Saturday, February 12, 2011

Minutes - 2011/2

Divine Mercy Women’s Guild

Business Meeting
January 10, 2011


6:30pm Opening prayer: led by Yvonne Murray


Presentation: Margaret Nelson, Executive Director of the River Center
The River Center is a non profit family and community resource center.


Margaret informed us of the services the River Center provides. Call 924-6800 if you have questions regarding parenting classes, social networking, information on free tax preparation, support groups, employment resources etc. Take home material was provided.


Recording Secretary: Janice McKenzie read the November minutes to the members. They were accepted as written and posted on the blog.


Corresponding Secretary: Pat Cloutier sent out some cards of support while Simone Lagace is on vacation. Thank you cards were read including those from Fr. Gerry, Fr. Goggin, Pheasant Wood (Christmas poinsettias), and Rabideau family (home cooked meals).


Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl Lastrina reported our financial status as of November: $5,137 (Holiday Stroll, Helping Hands and ornament sale). Expenses out: $558 (Holiday Stroll, Blood drive, calendar add, postage)


Helping Hands: Jean Frechette informed us that this month we provided 3 meals of comfort food and Edna Drasbo stated no funeral support needed in the past month.


Parish Outreach: Jean Frechette thanked all the many volunteers who helped make up 53 baskets (dinner preparations) and 20 bags of fruit for the community during the holiday season.
In addition:
52 poinsettias were delivered to Pheasant Woods
148 gifts were donated to the Christmas for Kids program
30 families received gifts from the Giving Tree


Old Business:
Helen Limina, Chair of the Holiday Fair, offered some suggestions about next years Holiday Stroll.
*The craft committee needs at least ½ hour of the empty hall to set up tables before the crafts are brought in to the Historical Society Hall.
*Continue with the mini fair at the church the weekend of the fair.
*Raffle table and cash area worked well.
* We need more members to be visible walking around to help with sales of crafts.
*Suggested possibly relocating the Knights of Columbus and Faith Formation to the breezeway.
*Will invite the Children’s Choir earlier next year.
*Sandwich boards outside the Church.


Blood Drive: Thank you to all who helped with this successful drive. The goal was 70 units and we collected 83 units of blood.


Community supper: Will be held on January 27, 2011 at the Hancock Church. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Please have your food to St Peter Hall by 5pm on Wednesday 1/26. Food preparation will be in Hancock on Thursday morning starting at 9am. Dinner starts at 5:30pm. Servers and a clean up group are needed. Please call Linda Caracappa or Helen Limina if you can help in any way.

New Business:
The Nomination Committee members are: Joyce Schmidt, Joan Buck, Linda Caracappa and Cheryl Lastrina. Please connect with one of the committee members if you are interested in filling the position of President, Recording Secretary or Treasurer for next years Guild officer open positions.


There will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service at St Peter Church on January 20, 2011 at 7pm. The Bennington Congregational Church will join with us for this service. Volunteers are needed to bake, serve and clean up. Thank you.


On January 21-23 there will be a retreat at the House of Prayer in New Ipswich. Call Sister Jacquie @ 878-2346 or www.presentationofMary.com for more information.

Linda Caracappa suggested a new fundraising opportunity. Cash for Gold is a company who offers cash (on the spot) for any gold jewelry you have that you’d like to sell. The Guild would then receive a % of money that was sold. Linda would like to open this opportunity to anyone in our parish.


After speaking with Fr. Gerry, Gail Laviolette looked into the possibility of removing and rebuilding the steep stairs leading into the Church Hall. Unfortunately the stair wall supports the choir loft and should not be moved due to cost and structural integrity. Gail suggested that a new light fixture, new carpeting and fresh paint would brighten up the stair area. This would cost about $400. Beth McGurty offered to look into the possibility of having the carpet cleaned instead of replaced. The Guild agreed to proceed with new lighting and new paint at this time and approved $100 for the expense.


Edna Drasbo suggested the Women’s Guild advertise on the back of the Chuch bulletin.


The evening craft group meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. They are planning a bowling night on January 20th at 6pm. Please notify Helen Limina if you would like to join them for a night of fun!


Karen Ayers and Yvonne Murray volunteered to host the February Guild meeting.


Closing prayer: led by Yvonne Murray


Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm


Respectfully submitted,
Janice McKenzie
Recording Secretary


Next meeting is on February 14, 2011