IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
November 3, 2003

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Gathering

Wayne opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and Fred Koos from Management Committee provided devotions.

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED Fred Koos:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2003 COUNCIL MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTION TO ADD JOHN VANHOESEN AND DONNA GIBBONS AS EXCUSED.   

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

Fred reviewed the October Treasurer's Reports noting the change in beginning balance for October.  As of October 31, 2003 we were $4,201.36 in the black!  Discussion followed on the refinancing of the mortgage, which included a $500 fee.  The result was the continuation of monthly payments, with a reduced payment amount, beginning with November 15, 2003 payment.  It was discussed that we need to advise the congregation of the status of our mortgage, so perhaps an article in “The Manger” would assist in this area. 

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

TO ACCEPT THE OCTOBER, 2003 TREASURERS REPORT.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Committee Reports:

Memorial & Special Gifts Committee: Written report, no Council action required. 

Property Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  Fall clean-up day is November 22, 2003.

Health Ministry Committee: No written report, no Council action required.

Stewardship Committee: Written report.  It was noted that the date for Commitment Sunday might be incorrect in the minutes.  Matt will confirm date and advise.  There was discussion that this committee consider having Commitment Sunday on the same date as the Annual Congregational Meeting.  They will discuss at their next meeting.

MOTION by Matt Cermak SECONDED by Fred Koos

TO DESIGNATE ADVENT OFFERINGS SPLIT EVENLY BETWEEN GLEAP AND THE GRAND LEDGE FOOD BANK.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Outreach Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  They will be looking for a volunteer to organize the Art Fair next year.  PLEASE DON’T ORDER ANY SUPPLIES WITHOUT GOING THROUGH RUTH BUCKLEY.  Discussion ensued on the Baskets of Hope campaign and the need to increase our contributions.  We will designate the first Sunday in December as Basket of Hope Sunday.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

TO DESIGNATE THE NOVEMBER, 2003 COFFEE HOUR GIVINGS TO THE BASKETS OF HOPE CAMPAIGN.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Orv explained that the organizations formerly known as Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) and Lutheran Brotherhood have merged and are now known as Thrivent.  We need to reestablish a branch here in order to receive some of the matching funds and benefits of this organization.  Wayne will research this further after the first of the year.

Lyn advised that for the recent Crop Walk Immanuel had at least 37 walkers, and raised approximately $3,000.  Grand Ledge generated between $9,000-$10,000.  There are some recognition pins that we would like to distribute to those walkers that raised in excess of $150.00 during an upcoming worship service.

Worship Committee: No written report, no Council action required.

Parish Education Committee: Written report, no Council action required.  Lyn discussed some revisions to the Cradle Roll program, which should reduce costs. 

Youth Committee: Written report, no Council action required.  They have had discussions on what they are looking for in a person for the youth and advised that they are leaning toward someone with a degree in Youth Ministry.  They are researching different options (financial including parsonage availability, job descriptions, roles, titles, etc.), and will be meeting again in December to coordinate the findings, then determine the next step to take.  They intend to involve Parish Ed & Sue Schnarr in this process.  The definition of “youth program” for this purpose is still under construction.  We discussed the need to provide support and encouragement for whomever fills that position.  Parish Ed wants to be sure there is a program in place before this position is filled to allow the new individual to be a facilitator rather than the sole responsible individual.  Ideas included using the assistance from the universities in this area with oversight from a professor, using various students/graduates – similar to an internship.  That way, if there is turnover, the structure is there to provide continuity to the kids.  They would like to be able to make a recommendation to Council by mid-February, 2004.

Management Committee: Written report.  They completed the refinancing of the mortgage, which was done rather quickly in order to lock in the 5 7/8% interest rate.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED BY Dan Landry:

THE COUNCIL CONCURS WITH THE ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL OFFICERS TO REFINANCE THE LOAN AT THE INTEREST RATE OF 5 7/8%.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Pastor Rick’s Report: Written report.  We reviewed his October calendar, two items for Council action.  Anticipated date will be November 30, 2003 for admission of new members. 

MOTION by Matt Cermak SECONDED by John VanHoesen:

            TO APPROVE THE RELEASE OF JERRY, IRENE AND ADAM BOST.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

MOTION by Donna Gibbons, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

TO RECEIVE INTO MEMBERSHIP ANTONI WILLIAMS AND MERRI MESSING BY REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Serving

Correspondence:   None

Old Business: We will leave the “biography on members who are no longer living” on the agenda, in order to keep it visible.

Also, the initial Vision Statement was received well at the congregational meeting on November 2, 2003.  As indicated earlier, the committee will begin presenting this to various groups early next year.  Additionally, it will be printed in “The Manger,” and the link on our web site will be mentioned regularly.

New Business: At the Annual Congregational Meeting of November 2, 2003, it was mentioned that we need to form a task force for building & property use, as it relates to all of our properties and potential uses.  We considered making an announcement to see if there is interest in serving on this task force which should include at least one member of the Property Committee and one member from the Management Committee.  We need to explain what the scope of this task force is.  All possibilities need to be considered: remodeling, use, demolition, sale of all properties, partial property sale, research property values, potential renovations (new carpet, roof, code violations) etc.    We will make appointments at the December Council meeting. 

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Britt Riggs:

            TO DESTROY THE ANNUAL MEETING BALLOTS.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Wayne strongly urged all committees to use the bulletin boards.  This suggestion was promised from the Bridgebuilder subcommittee on Communication.  Wayne requested that these boards be filled by the next Council meeting.  Lyn volunteered to provide a background as well as delineation of the space between committees.

Reference to Church planning calendar for December 2003 and January 2004.  It was noted that Youth Committee has Council Devotions, Communion Assistants, and announcements for December communion Sundays.  Also, we were reminded to bring snacks for the December meeting, as new members will be in attendance.

We closed with the Lord’s prayer.

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

            TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2003.

Respectfully submitted,

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