Skyland United Methodist Board of Stewards
Meeting Summary
January 16, 2025, 6 pm
Attendees: Diane Rutledge, Kathy Woods, Jack Harrison, Michael Smith, Stephanie Knapp, Kyle Addison, Erin Brady, Charles Frederick, Sandy Frederick, Adam Byrd, Joe Tarpley
Welcomed 2025 new Board of Stewards members Dessa Boynton, Les Swick, Aaron Byrd, Bill Hansen, Ed Garrison, Celeste Tolbert, and Aaron Davis who were in attendance.
Devotion: Kyle Addison –
Building Successful Teams, reference Tony Dungy
Minutes from the December 2024 BOS meeting were approved.
Council of Ministries Working Team Report -Diane Rutledge
- Updated COM positions list
- Reviewed Donna Galloway’s COM report. (attached)
Finance Working Team Report – Charles Frederick
- Reviewed contributions for January 2025
- Reviewed the year–end financial report
- Presented the 2025 budget
- Motion was made to accept the 2025 budget. Motion was approved
- Stephanie Knapp will chair the 2025 Finance Committee.
SPRC Working Team Report- Erin Brady
- SUMC has a candidate for church pianist
- Motion to approve a raise for Brooke Senter. Motion approved.
Trustees Working Team Report – Kyle Addison
- Facilities Maintenance team is in place and will meet in February
- Reviewed injury claim. Motion was made that Skyland UMC will not require liability insurance for non–profit organizations using Skyland UMC facilities. Motion passed.
- Discussed reviewing Skyland UMC’s insurance.
Pastors Report
- 2025 Board of Stewards will move from opening devotion to speaking about a passage from the book “In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership“. Each BOS member will receive a copy
- YTD Skyland has 38 new members.
Other Items
2025 BOS chair Erin Brady reviewed 2025 working team assignments.
Discussed need for a lay person for the June 2025 Lake Junaluska meeting.
Also discussed Skyland UMC town hall meetings for 2025.
Reviewed 2024 BOS processes & initiatives and opportunities for 2025.
Prepared January 24, 2025 by Michael Smith
DATE: January 13, 2025
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TO: BOS meeting January 16, 2025
FROM: Donna Galloway
RE: COM report
Erin asked how the COM working group began our responsibilities for the year 2024. As team lead, I divided the COM positions evenly between Diane, Kathy, and myself, and then asked that each of us contact the lead person of each ministry team. After thanking them for their service, asking what they need, what goals they have for the year, answering any questions, and assure them that we are here to support and help as needed. Most people/positions carry on without interaction from the BOS, fulfilling their responsibilities.
Each one of the ministries are important to the life of the SUMC family. Missions, CHOW, Bridges, and Hospitality are very active groups and had more interaction with the BOS, especially after Hurricane Helene. Most leadership positions for COM have been filled for 2025. If you know of someone interested in leading an open area, please let me know asap. See attached report.
Missions report – Hurricane Helene Relief Report attached
Income and expenses are reported as of this week. This document will be shared with the church family to answer questions and clarify monies received and spent. The committee of four continues to accept and grant application requests for financial assistance.
Bridges 1.0 and 2.0 continue to thrive. Sandi Heckman gave a glowing report at the Missions meeting Monday evening on both programs. The directors are leading strong programs and Sandi continues to apply for and receive additional grant monies. Fifteen children are enrolled in each program, with ecumenical volunteers in each. A one-week, full day summer program is planned for both Bridges programs, July 28 thru August 1.
Children’s ministries are strong, with over 30 church families with children participating in PB&J and/or confirmation. An average of 12 children are involved in each program.
Youth programs average 16-21 youth on Sunday nights, more HS than MS attending. HS ski trip to WV January 31, MS tubing February 2. March 30th is Youth Sunday, two seniors are helping prepare the sermon. Mission trip to Charleston SC in July. End of summer camping trip to replace Wilderness Trail for 2025. Due to management changes for Wilderness Trail dates did not allow SUMC to participate, but plans are in place to return in 2026. Anna would like to soon replace the bibles in the youth room, which will be a costly upgrade.
MANNA continues to reorganize and has not announced plans for community markets. Patty Olbrantz continues to reach out so that SUMC can be a part of the plan. Possible MANNA style markets, such as the one held in December at SUMC, are being considered by the Missions team.
Jim Tolbert has a five-week series planned for Creation Care, beginning on March 13 –April 10. Details coming soon.
Barb Harrison and committee have voted to let the community garden fallow this year, allowing for much needed repairs and soil rejuvenation. They will return in 2026!
It has been my honor to be a part of the initial BOS this past year. I believe this has been a good change for SUMC and wish the 2025 BOS much success. You will be in my prayers and I am available to help.
