IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
December 12, 2005

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Gathering

John called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m.   John provided devotions.  

Preparing

Review of Previous Council Minutes:

Reviewed the November 6, 2005 Congregational Meeting Minutes.

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Mike Proper:

            TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2005

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING INTO THE RECORD.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

MOTION BY Mike Proper, SECONDED by Bill Paulins:

TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 2005 COUNCIL MINUTES.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

Treasurer's Report:

We reviewed the November 2005 Treasurers Report, and noted that our deficit is now down to $2,448.19.  It was noted that there is still a balance of $346.46 in the mortgage reduction fund – this needs to be paid as soon as possible!  John will request that Nathan make this payment.

MOTION by Mike Proper, SECONDED by  Dan Landry:

TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER, 2005 TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

Committee Reports:

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

Health Ministries: No written report, no Council action required.

Management:  No written report, no Council action required. 

Outreach:  Written report, no Council action required.   

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

Property: Written report, no Council action required. 

Stewardship: No written report, no Council action required. 

Youth: No written report, no Council action required.  

Worship: No written report, no Council action required.

Memorial & Special Gifts: Written report, no Council action required.  They have been approached by the Property Committee to consider funding repairs for the large round stained glass window. 

Pastor Rick: Written report.  He advised that he elected to not attend the continuing education event that we approved last month, as the topics of the seminar appeared to moving in a direction that was not our “target.”  For example, we believed the seminar to be geared toward congregations in transition; however, he learned that the focus of this event was directed to ministers in transition.  He also requested that he would like the next Council to revisit the Bridgebuilder issue.  Pastor Marcy & Pastor Schleicher can return and help us evaluate our progress.  We discussed using this as a topic at the Council retreat in 2006.  We need to be sure to include those individuals who were initially involved in the Bridgebuilder process at a specific time during the retreat.

Council Retreat:  1^st choice is January 27 & 28, backup date is February 10 & 11.

Serving 

Correspondence/Action Requests – None

Review of Ongoing Projects:

	Property Evaluation Taskforce – We presume this is ongoing.  John will pursue the status of activities after January 1, 2006.
	“Raising the Roof” Project  – Bob Carter has withdrawn his offer to run this project.  In the meantime, we have refined the contract with legal assistance from Jim and Marlaine Teahan.   John has contacted Russ Riggs, requesting that he assume the responsibility for overseeing this project.  Russ was concerned that there could be a conflict of interest, as he has previously worked with Brett Sabin.  Additionally, David Kuntzsch is currently in a partnership with Sabin on a specific project.  David is considering joining the Property Committee.  The Council has determined that these do not represent conflicts of interest.  The Management Committee is overseeing the contractual issues.  Discussion centered on Property Committee, and why aren’t they taking responsibility for this project?  The Council minutes state that the Property Committee will be responsible for overseeing this project, including fund raising.  Anthony indicated that the Property Committee is now down to four members: Anthony Holland, Russ Riggs, Jim Osburn and Greg Osburn.  They need fresh blood, as there is a lot of work that needs to be accomplished.  Anthony does not agree totally with the scope of the roofing project.  He believes that the entire roof needs to be done.  The flooding issues relate to proper sloping and landscaping around the building.  We need to get this project moving.  The congregation has approved the expenditure, and it is imperative that this project begin.  If we can get the gutters done now, that will alleviate the water from gathering around the perimeter of the church. John will touch base again with Russ Riggs and ask him to head up this project.  Additionally, John reminded us that no committee should feel that they are totally responsible for a complete project – Council is always available for assistance, and perhaps can recommend or suggest potential volunteers.  We will make an effort to advertise the needs for Property.
	Restructure Review/Planning – Per John, Management is still “tinkering” with the restructuring project.  There are many changes to be made.  John will be personally assuming this responsibility.  Pastor Rick suggested that this also be a focus of the Council retreat in January.  Part of the delay in completing this project has been that there is so much going on, and it is difficult to absorb so many changes and issues (flood, Katrina, deficit, roof).  We need to keep the Congregation informed.
	Pastor Rick discussed that we need to congratulate everybody, no matter what their part was.  Perhaps a “congregation appreciation day,” to acknowledge all that we have accomplished in the past year.  We decided on a January 15, 2006 Potluck in recognition of all that we have completed, to be sponsored by Council.

Reference to church planning calendar for December 2005 and January 2006.  Health Ministry Committee has Council devotions and announcements at the 10:30 service on communion Sundays and a communion assistant for December  and the Parish Education Youth Committee has the same responsibilities in January. 

Our next regular meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

The Council retreat is tentatively scheduled for January 27 & 28, 2006.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 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.