CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- November 9, 2006

Present : Pastor Joan, Pastor Chris, Mary Backlund, Dave Brabec (President), Jim Eitrheim, Tami Lueck, Ernie Teie, John Wallin, Carolyn Blanck, Sharon Ingvoldstad and Denny Holmen. Absent: Dean Meier.

Call To Order at 7:10 p.m.

• Pastor Joan led devotions.
• Secretary's Report. M/S/P (Eitrheim/Wallin) - Approved minutes of 10/12/06.
• Treasurer's Report. M/S/P (Eitrheim/Wallin).- (Reference Treasurer's Financial Report). Council 2007 budgets due to Treasurer by December meeting.
• Pastor Joan led Confession and Forgiveness (We Celebrate our Past).

Reports:

• Pastor Joan
  • Annual Ministry reviews are underway.
  • Local annual staff retreat is scheduled for 1/16/07.
  • Council reports for December newsletter are due by11/15/06.
  • Consecration Sunday will be Nov. 12, 2006.
  • Parishioners' 2006 pledges will be mailed separately.
  • Annual meeting (elections) will be Sunday Nov. 19, 2006.
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network - 6 couples and 4 individuals have volunteered. Lord of Life and Rejoice Lutheran churches will partner with us. Volunteer training will occur after the holidays.
  • Wedding Fees Update - Handout was reviewed.
  • Due to illness unable to attend Strengthening Prophetic Ministry-Ministry Mentors 10/25 in Chicago.
  • Family pre-holiday vacation: Nov. 23 - Nov. 30.

• Pastor Chris
  • 9th Grade Luther Crest Retreat scheduled for 2/24 - 2/25, 2007.
  • Sr. High Living Nativity scheduled for 12/10/2006.
  • Nursery staffing is complete. A big Thank You to Sheila Avenson (Volunteer Nursery Supervisor). Thank You to Becky Melby for arranging for Infant CPR class for nursery attendants and to Jerry Williams and Steve Lanz for work on the T.V. wall bracket.
  • Pastor Chris will be on vacation from afternoon of November 10th through November 25th.

• Youth (Dean Maier)
  • Youth Ministry Team meeting - 11/12 between services.
  • John Windh has suggested the youth develop a webpage to be featured on our homepage. John would assist with technical aspects.
  • N.E. Minnesota Synod retreat for Middle School students (Nov. 17-19). 15 students are registered with chaperones Stacy Johnson, Rick Haeg and Elizabeth Pierce.
  • 2007 Sr. High Summer Trips:
    • Backpacking/Rafting trip to Montana.
    • Mission Trip to North Carolina.
    • Registrations are newly opened.
  • Thank You to Reed's and David Grell for the donation of 13 folding camping chairs for the Cole Maier Memorial Fire Ring.
  • Peer Ministry Sr. High group slated to begin meeting in December.

• Congregational Life (Sharon Ingvoldstad)
  • A list of bloodmobile locations is available for anyone that is interested.
  • Please note: Hospitals do not notify church staff if a member is hospitalized. Family/friends need to notify staff if desired.

• Education (Tami Lueck)
  • Operation Christmas Child began on 10/29 - A mission project asks us to provide a shoe box of gifts and necessities for needy children. Our goal is to provide 50 boxes. All members can participate by providing filled boxes and/or $7 for shipping.
  • The Children's Ministry is committed to making the children in our church a focal point for the entire congregation. We give thanks to the volunteers that have given of their time and talents to Sunday School, especially those who do not have children in Sunday School.
  • Children's Ministry Team is planning:
    • Advent Festival - December 3rd (9:00-11:00 a.m.) In the Celebration Center.
    • Christmas Program - December 17th at 10:30 in the Celebration Center.
  • We are offering a Christmas Bible School Day. It will be similar to summer VBS with singing, games, food and fun. Volunteers are still needed.
  • We are still looking for volunteers for future four week session of Sunday School. We need a few teachers and Shepherds.

• Property (John Wallin)
  • New carpet in the "Oval Room". A special Thank You to WELCA! Also, Thank You to Clint for removing the old carpet - Saving $ for the church.
  • Energy saving motion detector light switches - Final Report will be submitted at the January 2007 meeting.
  • Finalization of the organ project continues with Johnson Organ Company, Inc.
• Outreach (Carolyn Blanck)
  • Workshops attended:
    • MN Hunger 101 - A simulated learning experience depicting the lives of those that do not have enough to eat.
    • Matters of the Heart - An opportunity to discuss our relationship with the 148 congregations of the N.E. MN Synod.
  • Food Shelf - Thanksgiving baskets are being assembled.
  • Hurricane Katrina - Marilyn Olson and Karen Clarine have expressed desire to go to Ocean Springs, MS, to assist in aiding hurricane survivors. The Outreach Team will partially assist with a gift of $125 each.
  • Time and Talent Surveys - Sharon Ingvoldstad and Carolyn Blanck assisted with categorization of surveys to optimize the process.
  • Possible LCC Outreach Opportunities:
    • Christmas support of our troops.
    • Jail ministry.
    • Plant a tree for a grandchild.
    • Two spring trips to Russia - offered by Synod Pastors - info available at synod office.

• Worship and Music (Ernie Teie)
  • Our committee discussed the 8:15 service start time. Heard concerns and this will be revisited at staff and council.
  • It was suggested that families be involved in the lighting of the Advent Candle.
  • Worship and Music chair was given permission to offer the Choir Director position to Sarah Aamot Lundin. M/S/P (Wallin/Eitrheim).
  • New hymnals - we will "ease in" by using familiar liturgies and hymns.
  • Please note the new communion ware and candelabra.
  • Council Chair of Worship and Music, Ernie Teie, has indicated he desires to retire from his position. Ernie, we appreciate your diligent service to this ministry. Thank You !

Old Business:

• Under consideration: Adding Evangelism and Stewardship positions to council.
• Constitution and Bylaws are being reviewed.