COUNCIL MINUTES -- OCTOBER 9, 2008

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

Call To Order -- President Darrell Paske at 7:00 p.m.
  • Lighting of the Christ Candle
  • Praise and Thanksgiving
Secretary’s Report
M/S/P (Trapp/Both) to approve as read the minutes of 9/11/08.

Financial Report
Reviewed September 2008 report. To be approved next meeting upon return of treasurer Tim Bergin.

We Proclaim the Good News, God’s Word
  • Confession and forgiveness
  • Scripture and response
Old Business
Denny Holmen presented a status report from Tim Bergin about our empty parsonage. Considerable work has been done there. (A big thank you to Chuck Klang for all of his work.) Tim listed items that need to be addressed by council to prepare the parsonage for rental.

Affirmation of Faith

New Business
  • Healthy Start Review and Goals. Council discussed the “First Year Action Plan” formulated at our retreat on Oct. 4th. The plan addresses “what will be accomplished,” “who will do it,” “what resources are needed” and “when will it be done?” Quarterly check-in dates were established when facilitators will return to evaluate our progress. Council also identified plans for introducing Pastor Bruce and Cindy to the congregation. Announcements will be forthcoming.
  • Annual Meeting dates
    • Election of 2009 council members. November 23rd between worship services.
    • Approve a 2009 budget. January 25, 2009, after second worship service.
  • NE MN Synod - Companion Synod Task Force (Companion Synod in Russia) - Request for funds. This will be assigned as a “Benevolence of the Month.”
We Present Our Offerings

   Senior Pastor’s Report
  • Pastor Bruce Hannem
    • Installation day was very festive and well attended.
    • First few weeks off to a good start (see Assoc. Pastor report).
    • We will be engaging in some long conversation about ministry areas and responsibilities.
    • Cindy is arriving Oct. 15th.
  • A sincere thanks to Sally Hodgson for her work as Temporary Office Manager, bringing order and calm to the office at an extremely busy time.
  • Tent City Event, Oct. 24-25, 2008. Awareness and fund-raiser for Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). Stacy Johnson and several youth will spend the night in tents at the Brainerd armory to raise awareness of homelessness and funds for New Pathways. They will gather free-will donations at the door following our Oct. 12th worship services. (Each participant is to raise $100 “rent.”)
  • Lifelong Learning. Sunday morning adult forums drawing more participants than anticipated .. 50 and 29 attended the first two, respectively.
  • Possible fund-raiser. A parishioner received, upon a neighbor’s death, the gift of numerous collector dolls, several of them quite valuable. He is interested in giving them to LCC to auction off or use in some other way to raise funds for LCC. Discussion followed; Sharon Ingvoldstad will research how to evaluate the gift.
  • Senior Pastor Gathering, Heartland Retreat Center in Wisconsin on Tuesday-Thursday, November 11-13. Hoping to attend.
   Associate Pastor’s Report
  • Started work September 17, 2008.
  • Taught two confirmation classes.
  • Spoke with third graders on “Bible Night.”
  • Attended Children’s Ministry Team meeting.
  • Four visits to prospective new members. At this time we are expecting at least ten new members (including three children) and possibly more.
  • One hospital visit.
  • Two visits to members who are recuperating at home from surgeries.
  • Attended Fall Theological Conference Sept. 28-30.
  • Healthy Start council retreat.
  • Made a list of possible survey questions regarding adding a third service. Pastor Bruce submitted “Worship survey questions/thoughts/ considerations” to Council for pursuing this Strategic Planning goal. Discussion followed.
  • Conducted one funeral.
  • Led text study for local Lutheran pastors.

   Worship and Music Report
  •  Advent. November 30 is the First Sunday in Advent. An Advent service called “Deck the Halls” is being planned. The service is designed to explain the significance of different aspects of Christmas (bells, altar candles, Advent wreath, holly, ivy, poinsettias, Christmas tree, and Christ in our lives today).
  • Advent Wreath. Worship Committee would like an Advent wreath which is more central and visible. Will be working on ways to make that possible.
  • Good News Gospel Concert. A wonderful concert and well attended. Thank you to all who participated! Offering was $1,404.90. Expenses were $500.
   Outreach Report
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network. Our next hosting week begins on October 26th.
  • Campus Crusade is an appeal to provide bibles for troops. Pastor Bruce will research to see if bibles are furnished to troops by the military.
   Personnel Report  
  • Office Manager. Committee received 30 applicants and interviewed 10. Two applicants were called back for second interviews. The Committee recommended to Council to extend an offer to their applicant of choice. Subsequent to discussion, Council voted to extend the offer. M/S/P (Holmen/Larson). If accepted, start date will be 10/16/2008. 
  • Nursery Attendant. Council voted to extend an offer to an interested individual. M/S/P (Both/Ingvoldstad). Pending a background check , the attendant will work every other Sunday at $40/Sunday.
   Congregational Life Report
  • Rummage Sale. Was a big success! Approximately 40 people volunteered each day. Took in $11,500 with expenses of approximately $900. It assisted these ministries: Women’s Shelter, Bread of Life, Diapers for Honduras, books to schools, libraries and assisted living facilities, Hidden Jewels thrift shop, Salem Lutheran in Deerwood (serves four counties), ECFE, layettes. Thanks to all who helped and participated!
  • Nursing Home Visits. Joan Roberts is doing a great job with lining up visits to shut-ins and people in nursing homes. Check out her bulletin board in the hallway.
   Property Report
  • Parsonage. Radon testing is in progress. Evaluating hail damage to roof. Planning to check septic system. Will recruit cleaning crew for final clean-up. Denny will work with Chuck Klang to replace two windows.
  • Painting/Roofing. We have been painting the south side of the church. Completion is weather-dependant. Have painted the garage front and two storage sheds. Evaluating condition of church roof.
Closing Prayer
               
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

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 submit it in writing addressed to President Paske and delivered to the church office no less than 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 prior to the next Council meeting, 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