Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Council Meeting Minutes

 

March 17, 2008 – 6:30 PM

 

GOD’S FAMILY SERVING CHRIST WITH LOVE

 

Present:  Wade Werner, Brian Kjorlie, Jeanette Gessner, Dick Inglett, Tony Hess, John Denhartigh, Brenda Ertl & Judy Hernkind

 

Absent:  Tim Peterson & Tom Parrish

 

Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by John Denhartigh

 

Welcome / Opening Prayer – Pastor Ted Kalkwarf

 

Introduction of all members to Pastor Ted

 

Roles: 

                John Denhartigh – President / Facilitator

                Brian Kjorlie – Vice President / Co-chair Stewardship & Finance

                Tom Parrish – Chair Stewardship / Finance

                Tim Peterson – Worship & Music Liaison / Environment

                Tony Hess – Property / Time Keeper

                Wade Werner – Social Ministry

                Brenda Ertl – Evangelism / Volunteer Coordinator

                Jeanette Gessner / Education

                Judy Hernkind – Recorder

 

Agenda items with time

 

Appearances

Pastor Ted Kalkwarf from our Synod spoke and showed a video of the good works happening in our synod.

 

Check in

                What is your Easter promise this year?

 

                Brian will present the check in question for the April meeting.

 

Items –

Motion made by Tony to approve February 2008 meeting minutes.  Brenda requested one sentence be eliminated from the previous minutes.  Judy will revise the February minutes.  The motioned was then seconded by Brenda.  Motion carried.

 

Pastor’s Report –

                Nothing to report

 

Christian Ed-

Church is running over (beyond anyone’s control) which takes time away from Sunday school time.  We are hopeful this will be corrected when we go to two services.

 

First Communion instruction is going well.

 

The last week of Sunday school is May 18th.

The depression class was well attended and Pastor is looking into a class on ‘American Civil Religion’ upcoming in spring.

 

Evangelism

Charlotte Gilman is doing the web page for the church.  If anyone has anything for her, her email address is in the church directory.

 

Task force is working on preparing for the workshop on April 12th.  Other churches have been contacted to attend the workshop.

 

Small group events are being looked into for fall where each area can have a booth to show / teach what they do.

 

In spring, Pastor may do something for new groups.  There will then be a kickoff in the fall for the new groups.

 

Evangelism ‘base’ needs to be built up more.  We are doing well, but need to focus on our base so people will come to us.

 

New member Carolyn Boaz is very gifted and does hand drawn portraits. 

 

Care of Creation (formerly Environment)

                May 3rd & 4th may possibly be the date for a Plant Sale / Brat Sale / Car Wash.

 

                Gardening will be the focus in May.

 

                Dick Olson will get a price for doing the retaining wall for a Prayer Garden.

 

Columbia County Lake Preservation met at our church on March 13th.  They have decided that they will have their next meeting at a different location.

 

Finance

                See report from Kari

 

                A meeting needs to be scheduled, most likely in May, to get our mortgage set up. 

 

A motion was made by Wade to approve the February Financial Statement, seconded by Jeanette.  Motion carried.

 

Property

Tony is planning a White Elephant / Bake Sale.  The date is being pushed back to possibly June 19th & 20th.

 

Mirrors have been purchased for coat rooms and will be put up this week by Jerry Gilman. 

 

The leak in the kitchen is hopefully fixed. 

 

The Prayer Garden is a good opportunity for ongoing time for people to work together.

 

Social Ministry

Lenten Suppers went very well.  Approximately $200 was given per week, plus Thrivent will give also.  We may possibly have brought in a total of about $1600 from the soup suppers.

 

Stewardship

                Nothing to Report

 

 

Worship & Music

                The Lenten Drama’s seem to have been helpful in bringing more people to the Lenten services.

 

                There will be three worship services and Easter Breakfast on Easter Sunday.

 

There may possibly be monthly outdoor services in the summer, with the possibility of a Christian Music Festival as a fundraiser.

 

The Worship & Music Committee feels there is still not enough communication to keep the flow going.  Better communication has to be worked on.                 

 

Youth

                We are still looking for youth representation to serve on the Council.

               

The youth trip to Minneapolis will be July 6th – 11th to do mission work (VBS with kids, etc.) in the urban area.  This will involve Middle and High School youth.

 

Pastor will be going on vacation starting June 18th and returning on July 6th (just in time for him and Josh to go to Minneapolis for the youth trip).

               

 

Past Concerns (old business)

                None to report

 

New Business

Do we need to take precautions in regards to churches being broken into and robbed in larger cities?  After discussion, it is felt that we don’t need to make any changes at this time.

 

Action Plan

                To work on improving communication

                Council members should let John know if they cannot attend a meeting

                Continue to work on our goals

 

Evaluation & Appreciations

 

Next Meeting – April 21, 2008

 

A motion was made by Wade to adjourn at 8:20 p.m., the motion was seconded by Tony.  Motion carried.

 

Lord’s Prayer