UCC Norwell Church Council Meeting | October 28, 2025
Finance update:
UCC Norwell:
Anticipating a final deficit of $25-35k. We anticipated this based on our strategic plan.
Pledges are at 73% and we are at 83% of the year. Slightly behind schedule.
The New Nursery School (NNS):
New Nursery School is currently running at a surplus .
Linden Ponds:
Linden Ponds is projecting a deficit (offset by their Opportunity Fund) as a result of Rev. Barbara Therese leaving.
Other financial notes:
Steve Burke has identified anyone who was still giving through the old software. He has reached out and offered to help transition over to Church Center.
Sprinkler valve is perilous and that will need to be replaced. This will come out of the maintenance reserve fund and the replacement will happen over Veteran’s Day Weekend when NNS is out of session.
Building and grounds are working diligently on a solution for the HVAC issue.
Church Center update:
Please continue to encourage friends and church members to sign up for it. Emily Mathews and her task force are trying to get as many people as possible signed up. Church center will be the only source for the Church Directory.
Linden Ponds update:
Currently filling in with interim ministers on Sundays until a replacement is selected.
Pumpkin fundraiser update:
Sales are on par with what we did previously.
We had a delay in delivery which could impact overall revenue. Anticipate selling $10k of which the church will receive $5k.
Moving forward it would be beneficial to have a designated cause for the pumpkin profits.
Previously we used Sign Up Genius – This year was Church Center.
Church Center had no visibility for Nick and volunteers as to who signed up and when.
Sign Up Genius might be more user friendly and allow for non-church members to sign up (HS students)
Safe Church policy update:
Changes have been made to:
The Two-Adult rule, Relationships, Toileting policy, Bullying section, Youth Driving policy, “Emergency Procedures.”
Security grant is due by 10/31 – We will submit but won’t know if we are approved or how much we will receive. The approval and amount will impact how security measures are funded
Motion to approve the amended Safe Church policy of October 2025. Motion moved, seconded and approved unanimously.
Strategic plan prioritization:
4.3 Create a movement of education and compassion in response to Christian Nationalism, with a renewed focus on local community impact and awareness.
Nominations for open positions:
Nominations were discussed.
Other business:
There will be an opening for teacher in Church School.
Next Council meeting: November 25, 7:00 pm, UCC Norwell Library.
Please note, these are not official meeting minutes. These are highlights intended to inform and emphasize the collaborative spirit driving our church community forward in an inclusive manner. Official meeting minutes are available by request. For further details, check back in to this blog and our weekly newsletter. Keep an eye out for future meeting updates, briefly!