IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
July 9, 2007

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

Gathering

Mike called the meeting to order @ 6:43 p.m.

Council Devotions were shared.  (Highs & Lows)

Preparing

Jim Espie and Carmen Karkau made a proposal for a fundraiser for a new grand piano.  Their “first choice” piano will cost $26,000.  Carmen and Jim have visited Reeder Piano and have heard the piano.  They have a second choice piano that costs the same and a third choice that costs approximately $15,000.  The Gathering Team is proposing a “buy-a-key” fundraiser ($295/key) with other fundraising options to allow more members to participate.

MOTION by Teresa Barcy SECONDED by Hanna Espie

TO AUTHORIZE THE GATHERING TEAM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A NEW GRAND PIANO.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Pr. Paul and Denise made a presentation on the new red hymnal published by the ELCA.  Staff proposes not to purchase the red hymnals, only the CD which contains the entire hymnal electronically.  The intent is to print the complete service from the CD, including all hymns, each week in the bulletin.  A three-year subscription to the new hymnal on CD costs $359/year.  We would encourage people to buy their own hymnal book if they wanted one.  The book costs approximately $20/copy.  The change likely would be made with the start of the new church year on the first Sunday in Advent.

Treasurer's Report:

Mike Proper reviewed the June 2007 Treasurer’s Report.  The negative balance in the general fund has increased approximately $2,000 since May’s report.  The report was received late, and Pat was not able to attend to answer questions. Also, a number of Council members had not seen it.

MOTION by Tom Mattson SECONDED by Hanna Espie

TO REFRAIN FROM APPROVING THE JUNE 2007 TREASURER’S REPORT UNTIL NEXT MONTH.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Review of Previous Council Minutes: 

Approval of the June 11, 2007 minutes:

MOTION by: Den Graeber SECONDED by: Teresa Barcy

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 11, 2007 COUNCIL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Team Reports:

Serving Team: Written report. No Council action requested.

Preparing Team: No written report.

Gathering Team: Written report.  No Council action required.

Support Team: No written report.

Serving

Old Business:

Budget Concerns:  Budget will be watched closely in the coming weeks given the particularly poor income received in the past few weeks.  Of note, the negative balance in the general fund has grown $2,000 in the past month.

Sabbatical Update:  Pr. Rick is in the U.P. in the Porcupine Mountains this week and Keweenaw peninsula next week camping and reading.

Natural Church Development: Mike contacted Bruce Bellanger.  He will be our NCD coach.  An Immanuel task force will be assembled to initiate the process.

Small Group Ministry Coordinator:  Dennis Graeber presented the past work that Outreach Committee did with small group ministries in 2000-2001. 

New Business:

Youth Fundraiser:  Immanuel youth are planning a bake sale/car wash fundraiser in August.  Council has not authorized this fundraiser.   This action needs to go through the Preparing Team for a formal presentation on the fundraiser to the Council for its approval.

Buckley Sign:  Bob Buckley will be placing a magnetic sign on his car advertising his FBI Reading Club.  He has asked to use Immanuel’s name on the sign.  The sense of Council is that Immanuel’s name should not be used.  Mike will advise Bob of this.

GLHS Swim Team Fundraiser:  GLHS Swim Team has asked to use Immanuel’s parking lot for a carwash fundraiser on August 25, 2007.  An Immanuel member will be participating in the fundraiser.  Council raised a concern that the participating youth be appropriately clothed while on Immanuel’s property, and that they Swim Team compensate Immanuel for the cost of water.  A facility use permit provided by the Support Team will be required. 

MOTION by: Teresa Barcy SECONDED by: Tom Mattson

TO ALLOW THE GLHS SWIM TEAM TO USE THE IMMANUEL PARKING LOT ON AUGUST 25, 2007 SUBJECT TO SIGNING A FACILITY USE PERMIT WITH SUPPORT TEAM, TO INCLUDE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND A DONATION FOR WATER USAGE.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Planning Calendar:

• July – Plan Fall clean-up, Recruit Sunday School Teachers
• August – VBS, organize first communion & confirmation classes, begin prep for annual budget, plans for Sunday School Rally Day, recruit Sunday School teachers, plan fall clean up, nominating committee seeks to fill vacant Council positions.

Announcements:

Announcements preceding the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Service will be given by the following Council Members:

Closing

Our next regular meeting is on August 13, 2007 at 6:30 pm

MOTION by Dave Kuntzsch, SECONDED by Tom Mattson

            TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:33 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.