Mission Team Minutes – Feb. 23, 2010
Mission Team Minutes 2-23-10 (25.0 KiB, 58 hits)
Led by the power of the Holy Spirit, embraced by the love of God through Jesus Christ, Missouri Union Presbytery joyfully responds to and calls forth each member congregation’s unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
Missouri Union Presbytery (MUP)
Mission Teams Committee (MTC) Meeting
February 23, 2010
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Committee Members Present: Pastors John Becker and Ron Roberts, Ann Bouchard, Steve Matthews, Rebecca McElroy, Bruce Oliver, and Georgia Reid
Also Present: Bess Gamm, Criminal Justice; Ruth Thompson, Church & Society; Preston Turley, Columbia Campus Ministries; Pastor Pat Roller, Christian Education; Julie Leverenz, MUP Moderator; and David Meerse, MUP Interim GP
Bruce Oliver welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with prayer at 8:35 am. The MTC Minutes from September 29, 2009 were approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
Bruce reported 2010 Mission Team budget requests have been submitted to the Finance Committee which includes $4,000 in support of the Triennium for Senior/Mid High Youth this year. The final reading of a change to the MUP Standing Rules regarding Council-At-Large Members’ (who are MTC members) terms of service will be presented at the March MUP meeting.
TEAM REPORTS
Christian Education: Pat reported a ‘Children’s Road Show’ is being planned by the Team.
Church and Society: Ruth reported the Team will be requesting an ‘endorsement’ from MUP for the Missouri Health Care for ALL coalition. The coalition has not endorsed any particular policy or legislation. Their stated purpose is to “build a movement that will have enough power to demand that our leaders create a plan to bring high-quality, affordable health care to all Missourians”. Stacey Stickler, Health Policy Organizer, will report on the group’s efforts at the March MUP meeting.
Columbia Campus Ministries: Preston reported ‘The Vine’ activity continues at a brisk pace. Preston will report on the Ministries activities at the March MUP meeting.
Criminal Justice: Bess reported that Barb Burton with the PATCH program will thank the Presbytery at the March MUP meeting for our $2,000+ contribution in support of the program’s travel expenses to Chillicothe for visiting family members.
Disaster Assistance: Bruce reported the DAT will report on the very successful January mission trip to Texas at the March MUP meeting.
Family Enrichment Ministries: Rebecca reported Pam Adkison has resigned as Director of the mentoring program. The Team is excited about meeting the new Director who has been hired and will present a report at the March MUP meeting.
Hungarian Reformed Church (HRC): Bruce reported the Team is planning a Mission Tour trip to Hungary and the Ukraine May 25 – June 4, 2010.
Senior/Mid High Youth: Ann reported a retreat is planned for March and a report on future plans will be presented at the March MUP meeting. While not confirmed, Bruce has heard 40+ youth are making arrangements to attend Triennium.
PRESBYTERY MEETING ‘TIME REQUESTS’
The following mission teams requested time for the March 20th MUP meeting at Marshall: Church and Society; Columbia Campus Ministries; Criminal Justice; Disaster Assistance; Family Enrichment Ministries; and Senior/Mid High Youth. Combined allocated time requested will be 35 minutes. Table space is being requested for Christian Education (1); Church and Society (1/2); and Criminal Justice (1/2).
NEW BUSINESS
Bruce presented an application for a new ‘Agape Fellowship’ mission team supporting immigrant groups affiliated with PC (USA) in Columbia. The immigrants are primarily from the Congo, Rwanda, Ghana, and Burundi and are technically organized at this time as a Bible Study Fellowship with the hope of establishing a new congregation in the future. A motion was made by Ann to approve the Agape Fellowship as a new MUP Mission Team. Motion passed. Bruce will take this motion to Council for discussion and approval.
Bruce presented an addendum to the MUP Financial Policies and Procedures addressing procedures meeting State of Missouri and IRS rules for the use of credit cards and cash advances. This addendum requires the timely submission of receipts for all reimbursements along with the purpose of the expenditures and prior approval by the General Presbyter for cash advances. The DAT is the primary user of credit cards and cash advances due to the unique nature of their mission work within and outside of Missouri. Bruce reported the DAT has reviewed the addendum and while some adjustments to past procedures for the Team regarding credit card and cash advances will be required there are no objections to the new procedures. A motion was made by Ron to approve the addendum for credit card and cash advance procedures. Motion passed. Bruce will report the MTC action to the Council.
There being no further business Preston closed the meeting with prayer at 9:20 am.
Bruce Oliver