KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 20, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Ken Mueller, President. Devotion was led by Shirley Kirchner.
Members Present: Deanne DeJarnette, Pat Garrett, Linda Kimberling, Shirley Kirchner, Harvey Lembke, Ken Mueller, Joe Poretta, Fred Tetley and Pastor Beese
New Council Members Present: Virgil Norris, Barry Olson and Diane Ziehl
Excused: Jim Chapman, Lois Gonseth, Charles Niemann and Tom Reeder
Ken welcomed the newly-elected members of the Council. A list of suggested committee assignments for the new year was distributed.
A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Fred Tetley to accept the minutes of October 16, 2007 as written. Motion carried.
The minutes of the Special Council Meeting of October 28, 2007 were reviewed, as well as the Congregational Meeting Minutes of November 11, 2007. A motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Linda Kimberling to accept these two sets of minutes as written. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Income continues to be down for the year. It was suggested that members be encouraged to use their offering envelopes to fulfill their weekly stewardship to the operation of the Church, even when they cannot be present for worship. Ken Mueller will talk to Gail Kruse to determine the status of designated memorial fund monies. A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Linda Kimberling to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – Contributions continue as pledged. A motion was made by Fred Tetley and seconded by Harvey Lembke to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
Pastor’s Report – The combined community Thanksgiving Service was held at Kent last Sunday evening and was well attended. The church was filled. The offering of over $600 was designated for Share the Harvest food pantry on Highway 7 in Greenview. The Long-Range Planning Committee reported to Pastor Beese that it had received several suggestions to have one worship service during the winter months when many members leave the area for the winter. Pastor said he will take this suggestion to the Worship and Music Committee for further study. The Social Ministry Committee has suggested helping a family in need “up” rather than “out.” The targeted family is a mother and handicapped adult son who live in a trailer home that is in great need of insulation. Pastor and Bill Ferretti visited the family and assessed the needs. It was suggested that approximately $300 will be needed to install the insulation. Several suggestions came from Council members, including the use of Styrofoam as an insulating material. Volunteers from the Council will be recruited to determine the best approach to correct the insulation problem before colder weather arrives. The congregation will be made aware of this project. Pastor Beese also mentioned the need to recruit members to serve on standing committees, to not only provide input, but also to assist with the ongoing responsibilities of each committee.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education – The committee minutes of October 3, 2007 were available for review. Additional efforts will be made to recover the cost of The Lutheran magazine. Children’s Sunday School attendance is down this year. No third graders are enrolled, so no Bibles will be presented. Work on the Christmas program has begun.
Evangelism – Volunteers are needed to serve coffee fellowship. Hair Brown has completed 6,000 crosses. Trunk or Treat went well. It is estimated that 230+ children visited about 12-13 decorated cars of members and friends of Kent. Progress is being made in determining location, cost and property owner approval for placing road signs on strategic roadways leading to Highway 5 to promote worship at Kent. A large group from Kent is attending the Christmas Show at the Main Street Opry in Osage Beach on November 30, sponsored by the Evangelism Committee. Christmas “sacks” are being prepared for children to receive following the traditional Sunday School Christmas Program.
Finance – New Committee members have been recruited for the new year.
Long-Range Planning – The Long-Range Planning workshop was led by Kate Clever and was well organized and well attended.
Property – Joe Poretta reported new lawn equipment has been purchased with the funds received from the sale of the Massey-Ferguson tractor. A lock has been installed on the garage door to secure the new equipment. Miscellaneous keys have been identified and secured in the storage case in the Church Office.
Social Ministry – Pat Garrett reiterated the need to assist the family with insulation that was identified in the Pastor’s Report. Pat reported a disappointing attendance by Kent members to the Festival of Sharing which was held on the State Fair Fairgrounds in Sedalia. More information will be passed along next year to encourage participation. Bell ringing has begun for the Salvation Army at the Sav-A-Lot Store in Laurie. More volunteers are needed. Twenty-six names have been selected from the Loving Gifts Tree in the Fellowship Hall for the purpose of providing gifts for less fortunate children in the community. Gifts for children identified by CADV are delivered to the domestic violence shelter in Camdenton for distribution. Gifts for the Show-Me Home children will be hand delivered by Kent volunteers. Ten $50 grocery gift certificates were donated to Community for Christ for distribution to needy families at Thanksgiving (tobacco and alcohol cannot be purchased with these certificates).
Worship & Music – The Committee is looking at updating the Easter Pageant CD. The Advent Services are planned with light meals to follow the Wednesday night services.
Youth – A lock-in is planned for the Kent Kids on December 1 with games, snacks, movies and a Christmas Program rehearsal. Gail Kruse is coordinating. The Evangelism Committee has ordered the “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake for December 16 following the Christmas Program. Cosmic bowling and pizza are planned for the older youth on December 8 from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. Pastor Beese offered to join the group for the beginning of the evening. Taters and Talent night is planned for January 26, 2008.
OLD BUSINESS
Outdoor Worship Area – The north section is completed. Additional work will be done in the spring. Gary DeJarnette and Steve Kralina were thanked for their hard work in completing the brackets for the north section. They have volunteered to complete the remaining brackets over the winter months.
Building Use Policy – A copy of the proposed revisions to the Application for Use and Rental of Facilities form was presented which reflected a more up-to-date fee schedule. Additional revisions were recommended to include a “Waiver of Liability” statement. The Council members present were asked to review the entire policy for the purpose of approving the recommended fee schedule changes and to make any other recommendations to the policy. Discussion and approval of the proposed revisions will be placed on the agenda for the December meeting of the Church Council.
Purchase of the Keyboard for the Outdoor Worship Area – Ken reported donations had been received covering enough of the cost of the keyboard that it will not be necessary to use as much money from the undesignated memorial funds. Kathleen found a new keyboard in Kansas that is of outstanding quality will not cost quite as much as anticipated. Kathleen will personally pick up the keyboard and deliver it to Kent.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of Officers – Will be placed on the December agenda.
Appointment of Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Building Fund Treasurer – Ken reported he had contacted personally Gail Kruse who had agreed to continue as Treasurer, Jean Killion who agreed to continue as Financial Secretary and Barbara Patterson who agreed to continue as Building Fund Treasurer for 2008. Therefore, a motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Fred Tetley to appoint these three women to the positions outlined above. Motion carried.
Advent and Christmas Eve Offerings – A motion was made by Harvey Lembke and seconded by Fred Tetley that the offerings received at the Wednesday night Advent services and the Christmas Eve offering be divided evenly between the Helping Hand Homeless Shelter and Share the Harvest food pantry. Motion carried.
Laurie/Sunrise Beach Rotary Dinner – On behalf of the local Rotary Club, Pat Garrett asked permission to use the facilities at Kent for the annual Outback catered dinner in the spring of 2008 which benefits the Rotary’s Aquatic Center in Laurie. A motion was made by Shirley Kirchner and seconded by Joe Poretta that the facilities be made available for this purpose. Motion carried.
Christmas Gathering – The Council and spouses are invited to the Mueller’s on December 8, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. for the annual potluck dinner and white elephant exchange.
Annual Report – Committee chairs should be reminded to assemble data for inclusion in the Annual Report to the congregation which is prepared in early January.
Next Meeting – It was agreed that the December meeting of the Church Council will be on December 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. (one week earlier than usual) to avoid conflict for those members who might be traveling out-of-town for the Christmas holidays. Gail Kruse will be notified in order to prepare the financial report in time. Fred Tetley will lead the devotion.
Adjournment – A motion was made by Linda Kimberling and seconded by Shirley Kirchner that the meeting adjourn at 9:00 p.m. with prayer. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller,
Recording Secretary
