Dear Friends and Foundry Community,
We have launched into a busy new Board year as of July, carrying through work that has been in progress from the last year while looking forward to new issues and initiatives. It is an ongoing season of transition as we navigate how Foundry can be a hybrid community that worships and spends time together both in person and online.
After more than two and half years of living through the Covid-19 pandemic, we celebrate that vaccines are available for our youngest members, which may help some families return to in-person worship, and we know that others have moved and remained connected to Foundry through virtual church or shifted their habits to best connect with Foundry online.
Simply put, it’s complicated right now, and we know it won’t always be a smooth transition. We hope you know the Board is here keeping an eye on these issues as we all keep moving forward together. Here’s an overview of work the Board has completed, is working on, and will be looking toward in the fall:
What We Have Done
- We welcomed new Board members at the July Board meeting — Mark Abe, Guy Cecil, and Cathy O’Sullivan — after the Church Conference voted in June to approve the slate of new Board members. We gave thanks to departing Board members Paula Blair, Bill Ellett, and Todd Mullins for their service on the Board.
- We confirmed new Board officers and committee chairs for the 2022-2023 Board year.
- Executive Committee: Amanda Peterson Beadle, Board President; Allison Kramer, Board Vice President; Guy Cecil, Treasurer; Nick Jessee, Secretary
- Facilities Committee Chair: Brian Walker
- Personnel Committee Chair: Allison Kramer
- Board Liaison to Nominations Committee: Ann Brown Birkel
- Finance Committee Chair: Guy Cecil
- Audit Committee Chair: Karin Berry
- Governance Committee Chair: Cathy O’Sullivan
- Board Liaison to Religion and Racial Justice Committee: Mark Abe
- And we confirmed new members of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC): Amanda Peterson Beadle, Guy Cecil, Allison Kramer, and Nick Jessee.
- In June, the Church Conference also voted to approve Kerry Kidwell-Slak and Cheryl Gibbs for three-year terms on the Foundry Nominating Committee. And at the Church Conference, the Foundry congregation voted to approve two amendments to the Foundry bylaws, which changed portions of Article V and Section 3.
- Thanks to work by the Nominating Committee and Foundry staff, Foundry launched an engagement survey in early August. If you have not already, please click here to take the survey.
- Foundry received a clean audit from our auditors.
- The Board approved the distribution of scholarships for the 2022 year. We give thanks for the work of the Scholarship Ministry Team who reviewed the applications and recommended the awardees.
- On July 1, we welcomed Pastor Jonathan Brown as associate pastor and Foundry’s director of discipleship ministries.
- In June, the Staff Parish Relations Committee met with clergy candidates who are Foundry members and affirmed their continued candidacy.
- At the recommendation of the Governance Committee, the Board worked with Foundry staff to add language to the Sunday worship guide about Foundry’s safety policies, including the Safe Sanctuary policy, nut and allergy safety policy, and Covid-19 procedures.
What We Are Working On
- The Board continues to monitor Foundry’s finances. Like many churches and organizations, we have seen a decrease in donations so far based on what was pledged, and after a review of Foundry’s finances, we are currently projecting a deficit for the year. We are working with Foundry staff to take any necessary actions.
- Thanks to a generous bequest, Foundry has reached its target minimum for capital reserves. Along with monitoring Foundry’s current giving and expenses, the Board is monitoring Foundry’s investments and reserve accounts.
- The Personnel Committee is working on a review of the Foundry personnel handbook.
- The Facilities Committee continues to carry through work from the Green Gen project, which will bring Foundry into compliance with local regulations on energy efficiency.
- The Facilities Committee is also brainstorming options of the best ways to note the three areas of Foundry that have been dedicated to Foundry members. Those spaces are the Welcome Center (honoring William and Vivian Kirk), Community Commons (Arthur and Bernice Flemming) and the Fellowship Hall (Frances and Norman Prince).
What We Will Be Doing
- We look forward to the start of the new program year in September and welcoming kids and youth back to Sunday school as those classes resume on Sunday, September 11.
- As Foundry starts up fall programming, the Board will also work with Foundry staff to communicate Foundry’s change in mask policy. Starting on September 4, masks will be optional during Foundry’s in-person services.
- At our August meeting, the Board will finalize a target goal for the 2023 stewardship campaign. We look forward to working with Stewardship Committee Co-chairs Dan Vock and Gwen Williamson as the campaign launches in the fall.
- The Board will review Foundry’s strategic priorities in September.
Please know this list does not describe all of the Board’s and its committees’ work. You can get information on Board activities by reviewing Board meeting minutes, which are available on request. Board meetings are open, and anyone who wishes to attend is welcome to join us in person or virtually. The August meeting will take place on August 23 at 7 p.m., and those who wish to join by Zoom can use this link.
If you have questions about any of these items, please contact the Board at board@foundryumc.org. Thank you for your engagement in our Foundry community.
Mark Abe
Amanda Peterson Beadle
Karin Berry
Ann Brown Birkel
Guy Cecil
Nick Jessee
Allison Kramer
Cathy O’Sullivan
Brian Walker
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