COUNCIL MINUTES -- August 13, 2009

• Secretary’s Report — Approval of June council minutes (M/S/P – Pedersen/Kraft).
• Treasurer’s Report — Financial report for July given by Darrell Paske in Colleen Both‘s absence and tabled for action until the September Council meeting.

• Confession and Forgiveness (Pastor Joan)
• Scripture and response (Pastor Joan)

• Council Retreat – Oct. 17, 10:00-2:00
• Ministry Opportunities Booklet  
  Please add, delete, edit your page and return to me before leaving this evening. We want to have this ready for Rally Day, Sept. 13. It will be updated every year.
• Small Kitchen Refrigerator
  As requested, I asked the staff if/when the refrigerator in the small kitchen is used, as
  well as the kitchen in general, for food preparation and serving. Their response:
  
  Lake associations – potlucks in Chapel Hall
  Messy Brunches – families of preschoolers – 4x/year
  H.S. Graduates & families luncheon
  1st Communion class dinner with families
  3rd Grade Bible dinner and parents class
  Circle desserts and lunches
  Member family events:  (some of our retirees can‘t fit extended family into their
  homes, so celebrate some family events in Chapel); Christmas gatherings; Baptism celebrations; Wedding/Baby showers
  Snacks and drinks for Sunday School
  Special hosting – for example, Concordia Choir meals
  55 Alive – 2x/month
  W-ELCA fellowship events and Bible studies
  Overflow from Rummage Sale
  Sometimes there are two meal events on Sunday after worship. Need both kitchens/refrigerators.
  Grape juice for Communion
  Condiments for all of the above
  Staff use

• Confirmation
  We are continuing the process of re-working the curricula that we started last year, and are looking into using Lay Catechists from time to time so pastors are free to do some of the other things desired on Wednesday nights (Strategic Planning Goals suggest such things as adult Bible study on Wednesday evening; worship opportunity, etc.)
• Vacation – August 27 – Sept. 3.

          Respectfully submitted

          Pr. Joan Gunderman

• Outreach/Evangelism. Calling upon inactive members has started and continues. At this time we have ten prospective new members for our next new member Sunday.
  
• Focus on Stephen Ministry. Training has started with six people. We are planning on commissioning our new Stephen Ministers in November.
  
• Focus on ACTS program. I am considering offering the ACTS classes to members who have expressed interest and forgoing classes for leadership, except as interest has been expressed.
  
• Focus on third worship service. Saturday evening worship services hare averaging nearly 70 people. Pastor Joan and I are planning on some sort of Wednesday evening service, details to be determined in the next month or so.
  
• Focus on Children’s Ministry. Rally Sunday is coming right up. 
  

• Painting - Approximately 1/2 of the exterior of the church siding and trim has been painted. The east steel doors have been painted. The north office entrance railing has
  been sanded and repainted. There has been additional painting done in August and
  more will continue in September.
  
• Landscaping - Various bushes, trees and shrubs have been trimmed. Weeds have been
  pulled and spraying done.
  
• William‘s Baptismal Font - has been moved to the Children‘s playground flower garden,
  with Jerry‘s permission. 
• Garbage Service - Waste Management has been our service provider. A lower bid from
  Nisswa Sanitation has been received and could save $100 in expense per month  —
  $1,200 per year. Currently, checking services and make a decision in the near future.
• Cleaning & Maintenance - Refrigerators in both kitchens have been cleaned. Please be sure to date your food items and dispose of out of date items as needed — the responsibility of food safety is something we all share — please help. Thank you. Celebration Center carpet spots have been cleaned and treated, including removal of
  gum spots. Several projects and equipment purchases have been made possible because of the Women of the ELCA garage sale funds and moneys received from the Special Gifts
  Fund. These include landscaping improvements and painting projects, plus equipment
  purchases. These have enabled property maintenance expenses to stay within the
  budget. Volunteers have also been a big factor in making maintenance progress.
  

• So far, 207 organ pipes have been "bought" to help fund the repairs needed.
• Rally Sunday is September 13. Ministries of the church are being invited to have information about the different ministries displayed on tables for the congregation to view that morning.
• Good News Gospel Night is scheduled for Saturday, September 26.

• Missions Sunday—October 11 with "Opportunities to Make a Difference" forum between services.
  
• IHN—next hosting August 30-September 7. They are looking for persons interested in
  volunteering to drive guests to special appts (Doctor, etc.). Currently, they are at full ca-
  pacity.
  

• VBS
  
• 106 in attendance - up from 96 last year
  
• 20 were non-members, 21 were grandchildren/friends of members
  
• 63 volunteers including 24 youth crew leaders
  
• Augsburg VBS curriculum on target for next year
  
• Outreach for next year will include bout not limited to: radio, newspaper, bulletin boards, and Nisswa events on Yahoo.
• Financial Report submitted:
  
• Currently, below budget by $3,000
  
• $1,000 will be set aside for VBS t-shirts next year (looking locally)
  
• Curriculum expense covered for remainder of year
  
• Sunday School 2009 - 2010
  
• Rally Day scheduled for September 13th includes two blow-up activities and four more classroom games
  
• Sunday School Teachers secured for all but a couple of spots — looking good
  
• 55 students registered with anticipated number of 102 students
  
• 3rd grade Bible distribution is Sunday, September 20 at 10:30 service
      – brunch to follow
      – feel free to sign up to bring egg bake or French toast back at the bulletin board
  
• 1st communion is October 25 during 10:30 am includes 8 year olds through 5th grade
      – classes at 11:30 a.m. on 10/4, 11 and 18
      – brunch to follow
  
• Missions and fundraising
  
  • Will sell remainder of Uganda jewelry at Trade Fair during Advent Fair but will discontinue work with PARDI after Advent.
  • Janet looking to establish relationship with sister/companion synod overseas
  • Not participating in Operation Christmas Child this year but will provide brochures to those who are interested in participating.

  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