COUNCIL MINUTES -- JULY 10, 2008

Present: Pastor Joan, Darrell Paske (president), Tami Lueck, Colleen Both, Dean Maier, Tom
     Larson, Tim Bergin, Carol Smith, Denny Holmen, Sharon Ingvoldstad and Donna Trapp

Call To Order

We Celebrate Our Past

  • Approved minutes of a 6/30/2008 special meeting with Call Committee. M/S/P (Trapp/Both).
  • Approved minutes of our 6/12/2008 monthly meeting. M/S/P (Larson/Ingvoldstad).
  • Approved June 2008 financial report as presented by treasurer, Tim Bergin. M/S/P (Maier/Smith).

Strategic Planning Goals

Cottage meetings produced a list of items to consider for quick completion. Carol Smith and Colleen Both will prepare a list of the items in progress and completed for our August meeting.

Old Business

Phone system - Currently the system is working well except for call forwarding. Tom Larson will contact the vendor to discuss status.

New Business

  • Congregational Call meeting - Colleen explained the plans for the July 19th evening potluck (Meet and Greet Bruce Hannem).
  • Sunday July 20th congregational ceeting - Darrell presented the agenda for the meeting.
  • “Healthy Start” proposal - Pastor Joan and Carol Smith reviewed the proposal with Council. “Healthy Start” is a program for congregational leadership and newly called pastors that “enhances the partnership of pastors and people.” When a new pastor arrives, it helps to provide a foundation of prayer and spiritual practice between pastors and the other leaders of LCC, and to identify realistic roles and expectations for both the pastors and the Council. Council will study and consider at our August meeting.
  • Bequest to Memorial Garden - A wonderful gift of $25,000, designated for the Memorial Garden, has been received from a previous member. Darrell will attend the next Memorial Garden Committee meeting to ask them to consider sharing a percentage of the bequest for other congregational needs.
  • Celebration Center screen from Jerry Williams. Jerry has offered a large projection screen at considerable discount ($1,500) - Council will make a decision at our August meeting.

We Present Our Offering

   Senior Pastor’s Report

  • Staff - Contract extension for Temporary Pastoral Assistant. Executive Committee will address as needed.
  • Strategic Planning Goal #1
    • Time and Talent information being dispersed by Dir. Of Volunteer Ministries.
    • Spiritual Gifts Discovery Workshops
      • Oct. 28 p.m. and Oct. 29 a.m.
      • New member classes.
      • 9th grade confirmands.
  • Confirmation “Roundtable" - Met recently over pizza with Stacy, Rachel, Dean Maier and two of our active high school youth to “pick their brains” about the confirmation program. Shared a draft of possible new ways of organizing material over three years. Great discussion. Some good insights and ideas shared together. May see some high school youth involvement in Confirmation this year.   
  • Community - Lakes Area Ministerial Assoc. Adopt-a-school and ISD 181 kick-off pep rally (handout). Each church is invited to explore what school is closest to them and begin building a relationship with that school. The Children’s Ministry Task Force will be asked if they’d like to consider this with Nisswa Elementary School.  
  • Lutheran Social Services Movement of Hope - Ending youth homelessness event, July 23rd at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd.
  • Heartland Conference “Best Practices” in Christian Education meeting August 7th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

   Personnel Committee Report

  • Job descriptions have been completed for Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor and Visitation Pastor. Presented by Carol Smith, reviewed/discussed by Council and approved. M/S/P (Holmen/Maier).

   Youth Report

  • Montana Mission Trip - Ready to go on July 20 with a congregational blessing and send-off. Youth will report back to the congregation on August 10th.
  • Confirmation planning meeting - Very productive meeting as reported in Pastor Joan’s report.
  • Sunday School - Planning meeting is scheduled for next week.

   Stewardship Report. Committee is meeting monthly to plan strategic direction.

   Property Report

  • Completed projects
    • Parking lot crack filling and striping.
    • Entrance sidewalk – broken cement slab replaced.
  • Upcoming Projects
    • Update landscaping on south side of church.
    • Paint hallways south and west side of Celebration Center.
  • Volunteers needed (announced in Sunday bulletins and August newsletter)
    • Landscaping Tuesday, August 5,  and Thursday, August 7, at 8:00 a.m.
    • Painting Tuesday, August 12, and Thursday, August 14. at 8:00 a.m.

   Music and Worship Report. The Committee will have a planning meeting on July 17th.

   Outreach Report

  • Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) - The week of June 29-July 6, LCC hosted four families including five adults and nine children, seven of  whom were under age 6. A very active group. We had excellent response and 80-some volunteers between LCC and Lord of Life. Our heartfelt thanks to all! At the end of each week, IHN asks for written feedback from each family regarding the church, friendliness of volunteers, food, accommodations, etc. and we received excellent marks.

   Education Report. Luther Crest Day Camp will be held July 28th - 31st at Nisswa Park.

Adjourn  M/S/P (Both/Bergin)

We close, 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.

If you would like to have something on a Council meeting agenda, please address it in writing to President Paske and deliver it to Laurie in the church office at least one week prior to the monthly Council meeting. The Council meets the second Thursday of the month. If the request is submitted less than one week in advance, it will be addressed at the following monthly meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Denny Holmen, secretary


    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