KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
OCT. 16, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Ken Mueller, President. Devotion was led by Tom Reeder in Shirley Kirchner’s absence.
Members Present: Deanne DeJarnette, Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Linda Kimberling, Harvey Lembke, Ken Mueller, Tom Reeder, Fred Tetley and Pastor Beese
Excused: Jim Chapman, Shirley Kirchner, Charles Niemann and Joe Poretta
Invited Guests: Jan Ellis, Kathleen Marco and Joyce Wanamaker
Outdoor Keyboard - Kathleen Marco presented a proposal for replacement of the outdoor keyboard. Jan Ellis and Joyce Wanamaker explained that when they substitute for Kathleen it is very difficult to produce a good sound from the current keyboard. Joyce and Jan complimented Kathleen’s ability to make the current keyboard sound acceptable on Sunday morning. Kathleen explained that the keyboard she recommends has a wonderful sound, a variety of special features and could be easily moved from the outside setting to the indoor sanctuary to complement the indoor music program. The current indoor keyboard is on loan at the present time. Total cost for replacement of the keyboard and speaker would be approximately $3,000.
Prior to being excused from the meeting, Jan, Joyce and Kathleen were thanked for their participation in the music program at Kent and for bringing the keyboard proposal to the Council. The council members present further expressed appreciation to Kathleen for her personal dedication to the overall music program at Kent.
A motion was made by Deanne DeJarnette and seconded by Fred Tetley that $2,000 of undesignated memorial funds be applied to the purchase of a new keyboard and speaker as recommended by Kathleen Marco. Motion carried. Ken Mueller will prepare an article for the Sunday bulletin to explain the need to purchase the keyboard and include Kathleen’s recommendation that we try to take advantage of year-end inventory sales. It is hoped that the congregation will respond positively to this proposal and be willing to make special gifts toward the purchase of a new keyboard.
The minutes of the September 18, 2007 Regular Council Meeting were reviewed and a motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Harvey Lembke that the minutes be approved as written. Motion carried.
The supplemental meeting minutes of September 18, 2007 were reviewed. A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Linda Kimberling to accept the minutes as written. Motion carried.
The minutes of the February 11, 2007 Congregational Meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Harvey Lembke and seconded by Fred Tetley that the minutes be submitted to the congregation for approval. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Ken Mueller reported that Gail Kruse had explained the questions that were raised with last month’s report. The current Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and a motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Harvey Lembke that the report be approved as written. Motion carried.
The Building Fund Report prepared by Tom Reeder was reviewed. A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Fred Tetley to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
PASTOR’S REPORT – Pastor Beese reported that Nancy was still hospitalized following back surgery yesterday. Pastor expressed his appreciation to members of the congregation who have helped them out in so many ways during Nancy’s illness. The recent Area 9 meeting went well with some members of Kent’s choir participating in the program. Pastor Beese was complimentary of the overall leadership of Kent and how well all committees and organizations within the church are functioning. Pastor said he is looking forward to the Long-Range Planning retreat on October 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. which will conclude with a simple potluck lunch. Members of the church council were encouraged to attend and/or provide subjects for discussion.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education – No report was available.
Evangelism – Fred Tetley highlighted the minutes of their October 2, 2007 meeting. He reported that the Committee is looking at the possibility of promoting Kent Memorial through roadway signage in strategic areas of the community. The Committee is hosting an evening at the Main Street Opry’s Christmas Show in Osage Beach in late November. The Committee is supporting the “Trunk or Treat” program for area children scheduled to take place on the church parking lot Halloween evening.
Finance – Assisted in preparing the proposed budget for 2008.
Long-Range Planning – Lois encouraged the council members to participate in the retreat scheduled for October 30, 2007. Dan Johnson will coordinate the Stained Glass Window Fund project.
Ministry Fund – No report.
Property – Dirt was spread and the area seeded and strawed around the back of the Parsonage. The Massey-Ferguson tractor was purchased for $3,300. This money will be used to purchase equipment for maintaining the church property. The sliding glass door at the Parsonage was repaired as were the glass doors into the sanctuary.
Social Ministry – The Co-Mo Electric Trust has denied Kent’s grant proposal, since the utility already supports Community for Christ and they felt this might represent a duplication of support. More careful scheduling was suggested for the next Social Ministry Fair, in order to allow representatives of the participating charities an opportunity to better share the work of their organizations with members of Kent. The Committee is coordinating Kent’s participation in the Festival of Sharing to be held in Sedalia on October 20, 2007. Kent will be participating in bell ringing for the Salvation Army during the Advent season.
Worship and Music – Cherylynn Gronhoff has agreed to fulfill the unexpired term of Dan Johnson on the Committee. Pastor Beese has completed the acolyte training. The treble bridge in the Baldwin piano in the fellowship hall is cracked. Due to the age of the piano and it’s limited use, the cost to repair is not justified at this time.
Youth – A lock in is planned for the Kent Kids (1st through 6th grades) on December 1, 2007. Gail Kruse will coordinate. Breakfast will be provided on Sunday morning in time to allow the children to attend Sunday morning worship. An evening of “cosmic bowling” is planned for the older youth on December 8, 2007 at the local bowling alley. Taters and Talent is scheduled for January 26, 2008. Due to the increased number of participants, a limit will be placed on the length of each act.
OLD BUSINESS
Outdoor Worship Area - A crew of volunteers will be working later this week to prepare the benches in the north section to have backs installed. Appreciation was expressed to Gary DeJarnette and Steve Kralina who have donated their time to complete the welding of the brackets for the benches.
Policy for Use of the Building - Harvey Lembke and Charles Niemann had met with Pastor Beese to review our current policy and also compared it with the policies of other local churches. Some revisions were recommended, including an increase in the cost to use the facilities. An application will be drafted to be completed by the user and submitted at the time the deposit is made. The revised policy will be drafted and brought back to the Council for approval.
Congregational Meeting – November 11, 2007 with meeting and potluck to follow late worship service.
NEW BUSINESS
Request to use Kent as Polling Place - A request had been received from local officials to use Kent as a polling place on election Tuesdays four times a year. Although Kent would like to cooperate and support the needs of the community, the Council recommended that we not allow the use of Kent as a polling place on election Tuesdays due to a serious conflict with already-existing programs at Kent.
Approval of 2008 Budget – The proposed budget was thoroughly reviewed. Some minor changes were recommended. A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Harvey Lembke that the budget be approved with the suggested revisions and forwarded to the congregation for approval on November 11, 2007. Motion carried.
Pictures of Events at Kent/Maintenance of Website – Bob Harger will be asked to take pictures for the website as events occur at Kent. Tom Fee will be asked to assume responsibility for keeping the Kent website updated.
Recording Secretary – Darleen Mueller resigned effective December 31, 2007. Another volunteer will be recruited.
Next Meeting – November 20, 2007 with devotion by Tom Reeder.
Adjournment – A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting with prayer at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller
Recording Secretary
