CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- October 12, 2006

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

Call To Order at 7:05 p.m.

  • Pastor Joan led devotions - Lighting of the Christ Candle.
  • Secretary’s Report. M/S/P (Eitrheim/Maier) - Approved minutes of 9/14/06.
  • Treasurer’s Report. We are 1/3 of the way - Purchase of new hymnals. We are on target for ELCA support and staff salaries. (Reference Treasurer’s financial Report.) M/S/P (Wallin/Eitrheim).
  • Pastor Joan led Confession and Forgivness (God’s Word, Affirmation of Faith).

Reports:

  • Pastor Joan
    • Personnel Committee has updated Ministry/Job Descriptions. Annual reviews with Staff will be accomplished this month.
    • Action to close church offices from 12:00 - 12:30 assuring lunch break for staff. Phone answering/message recording will be available. M/S/P (Eitrheim/Blanck).
    • Stewardship Committee has identified "We Say Yes" as the program this year. Consecration Sunday will be Nov. 12, 2006.
    • Facility rental fees: 2-3 individuals will be asked to define a fee schedule.
    • An adult forum will be held on Oct. 15th regarding the "Interfaith Hospitality Network." A Statement of Intent to participate has been signed and sent.
    • Reminder: "Matters of The Heart" presentation by ELCA staff - Oct 15th (7:00-9:00 p.m.).
    • Pastor Joan will attend "Strengthening Prophetic Ministry - Ministry Mentors" in Chicago October 25th.
  • Pastor Chris
    • Staffing/coordination of the nursery is coming along very well.
    • Internet screening software is being evaluated.
    • Waiting for your kids? The parent lounge is now available.
    • Confirmation youth will travel to Duluth. (Chris - please elaborate)
  • Youth (Dean Maier)
    • A new confirmation guide has been completed.
    • The new fire pit is completed and in use.
  • Congregational Life (Sharon Ingvoldstad)
    • A committee has been formed to organize celebration of Pastor Joan’s 25th ordination Anniversary.
  • Education (Tami Lueck)
    • Sunday School is off to a running start! 118 children are enrolled.
    • Children’s Ministry Team is planning:
      • Advent Fair - December 3rd (9:00-11:00 a.m.) in the Celebration Center.
      • Christmas Program - December 17th at 10:30 in the Celebration Center.
      • Considering a Fun Day/Service Day (ie. Caroling).
      • Considering a Christmas Bible School Day.
  • Worship and Music (Ernie Teie)
    • Children’s Ministry and Worship and Music requested consideration of moving the 8:30 service to 8:15. This will help teachers, parents and children needing to be at Sunday School by 9:30. M/S/P (Backlund/Pastor Chris). The change will be implemented January 7, 2007.
    • Service schedules M/S/P (Backlund/Wallin):
      • Thanksgiving service will be at 7:00 p.m.
      • Christmas Eve services will be at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 10:30 p.m.
  • Property (John Wallin)
    • A big Thank You to Bob Warneke and Tom Larson for their extended dedication to church projects (laying landscaping rocks, laying wire, trenching, etc.)! Thank You!
    • New storage building will not be moved - To be stained the color of the garage.
    • Contact has been made with Johnson Organ Company of Fargo/Moorhead. They have conducted an evaluation of our organ. The project continues to move forward.
    • Chuck Nielsen and Peggy Carlson have recommended removal of one basement classroom wall to create a larger room. One existing room is too small to function as a classroom.
    • Estimates received to replace some existing light switches with motion/noise detector switches.
    • Copier - Will lease a Canon 3300 from the Office Shop.
    • An electronic folding machine will be purchased using Holden Trust funds for $ 3,473 M/S/P (Eitrheim/Ingvoldstad).
    • WELCA has approved a carpet sample for the "Oval Room" - Selected by the Property chair.
    • Convection ovens are functional once again.
    • Clint and Joyce continue to do an excellent job. Thank You!
  • Outreach (Carolyn Blanck)
    • CROP WALK - 16 members participated raising $792. Well Done!
    • Hurricane Katrina - Lend a Hand-Go Gulf-disaster: Relief trips to Ocean Springs, MS. Trips are open to anyone regardless of church affiliation.
    • 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.
    • 2007 Planning:
      • Blessing of animals service.
      • Summer Outreach - Worship services by a lake.
      • Time and talent survey - Categorization of outreach opportunities.

Old Business: None.

New Business:

  • "Adopt a Seminarian" - Consideration of seminary support for member Ebassa Berhanu. Further discussion will follow.

WE GO OUT IN GOD’S NAME.

Closing Prayer.
Adjourn: M/S/P (Maier/Wallin) (9:50).

Respectfully Submitted,
Denny Holmen, Secretary