IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
December 11, 2006

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Gathering

Mike called the meeting to order @ 7:12 p.m. 

Introduction of guests.  New members for Council next year.

Presentation to Council by Andrea Meewes (MiCAFE):

Provided a brief introduction to who, what, & where of food assistance for seniors.

Discussed what centers are in service in Eaton County. Currently (3) locations exist to conduct the effort.  The program is somewhat of a stepping stone for seniors to obtain food assistance.

MiCAFE Would like to institute a center in Grand Ledge.  Some sort of familiar community location is preferred if possible.

Looking for someone currently to do applications and would coordinate with the local site to conduct the effort.  MiCAFE would be providing people until such time that Immanuel could set up volunteers to take on the effort.

MiCAFE would require a way to connect to the internet in order to perform the online application process with seniors.  A copy machine and a fax machine are also of need to perform the necessary activities.

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

MOTION by Teresa Barcy, SECONDED by Marlaine Teahan

TO APPROVE the November 13, 2006 Council minutes, as revised.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Treasurer's Report:

Change to include (1) line item listed as:  “Property Taxes” currently at $840.00

Need to make sure there is a clear designation from Management Committee. Will need to break this down into more defined items in future reports (utilities, taxes, insurance).   Need to ask Management to review this.

Mortgage Reduction line item.  This still needs to be communicated to Pat. Management Committee will communicate this to Pat.

MOTION by Teresa Barcy, SECONDED by John Van Hoesen

To Approve the November 2006 Treasurer’s Report    

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Committee Reports:

Health Ministries: Written report, No Council action required.

Management:  Written report, No Council action required.  

Outreach:  Written Report, No Council action required.

Parish Education: No written report, No Council action required.

Property: No written Report, No Council action required. 

Stewardship: Written report, No Council action required.  

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Elizabeth Ayoub

To transfer the $ 8459.53 from the Future Ministerial Staff Fund to the General Fund

Opened for discussion and it was a evident that this fund has sat idle for some time and the use of it would offset the current shortfall in the general fund, and it was questioned as to whether we were being good stewards in letting this money sit and not using it to benefit our ministry. It was also discussed that by transferring this line item into the general fund that we would be just moving money to cover a shortfall in the general fund for the year and not really addressing the problem that we are experiencing currently with the deficit.

Yea 3; Nay 4

Motion does not carry.

Dan Landry asked that the Future Ministerial Staff Fund line item in the budget be looked at for future ministries. He asked that the incoming Council to keep this as a focus.

Worship: No written report, No Council action required.

Youth: No written report, No Council action required.

Memorial & Special Gifts: No written report, no Council action required.

Pastor Rick’s Report: Written report (November/December), Council action required.

Serving

New member activity:

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by Den Graeber to accept Amy Wheeler by transfer from Grace Lutheran in Lansing, MI. Christopher and Erin McKenzie-Vickers by Affirmation of Faith.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

MOTION by Gregg Vicary, SECONDED by Marlaine Teahan to allow Heath Buckley to transfer to St. Stephen Lutheran in Lansing, MI.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

People of Concern: 

Ernie Norstrant & the Love Family (grief)

All homebound and in nursing homes during the holidays.

MOTION by Elizabeth Ayoub, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy,

To allow MiCAFE to use the office, copier, fax, printer, computer, as long as they provide the staffing and supplies during regular office hours.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

MOTION by John Van Hoesen, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy

To approve a fundraiser for the church youth for the upcoming Mission trip.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Old Business:

Just a reminder to the President of Council to make sure a letter is put into the “Manger” for next month.

Make sure we make it clear of where the specific offerings are designated.

New Business:

MOTION by Elizabeth Ayoub, SECONDED by Teresa Barcy,

To designate Dan Landry be the Council Appointed liaison between the Boy Scout Troup 901

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

Dan Landry abstained.

Monthly planning calendar:

• January:  Council Retreat Planning.  Need to determine where based on current date and location limitations.  There is a ‘snapshot’ that has already been put together by staff of what it might look like but the council members will be decided by council during the retreat.
• Possibly look at having the resource team meetings on the same night.
• Publicize Christmas Services.
• Hanging of the Greens is complete.
• Committees prepare annual reports.
• Forward Planning Task Force report.
• Election of Council Officers for 2007
• Appointment of Tellers
• Appointment of Signatories.
• Designate Synod Delegates.
• Pastor's Evaluation
• Information for Confirmation Camps.
• Announcements
• Communion Assistants for Christmas.

Mike extended his special thanks to all members ending their terms.

Next Monthly Council Meeting: January 8, 2007 @ 7pm.

Closing

MOTION by Dan Landry,

To adjourn the meeting.

Motion Carries, Unanimously Approved.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer @ 9:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Copies of committee 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.