The meeting was called to order at 7:05 by Anne Malmquist, Moderator.

Cabinet members in attendance: Rev. Beth Stotts, Pastor; Anne Malmquist, Moderator; David Sheibley, Treasurer; Diane Sheibley, Clerk; Gordon Brailsford, Board of Trustees; Bill O’Neil, Board of Christian Outreach; Carol Chaffee, Board of Stewardship; Terry Reynolds, Board of Christian Education; Barbara Morey, History & Memorials Committee; Jane O’Connell, Women’s Guild & Fellowship 

    Additional attendees: Gail Wright, Connie Chandler

Rev. Beth opened the meeting with a prayer.

Diane Sheibley took attendance and verified that a quorum was present.

February Minutes
The meeting minutes from the February meeting were presented and reviewed. Rev. Beth motioned to accept the minutes as written; Bill O’Neil seconded. The minutes were approved.

Pastor’s Report – Rev. Beth Stotts (also see printed report)
There has been a lot going on. Time spent on promotional material, Lent, developing a food pantry brochure, and planning the Julia concert. Tickets for the concert are available through Eventbrite and through the office. The youth had their archery event, and it was great. Rev. Beth has been working with Terry on the Palm Sunday service, and with Carol Chaffee on Stewardship Sunday. Saturday the 25th is the Lenten book study. There has also been a lot of pastoral care. Rev. Beth asked that those present help promote the concert as much as possible. Also hold Lin and John Schuller in your prayers.

There will be a guest preacher on 4/16, Rev. Dr. Mary Louise Gifford, author of “The Turnaround Church”. On Easter, there will be the sunrise service at Hanson Farm, and our 10am service.

Treasurer’s Report – David Sheibley (also see printed report)
Dave reported that it was an average month of giving, and that it’s holding steady. We’re on schedule with budget, and thanks to the Thrift Shop we’re doing a little better on income. He’s a little concerned that normal pledges aren’t higher, given that the 40-for-40k project should have pushed us to see higher income than the budgeted pledge amounts each month. We have taken $20k out of investments so far this fiscal year. We’re doing OK, and paying all our bills.

Bridgewater Food Pantry – Bill O’Neil (see also Jack Melcher’s printed report)
Bill reported that Pat Conn, longtime volunteer at the pantry, is out of Lifecare and back home after her hospital stay. They picked up 1800 pounds of food today from the food bank. The pantry is seeing about 30 people per week recently. They have run out of gift cards for the moment. There has been a new volunteer at the pantry who is helping as a Portuguese translater. Carol Chaffee mentioned that perhaps the Easter sunrise service collection could be for the food pantry. Gordon thanked the food pantry staff for keeping the downstairs clean.
Rev. Beth circulated the new Food Pantry brochure.

Board of Stewardship – Carol Chaffee
Carol met with Rev. Beth regarding the Stewardship Sunday service on 3/26. She is working with Gail Wershing and Kathleen Mosher on the communications that are going to be going out regarding pledging. She noted that it was exciting to have a stewardship drive back.

Building Project – Barbara Morey
There hasn’t been any progress from the town on the building grant project. Barbara has sent several emails to the town and to the Rhode Island consultant, but received no responses.

Governance Committee – Anne Malmquist
Anne noted that this Sunday is our congregational meeting regarding the proposed new Constitution. At the next Cabinet meeting, she is hoping to have approval for a nominating committee. For the Constitution proposal, online voting goes live tomorrow (Thursday) and ends Monday at 9am.

Concert Fundraiser – Rev. Beth Stotts
Rev. Beth noted that plans are going along well. Diane is working on soliciting gift baskets for the raffle. Dave offered to help with running the twinkle lights. Rev. Beth is still in need of volunteers.

Heating System – Gordon Brailsford
A week ago the boilers went down. They came to fix them, and they went down again. They’re going again now, but they noted that the boilers are also leaking. Gordon wants to wait until spring when it gets warmer to have them repaired. He suggested that perhaps there is memorial money that can be used to help pay for the repairs.

Report from Kathleen Mosher – read by Anne Malmquist in Kathleen’s absence
• The Feminist Women of Faith group is going well. There are two women who are attending who aren’t part of our church. The next meeting is on April 23.
• Breakfast is going great. We have more people helping, and can always use more. June 4th will be the last breakfast of the season.
• The Q&A on the Pronoun Project went well. New nametags will be coming out in the next few weeks.

Central Closet Thrift Shop – Connie Chandler
Connie reported that the shop is going well, some weeks better than others. There are currently sales going on to get rid of the winter clothing. The racks of clothes will stay out in the fellowship hall Wednesday through Saturday unless there is a special event (like the Friday concert), to make setup and cleanup easier.

Women's Guild & Fellowship – Jane O’Connell
Next month’s meeting is on April 5. The theme is making a floral arrangement in a teacup. The rummage sale is Saturday, April 15. NOTE: the thrift shop isn’t open either the Wed or the Sat the week of the rummage sale.

History & Memorials Committee – Terry Reynolds
The committee will once again be selling flowers to decorate the altar on Easter. They can be ordered after worship beginning 3/19.

Christian Education – Terry Reynolds
Terry reported that there are 3 kids in the PreK-K class, 7 kids in the Grade 1-3 class, and 7 kids in the grade 4-6 class. The numbers have increased from 9 to 17 since the beginning of the year. There is one middle schooler and two high school students currently participating. The kids will be leading worship on Palm Sunday. Three older kids who have not received bibles are getting theirs this Sunday. 

Board of Christian Outreach – Bill O’Neil
The One Great Hour of Sharing collection is this Sunday.

Board of Trustees – Gordon Brailsford
Steve Chandler has been doing some improvements and repairs: he fixed the outlet/light behind the cross on the altar; he installed a light on the ramp; he put a hook and eye on the side door to be able to keep it open when needed; he repaired the sink in the bathroom. His work is much appreciated.

Rev. Beth closed the meeting in prayer at 8:05.