IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
November 4, 2002

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Gathering

Den called the meeting to order @ 7:36.  Fred Koos opened with devotions.

Preparing

Review of October 7, 2002 Council Minutes:

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Fred Koos:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2002 COUNCIL MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Treasurer's Report

Fred Koos reviewed the September Treasurer's reports indicating that we have made some headway toward reducing our deficit.

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen:

            TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 2002 TREASURER'S REPORT.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Fred also reviewed the October Treasurer's reports highlighting some specific line items that have been adjusted.  Chris indicated that all expenses have been paid for VBS, so the remaining balance can be transferred back to the general fund.

MOTION by Chris Frysinger, SECONDED by Bob Eichelberger:

            TO MOVE REMAINING VBS MONIES TO THE GENERAL FUND.

11 in favor, 1 opposed. 

MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 2002 TREASURER'S REPORT.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministry: Written report; no Council action required.  The service for the homebound will be conducted here on Sunday, December 1 @ 1:00 p.m.  This includes a luncheon, and is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship among those who typically can’t attend a regular worship service, as well as their families.

Management Committee: No written report; last meeting was in October with the Bridgebuilder focus group.  No Council action required.

Memorial: Written reports from September 9, 2002 and October 14, 2002.  No Council action required.

Outreach: Written report; no Council action required. Reviewed information from Bridgebuilder focus group.  Receiving great response to greeter & coffee hour signups.  Will be advertising in the Lansing State Journal and will continue to do this next year.  Crop Walk collections almost complete.  We raised approximately $3,200 ($300 more than last year).  These figures do not include matching funds, so the numbers will increase.

Parish Education: No written report; no Council action required.  Sunday School teachers meeting (monthly) scheduled for 11/5/02 to review curriculum.  The Christmas Program will be December 15, and they are also working on “Thank God for Friends” day.  No Sunday School classes are scheduled for 12/29/02 or 1/5/03

Property: Written report; no Council action required.  The old refrigerator has been removed from the old parsonage and disposed of.  We have proposals from vendors to plow the church and office parking lots, with prices varying depending upon amounts of snow received.  Ernie will obtain more concrete information then make a determination as to the potential costs for this endeavor.

Stewardship: Written report; Council action needed to approve designation of Advent offerings:

MOTION by Melissa Goschka, SECONDED by Bob Eichelberger:

THAT THE OFFERINGS RECEIVED IN ADVENT OFFERING ENVELOPS BE DISTRIBUTED ONE-HALF TO GLEAP, AND ONE-HALF TO LOAVES & FISHES.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Worship: No written report; no Council action required.  How did announcements go at 10:30 service?  Discussion ensued regarding different opinions.  Most agreed that the sanctuary was a little quieter at the beginning of the service.  We need to be careful that we don’t shut out potential positive results (i.e., Ellen McKenzie’s successful announcement recruiting Choir members).  We need to be sure that other members are recognized during announcements.  This is a trial period, so we’ll continue to monitor comments.

Youth: Written report; no Council action required.  Pie sales have started for fundraising, and the Michigan Christmas tree is coming from Grand Ledge this year.  Boy Scout Troop 901 will lead the flag ceremony and take part in the preparation of the tree on November 8.  They are also just starting a printer cartridge recycling project.  Finally, the Youth Committee has made some decisions regarding fund raising activities.  It was decided that the individuals present during the fundraising events would receive the credit for the monies earned.  Should that decision have been made at the committee level, or should it have gone to Council?  The Council agreed that the correct decision was made; it’s been done that way before.  The bookkeeping was a little difficult, but as long as the kids don’t object to it, we agree.  This encourages greater participation, and offers an opportunity for family members to participate as well.  There is a base amount budgeted for each participant – this issue revolves around fundraising for additional monies.

Pastor’s Report: Written report; no Council action required.  The Healing Service with stations for personal healing & group/couple stations offered an unexpected blessing, and allowed groups – whether families, one parent & child(ren) or even friends -  to pray together.  First communion was held in October, and we hope that next year we can get the Bibles to the parents sooner, so that they can remember the baptismal vows they made to put the scriptures in their children’s hands.  In November, Pastor Rick will be leading a Lay Missionary Retreat in November.  He also hopes to have a catechism retreat in November.  Also, it was noted that Chuck & Denise Kelly will be moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky at the end of this month.

Serving

Correspondence: None

Old Business: None

New Business:

Two resignations from Council.  Carol Weigel is resigning effective January 1, 2003, primarily due to her extended absence from the Grand Ledge area.  She thanked us for allowing her to serve, and she feels comfortable leaving us at this time.

MOTION by Ernie Zakrajsek, SECONDED by Donna Gibbons:

                        TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF CAROL WEIGEL.

UNANIMOUSLY ACCEPTED, WITH REGRETS.

We also received a letter from Lauren Martinich, indicating that her school schedule does not allow her participate as she had hoped.

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen:

                        TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF LAUREN MARTINICH.

UNANIMOUSLY ACCEPTED, WITH REGRETS.

·        Results of November 3, 2002 Annual Meeting: The 2003 budget was approved 35 yes votes and 7 no votes.  New Council members elected for 2 year terms: Dan Landry, Mike Pitchford, Greg Osburn, Orv Erickson, Barb Paulins, John VanHoesen, Britten Riggs; one year Lyn Danes.  Jan Martinich and Greg Vicary were elected for the Nominating Committee.  There were 51 members present at the last Annual Meeting, and 42 last night.  There was additional discussion regarding the time of the meeting, as the attendance was down.  Perhaps next year we could ask a high school student to provide childcare.  The atmosphere was more relaxed in the evening, with less pressure to rush through things.  It felt as if people were more willing to talk, share & listen. 

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Donna Gibbons:

DESTROY THE BALLOTS FROM THE NOVEMBER 3, 2002 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Reference to Church Council Planning Calendar for November & December: new Council members will be invited to attend the December Council Meeting.  Also, note that Communion Sundays in December for the 10:30 service will be the 1^st, 4^th, and 5^th Sundays, due to the Sunday School Christmas program.  There will not be a need for Communion Assistants at the 4:00 service on Christmas Eve, as that will be by intinction. 

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Jane Goebel:

            TO ADJOURN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer @ 8:45 p.m.

Next meeting is scheduled for December 2nd 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.