The governing board has set the church picnic date for the second Sunday in July. The picnic will be held at Brigham Park.

A fall picnic or celebration will be held at the church. Stephanie Reimann offered their home/yard as an alternative location in the fall.

Motion by Colleen Wahljohnson to adjourn the meeting.

Second by Pastor Shultz. Motion carried.

Closing prayer by Pastor Shultz.

Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Wahljohnson, Clerk