April 2025 NSUMC Leadership Board Meeting Report

In Attendance: Curt Hansen, Winston Vineyard, Dave Blobaum, Chris Wurpts, Keith Sobraske, Terri Wicker, Cathy Sherry, Carey Johnson, Andrew Song, Samantha Moritz, Tom McPhee (co lay leader), Dinah Bahlman (co lay leader), Staff Shellee Snoke

Loving

1. Opening Prayer (Pastor Chris) and Devotional (Samantha Moritz) 
2. Guiding Spiritual Purpose Statement: 

The Leadership Board of North Scottsdale UMC prayerfully leads with gratitude and discernment, stewarding God’s gifts and ensuring every decision, action, and gathering nurtures spiritual connections that draw us close to God’s presence and mission in our lives. 

Learning

1. Pastoral presentation and review of annual church mission and goals. 

Mission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19 

2025 Goals: 

1. Every ministry team, class or church group will identify (in one sentence) how what they do nourishes and builds up spiritual connections with God – to be read at the beginning of each gathering and possibly shared with the larger church because every church activity should bring us closer to God. 
2. We will inspire and support 50 people to engage for the first time in activities at NSUMC that are beyond the pew by participating in small groups, classes, service opportunities, ministry teams or other church roles beyond worship attendance by December, 2025 because everyone has a unique gift to share in building the kingdom of God. 
3. We will increase our church’s impact on the world by inspiring and equipping 50%, approximately 225 members of our congregation to engage in outwardly facing service activities within the next year because our church and our world need to experience God through our service to the world.

Leadership Board Packet Approval Consent Agenda, and discussion topics 

1. Facilities Team Request for $7349.07 to repaint North Wing classrooms.   The board asked that the facilities maintenance team gather a group of volunteers to paint the north hallway rather than pay a company to paint the entire north wing.  The Board would also like the Facilities Maintenance Team to create a prioritized list of projects they would like to work on this year, to understand the church property’s needs better.
2. Acknowledgment of the packet presented by the Adult Learning Task Force.  Keith Sobraske reviewed the bullet points that were presented in the packet.  The Task Force has done a comprehensive job of discerning the needs of the church’s adult learners.  They would like to start with offering groups on Sunday.  They will also spend time training their group leaders to provide a more cohesive experience for the attendees.  This discussion will be revisited at the June meeting.
3. The lawyer handling our 5Words suit informed Chris today that 5Words has officially shut down.  It is still unclear if they have filed for bankruptcy.  Hopefully, some of the equipment that 5Words purchased for NSUMC is in a warehouse and can be acquired and installed by another vendor.  In the meantime, Tim and Kent will pull together amounts for small projects that they can accomplish themselves.  This needs to be revisited at the next meeting.

Leading 

Financial Review and Stewardship update:

The church finances are trending in a positive direction, with many families contributing to their pledges early this year.  Historically, there is a decrease in giving during the summer months as many members are gone for the next 5 months.

At the next meeting, Curt would like to discuss moving money from Retained Earnings to Finance Restricted and then put the policy into the guiding principles.

Estimate of Giving Campaign Review – 89 Pledgers (1 more than last month) are pledging $357,608. As of March 31, 2025, $145,325 or 41% of the pledged amount has been collected. 

Capital Campaign Review – 48 Pledgers are pledging $394,472. As of March 31, 2025, $265,017 has been collected and $387,790 has been spent. $123,978 has been borrowed from Finance Restricted to help pay expenses.

Looking Forward 

1. 2025 Board meetings: ***May 6th, 6/17, 7/15, 8/19 at 6:00 pm in the community room. 
2. Church Conference on May 4th with DS Melissa Rynders 
3. Town Hall on May 18 after church in the sanctuary. 
4. 2025 Retreat dates – September 19-21