CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- JANUARY 10, 2008

Present: Pastor Joan, Dave Brabec, Denny Holmen, Tami Lueck, John Wallin,
    Colleen Both, Darrell Paske, Dean Maier, Mary Backlund, Tom Larson, Carol Smith
    and Tim Bergin.
Absent: Donna Trapp and Sharon Ingvoldstad.

We Assemble in God's Name

Past and present Council members assembled in the sanctuary for a brief service led by Pastor Joan. After reviewing our commitments as stated in the "Installation of Council Members," we gave thanks for the leadership provided by outgoing Council members and prayed for God's guidance for the new Council. After sharing peace, we adjourned to our regular meeting.  

Call to order 

• Lighting of the Christ Candle.
• Praise and thanksgiving.
• Approved minutes, as written, of our 12/13/2007 meeting. M/S/P (Lueck/Paske).
• Approved December 2007 financial report as presented. M/S/P (Holmen/Wallin).
• Confession and forgiveness.

Proposal for Lights

Jim Eitrheim presented a proposal to the Council to install special stage-type lighting in the Celebration Center. Jim has done considerable research and requested permission from the Council to proceed with the understanding that he would pursue "special gifts" to pay for the project. The Council thanked Jim for his presentation and granted permission to proceed. M/S/P (Smith/Bergin).

New Business

• President Darrell Paske thanked outgoing members Dave Brabec, John Wallin and Mary Backlund for their service. Dave Brabec extended a big thank you to all Council members for their services this past year.

• 2008 budget. Mary Backlund presented the proposed 2008 budget. After considerable discussion, the Council unanimously voted to present the budget to the congregation at the annual meeting to be held January 20, 2008. M/S/P (Wallin/Bergin).

Reports

  Senior Pastor's report

• Installation of Council. The Council will be installed Sunday Jan. 20 at both services.
• Strategic Planning. Overseeing implementation of goals will be primary work of Council this year.
• Stewardship Committee. January - Time and Talent Drive continuing through the month. There will be distribution of those received for making immediate contact. Meeting monthly to determine goals and action plan for 2008.
• Confirmation - 8th Grade. Good reception of new materials, Seeing Through the Scriptures .
• Administration. Beginning work on determining and communicating with "inactive" members.
• By constitution, membership is determined by both financial giving and communing records.
• Tracking members' communing is not possible with the current church management software. Office staff is trying to determine best way to do it. Currently, we track only giving.
• Other. Council reviewed our Covenant of Conduct .
• Continuing Education. Will attend ELCA Head of Staff seminar from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

  Outreach report

• Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) served four families in December with assistance from 69 volunteers! Sandy Simonson and Colleen Both are the new co-chairs. Our next IHN dates are March 9 - 16.
• Christmas families. We helped six families this past year.
• Kinship Partners - Seventeen LCC members are Kinship Partner mentors.
• Name tags - 322 members have signed up.

  Education report

• First Communion for 5th graders scheduled for Feb. 10. M/S/P (Smith/Both).
• Children's sermons. Kids are enjoying the handouts they receive.
• 2nd graders are moving upstairs as of Feb. 5.
• Safety. Discussed educating people about fire extinguishers, fire exits, etc. Considering holding fire drills.

  Youth report

• Youth Sunday has been scheduled for Jan. 13. Senior High youth looking forward to leading worship.
• Youth Ministry Team is scheduled to meet the last Sunday in January. Discussing future project plans. Youth leadership workshop scheduled for Feb. 2008 with Stacy participating in the teaching.
• Mission Trip fund-raising is well under way. All possible matching funds from Thrivent were earned for 2007. Big fund raising event for January will be parking cars for the ice fishing contest.
• Christmas Vacation Bible School was well attended. Over 25 children and guides enjoyed a great time during Christmas break.

  Property report

• Please reference the "Annual Property Chair Report" that is included in the Congregational Annual Report.

Old Business. None.

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