COUNCIL MINUTES -- September 24, 2009

• Secretary’s Report — Approval of August council minutes (M/S/P – Maier/Kraft)
• Treasurer’s Report — Financial report for August approved (M/S/P – Smith/Karlgaard) Additional discussion concerning financials, contributions, payables & stewardship continued. Recommendations and solutions were discussed and will continue to be addressed as we move forward.

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

• Council Retreat – Oct. 17, 10:00-2:00 – The Present Future, based on a curriculum of that name by Reggie McNeal, as well as a book entitled, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters, by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.  Be prepared to be challenged!
• Post ELCA Churchwide Assembly
• from Bishop Hanson’s assembly sermon: “We go forward in confident hope because our hope is grounded in Christ. We finally meet one another -- not in our agreements or disagreements -- but at the foot of the cross, where God is faithful, where Christ is present with us, and where, by the power of the Spirit, we are one in Christ.
• Membership report: 7 couples have notified us they are leaving the ELCA. Three left before the Assembly, anticipating Assembly actions. Four since, in response to Assembly actions. Most have affirmed their love for pastors, people, and ministries of LCC but dissatisfaction with the ELCA.
• My sense is that LCC is very reflective of the larger ELCA in terms of feelings/beliefs about these matters – several very passionate at each end of the spectrum, most somewhere in between.
• Lifelong Learning
• Continuing Adult Forums, primarily on non-Communion Sundays. Lots of speaker-resources within the congregation, but it would also be nice to have a little more budget for bringing in guest speakers (modest honorarium & mileage).
• I have made a commitment that there will be at least one Bible study being offered at LCC all the times, year ‘round, various days/times. (Bible – Book of Faith initiative; and general strengthening of comfort level with knowledge of the Bible.) Both pastors and capable lay members to lead various opportunities. Most will be 3-6 sessions/weeks. See attached (from October Cross Currents).
• Book Discussions continuing, at participants’ request.
• Wedding Fees
• Pr. Bruce and I are now doing pre-marital counseling ourselves, rather than sending couples to the Pre-Marriage Retreat (sponsored by area ELCA pastors and led by a Christian marriage counselor). This, plus rehearsal and wedding, can involve between 12-15 hours per wedding. We are increasing the fee schedule as follows: Active members – (Not a fee, but a suggested honorarium - $200)
              Family of active members - $250
              Non-members - $350
  
• Council affirmed the new fee schedule.
• Healthy Start Check-in – reminder:  Sunday, Oct. 4, 5:00 PM.
• Heartland Conference: We will host the monthly Conference meeting on April 15, 2010, 9:30-12:30. Need AM coffee/donuts, and lunch!
• Continuing Education – NE MN Synod Fall Theological Conference, Sept. 27 (aft.) – Sept. 30.

• Outreach/Evangelism - At this time we anticipate 16 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.
• Focus on Stephen Ministry – Training continues with six trainees – commissioning of our first Stephen Ministers is set for both services on Sunday November 8.
• Focus on fourth worship service – Saturday evening worship services are averaging nearly 44-60 people since Labor Day. Wednesday evening services will start October 21, we anticipate adding a light supper as well - although probably at a later date.
• Continuing Education – “Celebration of Biblical Preaching: Bridging the Gap between the Bible and our World Today” at Luther Seminary October 5-7.
• Staff Support Committee Proposal - [Statement of Purpose)
• A Staff Support Committee is the communication link between pastoral staff and the congregation. Acting as a liaison between the pastoral staff and the church council, as well as between the pastoral staff and the congregational members, the committee acts as a sounding board for the pastors and as an information source for the congregation.
  
• With the goal of enhancing relationships in the church, a Staff Support Committee works to achieve the following:
• Facilitate communication among staff and between staff and congregation
• Clarify expectations that pastors and congregational members have of each other
• Advocate pastoral support to church leaders
• Provide input for conflict resolution
• Reflect on the church’s ministry
• Six committee members to be named by Council President (2), Senior Pastor (2), and Associate Pastor (2)
• Council approved to move forward with the forming of a Staff Support Committee.
  

• Additional landscaping has been completed south of the Bell Tower with funds from Women of the ELCA. Landcaping blocks have been placed on the north edge, additional shrubs added, additional rock, plus further shrub trimming. Further landscaping will be done this month.
• A blower has been purchased with Special Gifts funds. This blower will be used to remove sand and debris from the parking lots and under the pine trees. Previously, I have been using a borrowed blower and having to haul it for each use. This blower will save much time in maintenance.
• Painting has been completed on the west, south and east sides of the church exterior. It is my hope to get the north side painted yet this fall, with weather permitting.
• The uneven concrete slabs on the southeast entrance and kitchen entrance have been ground down for safety purposes.

• All of the organ pipes (341) have been “bought” during the “Take Stock in the Organ Pipes” campaign. The repair did not exceed the estimate, leaving us with a positive balance in the Organ Fund to be put toward future organ expenses (there was some money in the fund before the campaign started).
• A thank you to Keith Haggestad will appear in the October newsletter, thanking him for organizing and emceeing the Good News Gospel Concert for eight years. A presentation, which includes a gift, to thank him will also be conducted on Saturday evening during the concert.

• Food Shelf Update (by Angie Rardin)
• This four-month period (May-Aug) saw an increase of food shelf use by 46 families compared with the same time frame during 2008. This number includes 38 newly signed families (families who have never used the food shelf before).
• The food shelf has been approved for a grant of $2109 from the nonprofit Open Your Heart. This money is available for building improvements, and we are using it to purchase and install indoor/outdoor carpeting and 2 new freezers. 
  
• LAFS is looking forward to October's Tour of Homes which is held at LCC. This is one of our yearly largest fund raisers. We expected that ticket sales would probably be down and we were right. However, at the end of August, we are only at a difference of $3714 compared to last year at this time. Tickets can be purchased thru the Nisswa Chamber.
• IHN week was busy, starting out serving 17 guests, and then 16 by the end of the week. They are still housing 16 people. Our last hosting for ’09 is Nov. 22-29 (Thanksgiving week). A very big thank you is due to all of our volunteers throughout the week.
• October 11 is Missions Sunday at church. I plan to have every church attendee fill out a missions offering card during services, that will do just that…be given as an offering, to stress the importance of missions in all our lives. We will have a forum in between services with several organizations in our community represented. They will present needs in our community and also opportunities for service. I plan to talk about servant leadership… I encourage you all to attend!

• Red Cross Bloodmobile - Around 50 units were collected over a two day period. Encouraged to see many first-time blood donors, but there were some empty slots. Special thanks to all the volunteers for making the donors feel so welcome!
• Funeral Committee (SOS) - The committee structure of rotating groups to serve is going well. New volunteers have recently been added to the group.
• New member committee - A date for welcoming new members will be soon announced. Chairs Carol and Bill Campbell report that six couples have come forward to act as “LCC First Friends” and will befriend new members and ease their transition into our congregation.

• Members present: Bert Caswell (chair), Dave Pedersen, Maxine Petersen, Marvel Ring, Carolee Wallin, Pastor Joan. Absent: Joy Potthoff, Ernie Teie
• Pastor Joan opened the meeting with prayer.
• The treasurer’s report was discussed and was approved as written.
• Tom Larson, Property Chair, brought a request to the group for a blower. Each member received a written request. The cost would be approximately $1,200 from Northwood’s Turf. There was a motion made and a second that we should use undesignated funds from Martha Dew for this purchase. Was voted and passed.
• Bert informed us that Carolyn Qualey was inquiring about our committee and just what we did, the number of members we have, etc. That information was passed on to her.
• Chairman Bert indicated that at the December meeting we should think about appointing a new chairman as he has held this position for many years.
• For now, the lighting system seems to be where Jim is pleased with it and there have been no further requests to date.
• After reviewing that there were no more money requests or more discussion a this time, the meeting was adjourned
• Respectfully submitted, Carolee Wallin

  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