St Andrew Council Meeting 3/10/10 Minutes- Draft

President Bernie Orris asked Pastor Rust to open the meeting with prayer at 7:30pm.

Present: Ed Blakelock, Barbara Riegel, Gail Pethia, Pastor Rust, Bob Morrissey, Ollie Beall, Lauren Hudgins, Egon Lippert, Craig Schadewald,

Karen Ellenberger, Bernie Orris, Paul Miottke, Sarah Hall.

Absent: Jeff French, Bob Weeks, Joe Childers

Visitors: Nils Hokansson, Laurna Badendieck

Noting that a quorum was present, Bernie led devotions.

*Minutes- Motion to accept the minutes for the February council meeting was made by Ollie Beall, 2nd by Barbara Riegel. Motion approved.

*Visitor Nils Hokansson- Based on the amount of discussion that has and will emanate due to the ELCA decision, he feels a group email listing to exchange

opinions, ideas, communications would be beneficial. Everyone on the listing would see all emails exchanged. Members could opt out of the list. Emails that

 were attacks, or profane would be prohibited, and those emailers' would be taken off the listing.

*Visitor Laurna Badendieck- Vision Coordinator Q&A- Feels the stewardship Time&Talent volunteer update underway is vitally important to start

developing the programs. New member sponsors need to follow up with their new members as to where they could use their gifts or areas they would serve.

*Mutual Ministry- Egon- March meeting will be rescheduled due to the Lenoir Rhyne Choir. Meeting will be held the 3rd Wed in April. A council member

questioned whether the pastor of a church should be on the MM committee. Much discussion ensued. The make-up of the committee has already been

established.

*Constitution Update-Egon-reviewed the updates submitted.

*Treasurers Report: Ed Blakelock (see report)

February 2010

CURRENT

                          YTD

                   YTD

        ANNUAL

MONTH

YTD

BUDGET

VARIANCE

BUDGET

Receipts: Operating

31,056.19

65,108.63

66,074.00

(965.37)

406,439.00

Restricted

6,634.75

12,216.75

Total Receipts

37,690.94

77,325.38

Benevolence

2,412.00

4,824.00

4,824.00

0.00

29,195.00

Mortgage Expense

6,818.00

13,636.00

13,636.00

0.00

81,816.00

Staff Salaries and Benefits

14,760.93

29,812.98

30,104.00

(291.02)

200,837.00

Total Property & Maintenance

6,981.09

14,034.93

12,261.00

1,773.93

71,438.00

Council Expense

0.00

114.99

143.00

(28.01)

143.00

Social Ministry

65.20

65.20

244.00

(178.80)

1,750.00

Worship & Music

325.67

766.07

912.00

(145.93)

8,100.00

Christian Education

0.00

355.07

434.00

(78.93)

2,600.00

Fellowship

0.00

0.00

300.00

(300.00)

1,800.00

Stewardship

0.00

0.00

100.00

(100.00)

600.00

Youth

8.90

8.90

168.00

(159.10)

1,720.00

Evangelism

51.00

1,002.65

1,068.00

(65.35)

6,440.00

Unbudgeted

3.81

3.81

0.00

0.00

0.00

Total Disbursements

31,426.60

64,624.60

64,194.00

426.79

406,439.00

Income/(Loss)

(370.41)

484.03

1,880.00

(1,392.16)

0.00

For Mortgage Reduction- an additional $1800 was added to the monthly payment.

*Pastor’s Report- New members Jamie & Cilicia Wong Lopez will be joining this Sunday, 3/14. Motion to approve the new members was made by

Bob Morrissey, 2nd by Paul Miottke. Motion approved.

Pastor spoke to the need for the council to state an interim position concerning the institution of marriage and the authority of Scripture. Many prospective

members have asked what St Andrew’s policy was concerning the ELCA decision. Currently, there was no policy, just a wait and see position. Much

discussion ensued.

Motion made by Karen Ellenberger, 2nd by Bob Morrissey, that council adopt “A Common Confession” as the interim guideline of St Andrew

 Lutheran Church, subject to Congregational action. Motion carried unanimously.

A Common Confession

Interim St Andrew Faith Statement

 

1.      The Lord Jesus Christ: We are people who believe and confess our faith in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We trust and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

 

2.      The Gospel of Salvation: We believe and confess that all human beings are sinners, and that sinners are redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  God alone justifies human beings by faith in Christ – a faith that God creates through the message of the Gospel.  As ambassadors for Christ, God uses us to speak his Word and build his kingdom.

 

3.      The Authority of Scripture: We believe and confess that the Bible is God’s revealed Word to us, spoken in Law and Gospel.  The Bible is the final authority for us in all matters of our faith and life.

 

4.      A Common Confession of Faith: We accept and uphold that the Lutheran Confessions reliable guide us as faithful interpretations of Scripture and that we share a unity and fellowship in faith with others among whom the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and the sacraments are administered in accordance with the Gospel.

 

5.      The Priesthood of All Believers: We believe and confess that the Holy Spirit makes all who believe in Jesus Christ to be priests for service to others in Jesus’ name, and that God desires to make use of the spiritual gifts he has given through the priesthood of all believers.

 

6.      Marriage and Family: We believe and confess that the marriage of male and female is an institution created and blessed by God.  From marriage, God forms families to serve as the building blocks of all human civilization and community.  We teach and practice that sexual activity belongs exclusively within the biblical boundaries of a faithful marriage between one man and one woman.

 

7.      The Mission and Ministry of the Congregation: We believe and confess that the church is the assembly of believers called and gathered by God around Word and Sacrament, and that the mission and ministry of the church is carried out within the context of individual congregations, which are able to work together locally and globally.

 

A Congregational meeting will be held at the end of the 1st quarter to announce budget updates, and to vote on the above council guidelines action.

*Memorial Committee: Report-

1/ DEBT REDUCTION - $1,326.15 WAS GIVEN FOR DEBT REDUCTION DURING FEBRUARY. 

    THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL FOR 2010 TO $2,081.15. 

 2/ THE VIDEO PROJECTOR PROJECT FOR WEEKS HALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND IS READY FOR USE.  INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE  HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE CONSOLE.

 3/ THE AUTHORIZED WISH LIST OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED TO THE CONGREGATION.

    SUBMITTED BY BOB WEEKS, CHAIRPERSON

    ST. ANDREW MEMORIAL/THANKSGIVING  GIFT COMMITTEE

*Personnel Committee: (Egon Lippert)- no meeting

*Finance Committee: (Ollie Beall) Report:

ATTENDEES: PETE SCHULTZ, ED BLAKELOCK, ARNIE PETERS, EGON LIPPERT, BOB DELLORFANO, OLLIE BEALL

PETE OPENED THE MEETING AT 7:35pm WITH A READING FROM A RECENT ST. ANDREW BULLETIN

SECRETARY REPORT- FEB 3 MINUTES APPROVED AS AMENDED

TREASURERS REPORT- ED SUBMITTED THE FEB 2010 PROFIT & LOSS & BALANCE SHEET STATEMENTS. THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR ITEMS:

 

                                                FEB                        YTD                                                        FEB                        YTD                        VARIANCE

ACTUAL REVENUE            $31,037                 $65,117   YTD BUDGET                     $33,037                 $66,074                 - $ 957

ACTUAL EXPENSE             $31,612                 $64,832   YTD EXPENSE                   $31,616                 $64,194               + $638

 

EXPENSES FOR JANITOR (LINE 5127) HAVE EXCEEDED BUDGET WITH THE MAJOR REASON BEING HOURS IN EXCESS OF THE 12-14 HOURS APPROVED IN THE

BUDGET.  OLLIE WILL DISCUSS WITH PASTOR TED & PAUL MIOTTKE, PROPERTY CHAIRMAN, RE THE JANITOR HOURS.  WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE WASTEFUL USE

 OF PAPER & THE COST RELATED TO THIS MATTER.  THIS WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE BUDGET REVIEW.

FINANCE COMMITTEES PRIMARY AGENDA FOR THE APRIL MEETING WILL BE THE 1ST QUARTER REVIEW OF YTD REVENUE/ EXPENSES IN CONFORMANCE TO

BUDGET.  WE WILL SUBMIT TO COUNCIL, FOR THEIR APRIL MEETING, THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS RE ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE 2010 BUDGET. 

INSURANCE- OLLIE ADVISED THAT THE NC JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION, THE CURRENT INSUROR OF THE WIND/HAIL DEDUCTIBLE INSURANCE, HAS

MADE THE DECISION TO NOT REVIEW THIS COVERAGE IN 2010.  OUR INSURANCE AGENT WILL ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A QUOTATION FROM THE SURPLUS MARKETS

 WHICH HISTORICALLY HAVE HAD HIGHER PREMIUMS. THIS POLLICY INSURES OUR 5% DEDUCTIBLE (APPROXIMATELY $150,000) AT AN EXPIRING PREMIUM

 OF $2,622 WHICH COULD DOUBLE FOR 2010.  COVERAGE EXPIRES ON 5/23/10 & OLLIE WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE IN APRIL.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY- NO REPORT

2009 AUDIT REPORT- ARNIE SUBMITTED THE “2009 SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF AUDIT” WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL SECRETARY FOR PERMANENT

RETENTION.

OLD BUSINESS- BOB D SUBMITTED A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COPIER CONTRACTS.  IN APRIL & JUNE 2010, WE WILL PURCHASE THE CURRENT GESTETNER

 & LANIER EQUIPMENT FOR $1, AND CONTINUE THE CURRENT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS AT A COST OF &225/MO.  THE ABOVE WILL SAVE ST. ANDREW

 $2,130 IN 2010.  BOB ALSO RECOMMENDED WE REVIEW THE USE OF THIS EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE LARGE QUANTITY OF PRINTING FOR THIS EQUIPMENT.

 MOTION MADE & PASSED TO ACCEPT BOB’S RECOMMENDATION

.NEW BUSINESS- OLLIE SUBMITTED PASTOR’S RECOMMENDATION THAT WE APPROVE A FREE WILL OFFERING ON 5/16/10 FOR MEMBERS TO DONATE TO THE

“OUTDOOR MINISTRIES OF NC” WHICH OPERATES 4 LUTHERAN CAMPS IN NC.  PASTOR RANDY IS IN CHARGE OF THIS PROGRAM & WILL BE AT ST.ANDREW ON

THE 16TH.  PASTOR PLANS TO TAKE THE CONFIRMATION CLASS TO A CAMP THIS YEAR & MEMBERS CAN ALSO USE THESE CAMPS.  MOTION PASSED TO APPROVE

THIS REQUEST.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:30 WITH THE LORD’S PRAYER.

OLLIE BEALL- FINANCE SECRETARY

*Fellowship Committee- (Lauren Hudgins)- Report-

Fellowship did not have a meeting this month. We have planned all the dinners for the month and have the groups to prepare them in place. Nothing coming up in April. Marion will be away for two weeks in March and will be back towards the end of March.

We did discuss coffee club on Sunday morning and the cleanup after the 10:45 service. Having a bit of a problem getting people to sign up for cleanup after that service.

Complaints that there is no coffee for after the 10:45 svc, but no one wants to take the responsibility to clean up after svc.

8 am people leave except for those who stay for Sunday school..

So here the dilemma lies.

This is something we will work on and if no solution it might have to be cut out. Creamers need to be purchased. I will be calling in an order. Finance look out for the bill..

Thank you all

Fellowship liaison Lauren Hudgins

*Property Committee (Paul Miottke) Report:

Property Committee Report March 2010

This month has been relatively quiet. There have been no great catastrophies and just a few items of interest.

It appears that Hardison does not want to change out the expensive thermostat. I will continue to follow up.

There is a scorch on the wall in the sanctuary where the lighters are hung. I will replace the plastic with a sheet of brass to protect the wall from further scorches.

The hand vacuum unit in the sacristy is not working and may need to be replaced. I need to check the power source or the batteries.

Bob Buzska is in the process of replacing the badly broken tiles in the kitchen. This is only a temporary fix. More discussion needs to take place concerning a solution.

Paul Miottke        

Property Committee Chairman

*Stewardship- (Bob Morrissey) Report:

March 3, 2010

Present:            Steven Baucom, Egon Lippert, Ron Betts, Mac Meyers, Dave Benson and Bob Morrissey

Absent: Dave English, Joe Childers and Hal Luehring

The following was discussed and action taken as required:

1)         Council Members:  Stewardship has not received any revised Time & Talent forms back.  Remember you have until April 1st to turn them in, if you want to have this revised.  This is totally up to all of you on Council, because this makes no difference with us. We have tried to make this work, but we can not do this alone without the support from Council and the Congregation.

2)         Next meeting is up in the air at this time.  We are waiting on a response from Council.  If the Time & Talent is a go we would like to have Pastor at our next meeting.

Submitted by: Steven J. Baucom, Chairperson

*Christian Education – no report

*Youth- (Craig Schadewald) Report:

March 2010

Community Service – Work continued on “Micah’s Backpack.” Project is up and running. Oaks Road Elementary identified students and parents returned 14 participant applications. Property committee designated shelf space for food item storage. Food and monetary donations are coming in from congregation. Contact will be made with grocery chains. Packing and delivery schedules were made. Status reports will be provided to the congregation along with needed food items via weekend announcements and “The Witness”.  Backpacks were donated by Farm Bureau Insurance thanks to Linda Drabeck. Youth packed 14 backpacks for delivery to children on March 5th.

Fundraising – Work has begun for the Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner/Variety show, tentative date April 30th. Car Wash fundraiser to be held in conjunction with the LMIM Yard Sale, May 22nd. 

Activities – Interested youth grades 5-12 and parents/chaperones will attend a Christian Rock/Pop Music concert to see Toby Mac and Skillet, April 8-9. Upcoming Family Game Night, March 28th, taco’s to be provided with pot luck sides/desserts. Other discussed activities-Wii video game night, Movie night, Lock-in.

Respectfully submitted,

Craig Schadewald

Youth Committee Chairman

*Social Ministry (Barbara Riegel) Report:

Social Ministry Council Report for March 2010

Inside: Classes will resume in April for new Caregivers and those requiring the refresher course to continue as Caregivers. April classes are scheduled for April12th morning and April 13th evening.

Outside: The Eastern Pregnancy Information Center (EPIC) Baby bottle campaign has been received well. There are about 65 bottles out. Of course our goal have liked 25% of the church to participate; however, we are grateful for those already involved. The campaign will close on Easter Sunday. Bottles should be turned in any time up through Easter Sunday.

Additional Information not part of Social Ministry: Barbara Riegel, Elmer and Jan Stenzel along with Council’s approval have set a date September 17, 2010 for a church auction. Funds raised from the auction will support Pastor Ted’s discretionary funds.  Doors will open at 5 PM with light fare supper at 5:30 PM and auction to start at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Council Liaison for Social Ministry

Barbara Riegel

*Evangelism- No report

*Worship & Music- No report

*Bernie led a prayer circle about the path we must follow for decisions about the ELCA vote.

*Unfinished Business: Egon- a balance the budget Sunday will be discussed after the 1st quarter budget report/discussion.

*New Business- none

*Announcements- Barbara Riegel will have devotions at the April meeting. The budget will be the main topic, as well as a review of the council’s evaluation.

Will finalize the Vision Coordinator selection at the April meeting.

President Bernie Orris closed the meeting with The Lord’s Prayer at 10:05pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Ellenberger, Secretary