COUNCIL MINUTES -- November 12, 2009

• Lighting of the Christ Candle

• Secretary’s Report - Approval of October council minutes (M/S/P – Kraft/Karlgaard)
• Treasurer’s Report - Financial report for October approved (M/S/P – Smith/
  Karlgaard)

• Confession and Forgiveness (Darrell Paske and Council)
• Scripture and response (Darrell Paske and Council)

• Blizzard/winter storm procedure - discussed proposed plans, edited and will be resubmitted to council for approval.
• Bob Warneke made suggestions for more frequent “temple talks” and more opportunities for open communication among the church family, possibly an open forum.

• Thinking ahead: snowplowing - portion of road connecting Smiley and Crossroads. Property Chair, Tom Larson restated that there should be no issue, since it had been cleared up earlier this year.
• 2010 Budget matters:
  
• Saturday PM service - discussion about attendance and the feasibility of keeping it going through the winter. Nothing conclusive was decided.
• Thrivent/Simply Giving fee
• Visitation Pastor
• Building Fund
• Annual Meeting, Part 1 - Elections – discussion to make sure that ballot counters were lined up for Sunday and the correct number of ballots printed. Small discussion of member sign-in.
  
• Task force to review Mission Statement - motion made to change Mission Statement by Erin Karlgaard, second by Jean Kraft. Rick Jensen made an amended motion to present the changing Mission Statement at the January annual meeting, second by Jean Kraft.

• Lay Communion Ministers. In light of eliminating the Visitation Pastor, I will be training interested members as Lay Communion Ministers, beginning in January. (Current visitation list, attached). I have done this in two other congregations, and it has been exceptionally well-received by all. In addition to seeing the pastor/s, our homebound people receive visits from several lay people as well during the year, broadening their relationships with the congregation beyond just the pastor. The Lay Communion Ministers find it extremely rewarding to bring the Sacrament to homebound members, some of whom they have known well before they became homebound.
• Nominating Committee. As of 1:30 this afternoon, all positions have nominees except Worship & Music, for which they are still awaiting a response. In conversation with Memorial Garden & Columbarium Board member, new Board members are now elected rather than appointed. Sharon Ingvoldstad will be on the ballot for that position.
• Stewardship Committee. Letters from both pastors, and from two parishioners, have been sent in recent weeks. Next week, a final letter with pledge cards will be mailed for Commitment Sunday, Nov. 22. Pledge cards will also be available at church on Nov. 22. I completed a 4-week “Financial Sanity” unit with the 9th grade Confirmands, as part of a larger unit on Stewardship (which included Spiritual Gifts [time & talent]). Each of the four small groups are working on a Stewardship project, due in December.
• The Lutheran. We received 21 subscription payments - $167. We need 29 more subscriptions totaling $230 to cover the cost.
• Cursillo. Ron Whipple has asked, on behalf of Via de Christo of Minnesota, if LCC can host the event the weeks of July 14-17, 2011 (men’s weekend) and July 21-24, 2011 (women’s weekend). LCC has hosted before. Via de Christo staff do all their own set-up, cleaning, cooking, etc. They work closely with us to plan the details. See details, attached. We need to let them know asap, as they plan two years out. I would strongly encourage us to host this. Action item: Moved to approve upon review by Facilities Coordinator (M/S/P – Jensen/ Kraft)
• Newsletter Bulk-mailing costs. See Joy’s report, attached.
• Poinsettias. Joy is preparing order blanks which will be available soon, as well as in the December newsletter. Jim Sherwood is holding last year’s price for us - $12/plant.
• Vacation. For our 30th Wedding Anniversary, my husband surprised me by booking a one-week vacation at Williamsburg, VA, Dec. 5-12. In addition, with the 4 additional vacation days I have not yet taken this year (3 week days and 1 Sunday), I’ve worked out with Pr. Bruce to take the week of Dec. 27-30 off. Since Christmas Day is on my usual day off, I will take December 31 as the exchange day. I have not taken either of my two Personal Days this year.
  
• Respectfully submitted, Pr. Joan Gunderman
  

• Outreach/Evangelism. At this time we anticipate 29 new members for our next new member Sunday which will be Sunday November 15 with a light lunch/dessert reception to follow the second service. We would like council members, staff and significant others to attend. The “New Friends Group” chaired by Carol and Bill Campbell is up and running.
• Focus on Stephen Ministry. Our first Stephen Ministry training classes have been completed with our six Stephen Minister trainees commissioned at both services on Sunday, November 8.
• Focus on first communion.  At the point we have 21 young people who received their First Communion at the sec- ond service on Reformation Sunday, October 25.
• Voting Members. As of this writing we have 581 voting members in the congregation as best Joy and I have been able to determine. Joy will provide the most up-to-date list for our Congregational Meeting on November 15. Joy has also provided a signature list for all those who attend the meeting. Action item: New members list presented and approved. (M/S/P – Karlgaard/Both)
  
• Acts class. Invitations are being issued soon to the beginning class.
  

• Two volunteers helped me remove a large dead oak tree west of the east parking lot.
• With the help of several volunteers on 11/3, the church grounds have been cleaned with waste matter removed. Also, the kitchen was cleaned, including the refrigerator and freezer. The lower windows of the church were also cleaned. These volunteers did a great job! Clint has been cleaning dirty areas of the Celebration Hall carpeting – these areas look great! Thanks, Clint!
• The number 1 furnace, 25 years old, has malfunctioned. Thelen Heating & Roofing has been working on the repairs. The repair parts have exceeded the value of the furnace – it is not worth repairing this furnace. I have requested $4,400 from Women of the ELCA to replace this furnace.
• Hoffbeck Electric has installed two switches for the ceiling light at the base of the chancel stairs. This is a safety matter. Craig also replaced a leaking battery in the auxiliary office hall light.

• IHN update. Temple talk was very effective, hope to do this for each hosting. Still need a few volunteers for Nov. 22-29. Please sign up if you are available.
• Take It Outside. New project with mini suggestions to appear in newsletter or bulletin. To encourage and enable members to participate in meaningful missions outside our church walls.
  
• Helping Hands. New project to provide basic hygiene supplies to needy teens in middle and high schools in Brainerd and Pequot Lakes. Funds have been requested from Women of the ELCA. Also, our confirmands are on board, and will be bringing in supplies once a month. This will be an ongoing project, with eventual appeals to the entire community. The schools have all said this is desperately needed and no one else is doing it.
  
• Good Gifts Fair. Dec. 6th between services. I will need volunteers to help members “make purchases” and some to fill out gift cards.
  
• Small Group/Education survey. Carol Smith created this to be completed at our meeting this weekend.
  
• Fee Schedule. Letter received regarding fees imposed on charitable organizations wish- ing to use our church. Action item: motion to review fee schedule to reflect our stance as a missional congregation to support church use for non-profit groups that provide for the basic needs of the community (IE food shelf, Bridges of Hope, etc.) (M/S/P – Karlgaard/Kraft).
  

• Some of the things coming up in Nov: Middle School Gathering – Synod Retreat at Craguns...Currently getting kids signed up and adult chaperones in place. Sr. High Summer trip next year is YouthWorks Mission trip to the Ozark Mountains.
  
• Starting our fundraising...have had roll sales, and will be selling lefse the Sunday before Thanksgiving...taking preorders in the Narthex.
  
• Also having a Sr. High overnight at church on Nov. 21st following our lefse making.
• Sr. High Wednesday nights are going strong! Youth are enthusiastic. Usually we have
  done the soup kitchen once a year...they wanted to add another time, so we did it in November as well! (we haven’t done it yet, but we will by the time of the council meeting).
• Mark Swenson has been teaching the 7th grade confirmation class...which frees Stacy up to spend time with the Sr. High group for a few weeks.

• 50 Plus, continue to meet 3rd Friday of every month for potluck and program. This month and next month a sign up will be passed for monthly hosts and hostesses for 2010.
  
• This Saturday (11/14), 9:00am - 3:00, Annual LCC Business and Holiday Fair.
  
• Sunday (11/15), New Member light lunch after 10:30 service.
  
• Sunday (11/22), Teen Challenge, help needed. Main dish recipe, kitchen, serving and clean-up.

  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