KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 15, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Ken Mueller, President. Devotion was led by Lois Gonseth. At the completion of the devotion on the subject of sharing, Lois provided everyone present with a supply of note cards containing a rendering of the outdoor worship area.
Members present: Jim Chapman, Deanne DeJarnette, Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Shirley Kirchner, Harvey Lembke, Ken Mueller, Charles Niemann, Joe Poretta, Fred Tetley and Pastor Beese.
Excused: Linda Kimberling and Tom Reeder
The minutes of the April 17, 2007 meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Fred Tetley to accept the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – After a review of the report, it was suggested that Ken Mueller draft a note for the next Newsletter, making the congregation aware of the current cash flow problem. In addition, it was recommended that the Newsletter also contain a monthly comparison of income, as well as a comparison with the same time period last year. A motion was made by Charles Niemann and seconded by Jim Chapman to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – The report was reviewed and receipts reflected favorably to monies pledged for the month. A motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Harvey Lembke to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
PASTOR’S REPORT - Pastor Beese reported he and Nancy had just returned from a visit to their previous church in Marquette, KS. The church is without a regular pastor at this time and Pastor Beese had been invited to perform the Rite of Confirmation on the young people he had been working with prior to coming to Kent.
Pastor Beese reported he has visited in the homes of twenty-six Kent families, in an effort to become better acquainted with members of Kent and to familiarize himself with the road system at the Lake. The New Member class has gone well with the following individuals expressing a desire to join Kent: Stan Rohde, Stanley Field, Ethel Jones, Joan Grissel, Dan and Marilyn Hayes and Bill and Cheryl Gronhoff. The Council endorsed membership for these individuals.
Jan Ellis is reviewing the multiple choices for liturgical settings in the new ELCA hymnal. The First Communion class of eight students is going well. Snacks will be provided for these students who arrive at the church directly from school. Glen Kralina will be delivering the message this Sunday as part of his confirmation instruction.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education – Vacation Bible School will be held at West Lake Christian Academy. Melba Bangert will be responsible for the daily Bible story at VBS. Kent Sunday School teacher appreciation will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2007, at both services. The Committee will look again at the possibility of joining other local churches in providing “Trunk or Treat” for children in the community on Halloween, as a safer alternative to door-to-door visitation.
Evangelism – A New Member Dinner is planned for May 17, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Invitations have been provided to the individuals who are currently attending the New Member Class, as well as those who have recently joined Kent. In addition, the Church Council and spouses and Committee chairs and their spouses are also invited. Approximately 40 persons are expected to attend. A celebration for Bob and Beverly Brumm’s 50th Wedding Anniversary will be held between services on Sunday, May 20, 2007. Brochures have been distributed to local businesses inviting the public to summer worship at Kent. The “donut dilemma” continues with quantities being adjusted as needed.
Long-Range Planning – The Committee meets next week. The Pictorial Directory has been completed with layout assistance provided by a representative of Olan Mills.
Property – Joe Poretta reported much volunteer labor was needed to prepare the outdoor worship area for installation of the new benches and to repair of the retaining wall which faces the Lake. The benches were manufactured in northern Illinois and were picked up there and transported to Kent by two members of the Church Council, in an effort to save $600 in shipping costs. The Yount Family from Concordia, MO assisted with assembly and installation of the benches. Rock has been spread around the back of the church, including the area between the church and the parsonage. The light on the top of the church and the chandelier have been adjusted to accommodate a timer/electric eye conflict. Mowing is going well with five teams alternating weeks. Flowers were planted around the church by Laura Clagett. The large Massey Ferguson tractor and other equipment stored in the garage will be put up for bids and the proceeds being used to update other mowing equipment. Problems with the HVAC in the Fellowship Hall may be the result of a bad motor. Joe Poretta will initiate a “repair order” system for identifying repair needs around the church complex, to expedite the repair process.
Social Ministry – Pat Garrett reported fewer calls for assistance recently. Electrical shut off notices will be sent out by CoMo Electric soon and will probably result in more phone calls for assistance. Kent has applied to CoMo to be a part of their grant assistance program, in view of our involvement with community need. The recent “give-away” or Love Offering at Community for Christ was well received by those needing assistance
with clothes and other household items. Items remaining after the give-away were bagged for Victory Mission. Pat Garrett reported she is becoming more comfortable with handling the requests for assistance.
Stewardship – No report.
Worship & Music – New music on a CD has been found and purchased for the clarion. Outdoor worship will begin May 20, 2007, weather permitting. Four mid-week services are planned at various locations on the Lake during the summer months. Pastor Beese expressed appreciation for Joyce Wanamaker’s music contribution to the Sunday morning liturgy. Carnations were distributed on Mother’s Day.
Youth Ministry – Deanne DeJarnette reported the youth are planning a bike trip along the Katy Trail on June 16, 2007. All interested members and friends of Kent are invited to be a part of the bike ride. The ride will begin in Rocheport, MO. A group of youth from Gail Kruse’s church in Nebraska is planning a mission trip to the Lake again this summer to perform service projects for the local Senior Center. The senior youth from Kent will be invited to participate in this service project. Pastor Beese has volunteered to plan a bowling activity for the high school youth. The possibility of performing a service project with a St. Louis church group is being explored. Recycling aluminum cans continues to be profitable for the youth. Anyone from Kent traveling to Camdenton is invited to take a load of cans for recycling on behalf of the Kent youth. It would be greatly appreciated by the youth leaders. Only aluminum can be recycled. All other materials must be removed from the bags before they are taken to the recycling center. Gail Kruse is the contact person for the recycling initiative.
OLD BUSINESS
Updated Committee Assignments – Some changes were necessary. A copy of the revisions will be provided to the church secretary.
Elevator Study – The adhoc committee met with a representative of an elevator company. There was discussion of the State regulations that would apply if the elevator were installed inside the building. The Council had questions concerning the design/build process and the cost to meet the stringent State regulations. Further study will be necessary.
Parking Lot – There was discussion concerning the possible need to reseal the parking. No action was considered necessary at this time. Heavy trucks will not be allowed to park on the church parking lot.
Pastor Beese received a call from a website company interested in promoting Kent on the web. It was the consensus of the Council that Don Brohm has done a wonderful job in setting up Kent’s website. No further action was considered necessary at this time.
Pastor Beese received a request from Food for the Poor to provide a speaker and to promote their organization. It was the consensus of the Council that at this time we will continue to support the local food bank located at Community for Christ.
CORRESPONDENCE
Pat Garrett, Social Ministry, reported on thank you notes received from the Westside Senior Center, Share the Food Harvest and the Show Me Home for our support of their programs.
ELCA Companion Synod Trip To Russia – Pastor Beese reported on a website where updates are available on the current ELCA synod trip to Russia (Melba Bangert of Kent is attending).
Next Meeting – June 19, 2007 with Linda Kimberling leading the devotion.
Adjournment – A motion was made by Charles Niemann and seconded by Fred Tetley that the meeting adjourn with prayer at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller,
Recording Secretary
