IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
October 7, 2002

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Gathering

Den called the meeting to order @ 7:38.  Chris opened with devotions.

Preparing

Review of September 9, 2002 Council Minutes:

MOTION by, Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Jane Goebel

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 COUNCIL MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Treasurer’s Report

Fred Koos reviewed the preliminary September 2002 Treasurer’s Report. Activity included moving the AA donation to the General Fund, and reversing the previously negative balance in Kids’ Club, Youth Camps and Gathering line items.  The deficit will be approximately $11,000 after some additional bills are paid, and the September transfer is made to the Future Ministerial Staff Fund.   As this is not a final statement, we cannot approve this report.  Discussion ensued regarding Confirmation Camp and Elementary Camp monies.  They can probably be put back into General Fund to help offset the transfer of other funds. 

Once the final Treasurer’s Report is completed, Fred will be certain that it makes it into the Newsletter.  We’re making progress; the deficit is reducing.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministry: No representative, written report of September 18, 2002.  No Council action required.

Management Committee: No written report, all activities surrounded work on the proposed 2003 budget.

Memorial: No written report.

Outreach: No written report,  met September 4 and discussed the newcomer ministry, and inactive membership.  No Council action required.  Crop Walk successful – we’ll have matching funds from AAL.

Parish Education: Written report, no Council action required.  Recently held the first annual Sunday School Teacher retreat – very beneficial for all, it really encouraged the team concept among the teachers.  Hopefully it will be the first of many.

Property: No written report, (no meetings). No Council action required.

Stewardship: Written report.  No Council action required.  Continuing to work on endowment fund idea.

Worship: Written report.  Continuing to work on ways to establish a quieter sanctuary.  After much discussion, it was decided that during the months of November and December 2002, we would try moving announcements to the end of the service and include a bulletin announcement during the month of October that we are attempting to provide a quieter sanctuary and one method includes moving the announcements.

MOTION by Kathy Weber, SECONDED by Fred Koos

MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THE END OF THE SERVICE THROUGH DECEMBER, 2002 TO SEE HOW THAT CHANGES, BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1, 2002.

5 APPROVED, 3 OPPOSED.  MOTION CARRIED.

Youth: No written report.  No Council action required.  They are planning a sleepover for November 15 at which time they’ll be making pies and selling for camp.  They are all set for registrations with the Lansing & National Gatherings.  High School kids now have elected leaders, so Mike Pitchford will get with Pastor Rick to set up a date for recognition/installation. 

Pastor’s Report: Request from Bruce & Esther Martin to transfer in from Emanuel First Lutheran.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Matt Cermak

APPROVE THE TRANSFER IN FROM EMANUEL FIRST LUTHERAN OF BRUCE AND ESTHER BUTLER AND THEIR SON MARTIN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Serving

Correspondence: None

Old Business: The Management Committee reviewed the request from Karkaus to use the parsonage.  If we receive rent, even for one day, it would add the parsonage to the tax rolls for the entire year. 

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen

TO DENY THE REQUEST FROM STEVE & CARMEN KARKAU FOR THE USE OF THE PARSONAGE DUE TO TAX LIABILITIES.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Den will advise the Karkaus that their request has been denied.

New Business:

·        Den wanted to explain the cancellation of the discussion/reconciliation meeting.  It was determined that it was an inappropriate time to have this meeting in the opinion of the Bridgebuilder leaders.  This was done with a lot of thought, prayer and discussion with Bridgebuilder leaders.  However, if after the conclusion of the Bridgebuilder process there are still concerns with the Pastor Cindy issue, the meeting may still have to take place.  We learned that the “reconciliation” is midway in the process of the Bridgebuilder process.  Is the Bridgebuilder process delaying our healing?  It’s unfortunate that those Bridgebuilder volunteers didn’t get an opportunity to discuss this issue.

·        Survey results for congregational meeting time indicated 38 for Sunday evening, 14 for a time following the 2^nd Worship Service, and 2 for “either.”

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

TO SET THE MEETING DATE AND TIME FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING FROM 7:00 TO 8:30 P.M. ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2002.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

·        Is there a need for an October 20, 2002 meeting regarding nominations for the 2003 Council Representatives? In the past, it was held two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.  However, if we elect not to have this special meeting, we’ll need to make provisions for a way to accept nominations from the floor and then close those nominations at the Annual Meeting before voting.  We decided not to hold this special meeting but include in the mailing to the congregation who the nominees are at that time.  This mailing must be completed prior to October 20, 2002 (2 weeks prior to the meeting date). 

·        PROPOSED BUDGET REVIEW:
Fred explained that the line items remain for an Associate Pastor position, but the budget has no specific funds designated at this time.  However, “the door is left open for the future.”  We don’t know what the results of Bridgebuilders process will be.  Also, does the congregation want to fully fund this position?  It will be reviewed at the Annual Meeting.  Fred reviewed specific increases/decreases in the entire budget, and provided a detailed explanation for each. 

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Matt Cermak

TO ACCEPT THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED, AND PRESENT TO THE CONGREGATION AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2002 ANNUAL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

·        We briefly reviewed the minutes of the September 8, 2002 Special Congregational Meeting.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen

TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2002 SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AND PUT THEM ON FILE.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Reference to Church Council Planning Calendar for October & November.  Note that all Committee members are invited to attend the November Council meeting.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen

            TO ADJOURN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Chris provided closing devotions @ 9:35.

Next meeting is scheduled for November 4^th at 7:30 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.