IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
September 8, 2008

John Kingsley, Pat Anderson

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Gathering

Matt Cermak called the meeting to order @ 6:38 p.m.  Pr. Rick led a devotion and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Preparing

Treasurer's Report:

Matt reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for August.

MOTION by  Dan Landry   SECONDED by  Gregg Vicary:

            TO APPROVE THE AUGUST TREASURER’S REPORT

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Approval of Previous Council Minutes:

MOTION by: Gregg Vicary  SECONDED by Dan Landry:                      

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE August 11, 2008 COUNCIL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Team Reports:

Pastor’s Report: Written report submitted.  No Council action required.

Support Team: No written report submitted.  No Council action required.

Gathering Team: No written report submitted.  No Council action required.

Preparing Team: Written report submitted. No Council action required.

Serving Team: Written report submitted.

MOTION by: Dan Landry  SECONDED by Gregg Vicary:                      

TO FORM A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE FELLOWSHIP SMALL GROUP  UNDER THE SERVING TEAM AND MOVE APPROPRIATE BUDGET ITEMS FROM THE SUPPORT TEAM BUDGET TO THE SERVING TEAM BUDGET LEAVING ONLY MAJOR MAINTENANCE PROPERTY BUDGET LINE ITEMS UNDER THE SUPPORT TEAM, TO MAKE APPROPRIATE BYLAW CHANGES TO REFLECT THE CHANGES IN RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SERVING AND SUPPORT TEAMS AND TO SUBMIT THOSE CHANGES TO THE CONGREGATION FOR APPROVAL AT THE NOVEMBER 2008 ANNUAL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Serving

Old Business:  Matt Cermak read a letter from Bill & Barb Paulins questioning, among other things, Council’s decision at its July 2008 meeting to use Future Ministerial Funds to fully fund the parsonage demolition project.  Council re-visited the decision and stands by the motion and vote made at the July 2008 meeting.  It remains Council’s view that given the additional insurance expense the congregation would incur once the parsonage was left vacant for one year, as well as the lack of an immediate need for the money that had accrued in the Future Ministerial Fund line item, those funds were better used on what Council views as an immediate need to demolish the parsonage.

The history of the Future Ministerial Fund line item was reviewed.  Future Ministerial Fund money was originally intended as salary payment to our former Associate Pastor.  When she left Immanuel, money that was budgeted for her salary each month simply accrued in what became the Future Ministerial Fund.  The thinking of the Management Committee at that time was that if Immanuel sought a replacement for the Associate Pastor position, money would be needed to pay for the costs of the search as well as upgrades to the parsonage which was presumed to be part of the compensation given to a new Associate Pastor.  As time evolved, Immanuel chose not to seek a replacement Associate Pastor or to make improvements to the parsonage.  In fact, the parsonage is now being demolished.  It is the view of the Council that the original intent for Future Ministerial Fund money has been made obsolete.  The Council agrees that using these funds for what it views as an immediate need to demolish the parsonage serves the congregation well.

Council discussed the need for the minutes of Council meetings to include more details on Council deliberations on those issues that are potentially contentious among members.  Council members will review draft minutes more closely and make suggestions for specific language changes when appropriate.  Council noted that we have not had an official Recording Secretary in almost two years.  In response to a portion of the Paulins’ letter, Council will request the Treasurer place copies of each month’s Treasurer’s Report on the credenza in the entryway.

Council noted the perception among some members that the congregation has embarked on a new direction to increase revenue with the garage sales being held to fund the demolition project.  Council noted the view voiced by some members that the congregation ought to be able to fund all of its needs with member contributions and should not need to supplement contributions with events like a garage sale.  Council noted, however, that the use of a garage sale to help fund the demolition project was discussed at the special congregational meeting in March 2008 and it is the view of Council that a majority of members do not object to supplementing member contributions in this manner.

New Business:  Ellen McKenzie has requested to take Pr. Rick away for his birthday on Sunday, October 19, 2008.  A replacement pastor will be needed that Sunday.

MOTION by: Dan Landry  SECONDED by David Kuntzsch:                      

TO APPROVE PR. RICK’S BIRTHDAY VACATION FROM THE PULPIT ON OCTOBER 19, 2008.  PR RICK WILL IDENTIFY A REPLACEMENT PASTOR.  COSTS TO BE PAID BY THE CONGREGATION

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Closing

Planning Calendar:

• September – Sunday school teacher retreat, SNL begins, Fall Worship Schedule Begins, Sunday School Begins, Rally Day Sunday, Publicize Fall Clean Up, Announce Stewardship Program, Promote Crop Walk, Nomination Committee Continue to promote Council positions available, First Communion Classes, Plan First Communion Celebration.
• October – Council Approves Budget, Mail Proposed budget and nominations to congregation, Announce annual budget meeting, Stewardship Program, Host First communion celebration, Begin plans for Christmas service and flower orders.

Announcements:

Announcements preceding the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Services in September will be given by the following Council Members:

Our next regular meeting is on October 13, 2008 at 6:30 pm

MOTION by Dan Landry SECONDED by Gregg Vicary:

TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:17 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.