WESLEY UNITED CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 20/23
PRESENT:
Carol Sernasie (Chair), Wendy Reed (WOW), David Reed (Men’s Group,Search Team,
Treasurer, Finance), Del Fraipont (Property), Tom Wilkinson, (W&M), Heather Denoncourt(M&P),
Rev. Gordon Crossfield (Minister and Search Team), Shelley Gault (M&O), Leanne Trewartha
(Recording Secretary), Hugh Graham (Past Chair), Kathy Young (Memorial), Shawn McCart
(Fundraising).
REGRETS:
Bev Cutler (C.D.), Doug Willford (Regional Council Rep., Library)
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. Heather read the land acknowledgement.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by: Kathy Young
Seconded by: Hugh Graham
Carried
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 28,2023
Moved by: Del Fraipont
Seconded by: Tom Wilkinson
Carried
CORRESPONDENCE
Sharon Olesevich submitted her letter of resignation from all activities and committees that she
is involved in here at Wesley. This will be effective June 30, 2023.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES:
– Ad hoc committee to be struck for Poverty Letter ( we need to inform the congregation of
this decision and see if there is any interest to get involved ) Read the letter that was
presented to City of Welland to the Congregation in August so that we understand the
purpose of this initiative. Our hope is to set up an Ad hoc committee in September. Hugh
will write a preface to the letter to explain how this Poverty Letter came to be – this will go in
What’s Up at Wesley on August 11, 2023
—
WUC Website for Minutes and other congregant information – Shawn directed us on how to
access this.
—
We also need to strike an ad hoc committee for the Community Garden – we need to get
information out to the congregation regarding this as well.
NEW BUSINESS
Moved by: Dave Reed
Seconded by: Del Fraipont
That we return to monthly meetings with the exception of July, August and December.
Carried
SEARCH TEAM REPORT
The search team in their final duty will be to welcome our new minister.
APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS:
This will not be resolved at this time.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Board of Trustee – no report necessary since the Trustees are no longer part of the Church
Council
Christian Development- no report
Membership and Outreach-
Shelley Gault has submitted her resignation as Chair of this Committee as of June 30, 2023.
Moved by: Wendy Reed
Seconded by: Shawn McCart
That we accept with regret and much appreciation the resignation of Shelley from M&O.
Carried
Memorial – this committee would like to put a sign up in the memorial garden. Council agreed
and suggested that it say: “Welcome to Our memorial garden. Please enjoy our smoke free
zone”.
Men’s Group – BBQ June 21/2023 at Dave Reeds home
Ministry and Personnel – no report
Nomination Committee Report:
Moved by: Hugh Graham
Seconded by: Wendy Reed
That Dan Barrett be moved from the membership and outreach committee to the christian
development committee.
Carried
Hugh asked that all of the Committees send him information regarding the make up of their
committees…..”What does your Committee look like?”. He needs to find out where the
vacancies are so that his committee can work on finding replacements.
Also, Hugh would like us, on an ongoing basis, put short reports in ‘What’s up at Wesley’ about
our committees regarding what we do to help promote an interest in joining.
Property Report:
We need to get our things out of the two garages next door. Property would like to purchase a
shed and put it on the west side of the property (which we own) to put our garbage/recycling
bins, hoses etc. in. The cost would be approximately $2500.00. A cement pad or patio blocks
to set it on and access the shed could cost an extra $500.00. The approximate cost for
everything would be $4000.00. The hope is to have it in place by the end of August.
Moved by: Hugh Graham
Seconded by: Dave Reed
That the financial requirements to purchase and install the shed be given from the Horizon
Fund.
Carried
Parking Lot – 2 pot holes. WRRV would like to see them filled. Because it is a common
roadway we would like to split the costs for these repairs. Del has approached them about this.
Also there are three catch basins that keep sinking. (Property would like to get a quote to
repair these as well when we hire someone to repair the pot holes)
Property will get estimates to have these projects done and approach WRRV regarding
expenses.
Annual payment for solar panels – $1800.00 to be deposited in our account.
Regional Council – Rev. Crossfield indicated that we will be responsible for responding to a
Remit that we will be receiving soon.
Technology
Finance:
Moved by: Hugh Graham
Seconded by: Shawn McCart
That council approve the recommendation of the finance committee regarding the distribution
of funds from Kay Jones estate.
-The $240,000 – leave $20,000 in the bank to help pay bills, pay of the $20,000 CIBA loan and
transfer the remaining $200,000 to our Tangerine account.
– $25,000 will be paid to M&S at the end of the month
Carried
Fundraising:
Still adding new members. Looking at other ways to do fundraising. We will hold a Treasures in
the Trunk event in the Spring (to replace our garage sale in a different capacity).
Worship and Music:
Moved by: Tom Wilkinson
Seconded by: Dave Reed
That Shawn will approach the Heads of the Niagara College Broadcasting Department to see if
they can help us find suitable students to help with our Multi media system. We will offer a
small stipend for a semester.
Carried
WOW
We had a great luncheon on June 19th. 17 people attended.
MOTION
Moved: Dave Reed
Seconded by: Tom Wilkinson
That we accept the minutes as a docket.
Carried
Miscellaneous Discussions:
Celebration of Life Events:
Could we have greeters (with name tags) to direct family/friends during these events? They
would welcome guests and we should also have someone operate the elevators. Shawn will
make the calls for volunteers from out Greeters and Readers list.
Minister’s Report – This is the last meeting for Rev. Crossfield.
Around the Table:
We have been contacted by a photography group regarding a new church directory. We
decided that we didn’t want to do this right now because of the amount of work it would
involve.
Dave Reed – we were blessed again.! We now have some money to build on thanks to the
estate of Kay Jones.
Tom – Thanked Gordon for coming to Wesley and bringing our church back to life with honesty,
humour and wonderful sermons.
Chairs remarks: Carol feels that she is finally starting to feel like she is fitting into this role as
Chair of Council.
Next meeting: September 19th, 2023.
Closing prayer: Rev. Crossfield led us in prayer.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 09:45