KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 19, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Ken Mueller, President.

Karen Pragman led the devotion in the absence of George Patterson.

Members Present:  Lois Gonseth, Linda Kimberling, Wayne Langton, Harvey Lembke, Ken Mueller, Karen Pragman, Joe Proch, Fred Tetley and Pastor Keith Lingwall

Members Excused:  Deanne DeJarnette, Pat Garrett, George Patterson and Joe Poretta

Special Guest:  Melba Bangert

Melba Bangert provided the Council with information on the “Shared Mission Challenge,” an opportunity for each member to contribute beyond their weekly offering to provide further support to our Synod for the ELCA mission programs.  Melba was thanked for her presentation and excused from the meeting.  A motion was made by Joe Proch and seconded by Wayne Langton for Pastor Lingwall to request enough envelopes from the Synod for the Shared Mission Challenge for 2006 to place one in each Sunday worship bulletin on Reformation Sunday, October 29, 2006.  In this way, members can individually choose the amount they wish to contribute to this special mission challenge.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Wayne Langton to accept the minutes of the August 22, 2006 meeting as published.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report – Gail Kruse will be asked to amend the report to reflect the amount of insurance money received for repair of the damage to the parsonage roof.  This change will then more accurately reflect the cost to date for repairs to the parsonage.  Gail will also be asked to set up a separate account to monitor the receipts for a Stained Glass Window memorial fund.  A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Karen Pragman to accept the report with the changes so outlined.  Motion carried.

Building Fund Report – Ken will ask Don Brohm to provide a current total of pledges received to date, as well as the actual amount of pledge monies received to date.  A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Fred Tetley to accept the report as written.  Motion carried.

Columbarium Update and Expense Report – Ken explained all materials have been received.  It is expected that, weather permitting, the unit will be put into place Thursday of this week.  The only expense remaining to be paid is to the person who set the stones.  Additional landscaping is anticipated to enhance the appearance of the area around the Columbarium and the Garagnani Memorial Garden.  The on-going Columbarium Committee has been formed. Those who have agreed to serve are Jerry Husbands, Gene Halvorson, Jan Ellis, and Laura Clagett.  The Columbarium will be dedicated on All Saints Sunday, November 5, 2006.

PASTOR’S REPORT - Worship seems to be going well.  A meeting with the confirmands was held Sunday.  Pastor Lingwall is working on establishing his visitation schedule to the sick and shut-ins.  Several families have expressed an interest in joining Kent and Pastor Lingwall will work out the logistics for preparing these folks for membership.  Ken Mueller offered to contact the persons responsible for arranging ushers, greeters and acolytes and suggest a reminder call prior to their assigned Sunday.

COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                                                                             

Christian Education – Bibles were presented to third-graders last Sunday.  The adult class had 37 in attendance last Sunday. Many books were received for the Library from Betty Kropp’s family.  Duplicates will be made available to members of Kent.  All remaining books will be sent to the library in Africa where Dorothy Englestad served as librarian. A traditional Christmas Program is planned for Sunday, December 17, 2006 between services.

Karen Pragman provided the Council with information on “Truck-or-Treat,” a program whereby church members could offer children Halloween treats from the trunk of their cars which would be parked on the church lot on Halloween evening, as a safe alternative to door-to-door “trick or treating.”  The Council discussed the suggestion at length and a motion was made by Harvey Lembke and seconded by Linda Kimberling that we table the activity for this year, but bring it up for further discussion in April, 2007, in order to allow enough time to work out the logistics for such an activity.  Ken will discuss the activity further with Brian Kuckler and Denise Kralina (who has had experience with Truck-or-Treat at her previous employment).  (The Council does not want Kent to appear to be in competition with another local church who has a similar activity on Halloween.) Motion carried.

Evangelism – Fred Tetley reported that the Evangelism Committee would like to see “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” and the Advent Dinner continue as annual events. Pastor Moll and Gladys were instrumental in organizing both dinners. The Council members present agreed that both events had produced wonderful opportunities for meeting other members of the congregation.  The Council was optimistic that volunteers could be recruited to organize the events, with the assistance of the Church Office.

Finance – Harvey Lembke will work with Linda Kimberling to prepare the paperwork necessary to begin the preparation of the budget for 2007.

Long-Range Planning – Will meet on October 26, 2006.  Additional monies have been received for the Stained Glass memorial.

Property – Wayne Langton reported that most of the work recently had revolved around the improvements being made at the parsonage.  Many hours have been spent cleaning, carpeting, painting and repairing. Some window treatments were cleaned or washed and will be rehung.  Others needing replacement will await the preference of the future pastoral family.

Social Ministry – The Social Ministry Fair will be held between services on Sunday, September 24, 2006.  Representatives from CADV, the Salvation Army, Pregnancy Help Center and the Share the Harvest Food Pantry will be present to answer questions concerning their programs.

Stewardship – Harvey Lembke reported he had received four letters from the Synod on the subject of stewardship.  The “Shared Mission Challenge” for 2006 was discussed previously in these minutes.  It was suggested that the Global Mission challenge be supported through a special money-making project or activity that would have a global emphasis.  An invitation was received to a Fall Stewardship Event in Columbia, MO, on October 22, 2006, to include pastors, Council presidents and stewardship committee chairpersons.

Worship and Music – Recruitment continues for an organist to replace Kathleen Marco. Venues for advertising were discussed. Fred Tetley reported the sanctuary was warm Sunday morning because both heat and air conditioning had been turned on.

Youth – A trip to Silver Dollar City is planned for the Kent Kids to “kick off” the year. An Area 9 confirmation retreat will be held at Heit’s Point the weekend of September 23. The Bolton’s will sponsor a hayride on October 21 at 5:30 p.m.  Taters and Talent night will be in January.

Nominating Committee – Has met and suggested four candidates for the Church Council.  Three have accepted.  The fourth is out of town and is expected back this week.

CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE - The Cottage meetings have gone well.  The last meeting is scheduled this Thursday, September 21, 2006.  The Call Committee will meet September 27 to finalize the church profile which will be submitted to the Council members for review via E-mail.  The Council will then meet on October 1 between services to approve the profile.

NEXT MEETING – October 17, 2006.  Karen Pragman has agreed to lead the devotion.

ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Harvey Lembke to adjourn the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer at 9:10 p.m.  Motion carried.

Darleen Mueller,

Recording Secretary