Meeting called to order at
In attendance: Pastor Erik Goehner, Carol Paul, Bill Stoll, Susan Prosser, Stan Patscheck, Pastor John Soyster, Bob Cole, Matt Sobolik, Randy Churchill Geordan Goebel, Bob Brundage ,
Absent: Jessica Rebbe, Allison Easley, Norm Williamsen
Guest: Melissa Henry, Gordon Henry
Devotions: Bob Brundage. Daily Wisdom from the Bible-Devotional for Every Day, Proverbs 30:8.
Geordan Goebel. The blessings of/response to prayer.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of last meeting were approved.
Body of Christ
Report: Randy Churchill. Men’s Bible study at
Pastors’ Reports
Pastor Erik. Youth
leadership: Christina Laura is a
candidate to be an intern volunteer.
Cathy Channels open to having her volunteer for CDC, too, because she is
an early childhood education and development major at
Geordan Goebel gave Pastor a welcome packet from another church which might be adapted for Mt Cross’ use.
Pastor John. Calendar awareness for holiday season worship. Leadership retreat will be first Saturday in February, location TBA. Annual reports are due January 1.
Treasurer’s Report: Susan Prosser. November was back on track but not able to capture unrealized income. Still $37,000.00 behind in planned income, but because of expenditure decrease, net deficit is only about $19,000.00. There has been the intention this year of transferring some funds to different account lines before the end of the year. Making these transfers will reduce the deficit but are not being taken as an action to correct the shortfall. Funds identified in the handout will authorize the Treasurer to move the funds. A motion was made, seconded and passed by acclamation that these transactions be made.
Committee Reports
Caring: Bob Cole: Bob has been checking in with visitors. Pastor John commends Bob for doing a good job following up.
CDC Carol Paul. Council wants a copy of the monthly financial statement. Carol will start bringing it to meetings.
Endowment: Pastor Erik. Committee did not meet with Greg Shepherd because of his inability to keep appointment. Meeting will be rescheduled.
Welcome: Bob
Cole. Still working to provide sponsors
for new candidates for membership. When
funding is available, Stan Patscheck will be producing a
Fellowship: Carol Paul: Lefse making was very well attended. Susan Prosser has not gotten any estimate from Nancy Bond, insurance agent, since the discussion at Executive Committee. Association with an organized league increases our risk. Geordan states that the likelihood of a successful lawsuit against the church is exceedingly low. Sounds like we should have the insurance for it. Still don’t have our other insurance quote for the new year yet.
Children’s Ministry:
Geordan Goebel. Sunday School Children's
Christmas Program is Sunday, December 18;
dinner at
Mutual ministry: Randy Churchill. Committee can be built any way we want. It will be re-instated for the benefit of the ministers and the congregation. Sets goals and acts as sounding board.
Personnel: Susan Prosser. Committee has not met because there are not yet recommendations for the personnel budget.
Property: Stan Patscheck. Short on funding. It was pointed out that there is money budgeted and available for some items. Thanks to Gordon Henry for cleaning rain gutters. Prayer garden is blooming. The garden needs a bench, which pastors are to discuss with a possible donor.
Service and Missions: Bill Stoll. Someone from Peace Lutheran remarked that we have a very active service group. The Acorn did good article, interviewing Pastor Erik about Gifts of Hope. Our partnership with Ascension may have been part of the reason we were able to host the Bishop. There were about two hundred people at Hanging of the Greens! Melissa Henry reports she has not checked online but thinks the goal of $90,000.00 for funding Burure was reached.
Youth: Matt Sobolik. High School Disneyand trip in January, winter camp in February. National Youth Gathering in the summer.
Confirmation winter camp in March.
Lefse continues. Dropped flamingo insurance idea due to expense.
New Business:
1. Annual meeting. Schedule set:
2. 2012 Budget process: Susan Prosser. There has been further review and refinement of the proposed budget. Items on draft budget are listed as talking points or challenges which need some discussion, not dissention. Brainstorming suggestions have been made per Council request to narrow the gap between available income and requests. The goal tonight is to inform and educate. Randy states there are some funds, about 6 months of reserve, to do our ministries; we should be frugal, forward looking people.
Susan highlighted items from the working notes she handed out. No great changes in requests. This draft budget reflects reduced income and expenses compared to last year. It is decline in revenue that presents the challenge of balancing this budget. If every household would give $5.00 more per week, the budget would balance easily. The congregation has made thoughtful pledges and to now ask for more money may not set well with some people. In the past, some have changed their personal expenses when they felt that giving more was necessary. Pastor John: If people are just meeting a budget, there’s no hope; but if it’s about giving, we have nothing but hope. Pastor Erik: The congregation always steps up when needed. If we cut some items and find they really are needed, some would step up to meet the need.
Council asks that Budget and Finance determine what reserves we may or may not want to tap. If we can determine what is truly a “reserve,” we might be able to use some funds not usually considered for operations; consider austerity cut-backs but still allow the church to perform its mission. If we want to institute a supplemental request, it should be done very soon. Thank the congregation for job well done but we are still short or give a statement about where we are financially in the bulletin.
Motion made to present a state of the congregation’s finances in January. Discussion ensued about a statement that pledges are down and no definitive stewardship report after the recent drive. Amendment to motion: The Council feels it is important to make a statement about the results of the 2011 stewardship drive and state of the 2012 budget needs. Motion to amend the proposed motion was passed. The motion as amended: carried.
Budget and Finance has done very well presenting information to make it possible for us to make good decisions.
3. 2012 nominating committee: Members will be notified.
4. Theme for 2012: Reflecting on the process the past few years, themes may or may not be carried through for summer, stewardship, etc. A unified theme should be ready for launch in September, the beginning of the activity year, with Bread for the Journey. A recognizable logo would also bolster the theme.
Pastor John has already started thinking about using our values, core statement, each year as we approach our 50th anniversary.
5. Liability related to the softball team: Already discussed above.
6. Treasurer: Susan Prosser. Requested standard agreement to ask for approval but it has not been provided by Jessica Rebbe. We need to look beyond February for a Treasurer. Need someone who can read financial statements. We have someone who can write checks, generate reports, etc. Maybe find out if there is someone who can prepare reports to present to the Treasurer. This will be discussed in Budget and Finance and Executive Committee.
Marilyn has completed all the Time &Talent reports. If you want to staff an event, ask Marilyn for referrals. PLEASE use it so people who may have expressed interest get called. At least thank them for signing up even if there is not yet a need for their time and/or talent.
7. Attendance: neighborhood fact-finding task forces to find out why people don’t attend church regularly. Put on agenda for next month.
8. Status of tech report. On hold due to no money. There is money, we just need to make sure that requests are made through proper channels.
Meeting adjourned:
at
Next meeting:
Devotions: Pastor John
Body of Christ Report: Pastor John
Looking ahead: Annual Meeting Sunday,
Annual Leadership Retreat:
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Paul
Recorder