CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- January 11, 2007

Present: Pastor Chris, Mary Backlund, Dave Brabec (president), John Wallin, Sharon
    Ingvoldstad, Dean Maier, Denny Holmen, Carolyn Blanck, Donna Trapp, Jim Eitrheim,
    Colleen Both, Darrell Paske and Tami Lueck.
Absent:   Pastor Joan.

Call to Order at 7:05 p.m.
    Pastor Chris led devotions.

Secretary's Report:
    M/S/A (Wallin/Teie) to accept the minutes of 12/14/06 as written.

Financial Report:
    M/S/A (Eitrheim/Maier).

Confession and Forgiveness:
    Pastor Chris led Confession and Forgiveness.

Reports:

    Pastor Chris.

• Janet Mayer has begun duties as co-director of Children's Ministries.
• Becky Melby and Sheila Avenson have scheduled infant/child CPR training for nursery attendants for Saturday morning Feb. 3rd.
• Sheila Avenson is arranging with the Children's Ministry team to have a cleaning/organization day in the nursery.
• Pastor Chris and Peggy Carlson are working on the "First Third Of Life" curriculum (prepare Sunday School students for their confirmation years).
• Thank You to Deb Roberts and Dagny Trucano for orchestrating the post high school care package endeavor.
• The 9th graders will begin mentoring sessions on Jan.14th.

   Outreach (Carolyn Blanck).

• Pastor Chris, Carolyn Blanck and Colleen Both met to discuss future plans for the "Outreach" Ministry.
• The "Outreach Ministry" summary for 2006 was presented. There have been many wonderful missions including reaching out to victims of hurricane Katrina, hurricane cleanup in Mississippi, support of the "Sharing Bread" soup kitchen, work donation for "Habitat For Humanity," Kinship mentor volunteers for "Kinship Partners," support for the "Lakes Area Food Shelf," participation in the annual CROP walk, coordination of the "40 Days Of Purpose," work to categorize the time and talents surveys and gift donations for six families.
• Potential future ministries were presented.
• Indeed, we are truly "Blessed To Be a Blessing."

    Worship and Music (Ernie Teie).

• Discussion of the first service start time. This will be voted on at the 1-28-07 congregational meeting.
• The new hymnal will be used for the first time on January 21st.

    Education (Tami Lueck).

• The Advent Fair, Christmas Program and Christmas Bible School Day were very successful.
• A Sunday School beach party is planned for Jan. 28th.
• Sunday School rotations were presented.
• The Children's Ministry team is planning a special event during the Easter experience on Feb. 18th.
• A Mother's Day/Special Day is planned for May 13th.
• The spring jamboree (last day of Sunday School) is planned for May 20th.
• Tammi Hedlund and Janet Mayer will job-share Children's Ministry.

    Youth (Dean Maier).

• Enrollment is increasing for the youth mission trips.
• The youth will conduct fund raisers: Parking for the fishing contest. M/S/P (Maier/Pastor Chris) to approach Thrivent for matching funds up to $800. Additional fund raisers: Ash Wednesday and Easter breakfast.
• A Youth Council meeting for post-confirmation youth and parents is planned for Feb. 4th.

    Congregational Life (Sharon Ingvoldstad).

• The Congregational Life Ministry presented 2006 highlights:
• A new committee (Kitchen Committee) was formed. The SOS (Sudden Opportunity for Service) committee is active - Prepare and serve lunch following funeral services.
• Friends in Deed committee - Help members in times of need with a variety of services.
• New members committee. Quilters and Prayer Shawl ministries. Prayer Chain. Rummage sale and the 50 Plus Group. "There is a lot of life going on in this congregation!"

    Property (JohnWallin).

• The Executive Committee approved a new property insurance policy for 2007.
• A failed water storage tank ($1,000) was replaced.
• A well pump/parts replacement was done at the parsonage ($555).
• Basement - Failed water heater was replaced with a new 30 gallon unit and 2 shut off valves and 2 unions were added to expedite future replacement.
• We have a new vendor for work on the organ (Johnson Organ Co. of Fargo). Currently 3 of 5 pipe sets are not functioning.

Old Business.

• New council members were briefed on discussions to date regarding strategic planning.
• M/S/A (Wallin/Both) to present to the congregation for approval as a part of the 2007 budget.

• Discussion/modification of proposed 2007 budget. M/S/A (Wallin/Eitrheim) to present the budget at the January 28, 2007 congregational meeting.

We go out in God's name.

Closing prayer.
Adjourn: M/S/A (Wallin/Eitrheim).

Respectfully submitted,
Denny Holmen, secretary