Board of Stewards May 12th, 2026 Meeting Minutes
In-person attendees: Erin Brady, Joe Tarpley, Les Swick, Ed Garrison, Aaron Byrd, Dessa Boynton, Aaron Davis, Donna Galloway, Celeste Tolbert, Patty Olbrantz. Zoom attendees: Stephanie Knapp, Sharon Blythe. Missing: Bill Hansen.
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm. Quorum present.
April Minutes review and approval
Motion to approve by Les, seconded by Celeste to approve April 14 minutes; motion carried.
Review of Last Month’s Action Items
* Master calendar is up and usable.
* Direct deposit is in the works. It has to be utilized by every employee; we can’t have some opt in and others opt out.
* Financial safeguards are still being ironed out by Finance Team.
* Org chart still in progress.
* Guiding principles & nominations are progressing. Joe has an upcoming breakfast meeting that will shed some light on how to finalize.
Children’s Worship Space
Anna recommends that we put a “prayground” area in the sanctuary. If we take out the last 3 rows of chairs, we could put in something that creates a space that allows small children to feel comfortable, have the room to wiggle while still being present in worship.
The area would need a rug, some kid-sized chairs, perhaps some rocking chairs for the parents, and various supplies for the kids to play with. Anna thinks a rough budget for these purchases would be $500.
The Board discussed the issue and its funding and were all in agreement that Anna moves forward. Board suggested removing the chairs sooner rather than later and putting up a sign advising people that the “prayground” is officially “under construction.”
Summer Worship Schedule
Discussion about the possibility to have just one worship service on Sunday mornings during the summer.
We decided to leave both services for this summer. The 9am service might be in the fellowship hall (with VBS decorations not to be fully installed until closer to VBS week), or it might sometimes be in the sanctuary (pending work on the rooftop HVAC units).
In the spring of 2027, we plan to survey the congregation about this issue and then discuss it in a town hall specifically dedicated to this issue, so that everyone would have a chance to voice their opinion.
Schedule Updates for Board of Stewards Meetings and Town Halls in 2026
Board will not have a monthly meeting in July. Board agreed to move the October meeting to the first Tuesday of the month, which is October 6.
Next Town Hall will be on Wednesday evening September 16 coincident with the CHOW dinner.
Capital Campaign
Amount: After reviewing the upcoming replacement of the rooftop HVAC units and other needed capital improvements to the campus, the Board set the goal at $250,000.
Timeline: The goal would be to start on June 1 and wrap up in mid to late August.
Advertising: Joe suggested that it should begin with a letter sent to every congregant, soon followed by an announcement during Sunday services and some visuals in the colonnade.
Working Team Updates and Votes
More detailed reports available on request.
Items voted on by board:
- Finance Team recommended to allow $5,000 from the Endowment Fund in order for Missions team to buy fresh produce for the Manna food market, approved unanimously.
- Bridges director should use her Bridges email address for Bridges business.
Next meeting June 9th 6pm
Meeting adjourned at 8:24pm.
