IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
March 13, 2006

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Gathering

Mike called the meeting to order @ 7:07 p.m.  Den provided opening devotions.

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

Approval of the December February 13, 2006 minutes:

MOTION by John VanHoesen, SECONDED by Gregg Vicary:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13, 2006 COUNCIL MEETING AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

Mike advised that Pat Anderson just received the information from the previous treasurer just last Tuesday.   Unfortunately this information did not include January and the first two weeks of February data (bills and check stubs).  Upon initial review, it appears that we are in the black approximately $2,000.  As soon as Pat receives the information she will complete the financial statement and forward via e-mail to Council members.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministries: No written report, no Council action required.

Management:  Written report, Council action required to approve a Bylaws Revision Task Force with members being Larry Kruth, Fred Koos, Dan Landry, Bob Kenworthy, Wayne Christianson and John VanHoesen (plus past Presidents).  After discussion, we decided that this subcommittee will report directly to the Management Committee, so no need by Council to approve.

Outreach: Written report, no Council action required.

Parish Education: No written report, no Council action required.

Property: No written report, no Council action required.

Stewardship: No written report, no Council action required.

Youth: No written report, no Council action required.

Worship: No written report, no Council action required.

Memorial & Special Gifts: No written report, no Council action required.

Pastor Rick: He reviewed his calendar for January and February, and also reviewed those whom we need to keep in our prayers. Council action required on new members to be received on April 15, 2006:

MOTION by John VanHoesen, SECONDED by Den Graeber:

TO APPROVE CHRIS HENGESBACH-DAVIS BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH WITH JOSHUA AND CHELSEA (CHILD BAPTISM), SEAN AND CARRIE GOLDIE WITH DALE (CHILD BAPTISM), SCOTT AND JULIA HOONSTRA BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH AND TRANSFER, RESPECTIVELY, AND ERIC AND BETH HART WITH BROOKE BY TRANSFER.    

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

Another Council action required:

MOTION by Barb Paulins, SECONDED by John VanHoesen

TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF BOB & KATHY CARTER WITH GRANDDAUGHTER MARA SANFORD TO CALVARY LUTHERAN, LANSING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

An orientation will be held on March 28 at 7:00 p.m.  It is strongly encouraged that a member of each committee be present.

It was requested that minutes from the previous meeting as well as the agenda for the current meeting be distributed at least one week in advance.

Approval of committee members:

Stewardship:  Matt Cermak (Chair), Rick Merrifield, Jim Teahan (Financial Secretary), Carl Malkewitz, Gregg Vicary (Council Rep)

Health Ministry: Sandra Bair, Shari Burg, Jackie Fedewa, Jean Folk, Donna Gibbons, Jan Martinich, Joan Nolf, Charlene Pahl, Pr. Paul Pretzlaff, Doug Scoggins, Nicole Sullenberger.

Outreach:  Ruth Buckley, Bob Buckley, Orv Erickson, Dennis Graeber, Marlaine Teahan.

Management Committee: Larry Kruth, Fred Koos, Dan Landry, Bob Kenworthy, Wayne Christiansen, and John VanHoesen.

MOTION by Den Graeber, SECONDED by Marlaine Teahan:

            TO APPROVE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS LISTED ABOVE

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Serving

Correspondence:

Mike read a letter of resignation from Barb Paulins, due to job responsibilities:

MOTION by John VanHoesen, SECONDED by Elizabeth Ayoub:

TO REGRETFULLY ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF BARB PAULINS FROM THE COUNCIL AND FROM THE RECORDING SECRETARY POSITION.

            UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

New Business: 

 Den Graeber relayed a request from the Second Circle to invite all the women from the church to a luncheon with perhaps a guest speaker on June 17, 2006.  Tickets would be sold to cover the cost of the meal and a guest speaker.  This would require the use of the kitchen and the church basement for the day, and also request that AA not meet in the building that day.

            MOTION by Elizabeth Ayoub, SECONDED by John VanHoesen

TO ALLOW THE USE OF IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH BASEMENT AND KITCHEN ON JUNE 17, 2006 FOR A LUNCHEON FOR THE WOMEN OF THE CHURCH.

            UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Den also requested that we acknowledge the 50-year celebration of the ordination of Pastor Paul on June 25, 2006, with a reception immediately following the service.  Teresa Barcy has agreed to coordinate the festivities.

            MOTION by Elizabeth Ayoub, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy:

TO ALLOW THE USE OF THE FACILITIES ON JUNE 25, 2006 FOR A RECEPTION HONORING PASTOR PAUL’S 50 YEARS IN THE MINISTRY.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

It was also decided that we would move the congregational meeting previously scheduled for June 4, 2006 to June 11, 2006.

Fundraising request

John reminded us that any fund raising activities need to be approved by Council.  Discussion centered on methods that the Council needs to put into place to address when these issues come up in between Council meetings (emergencies only).  It was suggested that we ask the Bylaw Revision subcommittee to create a policy that would allow the Council to make these decisions and approve electronically.  Ultimately, it was decided that we need to educate the congregation that any fund raising activities need to be approved by the Council, as will be spelled out in our Policy Manual, which will be completed by the end of 2006.

Elizabeth requested that we approve the “Slave for a Day” Fundraiser which is coordinated by Brandt Ayoub:

MOTION by Den Graeber, SECONDED by John VanHoesen

TO APPROVE THE “SLAVE FOR A DAY” FUNDRAISER TO RAISE MONIES FOR THE YOUTH GATHERING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Old Business:

Church Planning Calendar

Elizabeth has reviewed the existing planning calendar, and noted some potential changes.  She will create a revised planning calendar and bring back to the Council at the April meeting (will be in the Council members individual mailboxes earlier).

Property Evaluation Taskforce

Russ Riggs has requested information on the status of funds raised to date.  He is attempting to determine how much additional efforts need to be directed toward fund raising.  We hope to have an update by next month on the actual status of this project.

Bridgebuilders/Congregational Communication

Marlaine questioned if any Council member heard any reaction from congregational members on the letter that was published in the March newsletter – no!  Mike questioned if it would be beneficial to bring in Pastor Schlieker to provide an update to the congregation after a service some Sunday?  We decided no.  We then discussed publishing a different article in “The Manger,” printing the “circles” again (the proposed new structure), with a sub article outlining why this structure may be better for us.  Additionally, Marlaine advised that she signed up the Council for a coffee hour on May 7 so that we can be available for discussion.

Nominating Committee:

Marlaine updated the Council on the status of this Committee.  At the November 2005 Congregational Meeting, no other individuals were elected to the Nominating Committee, so she has agreed to serve in that capacity.  She is researching the number of individuals needed under the new structure.  It was noted that we would need a minimum of 7 individuals to comprise a complete Council under the new structure.

Closing

Reference to church planning calendar for March and April 2006.  Teresa Barcy has Council devotions for April.  Announcements at the 10:30 service and communion assistants are: March 19: Mike Proper, March 26: Den Graeber, April 2: Elizabeth Ayoub, April 9: John VanHoesen.

Our next regular meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2006.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer @ 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Note: Copies of committee minutes and reports, as referred to in the Council Minutes, can be obtained in the church office.