Ministry Council Minutes | lafayette-christian

LCC Ministry Council Minutes

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

7:00 PM

Reports of our Ministry Areas

Community Building – Stephanie Reilly – There are 5 concerts scheduled in the Grove this summer. Toastmasters used Marion Hall in March and East Bay California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists will be in Marion Hall late April. Stu has polished our sign lettering. The Property Committee planted 14 new plants around the sign and there is a plan for new lighting there. The large poster for LCC Holy Week was on the trail bulletin board and the concert schedule will go in soon.

SAVE THE DATES

Summer in The Grove Concerts

Concerts in Founder’s Grove behind the Lafayette Christian Church along the trail at 584 Glenside Drive. Concerts begin at 6. Bring chairs, blankets, and picnics. Lots of parking. Always free admission.

June 20—Blue River Band

Their song selection flows through Americana, winding through country, folk, and bluegrass, touching both past and present.

June 27- Random Nature

This local band plays hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s. 90s, and beyond.

July 11 – Second Calling

Enjoy a variety of traditional bluegrass.

July 18 – Front Porch Music

This open mic evening attracts a wide variety of local talent playing solo, in duos, and in groups. Instruments are mostly acoustic, and styles generally include folk, bluegrass, blues, Americana, country and original.

August 29 – KAHP Band

The KAHP Band is a power duo hailing from the East Bay Area comprised of Kyle Athayde (Keys, Key-Bass, & Trumpet) and Henry Plumb (Drums & Vox). They seamlessly blend jazz, funk, soul, r & b, pop, fusion, in their own inimitable musical stylings.

LGBTQ+ – Mary Alice Pinkham – The committee is gearing up. Mary Alice purchased “You Are Safe With Me” pins to distribute during Pride Month in June. They will coordinate with Leslie regarding sanctuary décor. We have offered to help with the Queer Festival being held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church from 2-5 pm on Sunday, June 14 and to participate with this instead of a Pride Parade in SF or Concord. A Karaoke fundraiser is being held at St Anselm’s Saturday, April 25 from 6-8pm. We might ask someone to reach out to the Gay Men’s Chorus for a possible rehearsal concert at LCC. We have August and Sophia Jackson as preachers in June. Other ideas are Monica, Nadia, Jeffrey and other congregants. An “It’s in the Bag” has not been organized for LGBTQ+ and we might let this pass this year.

Coffee Social – Richard Black – Rich offers to make coffee for anytime we would like a coffee social.

Worship – Leanne Stump – Keith has been working closely with us on themes and music and guiding this committee. Leslie is providing beautiful décor, Marie is securing Congregational Witness people, Kelley finds Welcome, Call to Worship and substitute Elders for us, and Don and Leanne are finding pulpit supply preachers. We need a Pastoral Search representative from Ministry Council, but the committee decided to wait. New leadership might emerge from our Listening Circles. The Ministry Council was pleased with all of the Holy Week services. We could shorten the Prayer Vigil hours to 3:00-7:00 next year and perhaps plan for an egg hunt for children again.

Compassion and Justice – Norman Bardsley – Habitat will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with most activities occurring in September. Max Liebermann is doing his Scout Eagle project for Extended Families. Frank will check on “In the Bag” dates in October for a possible Extended Families presentation. EBHO will open the new CCH facility in Hayward for tours on May 19th. OPC is experiencing problems in obtaining a loan from the DoC Church Extension Fund, despite assistance from Toni Bynum. The following donations were approved: $500 to California Power and Light, $500 to Habitat for Humanity, and $1000 to Extended Family. On April 17, UMC is hosting the film “The Story of Plastic” with speakers. Malawi Project: 12 of the goats have died from foot and mouth disease, 9 goats are pregnant, the church at Dzanjo has requested funding for school desks, but the cost has increased substantially since our donation to Namiwawa in 2010. LCC is providing dinner for Winter Nights on June 1st and 2nd. A team of 4 has been recruited for each night. A truck is being rented to transfer guests from one congregation to another on move day. Current count: 8 families, with 10 adults and 15 children. There is a wait list to enter Winter Nights. The safe parking lot program has 19 cars. All families are on a housing wait list.

Women’s Groups – Nancy Vasko – Both the Book Group and the Conversation Group continue on well attended. We celebrated Kim Pannke as our Woman of the Year at a beautiful lunch. The fall retreat will be Monday – Wednesday, Oct 12-14 in Santa Cruz.

Elders – Jan Warren – LCC has 4 regular Elders. Kelley is setting up the dates for elders to lead communion. Two additional substitute elders have been added to the regular rotation at the communion table. The Elders need to be contacted about the Board decision to extend all positions for 120 days.

Faith Formation – Carol Somerton – Attendance in worship by children through five years old has been sparse. Summer Camp occurs from June 4 -29. LCC will extend scholarship offers alongside the Regional Scholarships to fully fund our LCC Campers. Registration for camps is at ccncn.org. The Faith Formation Ministry is looking forward to the possibility of programming for adults as well as children in the coming year.

Interfaith Council of Contra Costa – Jan – We lost Rev. Dr. Karen Herdandez as Executive Director, who was part-time, due to high living costs and losing her other part-time job with San Ramon Methodist Church. IFC is struggling financially despite wonderful events. Karen was on Medical.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

May 19 – 10:00 - 12:00

Hayward Commons Open House. This is a Christian Church Homes project for affordable housing for seniors

June 14

Congregational Meeting and Lafayette Queer Day with St Andrew’s Presbyterian, St Anselm’s Episcopal, and Our Savior’s Lutheran

July Hiatus from meetings

August

Faith Formation School Back Pack Donations? $1000 from PEF

Sept 13

Homecoming Sunday – Pot Luck – Keith’s band Second Psalms?

Fall Auction (Or early spring)

We need a chair and a committee. Leslie has the information binder.

Oct 12-14

Women’s Retreat in Santa Cruz

Oct 25

Congregational Meeting

Nov 22

Pie Sunday – Sunday before Thanksgiving – Stephanie will organize

Nov 28

Hanging of the Greens Saturday

Nov 29

Advent begins

Dec 12

Christmas Gathering – Mary Alice Pinkham will chair with Stephanie Reilly

Dec 20

Christmas Sunday

Dec 24

Christmas Eve Service

Dec 27

Elder’s Service, Sunday following Christmas. Staff has Sunday off

Miscellaneous and Ongoing Projects

Grace Notes Articles – Add links to our minutes for transparency and information to the congregation.

New Church Directory – We might ask families to send in a photo to make a casual photo directory this summer.

Advertising – Sign – Stu refurbished and plants have been planted, trail bulletin board advertised Holy Week and it is used by Stephanie for summer concert advertising. We are now advertising Sunday Worship in the Rossmoor News at $10.50 per week billed monthly.

Third Sunday treats and coffee?

Discord – Kelley says there is no cost and virtually no administration

Jeffrey again emphasized Listening Circles and the soul searching we need to do, and focusing on the search for a pastor. Suggestions for a return to Adult Sunday School. It could be after church with a “pot luck and learn” format.

Next Meeting – 4:30 August 4 on LCC Zoom