IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
November 10, 2008

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Gathering

Matt Cermak called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.  Pr. Rick led a devotion and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Preparing

Approval of Previous Council Minutes:

Pat reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for October.  The deficit in the general fund has grown to $12,212.21.  Giving appears to be down.  There is $2,180.61 in the Parsonage Demolition line item for which there is no immediate need.  Parsonage demo is complete with the exception of possibly one more bill to repair a telephone line.  There was a recent contribution from AA of $200.

MOTION by  Dan Landry SECONDED by John Kingsley:

            TO MOVE THE AA CONTRIBUTION TO THE GENERAL FUND

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

MOTION by  Gregg Vicary SECONDED by Dan Landry:

            TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2008.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Treasurer's Report:

MOTION by:  Dan Landry  SECONDED by  John Kingsley:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE October 13, 2008 COUNCIL MEETING AS DRAFTED.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

MOTION by: John Kingsley  SECONDED by  Gregg Vicary:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON October 27, 2008 AS DRAFTED.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Team Reports:

Pastor’s Report: Written report submitted.  Pastor Rick’s new members’ class is wrapping up.  Pastor Rick anticipates receiving new members into the congregation on or about November 30, 2008.

MOTION by: John Kingsley  SECONDED by  Dan Landry:

TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS INTO THE MINISTRY OF THE CONGREGATION:

STEVE & ELLEN BARIBEAU
ANTHONY & SARAH GATEWOOD
TODD & DAWN BYERS
DICK BERNER

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Gathering Team: Written report submitted.

MOTION by: Gregg Vicary SECONDED by Dan Landry:

TO SUPPORT A SPAGHETTI DINNER/SILENT AUCTION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS (TIME/TALENTS) TO BE HEADED BY MONICA DYKE WITH DATE AND PROCEEDS DESIGNATION TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GATHERING TEAM AT A LATER DATE.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

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

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

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

Serving

Old Business:

The Zipples have volunteered to host Kim Winchell, Diaconal Minister, the weekend she is at Immanuel to preach on November 23rd.

New Business:  

Noise in the Sanctuary

Concern has been raised regarding the noise level during Services recently.  Gathering Team will take the issue for action.

Kitchen Use

Raymond Harris raised concerns about the kitchen use by Teresa Barcy’s catering business, Professional Party Planners.  Raymond noted that he has tried to raise these issues in the past but has felt frustrated by the response he has received.  Raymond stated that, in his view, Teresa’s business is coming before the church’s needs. 

Raymond stated that some members don’t feel comfortable using the church’s kitchen because they weren’t sure what belonged to the congregation and what belonged to the business.  Teresa agreed to label all drawers and storage spaces.  Teresa stated that all equipment in the kitchen, even equipment owned by the business, is available for congregational use.  Any items that are “off limits” are stored in the back room off the kitchen and in a room near the rear entry stairwell as required by the contract between the congregation and the business.

Raymond also noted a concern among some members that the kitchen isn’t available for their use because it is used every day by the business.  Teresa stated that she will keep a calendar in the kitchen.  Church member needs will have first priority.

Raymond stated that it was his belief that coffee hour was being held less often due to a general feeling that the kitchen was not available to the congregation.  David Kuntzsch of the Serving Team reported that the Serving Team had stopped purchasing the coffee hour supplies many months ago.  Gregg Vicary noted his belief that fewer coffee hours was more likely the result of a need for a Coffee Hour Coordinator and a signup sheet.  Teresa noted that the cabinets had just been filled with coffee hour supplies that she has donated for use by the church.

Raymond noted a concern that the business permit has expired and that it incorrectly names the business.  Teresa stated that her permits were all up-to-date and will be immediately posted in the kitchen.

Raymond also objected to the business using the door at the parking lot to bring food and supplies in and out of the church.  Raymond noted that the back door should be used by the catering business.  Teresa agreed to use the rear door for the business.

John Kingsley suggested that donations from Teresa’s business be specifically identified on the Treasurer’s reports each month so it was clear how much the business is donating to the congregation.  It was noted that the business donates many meals and makes other “in kind” donations to special events.  Teresa stated that the contract says the congregation will pay for maintenance, but she has done that recently because of the congregation’s deficit.  Council requested that all contributions and expenses be formally reported.  Financial transparency is a must.  Professional Party Planners will begin submitting all receipts and invoices to the church and then donate back to the church to pay the bills.

Workers’ compensation, food borne illness and liability issues were discussed.  Teresa assured the Council that the business is fully insured.  A concern of cleanliness was discussed.  It was also discussed that the new Maintenance Custodian and UpKeepers Team will help keep a better watch on this issue and report problems.  Council referred review and administration of the contract to the Support Team.

MOTION by: Dan Landry SECONDED by John Kingsley:

TO DIRECT THE SUPPORT TEAM TO REVIEW THE KITCHEN CONTRACT BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL PARTY PLANNERS AND THE CONGREGATION TO ASSURE THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE LIVING UP TO THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Facility Use Request

A request was made by the Hayes Select Choir to use the church for an “indoor yard sale” fundraiser in January 2009.  The request was made by a former member of Immanuel.  Council expressed some concern about the fundraiser and requested more information from the Choir.  Pr. Rick will contact the Choir.

Trash Recycling

Earthkeeping Team has suggested the use of Granger in lieu of Waste Management because Granger offers recycling.  Earthkeeping views recycling as a high priority but suggests it will require a change of mindset for the congregation and for Teresa’s catering business.  Support Team will take this issue for action.

Congregational Meeting Ballots

MOTION by: Jim Teahan SECONDED by David Kuntzsch:

TO DESTROY THE BALLOTS FROM THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING ON NOVEMBER 9, 2008.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Closing

Planning Calendar:

• November – Annual Meeting,  Destroy Ballots from Annual Meeting, Community Thanksgiving Service, Designate Advent Offering, Invite New Council Members to December Meeting, Announce Hanging of the Greens and Stewardship Drive.
• December – Publicize Christmas Services, Host Hanging of the Greens, Review Forward Planning Team, Make Arrangements for Council Retreat, Annual Reports from Teams.

Announcements:

Announcements preceding the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Services in the weeks before the next Council meeting will be given by the following Council Members:

Our next regular meeting is on December 8, 2008 at 6:30 pm

MOTION by  David Kuntzsch TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. 

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at  8:31 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.