a word from robin

November 2007

Please accept my invitation on behalf of the congregation, which is the governing body of the church, to join us for the 2007 Annual Meeting. We will gather at 6:30 pm, on Wednesday, November 7, and be fed once again by the remarkable 363 Group. Our business meeting will begin promptly at 7 pm.

We have very exciting news to report at this year's Annual Meeting, and this includes a major proposal submitted for the approval of the congregation by the Music Board to expand and renovate our pipe organ. Important information about this self-funded project is included with this letter. Please read it carefully before the Annual Meeting.

The enclosed budget is the work of the Board of Trustees, who are submitting the first balanced budget in Mayflower's history! That is, we project sufficient income to meet our proposed expenses, as the church continues to grow and more people recognize the importance of pledging. The budget represents what we believe will be the needs of the church in the coming year, and includes my recommendation that with the exception of our church secretary, Helen Sullivan, all staff receive a cost-of-living adjustment for 2008.

In Helen's case, I have proposed that she become a salaried employee of the church, and given a very significant increase in pay. This is in response to her capable and conscientious work as she completes five years of holding everything together in a very busy office.

Other increases in the budget, particularly utilities, anticipate added costs related to becoming the home of Autism Partners, where classes have just begun meeting five days a week in this first-ever model program in Oklahoma, sponsored by a grant from the Oklahoma University Health Science Center.

You will hear news of the on-going Columbarium Project, our Medical Mission in Nicaragua, Chris Moore's new church start in Norman, and much, much more. But the evening will be substantially given over the Music Board this year, so that they can fully explain their dream of a new pipe organ and expanded choir loft, and seek the permission of the congregation to move forward.

Annual Meetings are an important moment in the life of a self-governing church. Your attendance and participation is very important, as are your careful, reasoned, and faithful opinions. This is a great church. You have made it so, and you can keep it so.

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