First English Lutheran Church

Congregation Council Meeting

Downtown Site – April 2, 2009

The meeting was called to order by Mike Lokensgard, Council vice president.

Present: Mike Lokensgard, Steve Uslabar, Amy Henderson, Mark DesRochers,

Jeff Diehl, Ellen Evensen, Dean Haas, Kathy Larson, Dana Olson, Dong Pham, Jeff Picken, John Zweig, Dan Baumbach

Excused: Peter Peregrine, Gordy Jeppson

Guest: Brenda Smongeski

Devotions: Devotions were led by Steve Uslabar.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the March 3, 2009 and the March 24, 2009 Congregation Council meetings. Motion passed unanimously.

Scheduling of Pastor Detweiler’s exit interview: April 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. was the date and time set for the full Council to conduct the exit interview for Pastor George Detweiler. The regularly scheduled Council meeting will follow at 7 p.m.

Introductions: Each Council member gave a brief introduction of themselves.

Old Business: The following two agenda items will stay in Old Business until the next meeting.

a. Council officers.

b. Wedding task force.

New Business:

a. Election of new president: The Council accepted the resignation of Peter Peregrine as congregation Council president. A motion was made and seconded to elect Mike Lokensgard for the position of congregation Council president. Motion was passed unanimously.

Ellen Evensen was suggested to fill the position of vice president.

b. Items for immediate action:

1. The staff organization chart approved by the Council on March 3 was discussed. In order to implement this, four staff members will lead the four program areas – worship, outreach, family & youth and administration – along with four Council members acting as liaisons between each of them and the Council (Mike Lokensgard, Mary Bauer (Outreach), Amy Henderson, Mike Dismer (Worship), Ellen Evensen, Andy Moscinski (Family and Youth), Steve Uslabar and Brenda Smongeski (Office & Finance). Meetings will be on Mondays. Mike and Ellen also will meet with the four program leaders Monday mornings in order to stay on top of current issues and concerns.

2. John Zweig briefed the Council on the steps which will be taken in order to possibly identify $50,000 to be cut from the 2009 budget which was approved at the annual meeting. The two main areas of expenditure are staff and buildings. Thought and care needs to accompany this examination. John will attend the upcoming staff meeting to inform staff that the personnel sub-committee will be soliciting their help in reviewing and updating all job descriptions. The members of this committee assisting John are Ellen Evensen, Dayton Henderson, Linda Fickau and Cindy Cieslik. With respect to essential elements of each position and the time required to accomplish these tasks, discussion arose regarding generating more volunteer support.

In the areas of cutting building and maintenance costs, the Support Ministry Team will continue to discuss various areas where possible cuts can be made. First and foremost, the Council is communicating to the congregation that our fiscal situation is being thoughtfully considered. Discussions will continue with Council, ministry teams and staff in development of plans for budget savings. A temple talk is proposed for the first Sunday after Easter with all Council members present.

3. The pastors will be consulted as to how pastoral emergencies will be handled in the future, which in the past, were all directed to Pastor Detweiler.

4. Discussion regarding having a council member attend weekly staff meetings concluded that this is not necessary at this time.

5. Conversation continued on gauging Pastor Dismer’s interest in full time or part time. His written response will be solicited.

c. Synod Assembly Delegate: Ellen Evensen will confirm the possibility of attending.

Closing Prayer: The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Adjourn: Motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting.

Submitted by: Brenda Smongeski

Next meeting will be Downtown on April 28, 2009 at 7 p.m. (Exit interview with Pastor Detweiler at 6 p.m.)