IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
December 1, 2003

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Gathering

John called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. and welcomed the new members whose terms begin January 2004.  He opened with devotions.

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

MOTION by Bill Paulins, SECONDED by Donna Gibbons:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2003 COUNCIL MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTION TO NOTE THAT MATT CERMAK MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 6, 2003 MINUTES.     

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

As yesterday was the last day of the month, the November financial statements were not yet completed.  We are at least $5,000 to the good, even without yesterday's offerings.  It is believed that we now have one month extra in the building fund (working toward our goal of a three month “cushion”).

Committee Reports:

Memorial & Special Gifts Committee: Written report, no Council action required.  They are currently working on two projects: book racks to get the “With One Voice” hymnals off the pews, and pew cushions.

Property Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  Greg Osburn is on the property assessment committee, and the kitchen committee has come up with a proposal for the use of the kitchen (they need to discuss with management).  They will be setting up Nativity Scene this Saturday in preparation for the Hanging of the Greens festivities.

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

Stewardship Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  Matt distributed the final draft of the Electronic Fund Transfer data sheet.  Also, they discussed the timing of the “Commitment Sunday” date.  Additional conversation revolved around the connection between the Annual Meeting approving the budget with Commitment Sunday.  Shouldn’t they be held closer together?  Perhaps October is too early for Commitment Sunday, as the commitment is for the following year – will we remember? They’ll continue to discuss at future meetings.

Outreach Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  They are awaiting the new guidelines for purchasing kitchen supplies, in an effort to reduce duplication, what can be used, budget, etc.   Also, they have 10 names (mostly individuals) that we will be assisting with the Baskets of Hope.  We anticipate having the directories around the first of the year.

Worship Committee: Written report, no Council action required.  A reminder that Hanging of the Greens will be this Sunday.

Parish Education Committee: No written report, no Council action required (just had their meeting tonight). 

Youth Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  Dan Landry requested the use of the parsonage garage for storage of Boy Scout Troop 901 camping supplies.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

TO ALLOW BOY SCOUT TROOP 901 TO STORE THEIR CAMPING EQUIPMENT IN THE PARSONAGE GARAGE.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Further discussion centered on the security (or lack thereof), as well as the need to retain a clear walkway into the house.  Dan also agreed that if the availability of the parsonage changes, they understand the gear will have to be moved. 

Management Committee: No written report, no Council action required.  They met with Stewardship Committee and discussed the endowment fund draft, and are moving forward with this document.

Pastor Rick’s Report: Written report.  We reviewed his November calendar.  This month was dominated by two retreats and the planning involved.  The first retreat was lay missionary training for our Synod, and the second was the catechism retreat – both very beneficial for him and us.  He reminded us to keep in our prayers those individuals who are grieving, no matter how long it’s been.  Finally, he personally thanked those individuals who are leaving the Council, and those who are joining.  It’s a commitment and it takes time, and it’s been a trying year, and a year of progress.  We are ready to move forward!

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.

Pastor Rick addressed the Council on the status of the Vision Statement.  He indicated that the Vision Team is taking time and letting God and the Spirit move them forward.  They have a lot of energy but want to be certain they are clear and together on it. They are finalizing details, including anticipating roadblocks, what are the implications that they anticipate to grow out of this statement.  They expect to be done by the end of the year, and desire to present it to the Council for discussion and approval/disapproval at the 2004 retreat in January.  After that, it will go to the congregation for formal adoption.

Matt indicated that the Youth portion of the Bridgebuilders Task Force is meeting regularly to create a job description for a new position, and is leaning toward a titled position “Associate in Ministry,” which includes a bachelor’s degree in youth and family ministry.  They are researching pay scales as well, and will continue to advise the Council of their status.

Discussion on the need to have a solid program in place, before an individual is hired.  It’s important that this program go on, even if the person running moves on.  Continuity is important, and this makes it less critically dependent on the personality of the individual filling this role.  This will coincide with our vision.  We have some volunteers willing to jump start this program and we are starting to get the youth and their parents active, interested and involved.  More discussion followed on involvement from the new individual to have input into this as well.  John indicated that we need flexibility, yet accountability in this job description.

Fred reminded Council that members of the property assessment task force need to be appointment and approved by Council.

Thanks to Lyn Danes for updating the bulletin boards.  Committee members need to remember to update them as frequently as possible. 

New Business:

Fred Koos advised that he would volunteer to serve as treasurer for one more year if we are unable to find someone else for that position. 

Genoia Smith and Nancy Zakrajsek have been our tellers for 20 years, and are leaving this role.  We need to recognize them in some fashion.  Denise suggested something permanent, like a cross or a plaque. 

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Dan Landry

TO APPROPRIATE $100 TOTAL FOR USE BY DENISE LUND TO SELECT A GIFT FOR GENOIA AND NANCY, TO BE PRESENTED TO THEM DURING A WORSHIP SERVICE.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

George Ryan has volunteered to be an alternate, but we will need to get two new tellers (date and time to be determined by those individuals).

Reference to Church planning calendar for January 2004.  It was suggested that we consider January 31, 2004 for the Council retreat.  Annual Committee Reports are due to Denise by January 16, 2004. Finally, it was noted that Worship Committee has Council Devotions, Communion Assistants, and announcements for January communion Sundays.

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 8:35 p.m.

Next meeting is scheduled for January 5, 2004.

Respectfully submitted,

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