KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 17, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Ken Mueller, President. Devotion was led by Pat Garrett.
Members Present: Jim Chapman, Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Linda Kimberling, Shirley Kirchner, Ken Mueller, Charles Niemann, Tom Reeder, Fred Tetley and Pastor Beese
Excused: Deanne DeJarnette, Harvey Lembke and Joe Poretta
The minutes of the March 20, 2007 meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Charles Niemann to accept the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – The general checking account balance is low at this time. This cash flow problem appears to be related to the offerings that were not received in January when services were cancelled due to inclement weather. A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Pat Garrett to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – A report was not received this month. Ken Mueller with check with Don Brohm concerning the status of the report. NOTE: Brohm did provide a Building fund report for March 2007 on 4/2/07. Evidently it did not get included in the package for the 4/17 council meeting?
PASTOR’S REPORT – Pastor Beese reported the Easter Pageant went very well, in spite of very cold temperatures. Joyce and Chuck Wanamaker will join Pastor Beese as Kent Memorial representatives to the ELCA Synod Assembly in Overland Park, Kansas in June. Pastor encouraged council members to pray for the Assembly as they elect new leadership. A new member class is expected to begin on April 25 at Pastor Beese’s home. An “early communion” class is being organized. One confirmand is being prepared. Pastor Beese will not be in the pulpit on Mother’s Day Sunday. Bill Ferretti has agreed to conduct services in Pastor Beese’s absence. The current method for administering altar communion seems to be working well. Pastor Beese continues to make personal home visits, in an effort to become acquainted with each church family. Members can choose to have a pastoral visit by indicating the day and time on a sign-up sheet in the gathering place.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education – The senior high youth provided an Easter Egg Hunt for the younger children. The Adult Sunday School classes have been well attended. Vacation Bible School is being organized and will be held at Sunrise Bible Church’s Christian Academy facilities.
Evangelism – It was decided to return to Woods Market for Sunday morning donuts. The price of donuts at the new shop near church is far more than the amount budgeted for the fellowship hour. Freewill receipts are not enough to cover the increase in cost. A New Member Dinner is planned for May 17. A copy of the most recent newsletter will be included with the loaf of bread for first-time visitors. New brochures are being printed and will be distributed throughout the community as a way to invite folks to worship at Kent.
Finance – No report.
Long-Range Planning Committee – Photography of member families for the Pictorial Directory went well, thanks to many volunteers who coordinated the sessions. The final layouts for the cover and other special sections of the directory will begin soon, utilizing computer technology available in Lois Gonseth’s office. Results of the Time and Talent Forms have been organized and the information is available in the church office. Lois reported that we are very fortunate to have many members of our church community who are willing to share their time and talent from prior vocations, and we should utilize these resources whenever possible in our ministry and mission at Kent. Pastor Beese will assist in organizing the “on-the-water” mid-week summer worship experience.
Ministry Fund – No report.
Property – Maintaining the church grounds is a huge task and the Property Committee has organized four teams of three volunteers to perform the grass mowing, trimming and cleanup each week. Laura Claggett has agreed to maintain the flower beds. Plans continue to improve the outdoor worship area in preparation for the summer worship schedule.
Social Ministry – Bill Ferretti has agreed to assume responsibilities as the area coordinator for the Salvation Army. The Community for Christ seasonal free give-a-way is Saturday, April 21 at the Community for Christ building. Volunteers are needed to coordinate the process. Pat Garrett reported a reduction in calls for assistance, probably due to the warmer weather. Questions continue concerning boundaries and how the service areas are defined. Pat Garrett requested prayers for her direction in handling the difficult decisions associated with responding to the needs of individuals in the community.
Stewardship – No report.
Worship and Music – The committee is looking at new CD’s for use with the outdoor chimes. The piano downstairs continues to become out of tune, and this may be associated with dampness. A humidifier may be necessary. Members of the committee are assisting Pastor Beese in hymn selection, some from the new hymnal. Ushers will be stationed outside the doors to the sanctuary to allow for a more meditative atmosphere within the church. Pastor Beese will train the acolytes and the ushers will be asked to place a bulletin on the acolyte’s chair on the altar to allow them to better follow the order of worship. Dave and Laurie Thompson have been invited to play the dulcimer and guitar for the first outdoor worship of the season.
Youth – A bike trip in June along the Katy Trail is planned. The youth will spend the night in Columbia, MO, and begin biking from Rocheport. A sack lunch will be provided. Adult sponsors have been recruited. Youth are encouraged to attend Sunday School in order to be eligible to participate in the bike trip. The youth fund continues to benefit from recycling aluminum cans.
OLD BUSINESS
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS – A revised list was reviewed and some changes were made. The church secretary will be asked to prepare a new list to include the revisions.
ELEVATOR STUDY – The adhoc Committee will meet tomorrow evening with a representative of an elevator company.
OUTDOOR WORSHIP AREA – Benches made from a composite material have been ordered for what is currently the “grassy” area behind the last row of wooden benches. The entire area will be graded and sprayed. Lattice work will be removed. Current wooden benches will be repaired. A handrail will be installed along the south walkway. A schedule has been prepared for completing the initial phase of the improvement prior to the Memorial Day weekend. Considerable volunteer labor has and will be needed to meet this deadline.
NEW BUSINESS
Advent and Lenten Meals – It was suggested that a free will offering be received at these meals to cover the cost of the food, rather than ask the committee members assigned to the task of preparing the meal to also pay for the food served (except for the desserts). Often one family will be asked to assist in providing meals on more than one occasion during the Lenten or Advent period. If the offering received exceeds the cost to provide the meal, the overage will be given to WELCA for purchasing kitchen supplies. It was agreed to discuss this subject again prior to the Advent season.
Lenten Offerings – Will be deposited in the general fund this year.
Big Boys’ Toys Car Club – Hair Brown requested the use of the parking lot for this annual event to be held on May 19, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Proceeds are used to prepare dinner for the needy on Christmas Eve.
Rotary Club Dinner – A thank you was expressed by Pat Garrett on behalf of the Rotary Club for allowing the recent benefit dinner to be held at Kent. Proceeds will support the Rotary’s operation of the community aquatic center.
Next Meeting – May 15, 2007 with Lois Gonseth leading the devotion.
Adjournment – A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Jim Chapman that the meeting adjourn with prayer at 8:50 p.m. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller,
Recording Secretary
