LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

LCC Ministry Council Minutes

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

4:30 PM

 

Reports of our Ministry Areas

 

Community Building – Stephanie Reilly –

Community Building events this summer have included 4 concerts:
Blue River Band
Random Nature
Second Calling
Front Porch Music Open Mic
All the events drew 60 to over 100 people. Weather was always accommodating. With the help of Carol S, Dana, and Nancy V., we handed out free ice cream treats which were met with surprise and appreciation. Ice cream from Costco is very inexpensive and furthers our hospitality.

We have one more concert in Founders’ Grove on August 29 with the KAHP Band.

We had flyers about our church and our touchstones in the bathrooms for anyone that
was interested.  Everything has been done within budget.  Bands ranged from playing for no cost to $500.
It is a possibility to have a donation or tip basket at the concerts. Kelley does all the graphics work for our
very professional posters.  We now have bands asking to play in the Grove! I will start planning the 2027 
season in January. I probably should get others involved in the work but so far, it has been doable.

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LGBTQ+ – Mary Alice Pinkham – Queer Festival was held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church from 2-5 pm on Sunday, June 14. There were a lot of fun stories, rock painting and food trucks.  LCC donated $500 and the CCNCN Region also donated $500.  We would like to have more support from LCC in the LGBTQ+ budget and not ask the Region for this support in the future. Gay Men’s Chorus rehearsed at LCC, but did not have a concert.  

 

Coffee Social- Richard Black - Rich offers to make coffee for anytime we would like a coffee social.  Contact Richard whenever we would like to request this.

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Worship - Leanne Stump - Faye has created a Fall theme for worship: “We” Over “Me” Belonging Changes Everything.  It is intended to undergird our Touchstones Created at LCC.  She suggested that this theme could be paired with an adult Faith Formation class to explore the just released book, “Crises of the Common Good” by Senator Chris Murphy. This could be a 4-6 week class that Leanne will find leadership for. Mary Alice will help create a trail sign for this class and Leanne will work with Kelley and Faye to design a large banner.  Kelley knows the size and the safe place triangle that is included on our flyers and banners. Faye will preach on Homecoming Sunday, September 13 and a pot luck will follow with music provided by the band, “Second Coming”.  This theme will be suggested to all of our supply preachers as well.

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. A Pastoral Search committee has been formed and has begun to work.  

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Compassion and Justice – Connie Couts – Habitat will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with most activities occurring in September. A Habitat build is in the near future and we may hear about builder and food needs. Max Liebermann is doing his Scout Eagle project for Extended Families.  OPC is experiencing problems in obtaining a loan from the DoC Church Extension Fund, despite assistance from Toni Bynum.  The church at Dzanjo has requested funding for school desks, but the cost has increased substantially since our donation to Namiwawa in 2010.   Four of us visited the grand opening of a Christian Church Homes building in Hayward.

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Women’s Groups – Robyn Van de Cater – The women's book group is meeting on August 25th from 3-4:30. They are currently reading "American Wolf" by Nate Blakesle.

The Third Thursdays Women's Group is on vacation this summer but are meeting at Nancy Martin's house on August 20 from 12:30 to 3:00 for an all women invited swim party. Next month they will discuss new books to discuss in the coming year.

The all church Women's Retreat takes place on October 12-14 at the Villa Maria de Mar retreat in Santa Cruz. All church women are encouraged to attend and invite a friend.
The 2027 Retreat will be September 28-30.

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Elders – Jan Warren – LCC has 4 regular Elders. LCC has 4 regular Elders. Some substitute elders have been added to the regular rotation at the communion table. 

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Faith Formation – Carol Somerton – Attendance in worship by children through five years old has been sparse.  The LCC camp scholarships alongside the Regional Scholarships to fully fund our LCC Campers and staff were very appreciated.  $1000 was donated to the school back pack program.   The Faith Formation Ministry is looking forward to the possibility of programming for adults as well as children in the coming year. 

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Calendar of Upcoming Events

August –

Faith Formation School Back Pack Donations?  $1000 from PEF
August 29 –

Music in the Grove
Sept 13 -

Homecoming Sunday – Pot Luck – The band Second Calling – Invite friends
September 26 -

Fall Auction – A committed committee is hard at work – Invite friends – Free admission for friends!
Sept 27 –

Book Discussion of Crisis of the Common Good Part 1 – Invite friends and the community
October 10 –

Book Discussion Part 2
Oct 12-14 –

Women’s Retreat in Santa Cruz
October 25 –

Congregational Meeting  
October 25 -

Book Discussion Part 3
Nov 8 –

Book Discussion Part 4 and final
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 – Faye preaching
Dec 27 -

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

Miscellaneous and Ongoing Projects

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

New Church Directory  is underway.

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Next Meeting – Nov 10, 4:30 on LCC Zoom

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