The church council meets at 7:00 on the second Monday of each month. Members of the congregation are welcome at council meetings – if you have business with the council, please let the president know beforehand so you can be added to the agenda.

Minutes from each council meeting will be posted here after they have been approved at the following month’s meeting.

Council Minutes

July 11, 2011 

 CALL TO ORDER:               by Pres. Ken Reese at 7:00 p.m.

 PRESENT:             Bob J., Vonnie, Ken J., Ken R., Eileen, Pastor Matt, Jan, Steve VK, Andy, Julie 

 ABSENT:   Kristian  and Dave

 DEVOTIONS:   Mark Ch 4:  vs. 35-41 – “Have no fear”  look for details and gaps

 SECRETARY’S REPORT:   Motion by Vonnie, seconded  by Andy.  Approved

 TREASURER’S REPORT:  by Julie C. Hessler was approved.  Motion by Bob J.,  seconded by Vonnie

 FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT:   Report showed financials strong for summer and we are just where we need to be.

 PASTOR’S REPORT:

 Ø  Lutherdale campers had a good time on their recent trip. We are looking for our attendance to grow in future summers.  A family camp is also available to consider.

Ø  The 75^th Anniversary was very successful with good food, conversation and games. Thanks to Joy Olson and Krista Korfmacher for their efforts in organizing the day.

Ø  July 4^th parade float earned St. John’s “Best Overall” prize and a picture is posted on the website.

Ø  Our July 4th Evansville park service was combined with Oak Grove and will be considered for an annual tradition.

Ø  Pastor Matt led a healing service in Brodhead with communion and songs and is considering a Sat eve healing service at St. John’s.

Ø  Formulating plans for the Education program for the coming fall.

Ø  Pastor Matt will be in Decorah, Iowa, on Saturday, July 23^rd, and Eric Jones will conduct services in Evansville that evening.

Ø  Pastor Matt will be on vacation August 8-14.   Pastor Ed Paape of Janesville will lead worship and preach.

Ø  Pastor Matt declares that $25,000.00 be designated as housing allowance for income tax purposes.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 Building and Grounds:

Ø  Landscaping is finished at the front entrance circle. 

Ø  Rain has been standing on the roof and Denver Reese of Double D Builders has contracted to extend the down spouts free of charge.

Ø  Getting an estimate from Shield Coating Co. to reseal and paint the lines in the parking lot.  Single coat 7-8 years = $5700 and double coat lasts approx 15 years for est. of $7500.  Ken Reese noted he had an acquaintance and would ask for additional quotes.

Ø  Looking at ideas to go “green” such as replacing the Styrofoam plates and cups and other ideas.

 Memorials:                       

Ø  Memorials received from the Tim Meredith family for the landscaping in the parking lot circle, from Ann Edwards family for Catherine Egstad, for Howard Norby and from the family of Doris Schmidt totaling June receipts of $2,016.14.

 Categories of Receipts:

 Undesignated                                   $3,465.44

Capital Expenditures                      4,018.40

Music & Worship                              1,360.00

Parish Ed                                                    10.00

Youth                                                         232.00

Bank Interest                                           13.37

                                $9,384.21

 Disbursements:

K&W Greenery & Pleasant Prairie                            $525.14

    Tyler Meredith circle plantings

Benevolence/Charity                                                      220.00

Quilters                                                                                    10.00

Endowment                                                                           55.00

                                                                                                $  810.14

                                 Balance:  June 30, 2011                                  $8,574.07

  Life and Growth:

• Parish Ed:                           
• Youth:
• Fellowship:                       
• Stewardship:                    
• Music and Worship:      
• Mutual Ministry
• Social Concerns:              

  OLD BUSINESS:

 With the new agenda format, we are keeping on track with our 90 minute meetings. 

1. The use of our building for the Sarah Golz wedding has been tabled until her request has been received.
2. Sanctuary Committee is moving forward with designers.  Looking for a master plan to do in installments.
3. Musical Director:  Kitty VK is making calls.  May look toward an internship at UW and not a congregational member. 

  NEW BUSINESS

 A.      Fidelity Account for St. John’s (stocks):  Motion by Steve VK and seconded by Bob J., to open a Fidelity Account to receive a gift of stock.  President Ken Reese and Treasurer Julie Creek-Hessler along with Shelly Andrew, Financial Sec., will prepare the paperwork for this gift.

1. August 8 Meeting and August Council Retreat:  Council meeting is cancelled for August 8 and will be replaced with a retreat on Aug 27^th, from 8:00 to 11:00am.  The Executive committee will meet prior to the retreat.  Financials will be reported for July and Aug at our regularly scheduled Sept meeting.

C.      Ministry of Fellowship – a council initiative is tabled until the retreat

D.      Ministry of Education – a council initiative is tabled until the retreat.

 Upcoming Events

 A.      Friday, July 15, 7pm Snappers Game; Organized by Kathy Wells with departure from St. John’s at 5:15 p.m.

B.      Friday-Saturday, July 22-23, Glocal Mission Event in Decorah, IA Pastor Matt, Becca, Carolyn Butts will attend

C.      Monday, July 25, Visionotes Deadline

D.      Monday-Friday, August 1-5, 9am-12pm, VBS

E.       Sunday, August 7 VBS Sings at Worship

  Reminder: refreshments for the August retreat by Ken Johnson and the September meeting by Julie CH.

 Motion to adjourn by Julie, seconded by Ken J.,   Passed.     Meeting closed at 8:30 p.m. with praying the Lord’s Prayer.

 Respectfully submitted by

Eileen Meredith, Secretary

Council Minutes

November 8, 2010

 CALL TO ORDER:  by Pres. Ken Reese at 7:00 p.m.

• PRESENT:     Ken R., Bob J., Ann,Vonnie, Eileen, Kristian, Jan, Kitty, Andy with Shelly Andrew guest for Financial Reporting
• ABSENT:  Ken J., Heather, Pastor Matt
• DEVOTIONS:   led by Jan Schuh
• SECRETARY’S REPORT: Correction to minutes:  The Heacox dollars will be used for new door stained glass.  Approved  by Ann,   seconded  by Kristian
• TREASURER’S REPORT:  by Ann Schoenenberger was approved
• FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT:   Motion to approve by Vonnie and seconded by Jan.

 OLD BUSINESS:

 A.  Names were compiled for a slate of officers 2011-2012 terms.  These persons will be called and put on a ballot for voting at the December 5 service.

B   The 2011 budget was discussed and approved for the Annual Meeting in January, 2011.  Motion by Kitty, seconded by Eileen.

 NEW BUSINESS

A.  A motion to distribute Endowment funds was made by Ann, seconded by Kristen.

 B.  Motion by Ann to give gift certificate of $100 to the Fireside at Fort Atkinson for Pastor Poock for Christmas, seconded by Kitty.  Monetary gifts for paid staff will also be given.

 C. The annual meeting date is scheduled for Jan 23^rd, or 3^rd Sunday in January.

 PASTOR’S REPORT:

Ken Reese read a letter from Pastor Poock who was absent due to a conference.  He stated that attendance is growing as well as giving.  He enjoyed the Oct 23^rd retreat.   Home visits number about 100 in the past 3 months. There will be a meeting in Janesville on Jan 30^th at 7:00 p.m. with the Bishop.  Council members who are going need to sign up and be at the church at 6:00 p.m. to car pool.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 Life and Growth:   St. John’s is church of the month for Skaalen Home; will need volunteers and desserts.  Plan to promote the confirmation class for singing, ushering, home visits, bingo parties and other activates.

Parish Ed:     

• Confirmation is going very well.  On the 17th, they are going to McFarland.
• Sunday school is doing well.  The Christmas program will be held on the 19^th of Dec, program titled “Little Drummer Boy”.
• The Sunday school floors need to be washed more often.

 Youth: no report

 Fellowship:    Andy to check on fellowships possibly a “Pie Contest”      

 Stewardship:              no report

 Building and Grounds:  

• Parking lot door estimate is coming soon.  Looking for reasonable cost. 
• Outside light to be installed soon. 
• A plaque for Bill Harvey will be installed on the signage on Lincoln/Third Street corner.
• Dining room chairs are here with funding by Larson acres fundraiser last fall and Carol Golz.

 Music and Worship: 

• The Thanksgiving service will be held, Ecumenical, on Wed, Nov 24^th beginning at 7:00 p.m.
• A Wednesday Advent worship will start Dec 1^st at 7:00 p.m.   
• Christmas Eve Services are scheduled for 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.  There will be no Christmas Day services and regularly scheduled Sunday services will resume on Dec 26^th at 9:00 a.m. Traditional services will be on 1^st and 3^rd Sundays and Contemporary services will be celebrated on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays.
• Saturday night services will continue.  Motion by Bob Johnson, seconded by Eileen.

 Mutual Ministry  Pastor Poock was interviewed for progress on his ministry.  He indicated he needs more staff for writing brochures, visionotes and the web.  Also volunteers for the worship services.  His wish list includes high school education, Praise Team revival, Adult Ed classes and special music for Christmas.

 Memorials:                 An audit revealed $715 missing from account and will be requested from Shelly.  The funds will be manually deposited in the future as transfers don’t seem to be working.    Ending balance as of October 31^st is $ 5,944.02 

 Social Concerns:       

 No report

 Motion to adjourn by Vonnie, seconded by Kristen.

Meeting adjourned with praying the Lord’s Prayer at 8:30 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

Eileen Meredith, Council Secretary

Council Minutes

August 9, 2010

 CALL TO ORDER:    by V. Pres. Bob Johnson at 7:00 p.m.

 PRESENT:     Bob J., Eileen, Vonnie, Ken Johnson, Kristian, Pastor Poock, Jan, Kitty, Heather

 ABSENT:   Andy, Ken Reese

 GUEST:         Teri, Frank and Dalton Worley

 DEVOTIONS:   led by Vonnie  “Many Gifts”

 SECRETARY’S REPORT: Approved  by Ann    seconded  by Kitty

TREASURER’S REPORT:  by Ann Schoenenberger was approved.  Refer question of mowing charges to Shelly

 FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT:   motion by Vonnie, seconded by Heather

 OLD BUSINESS:

Sanctuary – progress slow

Sunday school flooring to be installed by Rally Day

NEW BUSINESS

• Pastor Poock to lead devotions in Sept and Oct.; Pastor thanks all for traveling expense help and plant.
• Vonnie has Skaalen Auxiliary raffle tickets for sale Sunday
• Meeting date for Church Council will not change at this date.
• Council reminded to start thinking or Capital Expenditures
• Council reminded to start gathering names for 2011 Council slate of members. 
• The Worley family will start the plans for the Memory Garden on the east side of the building.  Plans are to have a concrete base with 2 benches at a cost of $73 each.  Work will be one by Dalton for his Eagle Scout requirement.  Motion by Vonnie, seconded by Bob J.

PASTOR’S REPORT:

• Pastor thanked all for traveling expense help and plant.
• He is moving in and receiving warm wishes;
•  He will need business cards – Debbie to order
• 2 baptisms are already scheduled;
• Pastor Poock is eager to get started.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• Life and Growth:   New member pictures are displayed in Narthex

 Parish Ed:      VBS finished on good note.  Rally day will have a carnival theme.  There will be a block rotation for the grades this year.  Confirmation studies will wait for Pastor Poock to get organized.

 Youth:   no report

 Fellowship:                no report

 Stewardship: 

• Considering an adult education series on Estate Planning, taxes, and charititable giving.
• Time and talent sheets will be out on Sept 12, Rally Day
• Parking lot sign on hold for now
• Folding 4  doors came in at a cost of $9325
• Landscaping to be replaced around church
• Bell tour will be clad this week
• Painting and minor repairs to be done soon
• Broken door in fellowship hall  is being worked on
• Checking on Allegiance to finish the Sunday School floors
• There was no June or July meeting.  Will meet now on the 4^th Monday of each month at 4:45 p.m.
• Updating Pastor Poock on past worship practices
• The Counter’s computer has arrived.  Paid for by office equipment fund
• Working on reconciling the savings account

Building and Grounds:  

Music and Worship: 

Mutual Ministry       Pastor Rich Collier was given an exit interview and revealed we are an informal and friendly congregation.  Challenges of the congregation are to maintain its membership and rely too heavily on the bazaar for its only fund raiser.

Memorials:    

Social Concerns:        no report

Reminder:      Pastor Poock will have devotions for September and October

Motion to adjourn by Vonnie and seconded by Ann.  Meeting closed with praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by Eileen Meredith

Council Secretary