The "Admin" Council is charged with providing the infrastructure and funds to support the ministries of MVPC.
Much of the effort is in encouraging financial giving and managing the funds. However, another important aspect of the Council responsibilities is to encourage the voluntary giving of time and talents of the congregation members. Much of the success of MVPC's programs is attributable to the dedicated efforts of the church members in worship services (choir, liturgists, ushers, communion servers, greeters, and decorators for special services), Christian Education, Agape Reservoir, Families-in-Transition, Meals on Wheels, Preschool, mission work trips, landscaping, property maintenance, and much more.
The Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church requires individual churches to incorporate for purposes of
holding the church physical property. Until recently this was not permitted in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A change in the state constitution now allows incorporation of churches. So one of the tasks of the Admin Council in 2006 with the help of the Clerk of Session was to secure a corporate charter for "Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church,Inc." The various approvals by the Session, the Congregation, the Presbytery and the Commonwealth have been completed and the only remaining task is retitling of the property and the transfer of some reserve funds to the new corporation.
Another administrative action that has been ongoing for about two years and also is nearly complete is a utility tax exemption for the church. Fairfax County is approving exemptions for churches from the county utility tax on electricity, natural gas, and telephone. All of the utility companies supplying MVPC are no longer including this tax in their bills, and an additional bonus for the church is that Fairfax County has refunded up to three years in back taxes. While individual monthly tax assessments are small, the total is a significant sum.
The preschool is operating well financially and is now able to reimburse the church general fund for its share of
the utility and insurance costs. We thank its treasurer, Jack Smith, for his diligence in making these payments.
At the urging of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC), a professional web designer was hired to develop a
new website for MVPC. This work was funded by contributions from several of the councils and SOAR. The site is now
functioning at mvpconline.org, although much more content will be added.
The church finances have been marginal for most of 2006. In May, Session approved a revision of the budget to
stop funding the Capital Maintenance Reserve, Equipment Purchase Reserve, and MVPC Mortgage Reserve accounts and
to reduce the PNC budget by $3,000 for a total reduction of $16,445. The PNC would not need the funds until 2007, but the elimination of the reserve fund contributions was decided reluctantly due to possible future impacts. Monthly budget status reports to the congregation have been a regular feature in the Stable-izer.
The fall stewardship campaign was begun with each council submitting a statement of their goals and funding
need changes. The Admin Council prepared a draft budget for Session approval. Publicity was provided by a series of
Stable-izer articles and a Wednesday Night “Live” dinner presentation by several of the Councils--Outreach, Property, Christian Education, Admin, and also the PNC. Prior to mailing the Stewardship packages, the Session members were requested to show their support by making their pledges. Then we were able to report one hundred percent participation by the Session.
Paid staff members who contribute to the smooth running of the church far beyond the value of their salaries are
Melinda Mason, office manager, and Cathy Dickstein, treasurer. These individuals also provide the institutional memory that keeps the rest of the Admin Council on track with obligations and timing.
Admin Council has three standing committees: Stewardship of Accumulated Resources (SOAR), Personnel
Committee, and Stewardship Committee. Personnel has a sub-committee, the Congregation and Child Protection
Response Team. A dedicated group of counters tally and deposit the Sunday offerings. These volunteers work largely
behind the scenes, but their contributions to the smooth running of the church are immeasurable.
SOAR: Libby Morrison, chair, Jug Harbottle, vice chair, Jack Smith, treasurer, Chuck Norville, recording
secretary, Eleanor Fina, corresponding secretary, and Neil Miller, scholarship and council liaison.
Personnel Committee: Miles Wiley, III, chair, Brent Barrow, Sue Hansen, Libby Morrison, Ned Neidlinger, and
Jean Smith. Congregation and Child Protection Response Team: Sue Hansen, Libby Morrison, and Neil Meurlin.
Stewardship Committee: Orron Kee, chair, Ken Hansen, Ken Fox, chairs of all of the councils, Herb Lea, pledge
statistician, and Betty Vosbeck, time and talent compiler.
Counters: Donald Dickstein, Frank Doe, Mike Dougherty, Carolyn Frady, Mike Frady, Jug Harbottle, Margaret
Howard, Herb Lea, Melinda Mason, and Neil Meurlin.
Thank you to all of the members of the Admin Council for their expertise, ideas, and hard work accomplished during
2006.
Orron Kee, '06 chair, Ken Hansen '07, Ken Fox '08, Cathy Dickstein, Jug Harbottle, Melinda Mason, Neil Meurlin, Betty Vosbeck, and Mary Wilde.
|
