Annual Meeting Information
We will meet Sunday, February 5, 2023, at 6:30pm, for this annual gathering. We desire for everyone to engage in this worship time, though only those who are officially members of Autumn Ridge Church will be able to vote. Please see below for more information about both in-person and online options.
In-person
We look forward to having you there! Elders will be available in the lobby on the weekends of January 21-22 and 28-29 to answer questions and clarify items so that you can make the most informed decisions at the meeting.
Online
If you cannot attend the meeting in person, we can send a private link to view it on YouTube if you request it by February 4. We will also have an online voting option. Because online voting requires verification of your membership prior to voting, you must pre-register by February 4. If you pre-register to vote, we will also send you the viewing link.
In addition, if you would like to speak to an elder before February 5 to get any questions answered or seek clarity, please email elders@autumnridgechurch.org, and one of them will be in touch with you.
We look forward to this time together and putting the final details on ministry for 2023. Whether online or in person, see you there!
Annual Meeting Documents
Click on the button(s) to download documents that will be presented at this year's Annual Meeting
2023 Elder Board Updates
As we prepare for our upcoming annual church meeting on February 5, we want to update you on plans regarding the number of elders for the 2023 elder board. The church bylaws state the following: “The number of Elders may be increased or decreased from time to time by decision of the Board of Elders, but in no event shall the number of Elders be less than three.” In accordance with this, the Elder Board has decided that the 2023 Elder Board will contain 10 men (normally, we would have 12 men serve).
The primary reason for this decision is we are at an important juncture post-Covid and post-leadership transition at AR. We want to keep the momentum strong as we forge ahead for 2023. Adding too many new leaders would slow this momentum. In addition to the two new elders as nominated by the congregation, recommended by the Nomination Committee, and approved by Elder Board, we will have eight returning elders serving for 2023. As always, church members will vote on the two new elders during our upcoming Annual Meeting on February 5.
We are excited to keep up the momentum we are building here at ARC, and we welcome any questions from you as we lead up to our meeting. Below are the two new elder nominees. We thank the congregation for their nominations and the work of the Nomination Committee in recommending these candidates to the Elder Board.
If there are any questions or concerns about these candidates, please contact the elder chair Harold Burden at burdenharold@gmail.com
2023 Elder Board Nominees
Andrew Bentall
Andrew Bentall has been a member of ARC since coming to live in the USA in 2017. He was first welcomed into the fellowship of the church when he came in 2011 for 1 year and was encouraged by the church’s warmth, generosity, and love for Jesus. Having gone back to England and then returned, his family has received the same warm welcome in the community at ARC. Andrew is married to Aimee, and they have three children engaged in the youth and children’s work at ARC.
Andrew became a Christian as he realized the importance of personal faith and grew through both youth and university Christian ministries. He is passionate about Bible-based ministries and missions and helps in children’s groups on Sundays. Being part of a small group has been a key part of his ongoing growth in faith in a large church.
Andrew works in the Transplant Center at Mayo Clinic as a kidney doctor and enjoys time with family and friends. He enjoys being outdoors, campfires, and canoeing. In addition, he is part of the Rochester running community and Gift of Life Transplant House committee.
Scott Wright
Scott Wright has been a member of ARC for 25 years. He, his wife, and family started attending First Baptist Church on 16th St. SW and then were part of the congregation that built the current ARC campus. Scott works at Mayo Clinic as a Cardiologist and has been active in the community in a variety of roles since moving here in 1989. Scott is married to Jann, who is much better known at ARC for her leadership and teaching in Women’s Bible Study. They have four adult children and currently host a small group at their home.
Scott became a believer at age eight, having grown up in a Christian home. He has served as an elder at a previous church. Scott has served at ARC in a variety of roles, including adult discovery teacher, men’s group leader, usher and head usher, committee member, and most recently as a small group leader. Scott also participates in Community Bible Study. His hobbies include work (he spends so much time doing it anyway), travel, photography, and amateur radio.