Lakeview United Methodist Church www.lakeviewunitedmethodistchurch.net email: LakeviewWVUMC@gmail.com

Pastor: Kerry Bart C: (610)304-5437 Kerry.w.bart@gmail.com

Lakeview Administrative Council Minutes

February 8, 2022

Opening

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Bud Newbrough and opened with prayer. The minutes of the January meeting were distributed and reviewed. Motion (Wayne/Marilyn) was made to accept the minutes and was unanimously approved.

Present: Pastor Kerry, Bud Newbrough, Jeff Ekstrom, Wayne Kersey, Marilyn Morton, Deborah Rowe

Treasurer’s Report - Jeff Ekstrom

All bills have been paid. Jeff noted that pledges are down, but money is still coming in. A donation was received in the amount of $600.00 from the St. Albans girls’ basketball team, following their use of the multipurpose room over the last few months for practices. Jeff says the church is doing really well financially. Motion was made(Marilyn/Debbie) to accept the Treasurer’s report and was unanimously approved.

Parsonage - Marilyn Morton

Nothing new to report.

PS/PRC - Wayne Kersey

• There was an SPRC meeting on January 17, they discussed:

• Barb Smith said she would be she church tech backup person.

• Planning a Lenten study.

• Next meeting is scheduled for March 21.

Pastor’s Report - Pastor Kerry

• PK is thrilled about Souper Bowl Sunday, and said that collections have already started coming in.

• PK met with the Annual Conference Communications team and Annual Conference is scheduled for June 10-11-12 at WV Wesleyan.

• June 9 is being planned as a Day of Service, in conjunction with the Annual Conference. It was discussed that since this is on a Thursday, that we may have our Day of Service on June 4. Some suggestions for Lakeview UMC’s Day of Service were:

• Handing quarters out at the local laundry mat - suggested by Wayne.

• PK suggested that we pick up trash in the area of the laundry mat.

• Easter Sunrise service will be at Humphrey’s church on April 17.

• Ash Wednesday service will be on March 2 at Lakeview UMC.

• SAMA will be releasing a series of video devotions for Lent. This will be released on March 2.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned with Prayer by Pastor Kerry at 7:30.

Minutes Submitted by: Deborah Rowe

Christ’s Kitchen and Food Pantry | 2021 Yearly Report by Lillian Kelly, Christ’s Kitchen and Food Pantry Board Secretary

The pandemic has brought forth many challenges for Christ’s Kitchen and Food Pantry. Yet the challenges continue to be met. Hunger and food insecurity have continued to be present despite government assistance to individuals and families. Local community support through monetary and food donations is vital in our quest to feed God’s people. According to an article in a Sunday Gazette Mail, Oct. 17, 2021 “specialists in hunger issues warn that the situation for millions of families remains extremely fragile.” One illness, a car needing repair, a parent or grandparent staying home to care for children, any number of things that happen in life can put a huge hole in a family’s food budget. Over the next 6-12 months, we anticipate numbers of people needing our services will rise. The Food Pantry has continued to provide distribution of food despite changes in how the food is distributed. Volunteers work tirelessly to sort, check expiration dates, organize and distribute food to customers. Based on what is available, choices of many items are available. The statistics for 2020 and 2021 reflect a decrease in numbers as compared to 2019. Government stimulus checks provided funds for food purchases that otherwise would not have been available. In 2020, 844 households were served. In 2021, 519 households have been served. (Households may contain more than one person.) An additional supplemental box of food is being provided monthly to 40 low income Senior citizens. Since June 2021, we have begun to see an increase in numbers at the Food Pantry. Because of the fragility of family budgets and cutbacks on government assistance, we anticipate an increase back to prepandemic levels if not higher. And please do not forget the importance of Christmas Food Baskets. In 2021 over 350 baskets were distributed by local churches. One mother stated, “God bless you! Now I will be able to provide my family with a really tasty Christmas dinner!” Despite the pandemic, Christ’s Kitchen continued to serve lunch, via takeout, 5 days a week. With takeout no seconds were offered, so the statistics for 2020 and 2021 reflect decreases. In 2020, 24,225 plates were served and in 2021, 15,976 plates have been served. In November of 2021, Christ’s Kitchen moved back inside for meals. Most days Mary has continued to prepare hot meals such as her fabulous spaghetti…a favorite for all who eat here.

In addition to providing lunch, COVID vaccinations, COVID boosters, flu shots, and HIV testing have been offered by community agencies. These services have also been available to the community at large. Recently, home COVID testing kits were distributed. As a volunteer at the kitchen, I have humbly observed many kindnesses of patrons and the desire to ”pay it forward”. Last Christmas a woman gave Mary an envelope with cash. She thanked Mary for being here when she and her children needed help. She is employed now and her children are in school. What a blessing! Another day a young man came with a donation. He was clean cut and dressed in his work uniform. He thanked Mary for feeding him during his days of addiction. He has been drug free and is now employed and “paying it forward”. There are more stories of gratitude and success. Christ’s Kitchen and Food Pantry have been a part of many life journeys. In conclusion, the Board of Directors and Directors of Christ’s Kitchen and Food Pantry are deeply grateful for the generous monetary and food donations of the people of the churches of SAMA. With God’s help and continued community support, we will be feeding His people in 2022. Amen!