IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
October 9, 2006

David Woodby, Jane Goebel, Ernie Zakrajsek, Nancy Zakrajsek, Jay Cardinal, Chris Frysinger, Bill Frysinger, Sue Schnarr, Bev Becker

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Gathering

Mike called the meeting to order @ 7:08 p.m.  Elizabeth provided opening devotions.

Preparing

David Woodby gave a presentation from the N/W Lower Michigan Synod on the uses of the benevolence that is given to the synod. How it is used and the breakdown of which programs it is used for. He thanked Immanuel for the support and asked that we review the amount given in the coming year.

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by  Marlaine Teahan

Hold approval of the September council minutes until next month’s meeting to allow all member of council to review changes that need to be made.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Treasury Report:

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by  Teresa Barcy

Approve the October 9, 2006 Treasurers’ Report    

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

2007 Budget:

Discussion about the significant change in compensation for the educational director's position. Job description and job contract was reviewed. It was concluded that this increase will more reflect our wishes to place greater value on the position, and compensate the position commensurate with others positions within the church.

Line items were added to include the income from the parsonage rental and the liability of the taxes owed if the property is occupied as of 12/31/06.

MOTION by Tereas Barcy, SECONDED by Gregg Vicary that we approve the 2007 budget as proposed with the latest revisions discussed and updated.                              

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministries: No written report, no Council action required.

Management: Written report, no Council action required.

Kitchen Use:  Discussed the letter and conversation that occurred regarding the use of the kitchen as a licensed facility for food preparation for a church member’s for profit business.  It was stated that there were no issues with tax liability with this situation as it exists today for the Church.   This information was based on phone call with Diane Wright with the Department of Treasury State of Michigan and Julie Tucker city assessor of Grand Ledge.

A Letter was read from Elizabeth Ayoub explaining her position on the matter relating to her professional position about the matter.  Elizabeth asked this letter to be attached and made part of the minutes. A copy is attached.

Mike was asked to see if a letter speaking to the matter could be provided from both Ms. Wright and Ms. Tucker on their position.

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by  Greg Vicary  to continue to allow Teresa Barcy use of the church kitchen as a licensed facility to  prepare the food to be used of premise.

Motion Carries, 1 member abstained, Marlaine Teahan recused herself from discussion and voting due to professional conflict.

Outreach: Written Report,  Council action required.

Drama Team Ministry Team:  Jane Goebel asked for use of the church on December 20, 21, & 22, 2006,  in order to set up a live nativity scene. 

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by  Teresa Barcy  to allow the Drama Team Ministry Team to Use the Church for the Live Nativity Scene on Dec 20,21, & 22. 

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by  Den Graeber to allow the Outreach committee to hold a bake sale on November 19, 2006 with the Proceeds going toward the “Baskets of Hope”. 

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

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

Property: No written Report, no Council action required.

Stewardship: No written report, no Council action required.

Worship: No written report, no Council action required.

Youth: No written report, no Council action required.

Memorial & Special Gifts: No written report, no Council action required.

Pastor Rick’s Report: Written report (august/september), no Council action required.

Serving

Kids Hope:

Pastor Rick spoke more in regards as to what Kids Hope U.S.A. Program is  per his letter to the congregation in the October Manger Article, and what the commitment level for the congregation would be. There is a commitment of $2000.00 to the program and with the $500.00 grant from the Synod office and an individual matching donation from a member; this will leave us a balance of $1000.00. Pastor had discussed that there are other members who have already indicated the willingness to donate funds to cover this cost and he will call on others to make up the balance. The commitment cost will not need to come out of the budget.  Lyn Danes has agreed to be the coordinator of this program and is attending training.

MOTION by Elizabeth Ayoub, SECONDED by John Van Hoesen to give Pastor Rick the support to sign the contract with ‘Kids Hope’ jointly with the president and the recording secretary.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

 

Correspondence:

Troop 901 sent a letter to ask for permission to sell popcorn on October 15, 2006. This troop is the sponsored troop by our church.

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by to Teresa Barcy to allow Troop 901 to sell popcorn after the 10:30 am service on October 15, 2006. 

Motion Carries,  Approved.  Dan Landry abstained.

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by to Den Graeber to set up a new ministries fund from the Meijer Community rewards monies.  This fund will be used as seed money when a new ministry is developed that will require some additional monies to function. When the budget is reviewed the new ministry will be accounted for within the structure for future budget needs. This is a discretionary fund and all distributed money will need council approval.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Council reviewed the September 17^th special congregational meeting minutes and made suggested changes and will present them at the annual meeting held in November for approval.

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by to Gregg Vicary   to destroy the September 17 special congregational meeting ballots.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

MOTION by, Marlaine Teahan SECONDED by to John Van Hoesen  to designate the Thanksgiving offering to go to GLEAP.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Church Planning Calendar:

• October 2006 – Approve Budget; mail proposed budget and council nominations to the congregation, Announce annual congregation meeting agenda, Stewardship program, begin plans for Christmas service& poinsettia orders (worship), all committee members invited to the November council meeting

• November 2006 –Annual Meeting (Pres) , Destroy ballots from meeting, Community thanksgiving service (pastor & worship), Designate Advent Offerings (stewardship), Invite new council member to Dec Meeting, Announce “Hanging of the Greens” (worship)

Next Monthly Council Meeting: November 13, 2006 at 7 pm.

MOTION by, John Van Hoesen  to  adjourn the meeting.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Closing

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer @ 10:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Copies of committee 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.