ELDER COMMUNICATIONS
February 2008
Financial Update
We would like to thank everyone who has graciously given to the financial support of CEC. Often times the month of January and February are difficult financially. We appreciate those who financially give above and beyond to help during these lean months.
Easter at the PAC
This event is quickly approaching. You will be seeing billboards going up around town. These billboards will provide opportunity to promote and encourage attendance of this historic event. Please begin inviting your friends, family and coworkers to this event.
We will again have a breakfast at the church at 8:00 am on Easter Sunday. This is a great time to fellowship around breakfast as we celebrate Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
Kitchen Renovation
Over the next several weeks we will begin the kitchen renovation. These funds were designated above our tithes and offerings for this specific project.
Community Project
As part of our mission of serving the world, our church will be partnering with the Van Wert Medical Professionals in developing a hospice center. Our church has committed $8,000.00 dollars over the next 4 years. If you would like to contribute please see one of the elders.
Serve The World
Mark April 12th on your calendar. From 12:00-3:00 pm we as a church will focus on ministering to single mothers in the community. We are looking for 80 – 100 volunteers (men, women, children, families, small groups, Sunday school classes) who will help us fulfill our vision statement of serving in the world.
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ELDER COMMUNICATIONS
January 2008
Financial Update
Gerald Thatcher, Elder of Finance updated us on the current finances.
General Fund Income 9/1/07–12/31/07 199,418.19
General Fund Expenses 9/1/07–12/31/07 190,621.82
Missions Income 9/1/07–12/31/07 75,856.25
Missions Expense 9/1/07–12/31/07 71,873.58
Thank you for your generous giving. We are thankful for each person who invests to further God’s kingdom work.
Easter at the PAC
We as elders are excited about Easter at the PAC. It is our desire that this will draw individuals who will hear the gospel who may not otherwise come on a normal Sunday. We will need your help as we present this service. If you are willing to help, please drop the church office an email or note.
New Office Hours
Please make a note that the church office hours in which the phone will be answered will be changing. As of February 1, the new office hours will be 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Goals for 2008
The elders were taken through an outline of proposed goals and objectives for 2008. We discussed the rational for these goals and were guided by our mission’s statement, “Loving God, Loving Others, Serving the World.” (Some of the highlights from that discussion follow)
In order to continue to provide a Worship Center that is inviting to visitors and helps us connect with one another, we will be concentrating on renovating the entry way. This will help us by providing space for small groups to meet, and providing an inviting area to connect on Sundays as well as a place for visitors to get direction and information on the church. This will include a resource center which will help individuals gain books and resources that will help them grow in their relationship with Christ.
It is our desire for our church to provide an environment for the youth that is engaging and youth friendly. The youth pastor and leaders provided a proposal to renovate the youth center to provide an environment that will enable them to invite and invest in the lives of youth.
Our children’s ministry will be one of the continued areas of focus for improvement over the next year. Our desire is to provide a safe and secure environment in order to teach children to Love God, Love Others and Serve the World. The first step in this process is to provide a Kid’s Church program during the 11:00 am service. Beginning February 3, we will be offering a full Kid’s Church program. You may drop your children off in their Sunday School class and then pick them up in the choir room just north of the worship center following the worship service.
We look forward to sharing with you in greater detail in the next few weeks of ways that we seek to continue to reach Van Wert with the gospel and train individuals for life.
Thank You
The elders would like to thank you for your prayers and encouragement during this transition process. If there is any way that we can assist you, feel free to contact us at any time.
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ELDER COMMUNICATIONS
November 2007
Thank You
Thank you for all of your prayers on behalf of the elders and the biblical eldership process. As we continue forward it is our desire to make you aware of what is going on in the life of CEC. Elder Communications is one tool we will use to communicate with you.
Transitions
It has been exciting to watch how God has brought the elders together with unique gifts and abilities in order to oversee the ministry of CEC. The following is a list of the elders and their areas of oversight:
John Cook –Elder of Worship
Dick Potter- Elder of Facilities
Ken Pond – Elder of Youth and Children
Gerald Thatcher – Elder of Finance
Dave Myers – Elder of Local Missions
Richard Fegley – Elder of Global Missions
Gary Foster – Elder of Personnel and Care
Chris Henkaline - Elder of Youth and Visual Media
Clark Williman – Elder of Administration and Adult Ministries
Chad Chute – Elder of Corporate Teaching, Vision and Leadership Development
As we continue through the transition, we are looking forward to working with those who are currently serving in ministry areas. Elders will be contacting committee chairpersons soon to continue the planning and delivery of ministry services.
Elder Officers
Officers are: Chad Chute, Chairman; Dave Myers, Vice-Chairman; John Cook, Secretary; and Gerald Thatcher, Treasurer.
Elder Reading
The elders will be reading and studying the book, “The Church of Irresistible Influence,” written by Robert Lewis over the next several weeks. This is a great book challenging us to evaluate the effectiveness of CEC in bridging the gap between the church and community in order to connect individuals to Christ. If you would like to read this book along with us, you can order it from The Bridge. Let us know your thoughts as you study the book with us.
Upcoming Dates
The proposed budget will be out December 10th. Take an opportunity to look it over. If you have any questions contact Gerald Thatcher, Elder of Finance, or a Stewardship and Finance Committee Member.
We pray that God will continue to bless the ministry of CEC as we seek to function and live in a way that brings Honor and Glory to Christ.
CEC Elder Team