Council Highlights

Church Council Minutes

January 12, 2010

MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Wolken, Matt Deames, Pam Nyman, Deborah Snider, Tim Vogel, Irene Schuberg, Carol Zimmerman, Chris Harkness, Joe Harkness, Tom Manor

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dennis Greene

GUESTS: Phyllis Lindsey, Beth Leiter

DEVOTIONS: Carol Zimmerman

PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE: Lee Wolken

ELECTION OF COUNCIL OFFICERS FOR 2010:
• PRESIDENT-- Lee Wolken. Moved by Irene Schuberg, second by Pam Nyman. Motion carried.
• VICE PRESIDENT--Chris Harkness. Moved by Pam Nyman, second by Joe Harkness. Motion carried.
• SECRETARY-- Deborah Snider. Moved by Pam Nyman, second by Tim Vogel. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Tim Vogel to approve the Agenda with the addition of Facility Use Request under New Business, second by Carol Zimmerman. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Irene Schuberg, second by Tim Vogel to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2009 meeting. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: Body of Christ Lutheran Church of Newaygo sent us a letter thanking us for our support. They are closing as of January 31, 2010.

REPORTS:
Director of Youth: We reviewed Beth’s written report. Highlights included the Baked Potato Fundraiser, which raised $293.00, and the Christmas pageant, entitled “They Worshipped Him.” Also, the youth sang Christmas carols to shut-ins and nursing home residents. Beth requested permission to alter the February 14th fundraising event, which was to have been a dinner and musical performance, to a Red Envelope Fundraiser, wherein participants would take an envelope of their choice with a number on it, and put it in the offering plate on the 14th containing a donation matching the number. Moved by Chris Harkness, second by Irene Schuberg. Motion carried.

Parish Nurse: We reviewed Phyllis’s written report, and copies of her piece in the January newsletter. Phyllis renewed her AED and CPR training in November, and would like to see our church have its own AED machine, as well as appropriate AED/CPR training for church leaders and Council members. Phyllis will look into the projected costs, and Lee will find out if we can use money from the Carl E. Schuberg Foundation to pay for an AED. A Blood Pressure Clinic was held on January 10th between services.

Treasurer: Tim Vogel reviewed the Giving and Expenses Statement for December 2009. Lee went over the treasurer’s report summary for 2006-2009, showing a general trend of lower income (with the exception of 2007, the year we had a special ministry appeal), and lower expenses. Lee noted that our part-time accountant Mary Larkin has resigned; she has agreed to serve until we find a replacement for her. Pastor‘s Report: Pastor Deames submitted a written report. He attended 11 meetings, taught two catechetical classes, conducted 9 worship services, and visited one home-bound person, and one church member at home.

COMMITTEES:
Vision Committee: The committee submitted a written report. Chris Harkness has arranged for child care to be available for the Wednesday Night Live series. The first event in the series will be Wednesday January 13, with a theme of Focus on the Family. The theme for February will be Are You Faith Full? The committee has established an ongoing contact with the Big Rapids Pioneer for publicizing Wednesday Night Live and Faithfully Fit events; also, they plan to establish contact with five or six local congregations, and establish a contact with our local public access television station.

Property Committee: The committee submitted a written report.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
Call Committee: The committee has conducted one interview, which went well. They will follow up with a visit to the candidate’s church on a Sunday. They identified two other favorable candidates whom they may interview.
2010 Financial Commitments: There are 58 pledges so far, totaling $235,086.00.
Lee also handed out a draft of the 2010 Council/Church calendar.

OLD BUSINESS:
Mission Partner: Body of Christ Lutheran Church’s closing leaves us with room for another mission partner. The congregation has approved a Mission Partner budget of $1600. The council decided to select the Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church in Wyoming, which has an average weekly attendance of 120. Our support will be matched by the ELCA. Moved by Pam Nyman, second by Irene Schuberg. Motion passed. Financial Status in Bulletin: Need per Week to Meet Budget column--proposal to add this to the weekly bulletin, right before the Actual Giving last Sunday column.

NEW BUSINESS:
Council/Committee Liaisons:
Property --Joe Harkness
Worship and Music--Carol Zimmerman
Church Life--Carol Zimmerman
Finance--Tim Vogel
Vision--Lee Wolken
Healing Garden--Dennis Greene
Christian Education--Irene Schuberg
Social Concerns--Pam Nyman
Mutual Ministry--Chris Harkness (VP is Lead)
Congregational Conversation--State of Immanuel: scheduled for February 7 between services
Facility Use Request: Bruce Dilg wants to use our facility for an event in the Festival of Arts. The event is for February 15 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. He expects 60 to attend. Pam Nyman moved to charge the membership fee of $100 and waive the $200 security deposit. Tim Vogel seconded, and the motion was approved.

Council/Committee Planning Workshop: scheduled for January 30 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Devotions for February 9th meeting: Chris Harkness

Closed with the Lord’s Prayer

Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Deborah Snider, Council Secretary.