St Andrew Council Minutes Draft 1/13/2011
*Vice President Bob Morrissey opened the meeting at 7pm with Pastor leading in prayer.
*Present: Bob Morrissey, Craig
Schadewald, Pastor Rust, Ed Blakelock, Jeff Ogonowski, Glenn Kaijala, Lauren Hudgins,
Barbara Barden, Ollie Beall, Eleanor Lockhart, Sarah Hall, Paul Miottke,
Absent: Bernie Orris; Visitor: Bonnie Roach
*Bob led devotions.
*Motion to approve the minutes from 12/9/10 Council meeting was made by
Ollie, with 2nd by Lauren. Motion carried.
*Treasurer’s Report: Ed showed new council members how to fill out a requisition form and explained the restricted funds.
Operating Receipts Dec 31,826.50 YTD 392,112.31 YTD Budget 406,439 YTD variance (14,326.69) under budget
Restricted Receipts 6,184.30 YTD 75,091.32
Total Receipts 38,010.80 467,203.63
Total Disbursements 39,938.16 393,269.81
Mortgage: 12/1/10 Balance: 664,852.24 Reg payment 3632.59 + addtl payment 2,000. 12/31/10 Bal 659,219.65
*Bonnie Roach- Wants to address the way the vote not to publish information from either side of the vote re ELCA was handled - to stress that a vote is important and should not be treated lightly. Bob Morrissey questioned the council decision about a materials table. Ollie mentioned the Educational Meeting in February was for this. Bonnie mentioned that committee reports do not get printed in the Witness.
Craig mentioned who would police these articles to make sure nothing is placed on tables by other people. Council feels that inflammatory materials could further divide the church. Pastor mentioned the Bishop coming in Feb. Bonnie stated "you can be sure he isn't coming to tell us how to leave the ELCA." Pastor- stated the bishop has done a lot of these talks. People can ask questions of him, he will give facts. Glenn- shouldn’t we solicit questions over the next 2 weeks that could be present to the Bishop for answers? Karen- every council liaison should ensure that the reports on the Council Bulletin Board are kept current.
*Special Business- What rules should be established for the February Educational Meeting? The following Guidelines have been set: There will be a Moderator for the meeting which Bernie will arrange. Each group will have 40 minutes for their presentation. No questions will be asked during these presentations. There will be time for Questions & Answers after both sides have presented. The moderator will make sure the same questions are not asked over and over.
Council Retreat will be on 2/5 from 9am-1pm at Centenary Church. Everyone should bring some type of food to share, as well as their own beverage.
*Pastor’s Report: He spoke of our sick- Frank Pontick, Bernie Orris, Frank Hebscher, John Anderson, and Phil Geib. He received a good report from our Missionaries which he will share in the near future. He met with Bishop Bolick for an hour to discuss the upcoming church vote. Bishop Bolick is pleased that St Andrew passed a Faith Statement.
Pastor’s concern is that either way the vote goes, that the church needs to stay together. Pastor supports the ELCA, he has to follow the constitution. He will remain an ELCA pastor after the vote is finished. God’s mission for our church is to Baptize and make disciples. Pastor spoke of his evaluation (which was sparsely attended). All comments recorded will be in the Witness. Sunday School continues to decline. Since the Vision was paid for and approved, Pastor has invited individuals to serve on 2 “Just Do It” committees, to implement the plans. This Sunday’s worship will be in Weeks Hall to show a video on the ELCA’s Mission.
*Finance- Ollie- mentioned that 97% of pledges for 2010 were received. The Finance Committee has the following motion, which Ed read: “ST Andrew will allow members to donate funds to a restricted fund which will be used exclusively to pay salaries, utilities, mortgage, and insurance” (no benevolence will be paid from it). Motion was made by Ollie, with 2nd by Lauren. Craig- is this constitutional? Ollie- yes, we can set up restricted funds. Motion carried with 2 nays. Ollie mentioned there are 10 people who have refused/or not filled out the Youth Background check forms. These people will not be able to work with the youth. Ollie mentioned the church has received $811 from Thrivent Choice dollars.
*Fellowship- Lauren- There will be a Potluck Hot Covered dish & desserts luncheon on 1/23 after the Congregational Meeting. Lauren asked about Time&Talent sheets- Fellowship needs committee members. It was suggested that they put up “Sign-Up” sheets for setting up and cleaning up during events.
*Property- Paul- there is a leak in the hallway by room 26 (Sunday School office) When weather permits, the roof will be looked at. Property has received bids from 3 companies for carpet tiles. Paul will also check with Lowes. Ollie asked what will be carpeted. The $2500 budgeted should do the SS office, 1 small classroom and 1 large classroom. Paul will also get prices on commercial grade carpeting. Lauren spoke of the 2 large plants that went missing from the Narthex. Both the plants AND pots went missing. If anyone has information where the pots are located, please let Lauren know, as they are needed to hold small palm trees for Easter.
*Stewardship- see report on bulletin board.
*Christian Ed- see report on bulletin board.
*Youth- Jeff- Linda will work with the middle school and high school youth. Lorrie will work with the lower grades. There will be a Love Breakfast (pancakes) on 2/13, between services. Donations are encouraged. Micah’s Backpack is working with a significant deficit. Suggestion made to sell soup on Souper Bowl Sunday. Ollie will have Roz get Jeff the Thrivent forms. Food donations for the backpacks have slowed.
*Social Ministry- Barbara
Barden-no report, but Rebecca Kendall could use some volunteers to make soup
for “Empty Bowls” at
*Evangelism- Eleanor- the committee needs volunteers. They will no longer meet monthly. Barbara Betts will continue to coordinate sponsors for new members. Pastor mentioned that he has members that make several calls per month to visitors who fill out the attendance cards.
*Worship&Music- Craig- Committee did not meet. Several people helped to take the tree down. There are lighted angels in the Column Barium area that need to be removed.
*Personnel-Glenn- See report on Bulletin Board.
*New Business- Karen read a thank you note from Martha Nordstrom. Ollie mentioned low attendance at Pastor’s Evaluation. Paul mentioned the crosses that Al Fischer made that were given to new members. Should we continue this? Yes, Paul has some oak that he can make crosses with. Jeff- doe we have any hymnals that have errors in them? He would like to purchase some. Ollie- where are the large print hymnals kept? Pastor- we should be passing out the cd’s that Corey and Daryl make each Sunday. Ollie- Daryl has wired the live video from the Sanctuary into Weeks Hall, which can be viewed from there. Ed mentioned putting the service on our website. Craig- can we make a DVD of our service? Paul will talk to Daryl about this.
*Bob adjourned the meeting at 9:20pm with The Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary note: Devotion assignments for 2011: Feb- Sarah, March-Karen, April-Paul, May-Craig, June-Jeff, July-Glenn, Aug-Lauren, Sept-Ollie, Oct-Bernie, Nov-Barb, Dec-Karen, Jan-Bob