Council Highlights
CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES
June 8, 2010
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Pam Nyman to approve the Agenda with two additional items, second by Chris Harkness. Motion carried. The additional items were a report by the Misoni’s about their attendance at the Synod Assembly and the purchase of a new computer.
May 11th Council minutes were approved via email.
Review May 16th Special Congregational Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL REPORT: Dave and Judy Misoni—Synod Assembly Representatives for ILC—May 20-22, 2010
• This year’s theme at the Assembly was “For the Lord Loves Justice” from Psalm 37:28. The North/West Lower and Southeast Michigan Synods met together in Lansing.
• 13 workshops were offered; Dave and Judy both attended the one on human sexuality. Judy also attended one on racism, but reported that it seemed geared more to the people from the Southeast Michigan area, rather than to Lutherans generally. Dave attended a workshop on economics.
• The ELCA offering for World Hunger totaled $25,000, of which $1100 came from ILC.
• Among others, Dave and Judy noted the following resolutions which came up for discussion:
o (a) Ministry to those affected by crime (requires simple majority)
o (b) Stewardship, though none of it will be mandatory (requires simple majority)
o (c) Call to Citizenship/involvement in political processes (requires simple majority)
o (d) 2010-2011 Budget/actively advocates for Michigan governor (requires simple majority)
o (e) Establishment of non-geographical conference to counsel people affected by the Human Sexuality ruling—did not pass (requires 2/3 majority)
o (f) Living Waters—more money for camps—North/West Lower Synod churches to increase fiscal support (requires simple majority)
More information about these resolutions and others discussed at the conference is available at: http://www.mittensynod.org/news/index.html.
REPORTS:
Director of Youth: Beth reviewed for us her written report. Highlights include plans for the Big Ticket Event in Gaylord June 24-26, which will feature Christian music and an opportunity to camp out near the event field; and the upcoming Vacation Bible School and Confirmation Camp, which will both take place the week of July 18-23. Beth will attend the Camp with the confirmation students this summer.
Parish Nurse: We reviewed Phyllis’s written report which will be included in the bulletin.
Treasurer: Joe Harkness reviewed the written report. Our giving on both the Ministry and the Building funds for the year and for the month of May falls short of our expenditures. However, our overall budget expenditures generally are within what we had forecasted for our budget.
Pastor‘s Report: Pastor Bates reports that he had a great eight days on the job. We have kept him busy with meetings—five the first day!—but he has had time to note that we have many gifted members, and is hopeful that God will do good things here at Immanuel, through the combined efforts of the pastor and the congregation.
COMMITTEES:
Property Committee: Joe Harkness submitted a written report.
Finance Committee: Tim Vogel submitted a written report. Money from the sale of the Linden St. property is being used to augment loan payments. Also, the Special Offering and Social Concerns designated accounts will be combined, in order to simplify accounting.
Social Concerns Committee: Roger Barr submitted a written report. Highlights included this year’s Dump and Run event, which was a great success, although more clothes and less food were collected than in the past. Most participants in the event were from ILC.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
Thank You to Call Committee: We on the Council wish to thank the members of our Call Committee for their hard work in helping us to call a new pastor. We heartily support your efforts and accomplishments in this matter.
June 27 at 2:30 pm—Installation Service—Pastoral Welcome Team: Dave Borth, Linda Kizer, Linda Greene, and Beth Leiter are helping to organize an installation service for Pastor Bates. Other churches in the area will be invited to attend, and Pastor Julie Bailey from the synod staff will preside.
OLD BUSINESS:
Open Actions from Previous Minutes:
Audio Visual review status: Darrell Corrie met with Mark Connelly to review our AV system, and Mark recommended that the church obtain two new pieces of equipment—an equalizer (approximately $250) and a headset mic for the pastor (approximately $300). A motion to purchase the equalizer with property committee funds (no more than $300) was put forward by Joe Harkness, and seconded by Tim Vogel. Motion passed. Darrell Corrie and Barb Pillsbury have offered to donate the funds for the headset mic.
Grant for AED (Automated External Defibrillator )—received check for $1,966 from MCC Foundation and Schuberg Fund
Need to evaluate maintenance requirements before purchase—who? We thought Phyllis should have the first right of refusal on this, because she has spearheaded the project so far. Phyllis is on Mackinac Island with the Boy Scouts this week, but when she returns Lee will ask if she would like to look into maintenance requirements/costs for an AED.
Where to locate AED The Property Committee will decide where the machine is to be located, once its maintenance requirements are known.
NEW BUSINESS:
Topics for Congregational Conversation on June 13 include:
Priorities for new pastor and congregation:
Provide two different worship services
Enhance the youth program
Develop plan for financial stability
Provide leadership in growing membership
Serve as a leader and mentor in equipping members for ministry
Financial Status
Questions for Pastor Bates
Computer Purchase: Due to the somewhat dilapidated condition of the present computer we have for the pastor (extremely slow, limited memory, etc.), the council agreed that a new computer is in order. Tom Manor put forward a motion to buy a new computer for pastor’s use only, cost not to exceed $1500; Denny Greene seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Deborah Snider, Council Secretary.