Skyland United Methodist Church
Board of Stewards
Meeting Minutes Summary 10/14/2025
In attendance: Adam Byrd, Mike Smith, Aaron Davis, Erin Brady, Dessa Boynton, Diane Rutledge, Kathy
Woods, Les Swick, Stephanie Knapp, Bill Hansen, Celeste Tolbert
On Zoom: Pastor Joy Tarpley
Not present: Ed Garrison; Dessa opened us with a prayer at 6:02 pm
September Minutes approved: Motion by Les and Diane. Minutes approved
Staff transition update – Erin
- Children’s council meeting – Council will primarily stay with calendar set.
- Joe and Erin have put in new job description role with lots of feed back from committee.
- Position description shared to all board members for input. All questions were addressed, including an inquiry about whether the board could immediately vote to move forward.
- The description has been reviewed also by Jennifer and Anna.
- Plan for moving forward with advertising and hiring a children’s ministry director, at 20 hours per week, was approved by the board, unanimously
Pastor updates –
- Joy’s last day will be November 9th. Joy will preach at both services
- Women at the Well will handle a celebration to be held at 10 a.m. between services in the colonnade.
- A Love Offering will be held for Joy.
- Feedback about Joy’s exit was discussed and it was noted that Erin and Joe have responded to all inquires.
- Discussion was held about Joe carrying the workload, as there is no current plan to hire a new associate.
- There is a budgeted line item for fill in pastors.
- Joe will notify the board if there are concerns in this arena.
Ministry Action Plans – Celeste (reports submitted)
- 70% percent of plans have been received.
- Some may need a rewrite.
- Celeste is continuing to work on these with finals due in December.
- Working Teams goals for next year. One year versus five years. Due in November.
Working team updates:
Finance – Stephanie (financial reports submitted)
- Reviewed numbers sent via email.
- As the Trustee Working Group continues campus improvement, there will be additional expenditures.
- Stephanie has had continued credit card signatures & change issues. She continues to work on it.
- Pastor’s salary must be updated/done by charge conference (Nov. 11th 2025).
- YTD and projected figures look good.
Trustees – Les (reports attached)
- Fire alarm panel needs to be upgraded.
- Beautification team sent out proposed budget approximately $27K (Kari Byrd) If you have comments and questions to email please reply all for responses.
- Painting could take place Dec 27 – Jan 4th
- Les issued a reminder that Skyland has numerous maintenance items to be addressed.
- Board feedback to make sure the congregation is aware of renovation changes before beginning projects.
COM – Celeste
- Great blood drive was completed by Debra Thornberry and helpers. We should receive a $500 grant to be used for ministry purposes.
COM – Dessa (see reports attached)
- Ministry entries on website have been completed
- Due to rising cost of food as well as the requirement to prepare more than normal, the VRQ/TRV
(Veterans Restoration & Transformational Village) budget is 96% spent to date. The Missions budget is being reviewed for available discretionary monies that could be used to supplement.
Pastor Report – none
Motion to go into Executive Session at 7:23 Motioned by Mike Smith – Aaron Davis
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
Respectfully submitted, Kathy Woods, Secretary
Important Dates:
- Board of Stewards meeting and Church’s Charge Conference on November 11th at 6:00 pm
- Next Town Hall – November 23rd between services around 10:05 am (Sunday)
- Board of Stewards Meeting – December 9th at 6:00 pm
