KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 23, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Ken Mueller, President. Devotion was led by Harvey Lembke.
Members Present: Jim Chapman, Deanne DeJarnette, Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Shirley Kirchner, Harvey Lembke, Ken Mueller, Joe Poretta and Tom Reeder
Excused: Linda Kimberling, Charles Niemann and Fred Tetley
A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Harvey Lembke to accept the minutes of the December 17, 2006 Special Congregational Meeting and the Regular Council meeting of December 19, 2006 as published. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made by Shirley Kirchner and seconded by Jim Chapman to accept the Treasurer’s Report as published. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – A motion was made by Deanne DeJarnette and seconded by Jim Chapman to accept the report as published. Motion carried.
Pastor’s Report – No report this month.
COMMITTEE REPORTS – Ken encouraged the Council members present to request their assigned Committee minute takers to prepare minutes for copying prior to the Sunday preceding the monthly Council meeting.
Christian Education – Minutes were available for review. The Children’s Christmas Program was a success. The Committee is working on long-term plans and ideas, in response to a request from the Long-Range Planning Committee.
Evangelism – Linda Tetley is the new Chairperson. One hundred eighty-two loaves of bread were distributed to first-time visitors in 2006.
Finance – A letter was received from Pat Poretta indicating an audit had been completed of all committee and organizations’ books with no errors noted. Harvey Lembke reported he will arrange for an audit of the general funds.
Long-Range Planning – Lois Gonseth provided material from the November issue of The Lutheran magazine on the subject of “welcoming a new pastor,” and how small groups in the church can share stories of personal Christian witness during the preceding week and thus “…being one who bears the sign of the cross.” Lois will arrange for a meal for Pastor and Mrs. Beese on the day they move into the parsonage. A packet of materials on local community services will be prepared as part of the welcome for Pastor Beese. Nancy Lembke has arranged for a “freshening up” of the parsonage prior to Pastor Beese’s arrival on February 2, 2007. Photographs were taken of the Council members present in an effort to acquaint Pastor Beese with names and faces.
The Long-Range Planning Committee recommends as a priority enlarging the outdoor worship area. Gift and Time Sheets were prepared by the Committee and will be included with the next Newsletter for return within the month. This information is considered important for Pastor Beese as he begins his ministry at Kent. Volunteers will be requested to coordinate a new pictorial directory in the near future. An adhoc committee has been formed to again take a look at the possibility for an elevator to access the lower level below the sanctuary, as well as the outdoor worship area. The “Age Pyramid Study” has been turned over to Pat Dau for updating.
Ministry Fund – Tom Reeder reported the committee had not met since completing the informative brochure describing the purpose of the Fund. Further action by the Committee was put on hold during the Building Fund drive. The Committee is expected to meet again this spring.
Mutual Ministry – Will be organized with new committee members when Pastor Beese is ready to designate his representative(s).
Property – Joe Poretta reported he is recruiting members for the Committee. The Committee will look at ways to share the weekly lawn and building maintenance tasks so that the chairperson and other Committee members do not become overwhelmed with the mowing and watering responsibilities. The Fire Alarm company performed a test of the alarm system following upgrading of the office computer system. Issues related to building security will be addressed. On several occasions, main door keys have been found left in the lock and the security code breached. Pastor Beese will be given an opportunity to be part of the discussion of building security.
Social Ministry – A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Shirley Kirchner that Georgia Kline, Bill Ferretti and Melba Bangert become members of this Committee. Motion carried. Melba Bangert will provide dual leadership for our social ministry mission, as she has agreed to serve again on the Board of Community for Christ. Pat said a recent review of the description of the Social Ministry Committee in the Bylaws provided some insight into the responsibilities of this committee. Overwhelming appreciation was extended to Eileen Moeller for providing direction for the Committee with the sudden death of Rosemary Moore, the Committee’s Chairperson. Eileen carried the Social Ministry Committee’s mission to the community during the busiest time of the year!
Stewardship – Harvey Lembke reported he will arrange the annual audit of the general funds and a review of insurance policies for the church.
Worship and Music – With the concurrence of Pastor Beese and Central States Synod, an installation service for Pastor Beese will be February 18, 2007. Only one worship service will be held that day at the regular 10:30 a.m. time. A new organist, Sharon Rubin, has joined the church staff. She comes with excellent credentials, having taught piano and voice.
OLD BUSINESS
Committee assignments were updated. Council representatives will assist their respective committees in filling committee vacancies. As a formality, names of new committee members will be brought to the Church Council.
Annual reports for 2006 are due in the church office by January 27, 2007.
NEW BUSINESS
Congregational Meeting will be February 11, 2007.
Pastor Beese has indicated he will plan to continue the confirmation instruction begun by Pastor Lingwall. Lenten services will utilize the Holden Evening Prayer format.
The family of Joyce Yount has indicated an interest in using memorial gifts given in her memory to support improvements in the outdoor worship area. A separate account will be set up as part of the Memorial fund listings to record gifts for this purpose. Opportunity will be given to the congregation to contribute to the fund.
A motion was made by Harvey Lembke and seconded by Lois Gonseth that a recent financial gift from a charter member be designated to be used to help update and enlarge the outdoor worship area. The gift will be added to the special account previously mentioned. Ken Mueller will acknowledge the gift and make the donor aware of the Outdoor Worship ministry.
Thank you notes from staff members for Christmas bonuses were acknowledged.
Next meeting will be February 20, 2007 with Joe Poretta leading the devotion.
A motion was made by Shirley Kirchner and seconded by Pat Garrett that the meeting adjourn at 9:00 p.m. with the Lord’s Prayer. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller,
Recording Secretary
