Board of Stewards Minutes
August 12, 2025
Attendees: Les Swick, Erin Brady, Diane Rutledge, Kathy Woods, Celeste Tolbert, Dessa Boyton,
Aaron Byrd, Pastor Joe Tarpley
Not in person: Stephanie Knapp Bill Hansen and Ed Garrison: not present
Pastor Joe opened us with the devotional using the book Reflections on Christian Leadership.
Minutes approved (Les, Mike-all) with book title change.
All Are Welcome – Land Acknowledgment Statement – Claire Kidney and Kari Kopp
New revision on non-approved language from years ago was presented. New language is from
research, education and work. Kari passed out a list of ways they have worked with Native Americans
over the years to get closer with the understanding of their ways. Beth and Kari have a strong
relationship with the Director of the Cherokee Museum. A guided tour is forth coming at the Museum
for our AAW group and anyone else interested.
Matthew Climbing Bear will do a lunch and learn this Sunday after church. He is an actor for “Unto
these hills”. Discussion commenced.
AAW would also like to add to screen at 9am service. Erin said that this could be done in the future by
the worship leadership.
Motion to approve – Mike, Celeste – All approved
Sept Town Hall & Pledge Campaign
Topics for Town Hall:
Mission group is going to present (Jim and Dessa)
Nominations committee will let us know if we have any open needs to ask for. Nominations for
positions have already been requested and extended until the 25th of August.
Show the ministry card and discuss it.
Will roll out the budget at that time or at least the parts that are available.
Ask Joy to come to town hall to be a part of it.
Celeste might have some requests for volunteers for the Town Hall.
MAPs (Ministry Action Plans) – Celeste
Celeste sent out approximately 80 of them and have received ½ back approximately. Good responses
so far. Joe will send a draft for the church MAP. The BOS will be writing BOS MAP. The Church and
BOS maps should be done before end of year.
What will we do with this information? Each Task Group could review some and bring summary back
to Board to see what we could do for them or get them. Celeste will decide what to do and how we can
help.
Mulch will be there Saturday – cost has been taken care of. Will there be a budget line in the future.
If so, how much? Ed Garrison is mulch king. It will be put out this Sat at 10am. (if anyone is available
please come help).
Action Item – They might have been a past policy for facility use for outside organization. Currently
trying to set some rules for profit businesses using our facilities. Board has decided to no longer
support ‘for profit’ business facilities use. At this moment this would effect Kindermusic. Mike will
notify and get keys back by Jan. 1, 2026. All in agreement.
Fellowship Hall space renovations. Current church member is an interior designer and would like to
help remodel. Elizabeth Rogers will form a committee and look into this. She will need a budget.
Shane is also looking at technology updates. More information will follow.
Dessas report
Possibly 4 or 5 posts on playground equipment which need to be repaired. Frank will complete it with
the intent to finish before school begins. Les will follow up with Frank.
Bus stop idea has fizzled and we are not proceeding further at this time.
Les' Report -McClung has provided quote for roof repair at 13K (not include painting and truss repair).
Les emailed a multi page report with his current repair/issue findings prior to meeting. First 9 items
approved at around 16K. #10 and #11 are still being reviewed. Joe suggested we use the 43K line item
for (9 and 10). Aaron suggests cleaning wall on Hendersonville Rd before repairs are complete.
Les has updated figures.
Does facilities management know where they are in the budget? Les has some ideas on how to handle
that teams finances next year. Preschool should not use the facilities/maintenance budget line unless
approved in advance. Also the endowment fund.
Transformation Journey and church goals
Did everyone read them? Please review if not.
Get with Task groups to review and see what is achievable in the next year versus next 2 years or even
5 years. A dedicated meeting would be great. Possible further help from the district could be received.
We will review at October meeting.
Joe – Pastors report – Our Church's Charge conference annual meeting will be November 11 with
regular BOS mtg. We will approve salaries, Board of Stewards members for next year, etc. Possibly a
candidate for ordination.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm
Town Hall on Sept, 10th, 2025
Next meeting on Sept. 16th, 2025
