IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
May 2, 2005

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Gathering

John called the meeting to order @ 7:05 p.m.  Matt (Stewardship Committee) provided devotions.

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

Approval of the April 11, 2005 minutes:

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Mike Proper:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 11, 2005 COUNCIL MEETING AS WRITTEN.

Discussion: the Property Committee will consider our request to discontinue power to the parsonage.  Due to the placement of the cable modem and router in the parsonage, it is not feasible at this time to discontinue all power to that building.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

Due to the absence of our Treasurer (month ended Saturday and he has a new baby), we were unable to discuss the April financial statistics.

Committee Reports:

John reminded the Council that written reports are required from each committee.  For April, only Council, Management and Memorial & Special Gift reports were received.  Please make sure to remind committees to get these reports to Denise in the office.

Health Ministries: Donna Gibbons has been hired on an interim basis (contractually at $6,000 + mileage) through the end of the year to fill the Parish Nurse position.   John will announce on Sunday and put an article in the “Manger” for next month.

Management:  Their minutes included a suggestion that Council approve Fred Koos as a temporary controller, who would approve all invoices over $100.00.  We had lengthy conversation regarding the intent of this request – what is it supposed to accomplish?  Per John, Management Committee thought that this might confirm to the congregation that there is a “second level” of review for all spending.  Additionally, we would implement a “purchase order” (PO) system, so that a PO must be received prior to ordering/purchasing anything.  We noted that we are paying sales tax in some instances when we don’t need to, and we have too many supplies because of duplicate purchasing/spending.  It was noted that currently, whenever a receipt is presented for payment, it is paid, without question!  Even though Council has made a statement previously that only Committee chairs can authorize invoices, this isn’t happening. 

MOTION by Bob Carter, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

TO REQUEST THAT THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CREATE THE PURCHASING POLICY SUGGESTED IN THEIR MINUTES, AND THEN RETURN IT TO COUNCIL TO VOTE ON THE POSITION OF TEMPORARY VOLUNTEER CONTROLLER.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Outreach: No Council action required.   

Parish Education: No Council action required. 

Property: No Council action required.

Stewardship: No Council action required.

Youth: No Council action required.  

Worship: No Council action required.

Memorial & Special Gifts: No Council action required.

Pastor Rick: No Council action required.  Youth confirmations (there are 10 confirmands this year) will take place on Pentecost Sunday (remember to wear red)!

Serving

Correspondence:  We received an unsigned letter indicating that the Council should consider eliminating the paid position of parish nurse, as it would be beneficial to our ever-increasing deficit.

We also received a few letters from various members highlighting “ways to save.”  Suggestions included listings of potential savings by committee, function, etc.  Other ideas included selling the 501 building, changing some of the paid positions to volunteer (Sunday school superintendent, parish nurse).

Discussion ensued regarding these carefully thought out concerns.  We appreciate their contribution, and will consider them in our attempts to resolve the budget crises.

As many of the suggestions included eliminating the paid position of parish nurse, we questioned Pastor Rick if this would increase the burden on him.  He reminded us that when Karen Eichelberger advised us that she would be resigning, bulletin and newsletter articles were written asking if anyone was interested in filling this position.  He indicated that it would indeed be a burden to him, if we want to continue doing what we are doing now.  If we are willing to give up some of the programs that we have, we can accomplish that mission.

He went on to state that different churches have different paid positions (some churches have paid youth leaders, and they ultimately have stronger youth programs).  The decision to create paid positions reflects on the priorities of the congregation, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  If we don’t have a staff person to supervise and do the work, then we won’t be able to continue on that path. 

We recalled that when the position of parish nurse was originally created, it was a volunteer position.  Karen had evolved it into more than the original job description, including the “public ministry” portion.  Additionally, we were reminded of the unseen activities of the parish nurse that are confidential and true ministry.  Additionally, it was pointed out that there are other members of the Health Ministry Team that can fill in some of those holes.

We debated the merits of having paid positions of parish nurse and Sunday school superintendent, and what they accomplish.  More conversation revolved around us being on the threshold of some major changes, so perhaps now is the time to implement some of these changes.

We also had conversation regarding the reduction in attendance versus increased giving from those that are here.

John proposed that we continue to provide to the membership all the information that we have gathered (i.e., the cost of producing a bulletin with legal paper vs. 8 ½ x 11).  He will respond to those individuals that wrote correspondence that we appreciate their input and are considering all the suggestions.

Barb will draft correspondence for the “Manger” with a big picture perspective of the need to change/evolve, and include the information on decreasing revenues, based on decreasing attendance.  It will also include information on our vision statement, and we are all responsible for living that as well - we were “Spirit led” in coming to this statement.  Include invitation to attend Council meetings.

Britt suggested that we consider increasing the cost of VBS registration, for those that can afford it.  Any profit would be applied to the general fund.

Property Evaluation Taskforce: Bob Carter stated that they would be evaluating the 501 building next.  Additionally, he advised that they would be again discussing the discontinuation of utilities to the parsonage. 

Mission Driven Project: John distributed a proposed outline of the “new” organizational structure, as has been developed to this point by Council.  He pointed out that the “Mutual Ministry Support” group falls outside of this structure, by design.  We went through each of the “Teams” case by case, to review what is contained in each group.  John indicated that some past presidents have expressed an interest in leading some of these teams, which is a good resource.

We need to be certain that there is a Council member at each service between now and June 5 (limited to a half-hour session).  At the 10:30 service, the following individuals will be responsible for answering questions: May 8 = Matt Cermak, May 15 = Mike Proper, May 22 = Orv Erickson, May 29 = Mike Proper, and June 5 = (only one service).  Packets will be available for discussion.

Pastor Rick will be taking the week of June 27 through July 3 for a vacation.  Additionally, he hopes to be gone from July 11 through 24, as well as August 15 through August 21. 

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Mike Proper:

TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING VACATION TIME FOR PASTOR RICK:  JUNE 27 THROUGH JULY 3, JULY 11 THROUGH JULY 24 AND AUGUST 15 THROUGH AUGUST 21.

Unanimously carried.

Reference to church planning calendar for May and June 2005.  The Stewardship Committee has Council devotions and announcements at the 10:30 service on communion Sundays and communion assistants for May, and the Parish Education Committee has the same responsibilities in June. 

Our next regular meeting is on June 6, 2005.

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy:

            TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:55 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.