One of the items reported on was the parking lot project. While we are all anxious to get this completed, scheduling problems and the waning of “paving season” are forcing this project into the Spring of 2018. We are very hopeful and confident that we will be high on the list of projects for the paving company, allowing us to be completed early in the year.

The Membership Report showed a loss of four members due to relocation but there are several newcomers at this time who are considering membership. If they do join, we will obviously welcome them with open arms.

The Nominating Committee has been hard at work and very successful, receiving commitments from Andy Salogar (secretary), Barb Rajewski (treasurer),  Sarah Schulz (pres-elect) and Kevin King (member-at-large). Thank you very much, in advance, for your service.

The Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday Oct. 29. Attendance is very important as a quorum (30 percent of membership) is needed to approve the budget, elect officers, and pass any other resolutions as needed. Also, members will be polled for search committee recommendations at that time.

The final item for discussion is the Stewardship Drive. The Finance Committee met awhile back and determined that the amount needed to be raised to meet our obligations was $153,000. This number is the goal of the drive. The current number stands at $114,260. There are still a number of members who have pledged in the past but have yet to pledge for 2018. I hope you will consider pledging soon. We would like to avoid any cuts in programs, staffing, salaries, etc, which unfortunately are always possibilities when finances run short.

We all love the Fellowship for our own reasons. For me, besides the friendship and connection it gives me, it brings a much needed balance to my life in this conservative community in which we live as well as in these somewhat troubled times. I’m sure I would be a very different person were it not for our Fellowship. This is how it impacts me. I’m sure it impacts others in different ways, but impacts them nonetheless.

Now we have a chance to impact the Fellowship. Giving of our time and efforts is very important, but financial support is extremely important as well. Especially now. We need a Fellowship that doesn’t merely survive, but thrives. If you haven’t pledged yet please consider doing so. If you have pledged and increasing your pledge is comfortable for you, please consider that as well. I intend to do just that.

Thank you all for listening to my ramblings, sincere as they are, and I’ll see you at the Fellowship.

Robert “Speed” Malecki
Board President