CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- AUGUST 14, 2008

• 50th Anniversary (Sally Hodgson): Sally proposed plans for the celebration based upon feedback she received from the Council. She also proposed a budget and requested it be incorporated in the 2009 Congregational budget. Council was in total support of the proposed recommendations. Thank you Sally for your work on our celebration!
• Thrivent Financial Matching Funds: Sally Hodgson requested, on behalf of the LCC Scholarship Committee, that matching funds of $800 be requested for college scholarships. The matching fund event will be the Teie Family Concert on October 11th at LCC. Council approved. M/S/P (Ingvoldstad/Pastor Joan).  
• Memorial Garden (Caroline Qualey and Claudette Tollefsrud): A gift of $ 25,000 was received by the Memorial Garden Board from the estate of Myrtle Moody. A Council request to the board for a portion of the donation to fund a new phone system was denied by the Memorial Garden Board. The Board indicated “it is vitally important to the future integrity of the Memorial Garden that the Memorial Garden Board honor the benefactors who have entrusted it to spend their donations specifically to meet the needs of the Memorial Garden.” The Board proposed to Council that $22,000 of the $25,000 gift be moved from the dedicated account to an 18-month CD and the Board would then give the interest earned over the 18 month period to the Church Council to be used in the Church’s best interest. For each consecutive year, the Board will decide whether or not it is financially feasible to continue renewing this gift to the church. Council thanked the Board and accepted the proposal. M/S/P Bergin/Holmen.
• Creation Care Team (Laura Raedeke): Laura and Rachel Flogstad-Heise attended a “Green Congregation Program” seminar in Duluth. Laura gave Council an overview of the objectives of the program which ultimately make us more aware of our environment. To initiate the effort, there will be a local foods meal at the Church on October 7th. The committee will meet on August 19th at 4:30 for further planning. Council thanked Laura and fully approves of the program.   
  

• Secretary’s report: The Minutes of the 7/10/’08 meeting were amended in response to a request by Merle Gunderman dated 7/9/’08. The request asks that $4,500 (previously $3,500) per month of Pastor Gunderman’s compensation package be designated as housing allowance for the balance of calendar year 2008. Subsequent to review of IRS guidelines, Council will implement the request effective 7/1/’08. M/S/P (Bergin/Smith) to approve the minutes of our 7/10/08 meeting.
• Financial report: Approved July 2008 report as presented by Treasurer, Tim Bergin. M/S/P (Smith/Ingvoldstad).

• Phone System Update: The system is working better. Tom Larson will follow up on a remaining problem.
• “Healthy Start” proposal: See Senior Pastor’s report.
• Celebration Center Screen from G. Williams: Proposed that Sound System and Capital Improvement funds be used to purchase the screen (large discount). Council approved. M/S/P (Pastor Joan/Tim Bergin).

• Installation Service and Potluck for Pastor Hannem: Pastor Hannem has accepted the call! See Sr. Pastor’s report.
• Request from Rummage Sale wrap-up: On behalf of the rummage sale group, Sandy Thorson submitted a request suggesting installing a washer and dryer at the church. It could be used for washing and drying linens from IHN and possibly kitchen towels and tablecloths. Tom Larson will evaluate electrical and plumbing facilities to determine viability and Council will respond to Sandy.
• Mileage Reimbursement: To increase to 58.5 cents/mile per IRS guidelines. Approved M/S/P (Holmen/Paske).

• Staff: Bruce Hannem
• Ordination in California, Sat. Aug 23.
• Start date at LCC, Sunday Sept. 21 - Installation and Potluck.
• Temporary Pastoral Assistant: Contract extended through Sept. 14th. Farewell coffee hour Sept. 7th due to rally day Sept. 14th.
• Healthy Start: After discussion and review of funding resources (nearly totally funded to date by Council members and W-ELCA), Council approved proceeding with the program. M/S/P (Smith/Holmen).
• Date for retreat: Saturday Oct. 4th.
• Installation of Bishop Tom Aitken: Saturday. August 23, 1:30, Rejoice Lutheran Church at Forestview Middle School. John and Elsa Windh will serve as greeters/ushers. $20 donation per congregation to Synod for flowers.
• Council - Choir - Staff Christmas Dinner: Wed. December 17th, at 6:00 p.m.
• Vacation: August 28 and August 31 - September 4. (Rachel Flogstad-Heise available to be on call.)

• Montana Mission Trip: Was a great success. All learned a great deal about an Indian reservation, about themselves and their place in God’s never ending mission.
• Confirmation: Planning for this year is underway. A couple of parent guides still needed.       
• Lutheran Youth Gathering: Planning for the 2009 gathering in New Orleans is in its preliminary stages.
• Curriculum Task Force: Met on Aug. 11th. This is an ongoing project to develop a comprehensive plan for the educating the youth of LCC. We have developed an outline and have targeted what we want to accomplish for the future. We will meet monthly to accomplish our goals.

• Blood Drive: Sept. 3-4. Contact Sharon Ingvoldstad or Margaret Sommerfeld.
• Fall Rummage Sale: Oct. 3-4.

• Landscaping: Nearly completed. Sod will be laid in two weeks to complete the project. I was fortunate to have a good group of volunteers to work on the project.
• Painting: Wall painting in the halls by the Celebration Center will be done after the fall rummage sale.

• Sunday Worship Times: We return to two services at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. on September 7th.
• Good News Gospel Night: Saturday, September 27th.

Contact us:
Lutheran Church of the Cross
On Hiway 13 just east of Hiway 371 at Sportland Corner
P.O. Box 29
Nisswa, MN 56468
Phone: 218/963-2564     Fax: 218/963-0294
Email: lcc@lccnisswa.org