St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting, February 12, 2007

 

Council & Staff Present:                 Chapman, Clay, Croone, Pastor Ellingboe, Ehresmann, Gilligan, Iverson, Jacobson, Lemke, Machacek, Mahlum, Paulsen, Scharber, Scheffert,Thompson,Topp and Weselman

 

Absent:                                                  Reese, Snesrud, and Vivant

 

Meeting was called to order by President Chapman. Pastor Craig led devotions. We are Deacons of the church. Speak truth in boldness. Looking at doing Council in different way. Asked Council to think what deacon means to you; work you plan to do, what you see as the future, and call others in to service. Would like to talk more of this later in meeting. President Chapman asked for brevity in reports in order to allow time for Pastor to speak more later.

 

Treasurer’s report  - report presented by Dottie Scharber. $1414 in checking at end of January. Income for January down $11,287 from budget, $1,134 from last year. Expenses under budget by $8,340; however, synod benevolence and board of pensions held to pay in February, for cash flow purposes– this would make up most of difference. Dedicated accounts total $124,457.61; monies specific for our dedicated accounts. Motion to approve report as presented. Motion seconded and carried.

Secretary’s report printed in newsletter. Motion to accept minutes as presented. Motion seconded and carried.

 

STAFF REPORTS:

Senior Pastor’s report – Written report submitted. Has been interviewing Associate Pastor Candidates individually before they meet with Call Committee. Thanks to Pastor for doing this. Wanted to let Council know; he was nominated as Bishop for another synod, he will NOT be accepting. Will be talking later about the call here for all of us.

Donna – Written report submitted. Have had help from Bob Henstein with playing the organ and directing the choir. Also played music for the Spaghetti Supper.

Dottie – Month has been full. Conducted interviews for secretary position. One has accepted the position, will start on 2/19. – Bernadette Johnson. Thanks to Dottie for all her work on this. Pastor Craig mentioned Bernadette will be a great asset to our congregation and staff.

Neale – Written report submitted. Congratulations to him for ten years of service.

Laura – Articles for March Visitor due by 2/20.

Matt – Written report submitted. Spaghetti Supper went great; served 133 adults, 22 kids (5-12) and 26 under the age of 5. Planning for High School trip has taken a lot of time. Will be taking up to 30 kids on the trip this year.

 

BOARD REPORTS INCLUDED:

Worship: Have been going over sub-committee responsibilities; who trains who, etc. Soup Suppers are starting. Easter Flower order info coming out soon. Discussion re: traffic flow at communion, need to look at this. President mentioned that Soup Suppers have some blanks – encourage all to sign up.

Evangelism: Doing first Soup Supper on 2/13. Reminder; we are all Christ’s disciples. Welcome Service – Dottie has already contacted many of the names on the list. Board will also be working on Welcome Service. Thanks to Dottie for working on it too..

Properties: Sheet metal is off Bell Tower. Some of the programmable thermostats have been installed. New doors for sanctuary are here, Gary Van Erp and Dick Ozmun will be putting them in. Question raised regarding soundproofing doors between Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary, discussion. Maybe look at this long term. Major concern right now is leaking roof (narthex and Sunday school rooms)

Congregational Life: Some people have expressed interest in serving on the board –good news. Still looking for a chairperson.

Extended Ministries: Food Share coming up in March, will be promoting. Handout provided on Thursday’s Table through CAC, with donations from Northfield churches. $500 from Extended Ministries, perhaps $500 from Mission Endowment. Volunteers will also be needed; good way to get to know people. Probably need 60 volunteers per month. Encourage people from community to come and eat at the table too, donate. Thursday’s Table will be starting up in April. Sound like a really good program. Motion made that St. Peter’s help sponsor Thursday’s Table; which meets once a week and obtain volunteers. Motion seconded. Discussion. Questions; Who prepares the food? Where does food come form? Will need $1500 to start. Motion carried. Board also wanted to mention $200 donation to paint Youth Room. Thanks from Matt for the paint donation.

Youth: Have been discussing plans for summer trips and money for the trips. Matt has put together a communication plan for various areas.

Stewardship: Dottie – in January Visitor, ‘Facts & Figures’ amount was listed incorrectly. Wanted Council to be aware of this.

Education: Planning for Thank You Reception. New rotation starts on 2/17, this will be next to last one for the year. Laura will start working with kids 3/1,

Business Management: Contacted Julie Cochlin re: lines of credit ($45,000 and mortgage), could probably lower them aobut 1point each. Cost would be $200, but well worth it. Motion made to renegotiate Lines of Credit with Community Resource Bank at a cost of $200. Motion seconded and carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 1) Call Committee Update – have interviewed five out of six candidates, last one on Monday. Committee is doing excellent job. All candidates are good, decision will be tough. Ask for prayers as committee continues their work. Timeframe; would like to have Associate on sight by late May/early June. Committee committed to accelerate process as they go to 2^nd phase (second interviews and listening to candidates preach). Once process comes down to one name, name will be brought to Council and then to congregation at a special meeting. Once call is extended, candidate has a month to decide.

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