IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
July 1, 2002

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

GATHERING:

Den called the meeting to order at 7:40 and welcomed our guest.  Wayne opened with devotions.

PREPARING:

Review of June 3, 2002 Council Minutes:

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 3, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

The Management Committee was concerned with the motion regarding Pastor Cindy paying utilities, and requested that a revised motion be issued with the wording “if she would be willing to make a donation towards the utilities that would be appreciated.”  Fred Koos was concerned about the landlord/tenant relationship, and the potential tax implications if we were to issue an invoice for the utilities.

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Bob Eichelberger:

TO AMEND THE PREVIOUS MOTION REGARDING UTILITIES FOR PASTOR CINDY TO STATE “SHE MAY DONATE THE COST OF UTILITIES AND RENT.”

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Review of June 2, 2002 Special Congregational Minutes:

It was decided that as a tool for the Mutual Ministry Task Force, these minutes will be distributed in their entirety to the Council and those Task Force members.  Additionally, it was suggested before the task force reconvenes, we ask the congregation one more time for any additional volunteers for this task force.

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2, 2002 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

Discussion ensued.  As these are congregational meeting minutes, we cannot approve the minutes.  Instead, we can receive and file them.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2, 2002 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

These minutes will become an attachment to the Annual Meeting Minutes.

Treasurer's Update: As this is the first day of the month, there is no update to provide at this time.  We are waiting to record the givings from yesterday.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministry: No written report, working on healthy potluck (outdoor service on August 4).  No Council action required.

Management: Written report.  This Committee is concerned with the deficit.  Discussed placing the salary that we are currently paying Pastor Cindy to be set aside in a special fund for work that needs to be done to the parsonage in preparation for next resident.  Additionally, there may be moving expenses forthcoming.  They want the congregation to remember that the Council still is in favor of some type of position.  This would be in lieu of the current amount of her salary toward the deficit reduction. 

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen:

THAT THE EXPENSES THAT WERE PAID FOR WAGES & BENEFITS FOR PASTOR CINDY WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUT INTO A SPECIAL FUND THAT WOULD COVER MOVING EXPENSES, AND UPGRADING THE PARSONAGE FOR FUTURE STAFF THROUGH THE END OF THE CURRENT BUDGET YEAR. 

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Discussion: If it turns into a year before we find someone, are we going to continue to accumulate these funds?  We’ll go through the budget year, then re-evaluate.  This is for the next 6 months only, and then congregation will meet to vote on the next budget.  This will generate approximately $2,000 per month or $12,000 through the end of 2002.  Management committee will create a special line item in their budget.

The deficit situation was reviewed.  The Newsletter reflects the deficit, the information is also in the bulletins regularly, and the Stewardship Committee will be doing a follow-up postcard mailing, hopefully showing a bit of a reduction in the deficit, so that they can say thank you & keep it up.  Is that enough?  It was suggested that positive announcements be made as the deficit begins to be reduced. 

Memorial:  Written report (May 13, 2002).  No representation, no Council action required.

Outreach:  Written report.  They are considering an art fair open house similar to last year (August 3), and would like to solicit art work from our congregation for display only (10:00 – 5:00). 

MOTION by Bob Eichelberger, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

APPROVE AN OPEN HOUSE FOR ART DISPLAY AND RESPITE FOR PEOPLE GOING TO THE ART FAIR ON AUGUST 3 FROM 10:00 TO 5:00 P.M.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Parish Ed: No written report.  Working on rally day & VBS.  No Council Action required (no representation).

Property: Written report.  Have performed some maintenance at the parsonage, and advised that the refrigerator may not be cost effective to maintain.  No activity toward paving sidewalks, so we’ll wait to hear from the City.  Parking lot needs to be resealed (doesn’t cover hairline cracks, this is a top-coat only) – are there funds available?  First quote = $5,000 (church lot only).  Currently there is $3,400 remaining in the budget.  Another quote for 501 Building was $3,400.  The Church lot has the first priority.

Stewardship: No written report.  No Council Action required.  They created the letter to members regarding deficit situation, and continue to work on endowment fund program.

Worship: Written report.  No Council action needed.  Still working on a policy for announcements.  Any input from other committees?  Health Ministry likes the announcements, with different people’s faces, so we know there are a lot of leaders in different areas/a very involved congregation.  They will develop a policy and bring to Council. 

Youth: Written report. 

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Bob Eichelberger:

ALLOW THE YOUTH TO HOLD A CAR WASH ON AUGUST 10 FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Additionally, they discussed a fundraising project that involves going outside the church and recycling ink jet printer cartridges and copier toner cartridges.  These proceeds would be allocated for camp activities (summer, Spring Hill, etc.).  This is good for the environment too! 

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

ALLOW THE YOUTH COMMITTEE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN A FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY THAT INVOLVES RECYCLING INKJET PRINTER CARTRIDGES AND COPIER TONER CARTRIDGES.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

We also discussed the potential available for us to recycle here (paper, bottles, cans, etc.).  Karen will discuss at the next staff committee meeting, and determine if we are still paying for this service.  Additional discussion on the T-Shirt project.  Is it time to revisit this again?  Outreach will discuss at their next meeting, and perhaps as a fundraiser for the Youth.

Pastor’s Report (provided by Den): Written report.   Need Council action to grant the transfer out of the VonSpreecken family.  They live in Waverly area and would like to transfer to St. Gerard’s. 

MOTION by Donna Gibbons, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

APPROVE THE TRANSFER OUT OF THE VONSPREECKEN FAMILY.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

SERVING:

Correspondence:  None

Old Business: None

New Business:

·         Thanks to Matt Cermak, Kelly White & Pastor Rick for attending the Synod Assembly, as well as their presentation to the congregation.  They will follow-up with another presentation to the Youth Committee. 

·         Discussion regarding the Bridgebuilders process.  How does the Council feel about the process?  We reviewed Pastor Rick’s article in the Manger, and there was a concern of the negative impact it may have led to.  Den felt that the article basically pointed to the “housecleaning” that needs to be done, before we can move forward with other goals (i.e., 300 in 003).  Additionally, the exit interview was reviewed.  The consensus was that it went well for the awkward situation we are in, and was anti-climactic. 
We reviewed the schedule for the Bridgebuilders.  It was suggested that we send a letter to everyone who attended the initial Saturday session of Bridgebuilders to participate with the final 16 group to do the planning.  We are awaiting their suggestion for possible dates for these meetings.  This will happen the same time that the budget is reviewed for 2003. 

Overall, everybody appeared to come out a bit more positive.  We can survive!  Staff interviews were very productive for a 15-minute time span.  Would have preferred seeing the questions earlier, so we could have prepared our response.  There was some disappointment in the lack of participation (less than 10% of baptized member of the congregation).  Thanks to the Council for making phone calls to get people to attend

The Church Council Planning Calendar was reviewed, and the next regular meeting was scheduled for August 5, 2002 at 7:30 p.m.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Ernie Zakrajsek:

            ADJOURN THIS MEETING

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m., and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

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