Stewards Commission

Congregational Report – 2005

October 21, 2005

The commission members are: Craig Bush, Norm Cory, Tim Swisher, Colleen Clark, Sandy Sarber, Darrin Martin, Roy Martin, & Dick Fife Treasurer.  Richard Hooker, our custodian, has continued to assist the commission throughout the year (with help from his wife, Robin and daughter, Sabrina).

The year was filled with several activities.  The commission was kept busy just maintaining the facility. With the building being 40+ years of age, many items need attention.

Activities & projects throughout the year included the following:

• Joe Good’s resignation was received in February.  Joe’s job and class schedule has forced him to step down from this position.  He stated that he would be back on the board once his schedule is more stable.  Darrin & Bud Martin agreed to fill Joe’s vacancy.

• The “Handyman Program” has been a somewhat a success for its first year.  We have performed approx. 10 projects from furniture hauling, yard work, to home repair.  We will continue this project through 2006 and evaluate if there still is a need for this service.
• A large number of tree limbs and debris was cleaned up from the church grounds and hauled away after the February ice storm.
• The church website has been maintained by commission member, Colleen Clark.  She continues to do an outstanding job.

• New S.S. grab bars have been installed in the stairwells of the baptistery.
• Wood hand railing has been installed at the steps in the 2^nd floor corridor.
• Snow & ice melt cables have been installed and maintained on the roof over the main south entry doors near the kitchen.
• The Tech Team has continued to provide sound, video and lighting for worship services and other programs in the sanctuary.  The team consists of Carroll and Barb Corwin, Craig and Evan Bush, Ed Stutzman, Joe Good, Norm Cory, and Dick Fife.
• The storage area behind the baptistery was cleared and cleaned and storage items returned.
• The commission has received price quotes on purchasing a new ground sign in front of the church.  The cost of this sign project including purchasing the sign, installation, electrical work and landscaping is budgeted at $10,000. The commission is in the process of raising the necessary funds to break ground on this project in the spring 2006.
• The church lawn and landscaping was maintained by several persons/families again this year.  The time and effort these people commit to this job year in and year out goes somewhat unnoticed by the general public, but is greatly appreciated by our church family.

Budget concerns are again a top priority for this commission’s work.  Cost cutting measures have been discussed and have been implemented in the proposed budget.  Inflation and a spike in fuel cost will be some of the major contributing factors to budget strain in the coming year.  We need to prayerfully consider our fiscal commitment and support for the coming year.

 
Respectfully submitted, Craig Bush, Chairman