CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS -- DECEMBER 11, 2008

• Lighting the Christ Candle
• Praise and Thanksgiving

• Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the 11/13/2008 meeting were approved as read. M/S/P (Lueck/Larson).
• Financial Report: Reviewed November 2008 report. To be approved next meeting             upon return of Treasurer Tim Bergin.

• Confession and forgiveness
• Scripture and response

• Healthy Start Goals: Committee meeting had to be cancelled. Will meet on                 12/21/2008.
• Memorial Garden Policy Revision: Appointment of new committee member Wes             Anderson per committee recommendation. M/S/P (Larson/Holmen). A big thank you to Caroline Qualey for her services on this committee. 
  

• 2009 Budget Proposals: Presentation of potential budget scenarios by Colleen Both. After considerable discussion, the Exec. Committee will re-work and return for Council consideration at the next Council meeting.

• Beautiful Christmas decorations:
  
• A very special thank you to Jim Sherwood, who once again donated several days of time, as well as an employee, during one of his busiest seasons, to plan and decorate our church. The beautiful variety of fir trees are the annual gift of Sue and Allen Schmidt from their Love Lake Christmas Tree Farm, to whom we also owe a huge debt of thanks. Thanks also to the many “chancel scrapers” who spent hours at the church getting it all in place, as well as those who provided yummies to keep them going. You are each a blessing to us!
  
• Pastoral Care:
• Unusually heavy the last two months - many major surgeries (most often in the Cities) and funerals.
• With the possibility that the Visitation Pastor will be phased out, due to budget constraints, Pastor Bruce and I will be training several Lay Communion Ministers in 2009 to regularly visit and commune homebound and nursing home members. Biblical; and warmly embraced by other congregations we have served.
• Confirmation:
  
• Informal feedback about “new” Confirmation curriculum very positive. I am writing/creating new 9th grade series on The Christian Life; Pastor Bruce is doing much the same with the 8th grade biblical study.
• Larger Church:
• Luther Crest Bible Camp Assoc. Meeting - Sunday Feb. 8, 2009, at  3:00 p.m. (same day and time as Heartland Conference Annual Assembly). We are allowed three delegates for the first 449 confirmed members and one additional delegate for each additional 300 members, plus pastor/s.
• Funding Request from LSS ($5,000 in 2009).
• Looking Ahead/Important Deadlines:
• Jan. Newsletter deadline - Dec. 16th.
• Annual Reports due to Joy W. - Jan. 7th.
• Change to April Council date (Maundy Thursday).
• January Council meeting begins in sanctuary with a brief blessing service.
• Vacation:
• December 11 (note, Pastor Bruce received a call during the Council meeting that Pastor Joan’s daughter’s baby was born early that evening).
  
• Dec. 15-18, 22, 23, 29-31.
  
• Three Sunday mornings (12/14, 21, 28).
  
• Will lead the “Blue Christmas” service with Pastor Bruce on 12/21 at 5:00 p.m.
• Will preach and preside Christmas Eve 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

• Focus on Evangelism: Continuing to explore ways of setting up an evangelism committee. Will be starting a lay program to call upon inactive members. Will be starting lay visitation of potential members. Exploring program(s) to equip all members for evangelism. 
• Focus on New Member Classes: Have ten new members for the next new member Sunday; includes five young people. Next new member class will probably start in March. Classes will run for four weeks.
• Focus on Stephen Ministry. Action Item: Funding Request for $1,675 for Stephen Ministry. Request noted by Treasure elect. To be considered as budget preparation proceeds. Anticipate starting a Stephen Ministry program at LCC sometime after the first of the year. Christian care-giving by lay people for lay people - extensive training program, two to three year commitment, continuing education and peer supervision are required to participate. Pastor Joan, Cindy Hannem and I (possibly others?) are currently leaders. At least two current members, who have Stephen Ministry experience, have indicated they would like to participate in the new program at LCC. Cindy will initially head up the program. Pastor Joan and I would assist in some of the training and in making referrals. 
• Focus on Third Worship Service: View from the pew surveys will be distributed after the first of the year.
• Focus on Education: Curriculum task force, Children’s Ministry, Confirmation - looking at curriculum for confirmands, Senior Youth Program.
• Focus on Getting Folks “Plugged In”:  Looking for ways to get more members plugged in to ministries that let them use their spiritual gifts/ passions.

• Sanctuary/Parsonage Roofing: Reviewed bids received for re-roofing. Will need further discussion.
• Insurance: There will be no change in premium for 2009.
  

• “Bells of Praise” - Performing Christmas carols at two Good Samaritan Assisted Living Homes, Bethany Nursing Home and Edgewood Vista, all in Brainerd, this month.
• Youth - Will be leading services Sunday, January 11, 2009.
• Substitute Choir Director - In need of policy regarding compensation. Referred to Exec. Committee and Personnel Committee for resolution.

• Resignation - Colleen Both, newly elected Treasurer for 2009, submitted her request as required. M/S/P (Lueck/Trapp). A big thank you for all she has done for the Outreach       Ministry.
• Family Christmas Boxes - People have signed up for gifts for all seven families.

• Advent Festival - Went very well.
• Children’s Christmas Program - To be held on December 21st.

• Synod Youth Gathering (2009): Held in New Orleans. Eight senior high youth have signed up to attend.
• 2009 Senior Youth Trip: Will be a backpacking adventure in Colorado. We have 16  senior high youth signed up for this trip.
• Christmas Nativity Program: Scheduled for December 14th. It is always a great event.
• Fund raisers: Scheduled are another lefse and bake sale. We will also be providing parking for the Jaycee’s fishing event.
  
• NE Synod Youth Retreat: Was held on November 21st at Cragun’s Resort. LCC was well represented by 26 youth.
  

• Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. M/S/P (Both/Holmen).

  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