IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
June 7, 2004

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Gathering

John called the meeting to order @ 7:07 p.m.  Orv Erickson, Outreach Committee, provided devotions.

Preparing

Nancy Zakrajsek & Joy Powis, representing the Lioness Club from Grand Ledge, would like permission to put the A&W cart in our parking lot during the Art Fair on August 7, 2004.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED by Bob Carter:

TO ALLOW THE GRAND LEDGE LIONESS CLUB TO SET UP THE A&W WAGON IN OUR PARKING LOT DURING THE ISLAND ART FAIR ON AUGUST 7, 2004.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.           

Ernie Zakrajsek advised that Wendy Lewis has resigned as a church custodian, and Priscilla Lane has assumed those responsibilities.  One of the concerns that Wendy raised was that tables aren’t put back when groups are done with them.  Please remind your committees to put things back the way they found them.

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

MOTION by Bob Carter, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 3, 2004 COUNCIL MEETING AS WRITTEN. 

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Treasurer's Report:

The May Treasurer's Reports were distributed and reviewed.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by Rick Merrifield:

TO ACCEPT THE MAY 2004 TREASURER'S REPORT AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Committee Reports:

John indicated that in the future, all committee reports would be submitted to Denise Lund to maintain, and she would create a summary report of all reports, highlighting areas of interest/requests.   This is in an effort to streamline our meeting times, allowing us to focus on items requiring attention.  It was suggested that this information also be posted on our Web site, or perhaps e-mailed to Council, with a specified cut-off date (perhaps one-week prior to the scheduled Council meeting), so that we’ll have time to review before action is required.  If possible, please e-mail minutes to Denise in Word format.  We will still be receiving hard copies of the Treasurer's Report.

Health Ministry: Written report, no Council action required. 

Management:  Written report.  Council action required to approve Nathan Flanders as a member of the Management Committee.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by Bob Carter:

TO APPROVE NATHAN FLANDERS AS A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Management Committee also had requested that 3 line items be combined, and deposited back to the general fund.  Denise Lund requested that the Library Fund not be consolidated, as there are plans to move forward with the library.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by

TO ELIMINATE THE LEADERSHIP/DEVELOPMENT FUND AND PURPOSE DRIVE LIFE BOOKS FUND, AND TRANSFER THE DOLLARS INTO THE LIBRARY FUND. 

It was discussed that Management Committee had a special request, and we do not have the authority to modify their request.  Therefore, this motion was tabled, until we hear back from Management Committee. 

Outreach: Written report, no Council action required.

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

Property: No written report, Council action required to accept Bob Carter as a member of the Property Committee.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by Steve Colby:

TO APPROVE BOB CARTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PROPERTY COMMITTEE.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Stewardship:  No written report, no Council action required.

Youth Committee: No written report, no Council action needed.

Worship: Written report, no Council action required.

Pastor’s Report: We reviewed the written report for May.  He has two items for Council action.  Don Love would like to join our congregation. He is Catholic and being instructed by Pastor Paul Pretzlaff in the Lutheran faith.

MOTION by Steve Colby, SECONDED by Mike Proper:

TO ACCEPT DON LOVE INTO OUR CONGREGATION BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Pastor Rick would like to have a Rite of Commissioning for Carl Ballard on the last Sunday in June.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

TO COMMISSION CARL BALLARD AS A LAY MISSIONARY OF THE NORTH/WEST LOWER MICHIGAN SYNOD, ELCA, AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN GRAND LEDGE WITH HIS FIRST ASSIGNMENT AS INTERIM MINISTER UNDER CONTRACT WITH HOPE COMMUNITY (LUTHERAN) CHURCH, ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Pastor Rick explained that a Lay Missionary is a position only in our Synod to recognize that certain members among us have a calling, and are willing develop their skills to work in a mission situation, above and beyond committee membership.  The program is a 3-year training program in theology, biblical studies, history, etc.  Upon successful completion of the program, the person is designated as a lay missionary, but they must go through the local congregation.

Carl discussed Hope Community Church in Rockford.  He graduated as a lay missionary in 1995.  Last year, he served as pulpit supply for two consecutive weeks at that church.  That congregation’s minister resigned last year, and approximately one-half of the congregation left.  Carl served regularly for that congregation during their vacancy.  Hope Community developed several goals under Carl’s leadership.  The congregation has grown approximately 50% in the last year.  He discussed many of his experiences with that congregation.

Carl will be accountable to Pastor Rick, and ultimately the Council.  Our obligation is to pray for him, and keep him busy!

Serving

Correspondence:

The Grand Ledge Pom Pon Squad would like to use the parking lot for a car wash on Saturday, June26.

MOTION by Rick Merrifield, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy

TO ALLOW THE GRAND LEDGE POM PON SQUAD TO USE OUR PARKING LOT ON JUNE 26, 2004 AFTER 9:30 A.M. FOR A CAR WASH.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

New Business:

Matt Cermak reported on the vacancies of Jennifer Dodge and Mike Pitchford.  Steve Colby has filled one seat, but we still have one more vacancy.  If you have any ideas and/or suggestions, please contact Matt, Wayne Christiansen or Den Graeber.  The vacancy is for the remainder of 2004 and all of 2005.

Wireless microphones for the sanctuary were discussed again.  Sandra Bair has confirmed that new wireless microphones will not affect the hearing assistance devices we have.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF TWO LAPEL WIRELESS AND ONE HANDHELD WIRELESS MICROPHONES.  THE MONEY CURRENTLY IN THE CHRISTMAS RECEIPTS LINE ITEM WILL FUND THIS PURCHASE.  WE WILL ASK MANAGEMENT TO PROCEED.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Matt Cermak provided an update on the Endowment Fund Board of Governors.  We are in need of approximately 5 individuals to fill these roles.  Matt will have a group of names available for us at the July meeting, to nominate and accept.

Review of 2004 Goals: We reviewed the handouts that depict some ideas that were discussed at the Council work session on May 17, 2004.  We are attempting to restructure the way our congregation functions, to make us more mission driven/oriented.  John explained the current way we are looking at revising our structure – 3 “steering” committees (Gathering, Preparing, Serving), and perhaps one other for administrative operations.  Everything else falls under one of the three categories.  This spreads the opportunities, and even relieves some of the obligations from the current committee structure. 

We need to have another work session, to continue on our path of restructuring.  If we were able to have most members of the Council, and perhaps one or two others, we could break down into subgroups, so that we could get more done.  It was decided that we schedule the next meeting for Monday, June 21 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 

Reference to church planning calendar for June and July, 2004.  Outreach has Council devotions, and announcements on communion Sundays and communion assistants for June, and Property has the same responsibilities in July.     

The next meeting is scheduled for June 21, at 7:00 p.m. for a work session, and the next regular Council Meeting is scheduled for July 5, at 7:00 p.m.

MOTION by Rick Merrifield, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

            TO ADJOURN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:40 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.