CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- September 13, 2007

Present : Pastor Joan, Dave Brabec (President), Denny Holmen, Donna Trapp,
      Darrell Paske, Dean Maier, Mary Backlund, John Wallin and Colleen Both.
Absent : Tami Lueck and Sharon Ingvoldstad.
Visitors : Pastor Scott Jacobs, Assistant to the Bishop, N.E. Minnesota Synod, and Tom
      Larson.

Call To Order

• Lighting of The Christ Candle
• Praise and Thanksgiving
• Secretary's Report : Approved minutes, as written, of our 8/9/2007 meeting. M/S/P (Paske/Maier).
• Financial Report : Approved August 2007 report. M/S/P (Holmen/Wallin).
• Confession and Forgiveness

Old Business

• No action items.

New Business

• Strategic planning. Mark Swenson and Cheryl Pedersen presented committee planning to this point for "Wednesday at LCC, A Proposal for Wednesday Activities At Lutheran Church of The Cross." There was considerable discussion followed by a statement of Council support for the initial planning for implementation of this goal. The initiative is off to a great start!
• Temporary Assistant Pastor. Pastor Scott Jacobs, Asst. to the Bishop, NE Minnesota Synod, was in attendance. Requirements of the position were discussed with Pastor Jacobs. The position will call for a commitment of 25 hours per week. He will proceed to identify potential individual(s) for the position.
• Call process. Pastor Jacobs reviewed the "Abbreviated Guide For Pastoral Call Process" with the Council, and the Council informed Pastor Jacobs of the general requirements for this position. The process will begin as follows: Per motion, M/S/P (Backlund /Wallin), Call Committee members will be selected as they were the last time. Congregational members will receive a letter and form by 9/28/07 asking for a response from anyone interested in serving on the Call Committee. The process will also be announced in the Sept. 23rd and 30th bulletins and the newsletter. Candidates must return completed forms to the Church office by October 15th. A congregational meeting will be held on October 28th to elect Call Committee members.
• Pastor Chris. Council approved a gift for Pastor Chris. M/S/P (Wallin/Paske). Also, Pastor Chris will be paid for unused vacation per his contract. M/S/P (Wallin/Paske).
• Office assistance. Per acceptance by Tammy Hedlund, she will assist Office Manager, Laurie Winters, with office tasks up to five hours per week. M/S/P (Wallin/Trapp).

We Present Our Offering

   Senior Pastor's Report

• Staff matters:
• During Associate Pastor vacancy, request a trial hiring of Tammi Hedlund (if interested) for five hours/week as Office Assistant. Increasing activity in congregation is producing increasing work load for Office Manager, who was already working overtime many days.
• Reminder: Pastor Chris' last Sunday and farewell potluck is this Sunday, Sept. 16th.
• Annual Reviews scheduled in October. Personnel Committee will participate, as last year.
• Wireless computer system concerns from Office Manager. Problems were reviewed.
• Office space changes. Discussion followed.
• Lifelong Learning: "Divine Drama" Bible Study, Sept '07 to May '08 - 44 participants! A few more likely to sign on. Have had two sessions. Off to a great start. Planning team to meet later this month to begin developing a year-round program and schedule (Goal #7).
• Stewardship Committee: Meeting next week (postponed from July due to scheduling complications among members) to begin planning for fall '07 emphasis. Looking to develop a year-round program (rather than a one-time event once a year) which will include education in financial planning/budgeting, biblical stewardship, etc.
• Bridges of Hope: Request/Spirit of Kindness Fund.
• ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Chicago: Fascinating, inspiring, a privilege to serve as a voting member. Offered an opportunity to share and discuss at LCC after we returned (20-25 members attended). Good conversation. Detailed report in August Cross Currents and several articles in September "The Lutheran."
• Annual review of membership rolls: To begin January 2008.
• Continuing Education: Annual fall theological conference, sponsored by the NE Minnesota Synod, Sunday afternoon, Sept. 30, through Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Rutgers Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids.  

   Associate Pastor's Report

• All confirmation small groups have at least one adult guide. For our 12 small groups, we are seeking three additional guides so each group can have two adult guides.
• Large group sessions (8th and 9th grades). The following have committed to teaching: Peggy Carlson, Lenny Hodgson, Karen Millette (after 1/1/08), Pastor Jerry Raedeke and Mark Swenson. Pastor Joan will arrange scheduling details with teachers.
• Small group guide substitutes. The following have volunteered: Eileen Holland, Kathy Kosobud and Stephanie Nelson. A number of people have expressed interest in being small group guides for the 2008/2009 school year. Stacy Johnson and Peggy Carlson have a list of interested persons. A big thanks to Stacy Johnson and Peggy Carlson for their work in helping arrange small group guides .
• Tammy Hedlund and Janet Mayer, with the help of many dedicated volunteers, have the Fall Sunday School year well in hand. Well done !
• Vacation time. I have given an accounting of my vacation time to Exec. Committee and Sr. Pastor.

   Property Report

• Speed bumps: Have drastically changed the flow of traffic through the parking lot. Safety in this area has been greatly increased.
• Sunday School classrooms: Chuck Nielsen and Peggy Carlson have done excellent work combining two downstairs small classrooms into one. With new paint, the rooms are brighter and more cheerful. A job well done! There is a need to have outlets changed and possible addition of new outlets.
• Organ: Mike Johnson is planning on complete the project in mid-October. He was delayed by a project at Bethlehem Lutheran.
• Folding Machine: Pitney Bowes repaired the machine and billed $423. Karen consulted with me and then informed Pitney Bowes that this is a new machine. Pitney Bowes was referencing the wrong model/serial numbers. Karen made many phone calls and talked to 8-10 individuals before finally resolving the problem. Pitney Bowes has retracted the bill and will be sending a service contract for possible future adjustments/repairs.
• Miscellaneous: Lighting and a few other minor projects are being looked into, but for the most part, things are running pretty smoothly.

   Congregational Life Report

• Blood drive went well. LCC had 24 volunteers, including Margaret Sommerfeld and yours truly who were coordinators. Nine people donated bars for workers and donors. Jim Cramer was our official spokesman; he has given many gallons of blood himself! We didn't meet our goal (70 units the first day and 40 the second) but we did get 47 units the first day and 27 the second.
• Pastor Chris' farewell: Committee plans are going well, headed by Dan and Annette Frank.
• Volunteer step-down: I received a letter from Jane Nemitz indicating she finds it necessary to step down from her volunteer responsibilities due to family needs. We will need to find people to chair WELCA, including funeral committee and IHN. Jane is a very capable and talented individual and I thank her for all of her involvement through the years.
• Kitchen committee: Carolee Wallin informed me that the committee will meet Oct. 4th at 10 a.m. Some committee members wish to be replaced.
• Defibrillator training: A couple of months ago, we had another training session with Dick Peterson on the EAD (defibrillator). Eight people attended. The list of people trained is in the file.

   Worship and Music Report

• Good News Gospel Night: Saturday, October 13th.
• Youth Sunday: The youth will lead worship services on October 14th.

   Youth Report

• Adult advisory meeting: Attended by 6 adults. Very positive and energetic meeting. Heard report of Wednesday night efforts and will coordinate to help provide opportunities for post-confirmation youth. Ideas for post-confirmation include speakers on various topics (possibly once a quarter), social events and Bible studies.
• Confirmation class of 2007: 24 new 7th graders. Challenges to prepare without Pastor Chris. Many thanks to Peggy Carlson for hard work to organize and prepare for the start of the year. Many volunteers to take up slack with 9th grade class.
• Youth trips: Eight youth will attend a Twins game and Christian concert on Sept. 16th. MEA trip being planned to Duluth. Beginning planning on Summer Mission trip. (It takes a while!).

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.

Respectfully submitted,
Denny Holmen, secretary