DLCMA
Dahlonega Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2018
St. Luke’s Parish Hall

The Rev Gerhard Michael
The Rev Frank Colladay
Father John Hamilton
The Rev Dr Steven Wright
Frank Colloday led the devotion

Minutes were accepted with corrections. (Moved-Colloday, Seconded-Wright)

Bookkeeper

We noted that the association approved by email vote to engage ASG, Administrative Services Group, to be our bookkeeper. Cathleen Child is owner of the company. The contract was also approved by email vote. Cathleen and Debbie, the receptionist, attended the meeting. The rate is $85/month. Marci is the bookkeeper for us. She is also the bookkeeper for Creekstone Church.

We discussed the following procedures and accepted them by consensus.

• We will receive reports from ASG monthly sent to the treasurer
• Only the treasurer will contact the office. If for any reason he is unable it will roll to the president, then the vice president, then the secretary to contact the office.
• We need to print up purchase orders. These are to be approved by the treasurer and then mailed to the DLMCA Post Office Box.
• Any Grant Applications need to go through the Executive Committee
• We need a form for reporting in kind donations
• We need a monthly report in writing from the Side by Side Chairperson every reporting in detail in-kind donations. He also needs to report those times he gave a receipt for them.
• We have to assign a “Fair Market Value” for such donations to determine IRS reporting figures.
• The threshold for reporting to the IRS is $500,000
• We need to send an annual postcard to the IRS

We also discussed the check to Home Depot Credit Services, the need to investigate the million dollar policy for the day of Side by Side, and noted that the webpage needs to be paid

We determined the Advent Schedule for the Ecumenical Advent Services

• Nov. 27th Schofield
• Dec 4 Michael
• Dec 11 Wright
• Dec 18 either McKay or Hamilton

G Michael spoke concerning the Lumpkin Matters health initiative by the Community Helping Place. They desire a spiritual component for this program. He also presented the poster for Frogtown Event promoting Lumpkin Matters, and gave us the dates that these community informative events, all of which run from 10AM to 1PM were scheduled to take place:

• Nov. 3 at Frogtown Fire Station
• Dec 15 at the Mill Creek Fire Station 
• Feb 9 Tentatively 9 at Long Branch Elementary School
• Mar 23 at Nimblewell station 6
• May 18 at the Recycling Center (Read Oak Flats)

G Michael also encouraged us to use his Bible Study “Helping our Congregation be a Caring Community”. St. Peter’s has used the study and it was well recieved. He is planning a mailing in regard to both Lumpkin Matters and the Study.

We decided at the next meeting to consider using the health care study as a joint program of the association during the Epiphany Season

We received a “Thank You” card from Mountain Charter School for helping their trip to Washington.

We asked members to bear in mind the need for an extra room or basement apartment for a young mother in dire need.

We noted the next Side by Side is April 13th, 2019, the Saturday before Palm Sunday.

The next meeting is Wednesday, November 7th.

We adjourned in prayer for Father Matejek who is experiencing health concerns.

Submitted,
John Hamilton

Minutes Special Meeting September 12, 2018

DLCMA

Dahlonega Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

Special Meeting

September 12, 2018

Dahlonega United Methodist Church Room 305

The Rev Dr. Steven Wright

The Rev Dr. Stephen Schofield

The Rev Robin Parr

The Rev Gerhard Michael

The Rev Frank Colladay

Father John Hamilton

Ms Della Lago

Mr Butch Walker, Side by Side

Ms Sandy Shea, Side by Side

Steve Schofield began the meeting announcing our purpose, namely, to brainstorm and review Side by Side, especially in view of its vision and implementation.

It was felt that this meeting was a good idea and that the loss of the natural connection created by Dr. Hutchingson, former pastor of the Dahlonega Baptist Church, probably threw our communication and coordination off for the last two years or so.

During the meeting many thoughtful impressions and ideas were discussed. The following decisions were adopted.

The Ministerial Association will plan the worship each year to emphasize the cooperative and spiritual nature of the endeavor.

Father John reported that there was no substantiation of suspicious treatment of money in the two cases pointed out to him He did discover that we need a more secure method of counting money. He strongly recommended that any such suspicians need to be raised with the treasurer or the Min. Assoc. As soon as they arise. That the grumbling and sitting on questions is detrimental to the health and reputation of the organization. Be it also noted the DLMCA is pursuing an audit.

It was decided for Frank Colladay to purse the engagement of a treasurer.

The Side by Side board will seek a publicist to help promote the event in the constituent churches and in the larger community.

We need to revise the brochure. We would like to see simple and short language highlighting the spiritual nature of the event.

It was felt the Side by Side board should continue to choose which projects will be adopted as they are doing a good job.

We are aware that the income has increased and Steve Schofield engaged to determine the amount of income we can have before needing to report to the IRS regarding our charitable contributions status.

We felt it would be good to have an annual Side by Side and Min. Assoc. Joint Board meeting in June of each year.

We wanted to reiterate that there should always be one Min. Assoc. Member on the Side by Side Board.

Submitted,
John Hamilton

Minutes September 5, 2018

DLCMA

Dahlonega Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

Meeting Minutes

September 5, 2018

St. Luke’s Parish Hall

The Rev Dr. Steven Wright

The Rev Dr. Stephen Schofield

The Rev Robin Parr

The Rev Gerhard Michael

The Rev Frank Colladay

Father John Matejek

Father John Hamilton

Ms Della Lago

Father John Hamilton led the Devotional.

Welcoming a New Member: We welcomed the Rev. Steven Wright, new pastor at Dahlonega Baptist Church, to the Association.

Bookkeeper and Side by Side  We discussed the situation of Ben Wallace resigning as bookkeeper before even commencing duties, and J Hamilton reported two incidents which Butch Walker raised to him as suspicious regarding money during the time Della Lago was bookkeeper. It was decided unanimously that we would pursue an audit.

We noted the impression of several that the spiritual and ecumenical nature of Side by Side was fading and needed revival.

In view of these matters It was also decided that we would have a special meeting the following week, Wed. Sept. 12th at 10:30 AM At the Methodist Church, and invite Butch Walker and his assistant to the meeting to discuss Side by Side, and its relationship to the Min. Assoc.

It was decided that we should determine procedures of how to handle money arising out of that meeting.

Frank Colladay was authorized to approach Kathy Fuller to do the audit.

Devotional Schedule  We arrived at the following Devotional Schedule

October Pastor Michael

November Dr Schofield

December Advent Services

Contribution to Mountain Charter School We noted in the meeting that we had approved a $600 contribution for the student trip to Washington as we did last year

Pastor Michael Shared his study “Helping our Congregation be a Caring Community” Sadly we had to delay its consideration until the following meeting.

Meeting Adjourned.

Submitted,

John Hamilton

Minutes June 2018

Minutes of the Lumpkin County Ministerial Association
June 6, 2018

Present:
The Rev Gerhard Michael
Father John Matejek
Della Lago
The Rev Robin Parr

The Minutes of the May 2018 meeting were approved.

Della gave the treasure report. Report was approved. Della indicated that Ben Wallace is
reviewing the books for the ministerial association in preparation to change to Quick Books or
Quicken.

It was voted and agreed that we would review the budget for 2019 in October or November of
2018.

July 17 is the Tomato Supper for CHP and the Gold Party is August 24. Once again the
Ministerial Association purchased one table, making a donation of $1000. This was voted and
approved.

Rev. Michael gave a report on the Health Initiative. The title for the Initiative is “Cultivating
Congregations that are Caring Communities.”

Rev. Parr informed the group of the “One-Stop Career Center,” serving the Georgia Mountains
Region. Representatives Marsha and Benjie Hopkins will be the guest speakers for the
September Ministerial Association meeting in which they will give an overview of the
organization and how they will be assessable to Lumpkin County. More information can be
found at onestopworkgamtns.org.

A reminder that the next meeting will be on September 5, 2018, 11:00 AM at St. Luke’s.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rev. Robin Parr
Dahlonega UMC

Past Unposted Minutes

DLCMA

Dahlonega Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

Meeting Minutes

May 2, 2018

St. Luke’s Parish Hall

The Rev Stephen Schofield

The Rev Robin Parr

The Rev Gerhard Michael

Father John Matejek

Father John Hamilton

Treasurer

Ben Wallace can be the treasurer. St. Elizabeth’s is working on a letter of indemnification since it is the intention to use the St. Elizabeth ACS software.  When the letter is obtained it will be sent to Stephen for signature. It was voted that this letter be approved. (Please see Note update)

It was decided there be a separate checking account for the Side by Side project with two signatories, Frank Colloday and a member from the Side by Side board.

Frank Colloday suggests, and it was consensus, that a process of preapproval of the Side by Side expenses be implemented.

Frank was also asked to communicate to the board the importance of worship and the spiritual element of the Side by Side ministry. It was felt the earlier worship meant a great number of people did not come to the worship. This celebratory aspect was missed by several voices who spoke up. Also the churches participating should be recognized to build up the ecumenical aspect of this event.

The Health initiative was discussed. Mike Rogers and Lee Fuller may be possible contacts for working on the Health Bible Study.

The Stone School will make a presentation at the June meeting.

There will be now July or August Meetings.

At the September Meeting Micke Michaels will present more on the Health Initiative.

Submitted,

John Hamilton

Update Note: We have someone working on drafting our Letter of Indemnification. He was on vacation and Ben Wallace is working with him. We are not clear that ACS is the best way to handle oru finances as it is very specialzied and it is felt Quickbooks or even Quicken might be better to use as it will be easier to transfer when there is a new treasurer.

DLCMA

Dahlonega Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

Meeting Minutes

February 7, 2018

St. Luke’s Parish Hall

The Rev Stephen Schofield

The Rev Robin Parr

The Rev Gerhard Michael

Father John Matejek

Father John Hamilton

The Rev Frank Colloda

The Minutes of the January 2017 meeting were approved with corrections.

Stephen is having some medical issues and John M is still adjusting to the death of his mother and his celebrating her funeral mass. Let us keep them in prayer.

For the Lenten Services John H and Frank changed dates on the scheule.

Good Friday Service will be Seven Last Words. John H will send out email and recruit people.  DUMC will do leaflet for Good Friday.

Easter Sunrise bulletin will be done by John H. Stephen will talk to Middle School about use of stadium. John H will recruit musician.

Submitted,

John Hamilton

Minutes for June 6, 2018 Meeting

Minutes of the Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

June 6, 2018

Present:

The Rev Gerhard Michael

Father John Matejek

Della Lago

The Rev Robin Parr

The Minutes of the May 2018 meeting were approved.

Della gave the treasure report. Report was approved. Della indicated that Ben Wallace is reviewing the books for the ministerial association in preparation to change to Quick Books or Quicken.
It was voted and agreed that we would review the budget for 2019 in October or November of 2018.

July 17 is the Tomato Supper for CHP and the Gold Party is August 24. Once again the Ministerial Association purchased one table, making a donation of $1000. This was voted and approved. 

Rev. Michael gave a report on the Health Initiative. The title for the Initiative is “Cultivating Congregations that are Caring Communities.”

Rev. Parr informed the group of the “One-Stop Career Center,” serving the Georgia Mountains Region. Representatives Marsha and Benjie Hopkins will be the guest speakers for the September Ministerial Association meeting in which they will give an overview of the organization and how they will be assessable to Lumpkin County. More information can be found at onestopworkgamtns.org.

A reminder that the next meeting will be on September 5, 2018, 11:00 AM at St. Luke’s.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rev. Robin Parr

Dahlonega UMC

Minutes of the Dec 5, 2017 Meeting

DLCMA

Dahlonega Lumpkin County Ministerial Association

Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2018

St. Luke’s Parish Hall

The Rev Stephen Schofield

The Rev Robin Parr

The Rev Gerhard Michael

Father John Matejek

Father John Hamilton

The Rev McKay Caston

The Minutes of the December 2017 meeting were approved with corrections.

Health Care Initiative Program

We decided to prepare a resource for local churches on health making significant use of Biblical references. Pastor Michael will bring to the next meeting several topics which we can divide among ourselves. For each topic we will devise questions with Biblical references about health and its connection to spirituality.

It was decided to base the Lenten Services on the hymn attributed to Thomas a Kempis: Father John sent out an email with the text of the hymn “O Love, how broad, how strong, how high” and ask people to sign up to do different weeks of the Lenten Service.

We did not plan the Good Friday Service. St. Luke’s will not participate. St. Elizabeth’s may not. We will need to plan the Good Friday Service at the next meeting.

We discussed shelter from the cold for those needing it. It was noted that Dahlonega United Methodist Church is used as a shelter once the Red Cross declares that there is a need for shelter. We wondered why this had not been evoked this cold spell, and some of us were concerned that the process had broken down.

Submitted,
John Hamilton
Addendum: Results of Email Poling and Lenten Service Schedule


Theme of Lenten Services: O Love, how deep, how broad, how high

Background on this hymn can be found at this website: https://hymnary.org/text/o_love_how_deep_how_broad_how_high

Date	Theme	Hymn	Pastor
Feb 20	The Son of God takes mortal form for mortal sake	Verse 1	Fr Matejek
Feb 27	He bore his holy fast and hungered sore	Verse 2	Fr Hamilton
Mar 6	For us temptation short he knew, for us the tempter overthrew	Verse 2	Rev Schofield
Mar 13	For us he prayed, for us he taught, still seeking not himself but us	Verse 3	Ms Lago
Mar 20	For us to evil power betrayed, scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed	Verse 4	Rev Colloday

An image of the hymn in a version of the United Methodist Hymnal is on the next page.