Congregational Meeting 4/20/2008
The meeting was called to order by President Bob Dellorfano @12:15pm.
Devotions were led by Pastor Rust.
Bob thanked all for coming. Reminded that the Finance Committee had been interviewing groups to help us identify where we are going, that Pete Schultz would discuss further. Also stated the Youth Playground would be spoken about.
Pete Schultz: Last 2
months committee & he had interviewed/researched companies. A unanimous
decision was made by the Finance Committee and the Church Council to have the
Kairos Company prepare a vision statement for St Andrew. David Meisenheimer, a
retired Lutheran pastor, came to do a presentation for fund raising in early
March. After talking with members from Council/Finance & Pastor Ted, he realized
we had no plan/vision for our next 5-10 years. We are in the top 10% of
Lutheran congregations expanding. We need to have a plan to move forward. What
are our priorities to fulfill God’s mission @ St Andrew? (reduce
debt, asst pastor, greater education program).
David, an experienced visionary, can prepare a plan, over 2 mos
period-talking to church leaders & as many members possible to come up with
a Vision Statement. His
Bob Dellorfano: established
a quorum was present (100 of 367). Asked for a motion to dispense with the reading of the last meeting’s minutes
and accept. So moved-Joe Carpenter, 2nd by Laurna
Badendieck.
Motion carried.
Pastor Ted: Feels David is very impressive, gifted. He will meet with you, listen to you-the majority of active members in the church. He has a process, which has you come to meetings .If we decide to raise $ for debt reduction, he suggests just paying off 1/3-1/2. With that $, we could do some exciting things. He will do a feasibility study to see how successful we could be in raising funds. We have lots of individual visions in our church. We need to have a united , prioritized vision for the whole church. What are things we want to do first in the next 5 yrs? We are at a crossroads, attendance has leveled off. This is an exciting proposal to move us forward.
Pete Shultz: Read a letter from Joe Childers. (see attached)
Bob Weeks: stated that when he retired 18 yrs ago from the Navy, he was qualified to prepare a vision statement. He suggested St Andrew set goals for the next 5-10 yrs. It was voted down. He made the same proposal to 1st Baptist, they approved, and see where they are today! Urges St Andrew NOT to vote this down, to form a vision for our future.
Dave Geischen: knows David personally from 20 yrs ago. A long and short range plan is worth its weight in gold. Question- When would it be done? Pete Shultz: May & June
Laurna Badendieck: What is the cost? Pete: $13,000, council has already approved funds from memorial.
Margaret Cahoon: Does it include expenses? Pete- yes, travel, printing, etc
Mike Forbes: How does it work (50 people-50 ideas)? Pete: David will come up with a single plan, and this company also does fundraising.
Larry Matthews: Some goals have to be reached before main goals. Are sub-goals included? Pete: yes, he would look at our facility, staffing, look at sub-plans-plans-final plans.
Alice O’Shaughnessy: likes that he will LISTEN. God gave us 2 ears to listen, 1 mouth to speak. Pete: David’s resume lists “listener:
Laurna Badendieck: There will be materials needed. Will they come from here, produced in house using our staff, or Staples? Pete: He will be using his own printing, not our staff.
Linda Bloomfield:
Thanked church council for listening to the church at 1st meeting. Made motion to accept
recommendation of council to go David Meisenheimer and move forward for a
Vision Statement. 2nd by Laurna Badendieck. Motion approved with 2
opposed.
Bob Dellorfano: We have one more proposal, a youth playground. Do we want to be youth friendly? Like to make a motion that we allow the playground committee to go ahead and bring a proposal for a playground with no changes made until plans approved. So moved-Sal Fiorentino, 2nd John Steady.
Mary Mascia: Will the playground extend to the front?
Question: How will this impact looks/shrubs? It will not. Flowers, shrubs, trees along front will be unobstructed.
Ray Ramsden-gave example of Petco and liability issue of their playground. Karen: Playground rep is a NC playground inspector , said ins liability will be minimal. There will be no swings (#1 injury cause). There will be gates for access from church property. Covers ages 2-12. Will have tables and benches.
Bea Finkbiner asked about insurance. Irma Becker questioned whether the city had approved permits and guidelines about tearing down trees. Karen: this will be looked into.
Len Long- The request today is to continue a study for a playground.
Rebecca Kendall: Where is access for the children? Karen: the children will be able to play on the front yard grass and side yard rather than parking lot. Will be front gate and back side gate.
Minor: Shouldn’t we wait to proceed with the project after meeting with Meisenheimer? Perhaps playground will be part of a plan. Can it be extended? Karen: yes in both directions.
D Miner: Playground blueprint shows going in front of library. Where there is a lot of glass. Cant have kids playing kickball while people studying and reading- terribly distracting. Kids are noisy, noisy kids are happy kids, but wrong placement. Wants to come to next meeting.
Ralph Bitely: Property committee will meet this Thursday and review where it involves tree removal, etc. Will document and present to council.
Bev Carpenter- What purpose will playground serve? Long range plan? Karen: spoke to child friendly churches. Children would use the playground during Youth Group meetings, VBS, during adult meetings, rather than using the parking lots. Will address window protection.
Bev- Mother’s day out or day care programs?
Papasodero suggested checking with an attorney.
Richard Becker- wants no physical changes to church until church has approved the plan.
Motion to allow playground committee to go forward with plans to
begin to establishing a youth playground with no physical changes made till
church votes yay or nay. So moved- Linda Bloomfield, 2nd John Steady.
Hokanson –moved the question. Motion carried
with originally 6 hands opposing- however, 2 members reported that their hands
were up to ask a question, not opposed. Motion carried with 4 opposed.
Meeting adjourned with The Lord’s Prayer @ 1:10.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Secretary