Council Minutes

Council Minutes December 2009

Download Now: 12-14-09 Council Minutes

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Council Minutes

December 14, 2009 

 1.         Call to Order.  Ken Reese called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

2.            Devotions.  Pastor Collier had devotions. 

 3.            Present.  Bob Johnson, Rhonda Crans, Ann Schoenenberger, Vonnie Hatlen, Barb Howard, Diana Crans, Kris Finfrock, Heather Peterson, Ken Reese, Donna Johnson and Kitty Verkuilen.

 4.            Absent.  None. 

 5.            Guests.  Shelly Andrew, Debbie Fredendall, and Gene Miller.

 6.            Secretary  Report.  Motion by Ann Schoenenberger to approve the November secretary’s report, second by Vonnie Hatlen, motion carried.

 7.            Financial Report.  Shelly was not able to provide financial report due to computer problems.  She is reconstructing October-November financials, but indicated we are doing okay financially and should be able to catch up on benevolence pledge to Synod.

 8.            Guests:

             a.            Gene Miller.  Gene was present on behalf of the Endowment Committee.  $1247 made on investments.  The Endowment Committee recommended payout of income as follows:

                        (1)            $249 (20%) to Lutheran World Relief

                        (2)            $249 (20%) to Care Closet

                        (3)            $249 (20%) to Aware

                        (4)            $499 (40%) to St. John’s Building Fund

 Per Pastor Collier, the recommendation of the Endowment Committee as stated above is considered a motion before the council, which motion was subsequently seconded by Ann;  motion carried to disburse the income as recommended by the Endowment Committee.

Gene also indicated that there is approximately $51,000 in the endowment fund; Ken Fenrick’s term is up and he has agreed to do another term;  Gene’s term is up and Eric Peterson has agreed to take his place.

             b.            Deb Fredendall.  Debbie was present to request clarification with regard to the building usage fee.  Present policy is to charge a $50 deposit.  This policy will stand, however, discretionary exceptions will be permitted.  Debbie also indicated the risograph (sp) needs to be disposed of.  “The guys will take care of this”.

 9.            Committee Reports.

            a.            Life & Growth.  Vonnie made cookie boxes out of remaining cookies from Sunday School program and delivered them to shut-ins.

             b.            Parish Ed.  Ann reported confirmands are completing their requirements. 

             c.            Youth.  Heather reported that Keith Henning and Karl Korfmacher will start youth group; organizational meeting scheduled for December 27^th.

             d.            Fellowship.  Discussion about welcome station, information to be made available and persons to be available.

             e.            Stewardship.  Kris discussed looking for ideas on how to get others involved and possibly attending the new member meetings; simplify time and talent sheet; have congregation fill out time and talent sheet after church service; Ann will find out when Sunday School sings next time and possibly distribute time and talent sheets at that service.

             f.            Bldg & Grounds.  Basement leak fixed.

 g.         Music & Worship.  Saturday service discussed; Kris volunteered to learn projection; discussed revamping sound system.

h.         Memorials.  No report.

 i.          Social Concern.  Donna Johnson indicated she will work with Hunger.

 10.       Old Business:

            a.            Call Committee.  Bob Johnson reported on progress of Call Committee, which is in process of completing the congregational profile; Committee wanted 5 criteria from council for new pastor.  Council’s criteria: Leadership, worship, evangelism, education, and confirmation/youth.  Bob will deliver criteria to Committee.

             b.            Church Renovation.  Pastor suggested replacing pew cushions first and form a committee to make recommendations for behind the altar.  Volunteers for the committee would be sought at annual meeting.

11.       New Business:

            a.            Severe Weather Policy.  Upon review of the severe weather policy, the following additions were recommended:

                        (1)  Add to paragraph 1 (to provide for sufficient notice of cancellation of Saturday night service):  “Cancel by 12:00 noon for Saturday evening service.”

                         (2)  Add to paragraph 3:  “Council president shall notify the Church Secretary of any cancellation and Church Secretary shall notify the webmaster of such cancellation.”

 **Deb…Please add above language to Severe Weather Policy.

             b.            Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting is scheduled for January 31^st.

             c.            Budget.  Discussion on budget.  Typo under 2010 administration supplies.  Figure should be $4200, instead of $420. 

 d.            Piggly Wiggly Account.  Vonnie Hatlen motioned to cancel the open account at Piggly Wiggly due to accountability; second by Donna Johnson; motion carried.  Bob Johnson to contact Deb on this.

             e.            Registration Fees.  Ann recommended reinstating registration fees for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School to help offset fees.  Kris Finfrock motioned to set a $5.00 registration fee for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, with a $10.00 registration fee cap per family effective January 1, 2010 (the registration fee would be initiated with summer VBS and fall registration for Sunday School); second by Donna Johnson; motion carried.

 Members expressed concern that Sunday School money is going into the general account, instead of education.  Bob will ask Debbie to contact counters so that money is designated to education.

            f.            Deb’s Vacation Hours.  Ann will check with Steve and Maynerd regarding Deb’s vacation/remaining vacation/comp time/carryover issues.  No action taken.

 12.            Pastor’s Report.  Pastor indicated all is going well.  Letter of Agreement for Interim Pastoral Service was executed.  Pastor Collier graciously indicated he would not look for an increase in salary in 2010.  

11.            Adjournment.    Kitty motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 P.M.

                                                            Respectfully submitted, (and farewell!)

                                                            Rhonda Crans, Secretary

Council Minutes November 2009

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Council Minutes

November 9, 2009

1.         Call to Order.  Ken Reese called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 2.            Devotions.  Diana Crans had devotions. 

 3.            Present.  Bob Johnson, Rhonda Crans, Ann Schoenenberger, Vonnie Hatlen, Barb Howard, Diana Crans, Donna Johnson, Ken Reese, Pastor Collier.

 4.            Absent.  Kris Finfrock, Heather Peterson, and Kitty Verkuilen. 

 5.            Guests.  Shelly Andrew, Carolyn Butts, and Karen Anderson.

 6.            Secretary  Report.  Motion by Vonnie Hatlen to approve the October secretary’s report, second by Donna Johnson, motion carried.

 7.            Financial Report.  Motion by Vonnie Hatlen to approve the October financial report, second by Bob Johnson, motion carried.  Carolyn Butts urged council to consider bringing benevolence pledge to Synod current.

 8.            Committee Reports.

             a.            Life & Growth.  Vonnie asked council members to donate toward Skaalen Home gifts; Vonnie volunteered to get zero attendance report from Deb for next meeting.

             b.            Parish Ed.  Ann reported on progress of confirmand requirements; confirmands will do bell ringing for Salvation Army.

             c.            Youth.  Karl Kormacher volunteered to work with youth group.

             d.            Fellowship.  Diana reported Euchre tournament went well.

            e.            Stewardship.  Carolyn Butts indicated pledging will take place on Sunday November 15^th.

             f.            Bldg & Grounds.  Bob Johnson is still getting info/bids for plowing; Bazaar committee wants proceeds from Bazaar to go toward basement flooring, sanctuary curtains, and pew cushions; Jim Conant donated time to fix leaks in old basement; Pastor Collier  recommended a new microphone for the pulpit or lecturn; Bob will develop wish list and prioritize items that need repair.

 g.         Music & Worship.  Carolyn reported on behalf of Kitty; committee still looking for a projectionist, accompanist, and praise team participants; Christmas Eve services set for 4:00, 7:30, and 10:00. During this flu season and until further notice, it was decided to remove handshaking, both in greeting and extending the peace, from Sunday worship.  Greeters are still to greet, but refrain from shaking hands.

 h.         Memorials.  No report.

 9.         Old Business:

             a.            Exit Interview.  Ann will provide council members with copy of Pastor Bob’s exit interview.

             b.            Call Committee.  Bob Johnson reported on progress of Call Committee; committee is in process of compiling questionnaire results.

 10.       New Business:

             a.            Budget.  Budget meeting scheduled for November 17^th, 6:30.

             b.            Council Nominations.  Experiencing difficulty finding people to serve on council; more potential candidates were discussed; council members are to report interested persons to Pastor Collier to announce on Sunday, November 15^th.

 11.            Pastor’s Report.  Pastor Collier had his first visit with shut-ins; Pastor encouraged shut-ins or persons knowing of shut-ins to contact him for visit; confirmation going well.

 NOTE:  It was determined at council’s October meeting that “Phase III” would be defined as completing renovations to the sanctuary.  This would include curtains behind the altar and pew cushions.   Through inadvertence, this was not included in October minutes.  My apologies!

 12.            Adjournment.    Vonnie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 P.M.

            Respectfully submitted,

           Rhonda Crans, Secretary

Council Minutes October 2009

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Council Minutes

October 12, 2009

___________________________________________________________

1. Call to Order. Bob Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

2. Devotions. Vonnie had devotions.

3. Present. Bob Johnson, Rhonda Crans, Ann Schoenenberger, Vonnie Hatlen, Barb Howard, Diana Crans, Kris Finfrock, Heather Peterson, Ken Reese.

4. Absent. Donna Johnson and Kitty Verkuilen.

5. Guests. Shelly Andrew, Debbie Fredendall, Carolyn Butts, and Eileen Meredith.

 6. Secretary Report. Motion by Ann Schoenenberger to approve the September secretary’s report, second by Bob Johnson, motion carried.

7. Financial Report. Motion by Barb Howard to approve the September financial report, second by Heather Peterson, motion carried.

8. Guests:

a. Debbie Fredendall. Debbie was present to inform council that proceeds

from the Larson Acres fundraiser would be used to paint walls in the

fellowship hall and stairway, to coordinate with new flooring.

b. Eileen Meredith. Eileen was present to ask council to include a nomination for a Bazaar chairman with the new council member nominations. Bazaar chairman nominations and voting will done at the annual meeting. Eileen will contact Steve Verkuilen to put an ad for persons interested in the position on the church’s website.

c. Carolyn Butts. Carolyn was present in the absence of Kitty Verkuilen on

behalf of Music & Worship; discussed communion at the rail; looking for

a projectionist. Carolyn also stated that the stewardship drive will be

the 3rd week of November; campaign entitled, “Make it Simple”.

8. Committee Reports.

a. Life & Growth. No report.

b. Parish Ed. Ann reported some of confirmands have not completed re-

quirements. Council directed Ann to give them a deadline of 12/31 to complete their requirements. New confirmation is going well.

c. Youth. No report

d. Fellowship. Diana reported on Welcome Booth and Euchre tournament.

e. Stewardship. See above (Carolyn Butts)

f. Bldg & Grounds. Bob Johnson is getting estimates for snow plowing from

two different companies, will take lowest bid. Bob also presented bids for

replacing flooring in basement, title versus carpet.

g. Music & Worship. See above (Carolyn Butts)..

h. Memorials. No report.

9. Old Business:

a. Basement Flooring. See Bldg & Grounds. Council agreed not to pursue flooring at this time until funds become available.

b. Call Committee. Bob Johnson reported on progress of Call Committee.

10. New Business:

a. Care Closet. Motion by Bob Johnson, second by Diana Crans, to approve the appointment of Steve Eager as St. John’s representative for Care Closet; motion carried.

b. Snow Removal. Tabled pending receipt of second estimate.

c. Ornamental Tree. Motion by Rhonda Crans, second by Kris Finfrock, to permit the 8th grade confirmation girls to plant an ornamental tree in memory of Jessica Arnold in the garden constructed by Eagle Scout Worley on the east side of St. John’s; motion carried.

d. Payroll. Ken will contact Steve Hagen (Personnel Committee) to conduct annual performance reviews and make any recommendations for pay increases to council at its November meeting.

e. Decoration Committee. Ann Schoenenberger and Donna Johnson

11. Adjournment. Diane motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 P.M.

 Respectfully submitted,

Rhonda Crans, Secretary

Council Minutes: March 9, 2009

DOWNLOAD NOW: Council Minutes, March 9, 2009 (PDF)

Council Minutes: February 9, 2009

DOWNLOAD NOW: minutes-2-9-08 (PDF)

Council Minutes: January 12, 2009

DOWNLOAD NOW: council-minutes-011209 (PDF)