CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES
December 15, 2005 -- 7:00 p.m.

Present

Present: Pastor Joan, Pastor Chris, Chuck Nielsen, Dave Brabec, Connie Meyers, Elizabeth Sawdey, Laura Raedeke, John Wallin, Aimee Jambor, Ernie Teie, Kari Campion

Call to order

  1. Pastor Joan led devotions.
  2. Minutes of the November council meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter. MSP John/Dave.
  3. Treasurer's report - Dave Brabec.
    1. November was an excellent month for LCC financially. Loose and envelope offerings were $10,800 more this November than in November 2004.
    2. Overall income at LCC is now only $13,400 behind 04 YTD income. This increased income and the cost savings that have taken place will more than likely make it so the statement of activities year end will end in the positives while meeting a majority of planned contribution to the Synod. MSP Ernie/Laura.

Committee Reports

    1. Youth - Elizabeth Sawdey

        2. Congregational Life - Laura Raedeke

      Working with Marlene Larson who has some ideas about restructuring Congregational Life.

        3. Property - John Wallin

      1. The windows for the parsonage will be installed January 2006.
      2. The area for the placement of the new organ pipes will be rearranged to fit the needs of the pipe installers. The new pipes will be put in place January 2006.
      3. The 12x16 storage building, donated to LCC by Jeff and Nancy Schoenwetter from Edina, Minnesota, was moved to the church property. Clarence Turner, of Turner Towing, and his assistant George spent five hours moving it. A thank you and a small token of appreciation will be sent on behalf of LCC.
      4. A large window in the Celebration Center will be replaced. Cost is approximately $400.
      5. The main doors to the south will be replaced next spring.
      6. Thank you to Caroline Qualey for the potted containers at front entrance.
      7. WELCA purchased a projection screen for Chapel Hall and it is installed.

        4. Outreach - Amy Jambor

      1. Carolyn and Butch Blanck have worked many hours with our sister congregation, Christus Victor, in the disaster area of Mississippi. LCC responded to a request for food boxes over the Thanksgiving Holiday by collecting $6,730, which will provide 168.25 food boxes or 14,112 meals. Ted Greer will oversee food distribution in Mississippi; he was able to find a grocer who will sell him food at cost to maximize our donation.
      2. The prayer team continues to meet.
      3. WELCA has generously given to Outreach Africa, a medical mission comprised of 55 nurses and physicians leaving for Singida, Tanzania, on January 12th. Aimee will be working in a clinic with expectant women and children of all ages, and will bring 75 midwifery kits with her. WELCA has provided funding to prepare kits.

        5. Worship and Music - Ernie Teie

        Would like to review times of church services, in part to be sure Sunday School has enough time between services.

        6. Education - Kari Campion

      1. The Advent Festival was well attended by members of all ages.
      2. Kids and teachers are preparing for the Christmas Program to be held this Sunday during the 10:30 service. Joanne sent a mailing to all families with words to songs and finger plays. Kids have been practicing and preparing the last few Sundays.
      3. Ilene Chapman has been teaching the 6th grade class. She spent five sessions talking about what it means to put our faith in Christ into action in our world, or Missions. She was excited about how the children moved through the unit and understood how our involvement in mission projects is a response to the love that God shows to us through sending us His son.
      4. Joanne would love to start a Wednesday night group called KIDZ On A Mission for 5th graders that meets one or two times a month.

    Pastors' reports

    1. Pastor Joan:

      1. Would like to thank everyone for the incredible welcome she has received.
      2. Had a couple of staff meetings. Set up individual meetings with each staff member, and would like to continue to do this once or twice a year.
      3. Family is moving on Wednesday.
      4. Met with Chuck and Dave on council matters.
      5. Council supports that Pastor Joan and Pastor Chris attend a seminar during January hosted by Alban Institute and ELCA. Joan will attend the Head of Staff seminar which will include building a solid foundation for effective multiple staff leadership, explore and practice skills in leadership and supervision, and conflict management and vision building. Pastor Chris will attend the Ministry Staff seminar which will include: serving in a staff setting, utilization of power, practicing leadership, and conflict management.
      6. Pastor Joan is designating all of her salary and housing allowance of the month of December 2005 as housing allowance.

          2. Pastor Chris:

      1. There has been a lot of Christmas activity. Carolers went out on Wednesday to about a dozen shut-ins, residences, and one of the nursing homes.
      2. The Living Nativity raised about $600.
      3. Pastor Joan will take over 8th Grade Confirmation.
      4. John Erickson has an exhibition of 12 portraits of individuals who have persevered amidst trials and adversity. We will show his exhibition here at LCC during Lent.

    Unfinished business

      Bylaws and Constitution Task Force - Dave Brabec. Will carry over to next year.

    New Business

    1. The second half of our Annual Meeting will take place January 29th, 2006, between services at 9:30 a.m.
    2. Council will now meet on the second Thursday of each month.
    3. Pastor Joan will be installed this Sunday.
    4. The 2006 council will be installed at the January 29 annual meeting.

    The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.

    Respectfully submitted,
    Connie Meyers, Council Secretary

    Contact us:
    Lutheran Church of the Cross
    On Hiway 13 just east of Hiway 371 at Sportland Corner
    P.O. Box 29
    Nisswa, MN 56468
    Phone: 218/963-2564     Fax: 218/963-0294
    Email: lcc@lccnisswa.org