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Meet the Council

Council meeting minutes

                                                                                                                  

The Congregation Council of First English Lutheran Church (above) is comprised of
15 elected members. These dedicated members are the governing body of the church:
Ellen Evensen, Steve Ford, Kathy Freeman, Dean Haas, Amy Henderson, Gordy Jeppson, Jennifer Johnson, Kathy Larson, Terry Maves, Dana Olson, Dong Pham, Rick Sather, Lance Schmidt, Steve Uslabar and John Zweig.

Meetings: The Council meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, with the exception of July. The meetings in January through June are held in Room 110 at the Downtown Site. Meetings in August through December are in the Sanctuary at the North Site. Check the church online calendar for times.

How to contact your Council members: Download contact list here.  

FELC 2005 self-study includes update in '07. Read more. (2.65 MB)

First English constitution & bylaws: Follow this link.

Covenant & Principles of Conduct: Follow this link.

Annual Progress Report: Follow this link to download pdf (268 KB).

Council meeting minutes:

2010
January 26, 2010
January 14, 2010
January 5, 2010

2009
December 15, 2009
November 24, 2009
October 27, 2009
September 22, 2009
August 25, 2009
July 28, 2009
June 23, 2009
May 26, 2009
May 19, 2009
April 28, 2009
April 2, 2009
March 24, 2009
March 3, 2009
Feb. 24, 2009
Feb. 8, 2009
Jan. 27, 2009

Congregation meeting minutes:
March 8, 2009

2008 archived minutes:
Dec. 16, 2008
Nov. 25, 2008
Oct. 28, 2008
Sept. 23, 2008
Aug. 26, 2008
May 27, 2008
April 22, 2008
March 25, 2008
Feb. 26, 2008
Jan. 22, 2008
Dec. 18, 2007
Nov. 27, 2007


Executive Team minutes:
October 2009
August 23, 2009
August 10, 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
February 2008
Jan. 2008 (SUMMARY)

Task Force Reports:
North Site Task Force Final Report
FELC Communications Task Force Progress Report 6/23/09


Meet the 2010 Congregation Council
(Bios and photos of new council members coming soon)

 
Ellen Evensen has been a member of First English since 2000. She was appointed in May to take over a vacant Council spot, has served on the Congregational Life Ministry Team, is a confirmation small-group leader, volunteers in many worship areas when needed and enjoys getting up bright and early with the “Women’s Thursday Early Riser Bible Study.” Ellen is an HR Generalist for Alta Resources in Neenah. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends in her spare time and is really looking forward to joining the First English youth at the youth gathering in New Orleans in July.

Amy Henderson has been a member of First English since 1990. Amy and her husband, Dayton, have two adult children: Laura and Kate. Amy was a staff member at FELC from 1990 through May 2006 and served as the staff liaison to the Support Ministry Team. Amy taught Sunday school at both sites; volunteered as a small-group confirmation leader; and served as a chaperone at a National Youth Gathering, a service trip to Slovakia as well as a mission trip to West Virginia. She is a volunteer for the worship ministry and at ECHOES and is a member of the Capital Appeal Committee, Time & Talent Team and counting committee.


Gordy Jeppson (not pictured) and his wife, Mary, have been members of First English since they moved to Appleton from Iowa in 1988. He recently retired from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans after 23 years. Before working at Thrivent, he had a 27-year career in education, primarily in athletic administration and coaching at the college level. Mary and Gordy have three grown sons. Two of their sons are married. They have seven grandchildren. For the past 4 years, he has been a member of the First English Stewardship Committee.


Kathy Larson has been a member of First English for 20 years along with her husband Gary, and three children, Erik, Sarah and Anna. Kathy grew up near Eau Claire and moved to the Fox Valley with her husband 29 years ago when he became employed at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Kathy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. Kathy has been employed by Thrivent Financial for the last 18 years and currently works in the Church and Community Engagement unit as a Grant Program Manager. In her current role, Kathy has the opportunity to work with representatives from the national Lutheran church bodies, many Lutheran congregations and Lutheran institutions. Kathy has served the church as a long time Sunday School teacher, small-group confirmation leader, Vacation Bible School and various other roles. Kathy also volunteers as the piano accompanist for the Fox Valley VSA choir, a choir made up of people with and without disabilities.

Dana Olson has been a member of First English since 1976. She has previously served two terms on the Council and most recently served on the Staffing Needs Task Force. Dana has taught Sunday school and was member of the former personnel subcommittee. She coordinates the annual geranium sale, which is a major youth fundraiser. Dana also volunteers regularly at ECHOES, serves as a greeter and is a member of the “Women’s Thursday Early Riser Study.” She is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. and worked at the former Aid Association for Lutherans for 13 years. Dana and her husband, Steve, have four children, Kelly, Erik, Jessica, Sonja, and three grandchildren.

Dong Pham and his wife, Sheryl, live in Appleton and have been members of First English since 2000. Along with their two children, Aaron and Carmen, they regularly attend worship services at the North Site. He is a member of the Congregational Life Ministry Team and serves as a greeter, coffee hour host and new member sponsor. Dong works in Oshkosh for Bemis Company as an environmental engineer in the Corporate Environmental Affairs Department. Before joining Bemis, he was an environmental consultant for 15 years. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, running and biking.

Steve Uslabar has been a member of FELC since 1999 when he joined with his wife, Kathy Jo and their two sons, Henry and Ethan. He is the past Treasurer of FELC, as well as past chairman of the Stewardship committee. A 3rd generation, lifelong Lutheran, Steve was confirmed at Grace Lutheran in Winchester. Steve’s faith was strengthened while working under the direction of Ted Berkland for two summers at Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg Wisconsin. Steve facilitates the adult bible study at the Drew Street campus, is a welcome host and communion assistant.Steve is a consultant for the McClone Insurance Group, and he is an avid boater, enjoying Kayaking, sailing, as well as power boating.

John Zweig is a native of Illinois and moved to Appleton after he retired from the Army in 1998. John and his wife, Margaret, have been members at First English since 1999. They have three children: Jimmy is a band director and Robert and Christina are in college. In addition to being a member of the Council and chairman of the Support Ministry Team, John works in a variety of roles at First English, including serving as an usher and worship assistant. He chaired the Self-Study Task Force and served on the Call Committee during our recent transition. John is a dentist and is Clinic Director for Dental Associates, Ltd. in Green Bay. John’s volunteer activities have included Scout leader and soccer coach, along with band boosters and Odyssey of the Mind.