IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
December 6, 2004

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Gathering

John called the meeting to order @ 7:03 p.m.  Bob (Health Ministry Committee) provided devotions. 

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

Approval of November 1, 2004 Council minutes.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 1, 2004 COUNCIL MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Treasurer's Report:

Fred reviewed the October & November Treasurer's Reports.  He pointed out that some of the smaller line items have been combined into the General Fund balance (including AA Donation, Lent received after distribution, Grand Ledge Pom Pon, Michigan Dyslexia, Flowers, Spiritual Direction, YANA Group).  Also, he noted that we had 3 payroll periods in November.  It was noted that we are not meeting our required contributions to meet budget.  Even though we anticipate an increase in giving for December, it appears as though we will end 2004 in the red, which has not happened in several years.  As of November 30, 2004, we are $7,498.24 in the red.  Some additional conversation on the money we currently have designated for Habitat for Humanity.  If we have met our obligation to the “build,” it was suggested that we retain this amount until the next Habitat project comes up. 

MOTION by Bob Carter, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

            TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 2004 TREASURER'S REPORT.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministry: No Council action required.  

Management:  No Council action required.  Mike Proper brought up his concern that the last Management Committee minutes indicated that there was a deficit and Council needs to address it, but we need to review more specific details (i.e., are we giving less than budgeted, or how is giving compared to past receipts, etc.).  Some things we should consider addressing with the congregation: are we being fiscally responsible, did we over-budget, are there things we should be doing but aren’t, due to decreased spending, etc.?  Discussion regarding the decrease in attendance that relates to decreased receipts.  What are the specific problems we need to address?  Additionally, we need to recognize that there were some “specific” extraordinary expenses such as new carpet, sidewalks, etc.   We are currently meeting our expenses (paying the bills, but using special funds instead of general funds to meet them).

Fred will discuss this conversation with the Management Committee next week, and bring back some suggestions/analysis regarding the deficit, including some comparisons with previous years receipts and expenses.  Specifically, we are looking for a 3-year (2002, 2003 and 2004) analysis of budget versus expenditures, and also include actual receipts.  We will also need to review attendance and giving breakdowns by size as well as number of pledges received from the Stewardship Committee.  We will discuss the year-end results at our January and February meetings.

Outreach: No Council action required.     

Parish Education: No Council action required.

Property: No Council action required.

Stewardship: No Council action required.

Youth: No Council action required. 

Worship: No Council action required.

Memorial & Special Gifts: No Council action required.

Pastor Rick: Council action required. Ken and Mindy Turner and their three children (who will be baptized soon), will be joining our congregation by affirmation of faith (either December or January).

MOTION by Bob Carter, SECONDED by Heath Buckley:

TO ACCEPT KEN AND MINDY TURNER AND THEIR CHILDREN BY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Also, he advised that he would like Advent offerings to be split between the Hometown Military Support Group and Eaton County Shelter/Siren.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

TO SPLIT ADVENT OFFERINGS BETWEEN THE HOMETOWN MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP AND EATON COUNTY SHELTER/SIREN.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Serving

Correspondence:

Correspondence: John read a letter of resignation from Rick Merrifield. 

MOTION by Bob Carter, SECONDED by Dan Landry:

TO REGRETFULLY ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF RICK MERRIFIELD FROM IMMANUEL COUNCIL.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED by Mike Proper:

TO DESTROY THE BALLOTS FROM THE NOVEMBER 7, 2004 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Fred Koos requested input on purchasing a CD for the Memorial Committee that would provide a good interest rate.  Pastor Rick mentioned that the ELCA has a “Mission Loan Fund” that is paying almost 5% interest.  That money is loaned out to congregations to build mission buildings, to revitalize older, inner-city congregations, etc.  He will review further, as the CD is coming up for renewal.

Karen Eichelberger indicated that CYVA training is going well.  It has been well received, and she would like to accomplish this by the end of the year.

Reference to church planning calendar for December 2004 and January 2005.  Health Ministry has Council devotions and announcements at the 10:30 service on communion Sundays and communion assistants for December, and Worship Committee has the same responsibilities in January.  Also a reminder that Committee Annual Reports are due at the end of the year.

We began discussions on the 2005 Council retreat, including a Friday night & Saturday.  Bob suggested the Girl Scout building in Wacousta.  He’ll follow-up on availability.    We will use this retreat to complete the restructuring of the Council and the committees.  Dates we are considering include February 4^th and 5^th. 

Our next meeting is scheduled for January 3, 2005.

MOTION by Bob Carter, SECONDED by Dan Landry

            TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:16 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.