April Council Minutes

Christiania Lutheran Church

Church Council Meeting Minutes

April 14, 2009

Attendance:

I.  Call to order

President Al Godfrey called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. in the Heritage Room.  Pastor Dave Mesaros led devotions.

II.  Approval of Minutes

The Church Council Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2009 were reviewed.  

Motion made by Juli Skillman and seconded by Anne Romstad to accept the Minutes for the March 17, 2009 meeting.   Motion carried.

III. Receive Treasurer’s Report

Arnie Schultz distributed Treasurer’s Report as well as a report with expenses broken down to the weekly expenses to open the church doors.  A discussion followed on how this information should be communicated to the congregation.  It was decided that Arnie would prepare a report for the Spotlighter to explain: where we are, where we were a year ago, and where we should be. 

Don Storlie made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, Gordon Storlie seconded.   Motion carried.

IV. Pastor’s Reports (pastor reports attached)

Pastor Dave Mesaros

• Passing on the Vibrant Faith- Personal invitations- Each council person was given a list of members to contact to extend a personal invite. 
• Confirmation students will be sharing their faith stories on Wednesday May 13th Confirmation is May 17th at the 10:30 service.  Council is encouraged to attend both.
• Men’s fishing trip is June 5th, see Lucky Rimpila for details. 
• Patio – exploring idea of expanding the patio to accommodate Thursday night services.
• Rally Day – September 13, it’s never too early to start planning this important event. 
• Summer – Music director planning on offering mini music camps this summer to add music by youth to the summer worship schedule. 

Pastor Nancy LH Brown

•  Memorial book – A book containing a wish list for the church.  It contains detailed descriptions of what is needed, including up to date prices and ordering information to help families wishing to donate items to the church.   
• Café tables are being assembled. These tables are for visiting and although they are the perfect height, please do not use them for publicity. 
• Eight young people and their parents participated in Holy Communion preparation and are in the process of receiving their first communion. 

VI.   Council President’s Report

• Al Godfrey complimented staff and the Youth Commission on wonderful Easter services and breakfast. 
• Saint Paul Synod Assembly – A congregation our size should send four representatives.  Al Godfrey and Anne Romstad will be attending but two more attendees are needed.  Al will send out an email to Commission members.

VII.   Old Business

• Passing on the Vibrant Faith – Attendance numbers are still being collected and need to be firmed up soon.  Emails will be sent to Council and Commission members for their RSVPs.
• Worship Commission – follow up.  Recap of discussion from last council meeting.  
• Remote listening – the current system only allows one person to call in and listen to services.  Anne distributed some possibilities for improvement to that system.
• Discussion of summer worship times and styles. 

VIII.   New Business

•  Spotlighter – The Spotlighter is being updated.  Karen will continue to be the one point contact for articles and information, but the publishing duties will be passed to Madalyn Petersen.  Staci Thompson is responsible for formatting and setting up initial template of the new Spotlighter.   A trial run of the new process will occur in May.
• Church Space- Dick Sayther contacted ELCA about assistance with our space issues.  Church building consultants can help us evaluate our needs.  Dick will call and set up a meeting for this free service.   
• Parsonage – Maintenance and repairs are quickly eating up most of the earnings made from rent.  Many aspects of the decision need to be addressed – cost vs. benefit analysis, future expansion, emotions within the church regarding this property, etc.

Dick Sayther made a motion to authorize Don Storlie to form a task force to examine the parsonage issues and report recommendations to Council by September 1, 2009, David Anderson seconded.   Motion carried.

• Promotion – Staci Thompson will be formatting the new Spotlighter.   Stacy will also be updating other communication forms – i.e., postcards, letterhead, brochures, etc.

IX.  Commission Reports (Action Interest Items)

• Youth
• Easter pancake breakfast served between services and it very well received. 
• Worship
• Thank you to Altar Guild, musicians and all those who helped with Lenten suppers and with Holy week services
• Swedish Gospel Choir – Canticum
• Forming a Liturgical Arts and Decorating Committee
• Looking at redesigning bulletins
• Congressional Life
• 2 café tables purchased for fellowship hall to make entering and socializing easier for newcomers
• Benches being made by Barry Brantner and will be placed by playground area as another place for fellowship
• Motorcycle Sunday June 14, 2009
• Still looking for items for a summer calendar that will be sent home with Sunday school children in May
• Education
• Concerns about conduct during pancake breakfast.  Upon advise from others, it was determined that any programming should not be started until 20 minutes into fellowship hour to allow for visiting and to encourage participation with the program instead of visiting.  Hopefully this will help this situation
• Membership
• Promotion – papers and mailings being examined and prepared
• Welcoming visitors needs improvement
• Missions
• Habitat for Humanity in Dundas in June
• Vegetable garden, details to come later
• Property
• Projects
• Concrete patio – Looked into expanding patio, cost prohibitive at this time
• Sprinkler system to be installed
• Trimming brush in back of church
• Landscaping
• New chairs – on hold
• May 2nd clean up  8-noon
• Power line discussion
• Capital fund raising to pay for roof

Don Storlie made a motion to authorize the Property Commission to plan a capital fundraising campaign to pay off the loan for the roof repairs ($40,000), Gordon Storlie seconded.   Motion carried.

• Stewardship
• Commitment Sunday is November 1
• Organizing a Steward Fair
• Looking for some assistance with creative designs for publicity
• Opening for membership in Stewardship to be filled by Sharon Syverson

Cheryl Schindeldecker made a motion to accept Sharon Syverson as a member in the Stewardship Commission Anne Romstad seconded.   Motion carried

XII.   Adjournment

A motion was made by Juli Skillman and seconded by David Anderson to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Cindy Tonsager,

Secretary