CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- December 14, 2006

Present: Pastor Joan, Pastor Chris, Mary Backlund, Dave Brabec (President), Ernie
      Teie, John Wallin, Sharon Ingvoldstad, Dean Maier and Denny Holmen
Absent: Carolyn Blanck, Jim Eitrheim and Tami Lueck
Guests: Dick Peterson, Bob Warneke, Lowell Carlson and Peter Knight

Call to Order at 7:04 p.m.

Pastor Joan led devotions. Lighting of the Christ Candle.

Review of property insurance policy:

Presentation by Lowell Carlson of Dittmer Insurance Agency. Reviewed current policy. Introduced proposed policy for 2007. Following discussion, John Wallin (assisted by D. Holmen) agreed to contact Lee Wangstad to get contractor's opinion of property replacement value. M/S/A (Teie/Wallin). Exec.Committee will make final decision regarding 2007 policy.

Defibrillator:

Presentation by Dick Peterson. As a retired cardiologist, Dick recommends having a unit at the church. EMS Medtronic will conduct one free training (trainees to be identified). M,S,A (Holmen/Maier) to accept this wonderful gift from physician members of our congregation. Thank you!

Security system:

Presentation by Peter Knight of Peoples Security Company. Discussion of activation procedures and monitoring fees. We can expect activation fees of $65 per hour and an annual monitoring fee of $240. To be determined - individuals to be trained for system operation. M,S,A (Wallin/Ingvoldstad) to activate the system. Activation date will be determined at the Feb. 2007 council meeting.

Secretary's report:

M,S,A (Wallin/Pastor Chris) to accept the minutes of 11/9/06 as written.

Financial report:

M,S,A (Teie/Wallin) to contribute the 2006 Thanksgiving offering to World Hunger. Reference enclosed Financial Report.

Confession and forgiveness:

Pastor Joan led confession and forgiveness.

Reports:

    Pastor Joan

• January 10th is the very last day for Council members to submit annual reports.
• "Befrienders Ministry" - (one-on-one care giving) (extension of pastoral care) - a ministry to be shared with Lord of Life Lutheran in Baxter. Training will be in February for anyone interested in participating. M,S,A (Ingvoldstad/Wallin) endorsing participation in this ministry.

    Pastor Chris

• With Personnel Committee consultation, we recommend hiring Tammy Hedlund and Janet Mayer as part-time directors of Children's Ministry. Both members have been active in this ministry for a number of years. M/S/A (Pastor Chris/Backlund) subject to 2007 budget approval.
• Confirmation students and guides will be Christmas caroling on Dec. 20th to shut-ins and nursing home residents.
• 9th graders will begin their mentoring sessions in January.
• 9th Grade Luther Crest Retreat scheduled for 2/24 - 2/25, 2007.
• Sr. High fund raising - "Living Nativity" and parking for the Jaycee's ice fishing contest.
• Tammy Hedlund, Danae Anderson and Peggy Carlson continue to do wonderful work in Children's Ministry.
• Children's Ministry requests a VBS budget increase from $1,800 to $2,000 for 2007.
• Presided at the wedding for Kristina Kampa (nee Halland) on 12/9/06. The work of wedding coordinators and in particular Lori Dooley is indispensable.
• Will be on vacation from Saturday (12/30) through Monday (1/8) (wedding anniversary). Back in the office on Tuesday morning (1/9).

    Outreach (Carolyn Blanck)

• Colleen Both (2007 Committee Chair) is excited to work with projects such as the Ingarian Lutheran Church in Russia and other ministries.
• Many thanks for the congregation's great response to the Christmas family gifts and to Crow Wing County Social Services for organizing this effort.
• Suggest a 2007 "Outreach" budget of $500.
• We will give $125 each to Marilyn Olson and Karen Clarine to help defray costs for the mission trip to Ocean Springs, MS.

    Youth (Dean Maier)

• Living Nativity program - turnout was OK, participation was great, more promotion needed next year.
• Christmas caroling - scheduled for Dec. 20th.
• Youth Trip planning - proceeding nicely, fund raising off to a good start.
• 20 signed up for North Carolina mission trip with Bethlehem Lutheran.
• 4-5 signed up so far for the Montana trip.
• Peer Ministry meeting planned for January.
• Youth Ministry meeting scheduled for Jan. 21st.

   Congregational Life (Sharon Ingvoldstad)

• WELCA rummage sale fund distribution ($4,500). Interested recipients had to submit requests. Donations were made to LCC Computer Ministry, Mission Aviation, Camp Knutson, HIV Ministry, Luther Seminary and the chapel TV upgrade.
• Sandy Thorson has resigned as Treasurer. A meeting will be needed to discuss organization plans.
• People are needed to chair committees for serving at funerals. A meeting is scheduled for Jan. 2nd at 2:00 p.m. to discuss committee needs. Jane Nemitz is general chair of these committees and is willing to continue as chair.
• The fall WELCA conference will be held at LCC on 10/9/2007.

    Property (John Wallin)

• Church break-in: Estimated $4,000 in damage. Juveniles have been caught and some items have been returned to church.
• A new water storage tank has been installed.
• Thelen Heating will be making changes in sanctuary controls to provide better heating and cooling control.

    Worship and Music (Ernie Teie)

• Sarah Aamot-Lundin will become Senior Choir Director on 1/1/07. M/S/A (Teie/Holmen).
• We hope to begin using the new hymnals in January.
• Christmas services are set at the following times: 8:30 a.m., 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. on 12/24/06.
• M/S/A (Wallin/Maier) - The Council extends a big Thank You to the Senior Choir for the wonderful Christmas concert. We have heard many wonderful comments!

Old Business:

• Early service start time: The motion from the 11/9/06 meeting to begin service at 8:15 a.m. was rescinded. M/S/A (Ingvoldstad/Teie). A vote will be conducted at the January congregational meeting.
• Strategic planning: A report was given by Dean Maier. Research has been conducted by a committee of Dean Maier, Caroline Qualey and Tami Lueck. They contacted congregations where planning has been facilitated by Roy Oswald and they received very favorable reports of their planning success. All council members voiced support for this effort. Discussion will follow at the January 2007 council meeting.

New Business:

• The congregational meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on January 28th. M/S/A (Wallin/Ingvoldstad).
• M/S/A (Maier/Wallin) - A big Thank You for a wonderful "Living Nativity"!

We go out in God's name:

• Closing Prayer.
• Adjourn: M/S/A (Pastor Chris/ Mary Backlund).

Respectfully submitted,
Denny Holmen, Secretary