February 2025 NSUMC Leadership Board Meeting Report

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

Loving 

• Opening Prayer (Pastor Chris) and Devotional (Dave Blobaum) 
• January 21, 2025 minutes were approved

Learning

• Leadership Board Packet Approval Consent Agenda and discussion topics 
  1. Facilities – Five Words update
     1. 5 Words has agreed to provide a timeline for the completion of the project by Friday, February 21 and an inventory list by Monday, February 24.  If these items are not produced, Chris will meet with the Lawyer to ask what the next steps are.  
     2. The board approved an additional $3,000 to be spent on legal fees.
     3. Chris will ask the lawyer what dollar amount should we have our contracts reviewed by a lawyer.  This is something that should be included in the guiding principles.
  2. Kent Sanderson from the AV team requested that all groups pay for AV services.  This is currently in the Facilities Use Agreement, but Shellee will contact Kent and Tim to find out when they have not been reimbursed for their time.
  3. The Leadership Board Packet was approved.

Leading 

• Financial Review and Stewardship Update – 
  1. Financial Review – Cathy questioned why Brandon’s benefits were separated out and not included in the Staff – Family Ministries budget.  Shellee will make the Journal Entry in February to make this change.
  2. As of 1/31/25 there were 82 pledges totaling $348,192.  It was decided that the last estimate of giving campaign was too confusing.  Part of this was due to not being able to talk about the campaign during worship due to the shared worship time with ALC.  Next year the campaign should be simplified and explained better to the congregation.
• Review of meeting with ALC on January 25
  1. The board felt that overall, the meeting went well and that the ALC board was very open to exploring a continued relationship with NSUMC.

Discussion of a future relationship with ALC

1. The Leadership Board is very excited to be exploring our future relationship with ALC because it brings positive energy and excitement to our current ministry.  It is wonderful to have a large choir, an increased number of attendees at our Sunday services, more group activities and a sense of vitality and growth.

• What information is needed prior to sharing with the Congregation
  1. The Board was asked to send Cathy a list of questions that the congregation might ask.
  2. The Board voted to form a discernment team of 4 NSUMC people and 3 ALC people to put together presentations for the congregation

Looking Forward 

1. 2025 Board meetings: 3/18, 4/15, 5/20, 6/17, 7/15, 8/19 at 6:00 pm in the community room. 
2. Town Hall on Sunday, March 9 and again on May 18 after church in the Sanctuary. 
3.  2025 Retreat will be September 19 – 21.