IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
April 10, 2006

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Gathering

Mike called the meeting to order @ 7:08 p.m.  Teresa provided opening devotions.

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

Approval of the March 13, 2006 minutes: 

MOTION by Gregg Vicary, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

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

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

Pat began the discussion by reviewing the February report.  The balance is $2561 in the black.  Pat is also providing a new report which will be available on a quarterly basis to reflect the expenditures to date as compared to the budgeted amount.  It was noted that while the general fund remains in the balance, but the amount in the black

MOTION by, Dan Landry SECONDED by Gregg Vicary:

TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY AND MARCH TREASURER’S REPORTS AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Committee Reports:

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

Management:  Written report, no Council action required.

Outreach: Written report, committee requests that those making announcements use a checklist to assure that key elements are included, especially coffee hour (if held), and the registration sheets (Who’s Who in the Pews).  Mike added that he would like us to also include a welcome for visitors and encourage that they sign the visitor’s book; as well as any services that are not covered (i.e. nursery).

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 March, and also reviewed those that we need to keep in our prayers.  No Council action required.

SERVING:

Correspondence:

• Letter from Denise based upon information from Property Committee:

1.   The first is a request for approval to purchase a professional quality carpet cleaner.  The Committee requested Carol Espie to obtain pricing information and a demonstration.  There was a quote from Lansing Sanitary for a device that would allow us to clean the carpets, tile, pew pads, etc.  The general discussion of the Council revolves around a more detailed request that would outline the value assessment of purchasing versus using a cleaning service.  Denise will forward Council’s request to Property Committee for review by Council at the May meeting.  If received in time for the meeting, may be added to the planned special congregational meeting in June.

2.   The second request involves a need to place signs around the 501 Building to discourage use of the parking lot by skateboarders.  There is a concern about potential liability and public urination on the grounds by youth.  There was a discussion of the potential options, including barriers, signs and contacting the police.  Denise has notified the Grand Ledge police and they are paying closer attention to the use of the parking lot.  Marlaine and Elizabeth will review the legal considerations for placement of signs or other actions and report back at the May meeting.

• Mike read a letter of resignation from Tony Holland, due to job responsibilities:

MOTION by ELIZABETH AYOUB, SECONDED by Elizabeth Ayoub:

TO REGRETFULLY ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF TONY HOLLAND FROM THE COUNCIL.

            UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

• Mike read a letter from Lori Van Hoesen representing the Immanuel Drama Team to hold a reading of “Our Town” on May 7, 2006 as a fundraiser to support the high school youth attending the National Gathering:

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Den Graeber

TO APPROVE THE “OUR TOWN” FUNDRAISER TO RAISE MONIES FOR THE YOUTH GATHERING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

New Business:

• Marlaine shared her findings from a review of the Council membership, elections, terms, etc.  She found that Teresa Barcy’s and Mike Proper’s terms of service were complete as of December 2005.  Neither were re-elected at the November 2005 general election.  Due to the resignations of Barb Paulins and Tony Holland, two vacancies exist on Council for the current year.

MOTION by Marlaine Teahan, SECONDED by Elizabeth Ayoub

TO APPOINT MICHAEL PROPER AND TERESA BARCY TO FILL THE BALANCE OF THE TERMS LEFT VACANT BY BARB PAULINS’ AND TONY HOLLAND’S RESIGNATIONS.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

MOTION by Marlaine Teahan, SECONDED by Gregg Vicary

TO NOMINATE MICHAEL PROPER AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2006.

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Marlaine Teahan

CLOSE NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

• Bylaws: Mike provided an overview of the progress made to date.  The taskforce has been meeting approximately every other week.  Still hoping to present a package to Council at the next monthly meeting.  Will need additional input from Council when determining the final composition of the Resource Teams in the structure.  Concerns that there may not be enough representation from the congregation.  Do not want to make the Teams so large, but need to support inclusion.

Old Business:

• Church Planning Calendar: Elizabeth is still working on a revised planning calendar and hopes to bring back it to the Council at the May meeting (will be in the Council members individual mailboxes earlier).

• Property Evaluation Taskforce: Russ Riggs is working on obtaining new bids with the revised contract and tasks that need to be completed.  Nathan Flanders has offered to assist with this process.  Russ will be looking to potentially complete the overall project in stages (downspouts and landscaping first, with roof repairs in the future).  We currently have raised $8,030 to date.  Fundraising efforts may increase if we are able to proceed with a portion of the work, followed later by additional work as noted.

• Bridgebuilders/Congregational Communication: Mike advised that he had received some very positive feedback about the letter in the Manager in April.  Mike will formulate a letter for inclusion in the May newsletter.  He will invite the congregation to the May 7, 2006 coffee hour to discuss structure change and the process for changing the bylaws.

• Discussion of the current Registered Agent.  The Registered Agent typically is an official representative of the congregation to assure proper legal notification of any action.  Denise Lund is currently recorded as Immanuel’s Agent and would be the person who may sign.  There is a $5 fee to request and file a change.  There is a requirement for a motion from the Council to effectuate this change.

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Elizabeth Ayoub

TO CHANGE THE RESIDENT AGENT FROM DENISE LUND TO THE SENIOR PASTOR, RICHARD D. MCKENZIE.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

• Pastor Rick identified that we need to appoint two delegates from the congregation, one male and one female to the Synod Assembly.

MOTION by Teresa Barcy, SECONDED by Den Graeber

TO APPROVE DAN LANDRY AND CAROL WEIGLE AS IMMANUEL LUTHERAN’S VOTING DELEGATES TO THE 2006 SYNOD ASSEMBLY IN MAY 2006.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Reference to church planning calendar for April and May 2006.  Dan Landry has Council devotions for May.  Announcements at the 10:30 service and communion assistants are: April 16: Mike Proper, April 23: Elizabeth Ayoub, April 30: Gregg Vicary, May 7: Mike Proper. 

Our next regular meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2006.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer @ 9:14 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.