IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
April 9, 2007

--------------------

Gathering

Mike called the meeting to order @ 6:36 p.m.

Council Devotions were shared.  (Highs & Lows)

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

Approval of the March 12, 2007 minutes:

MOTION by: Teresa Barcy   SECONDED by: Gregg Vicary

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 12, 2007 COUNCIL MEETING AMENDED TO SHOW THAT JUNK-IN-THE-TRUNK WILL HAPPEN ON 4/28/07.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

Mike reviewed the March 2007 Treasurer’s Report.

MOTION by Tom Mattson, SECONDED by Gregg Vicary    

TO ACCEPT THE MARCH 2007 TREASURER’S REPORT AS SUBMITTED

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Guests Bob & Ruth Buckley:

Bob & Ruth have been attending the Lay Missionary Training Program (LMTP) in the Synod for the past 3 years.  Additionally, they’ve attended “Skill Day” retreats and have completed study assignments over this period.  Each candidate to become a lay missionary in our Synod is also a part of a mentoring group.  With the approval of the mentor and the directors of the LMTP, the congregation approves that person to be a lay missionary.  Bob has completed the program and is embarking on starting his lay mission.  His mission will be under Pr. Rick’s direction.

Bob has already begun a reading program in the Grand Ledge Public Schools.  This is where Bob feels led by God to serve the community.  He is currently working in the schools on his lunch hour, but will be retiring in about 4 years and hopes to spend more time in the schools after retiring.

MOTION by Teresa Barcy  SECONDED by Patsy Galvin

THE CHURCH COUNCIL SUPPORTS BOB BUCKLEY AS A LAY MISSIONARY IN THE NORTH/WEST LOWER MICHIGAN SYNOD OF THE ELCA AND AUTHORIZES HIM IN HIS MISSION TO BEGIN A READING PROGRAM IN THE GRAND LEDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

Team Reports:

Serving Team: Written report.  Council action requested:

MOTION by Teresa Barcy  SECONDED by Dave Kuntzsch

TO APPROVE THE USE OF THE CHURCH, INCLUDING THE PARKING LOT, ON AUGUST 4, 2007 FOR THE ISLAND ART FAIR.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

Preparing Team: Written report.  No Council action required.

Gathering Team: Written report.  No Council action required.

Support Team: No written report.  No Council action required.

Pastor Rick: Written report.  No Council action required.

MOTION by Dennis Graeber SECONDED by Gregg Vicary

TO RECEIVE INTO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CONGREGATION:

1)      BRANDON STEVENS BY CONFIRMATION OF FAITH

2)      GREG, CARRIE, AND ZACKARY HICKOK BY AFFIRMATION OF             FAITH

3)      GERALD MARCUS BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

4)      BETTIE WILLIAMS BY TRANSFER FROM 1^ST CONGREGATIONAL          UCC, GRAND LEDGE

5)      KATHRYN CONRAD BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

6)      BRAD, HOLLIE AND ELSA RUSTHOVEN BY TRANSFER FROM AN         ELCA CONGREGATION IN MARYLAND

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

Serving

Budget Concerns:

Discussion focused on giving being down in the 1^st quarter of 2007.  Jim Teahan presented first quarter giving statistics.  Notably, the number of givers and the average contribution were both down, perhaps signifying deeper issues that eventually will require more ministry.  Dennis Graeber volunteered to call members who haven’t been attending recently.  Council discussed ways of better knowing when and which members were becoming less active.  Support Team will keep the giving issue in focus.

Natural Church Development:

Bruce Bellanger will give a presentation to Council at the May meeting.

Sabbatical Update:

Preaching replacements are all covered and the congregation is being kept informed through newsletter articles.

Old Business:

Carl Ballard has received notice that he has been accepted as a candidate for ordination in the TEAM program.

Review of Congregational/Council Goals:

Council discussed how the new ministry teams are progressing.  Consensus is that all work is being accomplished, but several team representatives expressed a concern that they may need more members to keep up.  Most team representatives viewed their team as still organizing itself.

Closing

Planning Calendar:

• April – Spring Clean Up (Support), Appoint Synod Delegates, Confirmation Celebration, Announce VBS, Pastor Vacation Schedule, Order Offering Envelopes (Support), Change Worship Sign (Support), Summer Worship Schedule, Sunday School Recruitment, Graduation Day Celebration Plans.

Announcements:

Announcements preceding the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service will be given by the following Council Members:

Our next regular meeting is on May 14, 2007 at 6:30 pm

MOTION by Dennis Graeber, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy

            TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Copies of Resource Team minutes and reports, as referred to in the Council Minutes, can be obtained in the church office.

Questions related to council meetings can be directed to council by sending an email to: council@immanuel-gl.org.  Questions also can be directed to any member of council by contacting them directly using information published in the church directory.