First English Lutheran Church

Congregation Council meeting minutes (corrected)

Downtown Site – Jan. 27, 2009

 

Present: John Zweig, Peter Peregrine, Jeff Diehl, Mark DesRochers, Karen Dorn, Ellen Evensen, Mike Lokensgard, Dana Olson, Kirsten Owens, Jeff Picken, Pastor Detweiler, Pastor Bauer, Pastor Dismer

Excused: Dan Baumbach, Amy Henderson, Wayne Luck, Steve Uslabar

Guest: Brenda Smongeski

 

Opening Prayer: John Zweig

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2008 Congregation Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the special congregation Council meeting on Jan. 12, 2009. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the revision to the budget proposed after the budget was prepared for the annual report and previously approved in the Jan. 12, 2009 minutes. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Ministry Team Reports: The ministry team minutes were reviewed. Discussion followed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Jeff Diehl discussed the budget that was prepared in the annual meeting report. Brenda stated that the Community Foundation sent a check for $15,502.83 to FELC. Of that $2,450.00 was matching funds. FELC will carry a deficit of $39,208 in the 2009 budget. A motion was made and seconded to accept the budget as presented. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Old Business

  1. Nomination Committee:

1. Karen Dorn reported that seven members of the congregation have agreed to be placed on the ballot for election to the congregation Council: Ellen Evensen, Dean Haas, Bob Heil, Gordy Jeppson, Kathy Larson, Dong Pham, Cindi Ritcey Fox. Voting will take place at the Annual Meeting.

2.  Six delegates are needed to attend the synod assembly on June 5 and 6 in Green Bay: Peter Peregrine, Ann Peregrine, Steve Uslabar, Kathy Jo Uslabar, Deni Lundwell, Paul Kayser Dana Olson.

3. Two congregation members have agreed to be on the Fox Valley Lutheran Home Board: Doug and Kathy Freeman

4. The 2009 Nominating Committee includes: Ann Erickson, Lou Chicquette, Steve Olson, Joy Hagen, John Zweig, Charlie Holtebeck.

5. A motion was made and seconded to fill the position vacated by Nancy Hershfield with the fifth sixth person on the ballot receiving the most votes.

  1. Listening Posts update: Peter Peregrine reported that 55 congregational members participated. Peter will be compiling the information. The conveners and recorders will be meeting Jan. 28 to review the information and a meeting with Bishop Justman will be held on Feb. 5, 2009.
  2. John introduced revisions to the “Covenant of Conduct.” A motion was made and seconded to accept the revisions as presented. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously. The new Council will discuss this Covenant at the special congregation Council meeting to be held February 8, 2009.
  3. Executive Committee responsibilities: John reviewed the Executive Committee document created on Feb. 28, 2006 and the document detailing the revisions based on Council discussions and practices during this past year. A motion was made and seconded to approve the revisions. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

 

New Business

A.         Election of officers: The following Council members were nominated: President - Peter Peregrine, vice president – Mike Lokensgard, treasurer – Steve Uslabar, Amy Henderson - secretary. There were no other nominations from the floor. A motion was made and seconded to close the nominations. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made and seconded to accept the nominations. Motion passed unanimously.

B.         The agenda for annual meeting, Feb. 1, 2009, was distributed. Ellen has agreed to help Amy take minutes at the meeting, Karen, Brenda and Jeff will count ballots and Jeff John will have copies of “Robert’s Rules” and the constitution.

C.        Peter will ask Jan Sommerfeld to place a survey on the Web for congregation members to complete which will help the Council to asses how well we are fulfilling our mission statement. The survey should be completed by Sunday, Feb. 15.  

D.        Pastor’s reports: A motion was made and seconded to approve the pastor’s reports as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

E.         Brenda announced that the men’s ministry will help with the Lenten meal on April 1, 2009. Bruce Doerfler is the contact person.

F.         Official Acts: A motion was made and seconded to approve the December 2008 Official Acts. Motion passed unanimously.

G.        John thanked Karen Dorn, Ellen Evensen, Wayne Luck and Kirsten Owens for their dedication to the Council. John also thanked the Council for their support as he presided over the Council.

 

Adjourn: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Closing prayer: The Lord’s Prayer

 

Notes taken by Judy Snavely