COUNCIL MINUTES -- July 12, 2007

Present: Pastor Joan, Pastor Chris, Darrell Paske (presiding), John Wallin, Colleen Both,
      Donna Trapp, Sharon Ingvoldstad, Tami Lueck and Denny Holmen.
Absent: Dave Brabec, Dean Maier andMary Backlund.

Call To Order:

• Lighting of the Christ Candle.
• Praise and Thanksgiving.
• Secretary’s report:
  • Approved minutes, as written, of our 6/14/2007 meeting. M/S/P (Trapp/Meier). Abstension: Wallin and Lueck - not present at June meeting.
• Financial report:
  • Reviewed, tabled until August meeting M/S/P (Wallin/Meier). Will discuss in detail at August meeting.
• Confession and forgiveness

Reports

  Senior Pastor's Report:

• Staff: Energetic ministry with children and youth. Summer is not "down time" for staff! Considerable pastoral care needs continue in congregation. Special thanks to all who welcomed the Austin family in time of tragedy and helped with luncheon.
• Strategic Planning:
  • In response to feedback, edited goals going out next week, reflecting comments, questions, concerns. This is good!
  • Saturday, July 28th - Very important that Council members attend 9:00 - 3:00 (or earlier).
  • Sunday, July 29th - Very important that Council members attend! Congregational luncheon after late worship; presentation of final goals; Q&A; brainstorming re: implementation. Child care will be provided.
  • Additional "Second-Mile Giving" received toward expenses.
• Lifelong Learning:
  • "WOW" in July - Great turnout last night on "Biblical Names of God." Wednesday evening "forum" type offerings are well received, like last summer.
  • Offering "Divine Drama" Bible study, Sept. '07 - May '08, for those who want to have a good overview of the whole bible.
• Other: Stewardship Committee meeting end of July to begin planning for Fall '07 emphasis.
• Continuing Education:
  • "Let the River Flow" event in Burnsville was excellent (for leaders of large congregations).
  • Will be offering a 10-week study called "The Present Future" in fall or winter, based on keynote speaker's work.  
• Vacation: July 30 - August 2.
• ELCA Church-wide Assembly, Chicago
  • Will be away Aug 5 - 12. Pastors Merle and Joan Gunderman are both voting members of the 2007 Biennial ELCA Church-wide Assembly, elected from Heartland Conference.

  Associate Pastor's Report:

• Thirty-two children attended Luther Crest Day Camp (double from 2006). Special thanks to those who hosted the Luther Crest counselors and to Wes and Lori Anderson for use of their beach.
• Summer Stretch continuing - Students have served at nursing homes, animal shelter and food shelf. They are also bowling, swimming and will be going to a Twins game next Thursday.
• Taking reservations for Sr. High camping trip to Itasca State Park (July 29 - 31). Camping, boating, biking, fishing. Students will learn about the natural and cultural history of the park, have bible study and all the fun stuff that goes along with being outdoors.
• Weekly bible-reading postcards continue to be sent in two "cycles":
  • An introduction to the Ten Commandments for incoming 7th grade Confirmation students.
  • An Old/New Testament reading set for all other families with children up through 6th grade. This cycle is a two year reading set, walking families through both Testaments.
  • These two "cycles" integrate into the First Third of Life emphasis for Children and Family ministries.
• Beginning preparations for fall:
  • Confirmation begins with parent and student orientation the first Wednesday after Labor Day (9/5) with instruction beginning on 9/12.
  • Sunday School begins with Rally Day on 9/9 with classes beginning 9/16.

  Youth:

• North Carolina youth trip: Trip went well and we were well represented by our youth. They had great attitudes and worked hard - great experience for all. A special thank you to chaperones Tom Groen, Lynette Ohotto, Pam Sandelin and Matt Groen.
• BWCA camping trip: Scheduled for July 14th. Stacy will be accompanying our group to the Boundary Waters. Our church is sending six young men.
• Summer Stretch: Continues through July. Great experience for our youth. They really enjoy the service opportunities and the fellowship.
• Senior High bible study: May / June sessions were well attended. We will start back up next week on Wednesday nights.

  Worship and Music:

• Committee met July 6th. Our ministry needs locked cabinets for the bells and other instruments plus storage for songbooks and hymnals. Would like to use Good News Gospel Night donations to fund the cabinets.
• LBW (green hymnals). Pastor Joan will check with Rejoice Lutheran to see if they need more hymnals. Those not donated will be available for congregational members to take.
• Pew pads. Would like to replace with Communion and Visitor cards.
• Hymnal ribbons: Used to mark liturgy pages and hymns during services. Need a group to take on the project of making the ribbons.
• Youth Choir: Have an individual interested in directing a Youth Choir (grades 7-12). Need to budget for this position, hopefully to start in January.
• Bell Choir Director: Need to consider increasing the compensation for this position as current compensation will not attract a new director.
• Liturgical Dance: In the planning stage (to include in a worship service).
• Cantors / Assisting Ministers: Committee and Pastors would like to have more lay participation in leading worship, as introduced in the green LBW many years ago.
• Non-Sunday services: May want to consider for those that cannot attend on Sunday mornings.

  Education:

• A wonderful Luther Crest Day Camp ended today. A big thank you to Tammy and Janet. Thirty two kids attended.
• Children's programming was not a part of the Strategic Planning Goals. This was a concern for some of the members of our congregation. This was brought to the attention of the Strategic Planning Committee last night.
• VBS was also a huge success. Adult and youth volunteers, kids and lots of fun. The decorations were a hoot and the kids really enjoyed the videos with their pictures.
• Preparing for next year Sunday School program, discussion about children's mission projects and other programming / recreation for children and their families.
• Thank you Pastor Joan for offering one W.O.W. session on Children's Spirituality and another on Family Spirituality.

  Congregational Life:

• Blood Drive: Margaret Sommerfeld will co-chair with Sharon Ingvoldstad.
• WELCA: The October 9th meeting is still planned.

  Property:

• Heating and air conditioning: Per visit with John Thelen, furnace and A/C units do not need replacing at this time.
• Organ: Johnson Organ Company will begin work around July 23rd. Organ sound will change once new components and stops are working properly. We may lose organ functionality one Sunday in the process.
• Parsonage rental / condition: Current renter is moving out and new renters have been accepted per conditions. New renters should be in August 1st. Clean-up and repair work needs to be done and carpeting needs replacement in the living room and one bedroom. Carpet replacement cost is approximately $800.00.
• Memorial Garden: Discussion was held with some of the Memorial Garden Committee members about the possibility of having an area for a framework to contain compost. Area aesthetics will be considered.

  Outreach:

• Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) week went well. Two families were accommodated very successfully. The program will resume in September and January. Thank you to all who helped with our first mission!

  Personnel:

• Visitation Pastor: Brainerd Lakes Area Clergy were queried for any interest in the position. One applicant, Pastor Merle Gunderman, was interviewed and offered the position. Pastor Gunderman accepted. The position is for approximately 20 hours per month. Council approved M,S,P (Both/Holmen).

Old Business

• Discussed vehicles using our lot as a bypass. John Wallin will research mitigation such as speed bumps and report findings in August.

New Business

• Smoke alarms have been installed in the Celebration Center.
• Cookbook: A volunteer committee was given permission to proceed with preparation of a cookbook in observance of our 50th Congregational Anniversary. Watch for future notices.

We close, as always, with prayer, giving thanks and asking for guidance. All are welcome at Council meetings. Approved minutes and approved financial reports are available in the church office to any member upon request.

Adjourn: Meeting adjourned. M/S/P (Wallin / Meier).

Respectfully submitted,
Denny Holmen, secretary