CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- May 11, 2006

Present: Pastor Joan, Pastor Chris, Mary Backlund, Dave Brabec (president),
      Jim Eitrheim, Sharon Ingvoldstad, Ernie Teie, John Wallin and John Windh
Absent: Tami Lueck
Guests:  Peggy Carlson and Chuck Nielsen (until 7:37)

• Pastor Joan lit the Christ candle and led an opening praise and thanksgiving response.
• M/S/P (Teie/Wallin) to approve the minutes of April 20, 2006, after removing the name of Aimee Jambor from among the “absent” since she is no longer a member of the council.
• M/S/P (Eitrheim/Ingvoldstad) to accept Mary Backlund’s Treasurer’s report.
• Pastor Joan led a liturgy of confession, forgiveness and the Word.
  

• that our congregation meets or exceeds its financial obligation to the Synod in 2006 and 2007,
• that our council supports and encourages a higher level of giving and congregational involvement in global mission (e.g. ELCA World Hunger Appeal), in Synod-designated companion Synods, and in local outreach,
• that as a congregation we become more aware of the importance of nurturing spirituality in those in the first third of life and take appropriate action to that end.
  

• As Office Manager we have hired Laurie Winters, who will start work during the week of May 15th.
• We will soon advertise for a part-time Financial Secretary, a newly-created position. M/S/P (Ingvoldstad/Windh) that this position will require 10-15 hours per week and pay $12-$15 per hour. The Financial Secretary will take over the financial duties formerly carried out by Sally Hodgson; the Office Manager will handle the secretarial tasks formerly done by the Office Assistant (whose position has been eliminated).
• When it has prepared a job description, the committee will advertise for a part-time custodian.
• M/S/P (Windh/Eitrheim) that the Worship and Music Committee will do the preliminary search work to find a new Senior Choir Director and make a recommendation to the Personnel Committee. This position will also be advertised.
• The council expressed its thanks for their work to Jim and the Personnel Committee (Ann Bergin, Becky Melby and Chuck Nielsen).
• Elizabeth Sawdey has resigned her council position as Youth representative effective immediately.

• Some 185 people are enrolled in the Forty Days program and 135 receive daily devotions by email.
• Pastor Joan asked council for their help with the Mission Ministry Fair on May 21st, 9:30 to 1:00 p.m.
• Carolyn Blanck is chair of the Celebration Dinner on June 11th, which will be catered (freewill offering). Any money above expenses will be applied to the costs of the Forty Days campaign.
• Pastor Joan will coordinate the activities of any small groups which continue to meet after June 11th. We will then also turn our attention to Lifelong Learning and Christian Education activities.
• Money is available so that we need charge no fee this year for Vacation Bible School, though we will accept contributions.
• Pastor Joan will be on vacation June 12-17.
• A council seminar centered around the booklet The Great Commission was scheduled at the church for Sunday, June 25th, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to include lunch.

• Lisa Houle is off to a fine start as our new Director of Children’s Ministries.
• Sunday School teachers and Confirmation Guides deserve our warm thanks for an outstanding year.
• The Children’s Ministry group will have a presence at the Ministry Fair.
• An open meeting with parents on May 10th on next year’s Sunday School curriculum was helpful.
• The past several weeks have seen an unusual number of funerals at Church of the Cross.
• Pastor Chris will be on vacation May 25-30.
• We are carefully preparing guidelines for our new Computer Resource Center, including students showing parental consent and signing a usage covenant. We will erect a software firewall to limit objectionable content and will always provide adult supervision for students under age 18.

• In a written report, Elizabeth Sawdey noted that we will hold “Blessings and Brunch” for graduating seniors on May 21st and that Sr. High Youth are participating in the Forty Days campaign and raising funds for summer trips.
• Jr. High Youth are invited to an exciting six-week “Summer Stretch” program on Thursdays starting June 15th. They’ll do service projects in the morning, followed by fun activities in the afternoon.

• The Kitchen Committee (eight members) is up and running, chaired by Carolee Wallin.
• Joan Roberts and Mary Brumfield now lead the Friendly Visitors Committee and invite referrals.
• Jane Nemitz and Sally Hodgson head the committee properly called SOS (Sudden Opportunities for Service) and not the “funeral committee.”
• There will be two noontime organ recitals at our church this summer, Cathy Taylor on June 28th and Laura Raedeke on August 23rd. We seek people to provide coffee and goodies after each.
• Arlene Rice and Ann Lanz now chair the prayer chain.

• Installation of the new organ pipes is nearly complete, though questions remain on contract details and payment.
• We are installing a thermostat in the sanctuary.
• M/S/P (Ingvoldstad/Teie) to lease a Canon 3300 copier for three years with a maintenance agreement.
• We are solving a problem with sanctuary lights coming on by themselves.
• At least two people have applied for our custodian position.
• We have mowed the Anderson lot to make the church/Crossroads entrance more attractive.
• We discussed how best to maintain and beautify our property, including the Memorial Garden.
• We may relocate the dumpsters to make the entrance area outside the kitchen more attractive.
• Council was presented a wish list with dollar estimates of building and grounds repairs/upgrades.

• Two agenda items had already been dispatched – organ pipes and money handlers.
• We discussed when best to conduct annual job performance reviews, realized we must consult with Sally about a blood drive, and discussed filling our Outreach chair vacancy.

• We discussed filling the Youth chair vacated by Elizabeth Sawdey. 
• M/S/P (Gunderman/Wallin) to extend the meeting.
• We decided to form an ad hoc committee led by Pastor Joan to determine how to use the Holden Trust gift.
• John Windh announced he will be unable to serve on council next October, November and December.