First English Lutheran Church

Congregation Council Meeting Minutes

North Site – November 27, 2007

 

Present:  John Zweig, Mike Lokensgard, Dan Baumbach, Diane Bemis, Bruce Catterton, Mark Des Rochers, Jeff Diehl, Nancy Hershfield, Wayne Luck, Kirsten Owen, Jeff Picken, Pastor Detweiler, Pastor Dismer, Pastor Lyle

 

Excused: Karen Dorn, Peter Peregrine, Laurie Berkedal, Fred Hauser

 

The meeting was called to order by Vice President John Zweig in Karen Dorn’s absence.

 

Devotions: Diane Bemis

 

Minutes from the October 23, 2007 Council meeting:  A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2007 meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Pastor’s Report:  No Action Items

           

Executive Committee Report: 

A.  Meghan Cieslik has offered her resignation and will be leaving January 26, 2008. 

B.  Phyllis Anderson submitted a letter of resignation as a member of the Congregational   
     Council, effective immediately.

C.  Staff: Walt Rugland is finalizing updated staff job descriptions and responsibilities for  
      all staff members. 

 

Ministry Team Reports:

A.  Reviewed the Minutes of the Ministry Teams

            1.  Support:  Support and the Finance Committee will review the budgets submitted by the Ministry Teams and present the budget to the Executive Committee at their December meeting, then the Council and to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting.  Council members offered that Ministry Teams need more financial information to monitor their budgets. This is an item that is being addressed by the Support Ministry Team      

            2.  Stewardship:  Shared the document FELC Pledge and Gift Summary.    

            3.  Worship:  At this time the team is looking at hiring two part-time Music Directors, one for the North Site and the other for the Downtown Site.  

B.  Reviewed the 2008 Ministry Team Programs

1.  The teams are asked to revisit their individual plans assuming no change in budget guidance from the revised budget 2007.

            2.  Ministry Team chairs are asked to review budgets with other Ministry Team chairs to examine any duplication in budget items, ie: Learning, Youth and  Congregational Life regarding confirmation, retreats and Wednesday LIFT expenses.

                        3.  Request Ministry Teams review the Vision 2012; First English Lutheran Church document highlighting strategic focuses to help the congregation carry out its mission. Team planning goals need to support this vision.

                        4.  Ministry Team are encouraged to develop a Mission and Goals statement.

                        5.  The Congregation Council provisionally approved the 2008 Ministry Team Programs, pending final budget requests.

           

Treasurer’s Report:  Mike Lokensgard

A.  A written report and financial summaries were submitted including: Contributions Year to Date, Expenses Year to Date, 2007 Weekly Offering, 2007 Revised Budget Expenses Year to Date, and ECHOES. 

B.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Old Business:

A.  Capital Appeal:  Pastor Detweiler noted that all Congregation Council members should have been contacted.  All members agreed they have been contacted but not all have received the commitment card. 

B.  Council Nominations: The following nominees have been contacted and have agreed to have their names placed on the 2008 ballot:  Mike Lokensgard, Peter Peregrine, Karen Dorn, Ellen Evenson, Steve Uslabar, Dana Olson, Amy Henderson.  Because of Phyllis’ resignation, Congregation members will be asked to vote for six nominees. 

 

New Business: 

A.  Official Acts:  A motion was made and seconded to approve the October Official Acts as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

B.  Reviewed the “November 15 DRAFT of the Annual Meeting Agenda”.  The meeting will be held on February 5, 2008 at the North Site.

C.  Roles & Responsibilities – Congregation Council, Executive Committee, Ministry Team Chairs:  Discussion of some of the concerns Congregation Council members have expressed regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Council.  Various points include the size and roll of the Congregation Council, the function of the different groups and the need for an Executive Committee. The members of the Congregation Council agreed to review the Constitution and By-Laws found in the binders under “Governance Structure”, and be prepared to continue discussion at the January 2008 Congregation Council meeting.

D.  Council Retreat:  February 16, 2008, a one-day program.

 

Closing Prayer:  The Lord’s Prayer

 

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

 

Peter Peregrine, Secretary

Minutes taken by Judy Snavely