IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
December 2, 2002

Orv Erickson, Mike Pitchford, Dan Landry, Lynn Danes, Barb Paulins, John VanHousen, Greg Osborn

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Gathering

Den called the meeting to order @ 7:37 p.m., and welcomed those new members for 2003 in attedance.  Donna Gibbons opened with devotions.

Preparing

Review of November 4, 2002 Council Minutes:

There was some discussion regarding terms of new Council members and filling vacancies.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Treasurer's Report

Fred Koos reviewed the November Treasurer's reports, indicating that we have made additional headway toward reducing our deficit.  Some of this has been accomplished through transfers.  We are pleased with the progress and continue to monitor our situation closely.

MOTION by Matt Cermak, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen:

            TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 2002 TREASURERS REPORT

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Committee Reports: 

Health Ministry:  Written report, no Council action required.  Karen notified us that the ELCA is becoming active on a national level with health ministry.  Bishop Hansen is working with the ministry committee of the synod to promote health ministry & parish nursing.  Churches need to look to other sources to support their ministry staff, including health ministry & parish nurses.

Management Committee:  Written report, need Council action regarding Pastor Rick’s housing allowance that requires IRS special verbiage.

MOTION by Fred Koos, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen:

WHEREAS, THE REVEREND RICHARD D. MCKENZIE ORDAINED PASTOR IN THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA HAS ACCEPTED THE CALL TO SERVE IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNCTIONS SPECIFIED IN THE LETTER OF CALL, AND WHILE IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH DOES NOT PROVIDE HIM A PARSONAGE FOR HIS USE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID TO THE PASTOR INCLUDES UP TO $3,000 THAT IS DESIGNATED AS A RENTAL ALLOWANCE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE TERM AS USED IN SECTION 107 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1954.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Additionally, Den is working on securing signatures for contracts for other individuals (i.e., Parish Nurse, Organists, and Janitorial staff).  Evaluations for staff will be conducted soon.  Note that committee year-end reports are due to the office by January 19, 2003.

Memorial: No written report, no Council action required.  Per Fred Koos, we received a contribution in memory of Mildred Althoff that was used to purchase new paraments.

Outreach: Written report, no Council action required.  Crop walk collections are 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: Written report, no Council action required.  Sunday School teachers meeting held, and second one scheduled for January 28, 2003. 

Property: Written report, no Council action required.  We now have contracted for snow removal, and elevator has been repaired.  Den requested that a document be posted in the elevator to assist the next time there are problems.

Stewardship:  No written report, no Council action needed (no representative present).

Worship: Written reports from October & November, no Council action received.  We are asking for help in un-decorating (after the Christmas season), January 5.  Council members will take back to their committees, and we’ll remind individuals in the bulletin.  It was noted that we are moving through the month of December, keeping announcements at the end of the service.  Worship committee will monitor feed back in January, consider using a hand vote, or asking ushers to conduct an informal survey (preferred time for announcements).

Youth: No written report.  Planning periodic day trips.  Note that the catechism kids just returned from a retreat.  Also, a change from last month’s minutes, spring trip is actually the end of February/first of March.  

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Fred Koos:

TO ACCEPT PRISCILLA LANE AS A YOUTH COMMITTEE MEMBER.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Had orders for 100 pies.  Teresa Barcy donated “fixings,” so everything earned was profit!  Discussion followed regarding the allocation of profits towards those kids that worked this fundraiser.

Pastor’s Report: Written report.  Pastor Rick attended two different retreats, enjoyed both.  The theme for confirmation camp was “True Love Waits,” and the topic was the 6^th Commandment.  Although the Council approved the transfer in of Bruce & Esther Butler (and son Martin) a few months ago, and he has now had requests from 3 other individuals to transfer in.  These will be completed in January 2003. 

MOTION by Bob Eichelberger, SECONDED by Matt Cermak:

TO APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF TOM AND ELAINE MATTSON BY TRANSFER AND JACKIE LEWIS BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Note that post-Christmas service times have changed.  Even though an 8:00 service time was printed in the newsletter for December 29, Pastor Rick advised that Pastor Paul has agreed to lead one service on that date.  Pastor Rick would like to have that Sunday off, as he will be baptizing his grandson in Shelby Township!

MOTION by Fred Gehlhaar, SECONDED by Wayne Christiansen:

TO ALLOW PASTOR RICK TO BE ABSENT DECEMBER 29, 2002.  AS PASTOR RICK HAS NO REMAINING SUNDAYS OFF, WE AGREED TO PAY PASTOR PAUL FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Serving

Correspondence: Fred Koos advised that the IRS has accepted our appeal on penalties for incorrect reporting.  However, there is still an ongoing issue with previous reports from 1999.  He is working with Pat Anderson (treasurer at the time), Jay Cardinal and IRS personnel to resolve.

Old Business: None

New Business:

·        The November 3, 2002 Congregational Meeting Minutes are completed and on file.

·        Bridgebuilders has divided into 4 groups, with each unit working on one of the issues, hoping for more finalized information by January 12, 2003.  There was much discussion regarding the length of time it is taking to get some resolution or even headway in this issue.  Some of the members of the Bridgebuilders group expressed frustration with the lack of progress.  It was also suggested that the Council set a target date to make a recommendation to the congregation.  We want to make certain that we analyze all of our options and directions.  It was decided that we use the date of the Council retreat (typically the last weekend in January) for a target to obtain some direction from Bridgebuilders.  The Council needs to set goals for the upcoming year.  We need closure, and to give direction.  The congregation is looking to us, but we don’t want to move too quickly.  Perhaps we could have at least one or two pieces ready by the Council retreat.  Vision and Communication are the least “concrete” piece.  The Mutual Ministry Support Task Force and Youth “pieces” may be easier to finalize.

·        Thank you to Council members whose terms have ended with this meeting:  Melissa Goschka, Jane Goebel, Chris Frysinger, Kathy Weber, Fred Gehlhaar and Den Graeber. 

MOTION by Wayne Christiansen, SECONDED by Fred Gehlhaar:

            TO ADJOURN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 9:10 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.