Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes

January 22, 2008

6:30 p.m.

 

Present:          Pastor Dick, Tony Hess, Tom Parrish, Brian Kjorlie, Jeanette Gessner, Heather Kucksdorf, Wade Werner, Kari Johnson and Judy Hernkind

 

Meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.

Time Keeper:  Jeanette Gessner

Recorder:          Judy Hernkind

Goals:             

To set ground rules by which we relate to each other.

Be Polite

No rules needed / we’re okay

Deal with the negative with a positive attitude

Be on time / stay on time

Remember goals

Be good listeners

Questions are okay

We will put these in better order and will discuss more at our next council meeting.

                        ∙The agenda for upcoming council meetings will be posted

Opening Prayer

It is felt the Welcome should be 1st on the agenda, followed by the Check in

Pastors Report (Which includes Worship & Music):

∙Due to a lack of communication, the list of who gave flowers at Christmas and in honor or in memory of who was not in the bulletin.  It was voiced by some people that this

should be done.

∙Tony made a motion that all seasonal flower information needs to go through the church office and that some ground rules be written for the Choir Director position.  Wade

seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

∙Installation of new council member will be on Sunday, February 3rd.

∙Christmas Season Review

Over 600 people attended our church in two days!

∙Lent and Holy Week Preview

Holy Week services and Lenten Soup Supper schedule was reviewed.  Wade will help the

youth.  The council will host the supper on 2/20.

Jeanette made a motion that all donations received from the Lenten Soup Suppers go to the building fund, as well as supplemental funds from Thrivent.  Motion seconded by

Heather.  Motion carried.

∙Brian made the motion that we endorse “A Faithful Response to Global Climate Change”.  The motion was seconded by Tony.  Motion carried.  This will be brought

before the congregation at the annual meeting.

∙Pastor Kevin Maxey of Twinsburg, Ohio wrote Pastor Dick because of the amount our

congregation has grown and would like to interview a couple of us to find out why. 

Other Items:

                        ∙December Meeting Minutes were approved.

                       

∙A motion was made by Kari that at the recommendation of the Finance Committee and the Council that should the opportunity arise in the upcoming twelve months to refinance our current line of credit at favorable rates and terms that the congregation allow the committee and council to proceed without further meeting to secure a mortgage.  The

motion was seconded by Tony.  Motion carried. 

∙Tony made a motion to modify and mail the Annual Meeting reports in the Chimes. 

Jeanette seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

∙The Council needs to look at the interest rate for loan certificates for the Annual

Meeting.  It is felt that the current rate is sufficient. 

Christian Ed:

                        ∙First Communion will be on March 9th.  Classes will start on February 3rd.

∙There are new ideas to get more children and parents to attend services. 

Evangelism:

∙Brenda would like all council members to invite someone to join them at the upcoming

workshop in April.

∙Brenda would like a display area for pamphlets and other information on upcoming

events in the vestibule where there is currently a bench.

Environment:

                        Pastor Dick already shared in his report.

Finance:

∙2007 ended about $27,000 less than what had been budgeted.  Funds are currently tight.

∙Tony made a motion to approve the Finance Report.  Heather seconded the motion. 

Motion carried.

Property:

∙The suggestion box is up and running.  The following information should be put on the box and in The Chimes:  “Suggestions are welcome.  If you would like a response from

the council, please include date and contact information”.

∙A nature pick-up day will be scheduled for sometime in March. 

Social Ministry:

                        ∙No news to report.

Stewardship:

                        ∙No news to report.

Worship & Music:

                        ∙Previously reported in Pastors Report.

Youth:

                        ∙Still working on getting youth representation at the council meetings.

New Business:

∙Next Agenda:  we need to get an action plan form for the February meeting.

∙Pastor Dick requested that we designate $20,000 of his salary to housing allowance for tax purposes and does not affect the budget.  Tony made a motion that we do this.  Wade

seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Next Meeting:  February 18, 2008 at 6:30p.m. Jeanette Motioned to Adjourn at 8:13p.m., seconded by

Heather.  Motion Carried.

Lord’s Prayer