KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 15, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Jennifer Bolton who also led the Council in devotion. New members were again welcomed and everyone provided a personal introduction.
Members Present: Jennifer Bolton, Jim Chapman, Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Shirley Kirchner, Virgil Norris, Barry Olson, Joe Poretta, Tom Reeder, Diane Ziehl and Pastor Beese
Members Excused: Charles Niemann and Don Wilkin
A motion was made by Tom Reeder and seconded by Shirley Kirchner to accept the minutes of the December 18, 2007 meeting as written. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – There was considerable discussion concerning the fact that income was down approximately $16,000 for the year 2007. Virgil Norris, Stewardship Chairman, was asked to prepare a monthly statement for the Newsletter, in order to keep the congregation informed of the church’s financial status. This subject will also receive further discussion at the time of the annual congregational meeting on February 17, 2008. A motion was made by Jim Chapman and seconded by Shirley Kirchner to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – There was some discussion regarding why “the estimated savings in interest resulting from additional payments toward the principal of the loan” was not shown in the report. Tom Reeder thought that, even though there is interest savings, estimating the amount is misleading because the interest rate changes every 5 years and we don’t know what the rate is going to be when it changes in 2009. A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Virgil Norris to accept the report as written.
Pastor’s Report – Pastor Beese reported that the Advent and Christmas Eve offerings of approximately $1,600 had been divided between Helping Hands Homeless Shelter in Camdenton and Share the Harvest Food Pantry in Greenview. A check had been sent to each agency this week. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6. Michael and Toni Wagner have volunteered to coordinate the Easter Pageant on March 23. Pastor distributed a volunteer schedule of Committee assignments to coordinate the preparation of Wednesday evening Lenten meals. Pastor reported a new member class has been meeting with four couples participating. There was discussion of the amount of honorarium for pulpit supply.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education – Jim Chapman reported no meeting had been held since some members of the committee have been out of town.
Evangelism – The committee will meet again in March when committee members return from winter hiatus.
Finance – Shirley Kirchner reported the books of committees and organizations of the church had been satisfactorily audited and a written audit report was given to Jennifer Bolton for filing in the church office.
Long-Range Planning – This committee will meet next Tuesday.
Ministry Fund – Tom Reeder reported this committee is responsible for handling endowments and that at the present time there are no funds to manage. Phil Keeney has agreed to chair this committee and Tom Reeder will stay on the committee to provide continuity. Ken Gerardy and Chuck Wanamaker also serve on the committee. Tom reported that the Bylaws require congregational approval for those members serving on the committee. This will be accomplished at the Annual Congregational Meeting on February 17, 2008.
Mutual Ministry – Pastor Beese reported he has not had a need to set up this committee.
Property – Joe Poretta reported the committee had met and Ken Mueller has agreed to chair the committee in 2008. Maintenance contracts were reviewed and snow removal criteria discussed. Considerable outdoor clean up work is needed following the ice storm and in preparation for the Easter pageant. Three-person teams will be organized for summer mowing and trimming. Further study will be done on the possibility of a lawn sprinkler system for the grassy area around the front of the church. The garage should be kept locked to secure the new lawn mowing equipment. Descriptive information related to specific equipment in use around the church facilities will be stored in the maintenance closet for easy reference if repair is needed. A frozen water line was repaired and a recurrent ceiling leak in the kitchen area is being addressed. In an effort to assist the Property Committee in responding to maintenance problems around the church, Joe Poretta has prepared a form to be used for identifying the location and specific problem requiring attention.
Social Ministry – The committee will meet the fourth Thursday in January. The committee, in conjunction with Community for Christ, was able to respond to a rather large need outside its normal service area. In response to another request, assistance was provided to a member of the congregation. Pat Garrett mentioned that the trailer home that had received insulation is also in need of wood to be cut for heating. Pat will coordinate this request with Pastor Beese and identify other volunteers at Kent with resources to accomplish this project.
Stewardship – Virgil Norris reported he is the only member of the committee at this time. He would like to develop a cadre of individuals to serve on the committee who have the interest and ideas necessary to enhance the stewardship program at Kent. In response to an inquiry, Jennifer mentioned that it would be a nice gesture to personally contact members and friends whose 2008 offering envelopes have not yet been picked up for use, rather than to just mail the envelopes to the individual homes.
Worship and Music – Pastor Beese reported new members of the committee are Gloria Peterson and Joyce Wanamaker. The committee has been discussing the Easter Services and the Easter Pageant.
Youth – Diane Ziehl reported Taters and Talent Night is January 26 in the Fellowship Hall. Gail Kruse is coordinating the talent. Gerry Williams will be the MC. Proceeds will benefit the Kent Kids’ trip to the St. Louis Zoo this spring and the 2009 ELCA National Youth Event in New Orleans for the older youth. The youth are requesting soup and/or donations for the “Souper Bowl of Caring” on February 3, 2008. Soup or donations can be brought to church any time before February 3, to benefit Community for Christ’s food pantry.
OLD BUSINESS
Procedure for Use of the Building for Weddings and Funerals, etc. – Harvey Lembke has drafted the changes to the Building Use Policy and Pat Dau will make the final typed changes and print new copies for distribution.
Annual Meeting, February 17, 2008 – The annual congregational meeting will begin with a pot luck meal following second service. The business meeting will follow. Committee chairs should have annual reports to the church office by February 1, 2008 for inclusion in the Annual Report.
NEW BUSINESS
Columbarium – Jean Killion has requested that monies designated for the Columbarium be identified specifically as payment for a niche vs. memorial contributions. Virgil Norris will discuss this request with Pat Dau to confirm appropriate record keeping is in place.
Committee Members and Goals for 2008 – Jennifer distributed a list of Committee member assignments and asked that corrections and/or additions be made and returned to the February Council meeting for confirmation. Pat Dau has requested that updated lists of committee members be turned into the office by February 1st so they can be included in the 2007 annual report to the Congregation.
A copy of the current Bylaws was distributed to the Council members present, in order to familiarize them with the structure and responsibility of the standing committees. The 2008 goals for each committee should be regularly reviewed at each committee meeting. Pastor commented that the goals could be new or something that is already being done and needs to continue.
Time and Talent sheets are available in the Church Office to identify possible volunteers. When finalized, Pat Dau will be asked to prepare the revised list of committee assignments with the date of revision appearing conspicuously on the list.
Lake West Christian Academy – Pastor Beese reported on a request he had received from Pastor Stutesman who is associated with the Lake West Christian Academy, a private Christian School located in the Laurie/Sunrise Beach area, to meet with the Kent Church Council. Pastor Stutesman will be given the option of addressing the Council at the meeting on February 18, 2008.
Election Board – Pastor Beese reported that the Election Board had again approached Kent Memorial to use the church facilities four times a year as a voting location. Pastor Beese said the Fellowship area could not be used because WELCA would be meeting on the same day as the elections, but the Gathering Place would be satisfactory. In addition, Pastor Beese sees this as an opportunity for Christian witness to the community. A motion was made and seconded that the Election Board be allowed to use the space available at Kent on the day of elections as a voting place. Motion carried.
Synod Gathering in St. Louis, June 5-8, 2008 – Pastor Beese asked the Council members for suggested delegates of one male and one female to this meeting. Information will be included in the next Newsletter.
Correspondence – Thank you notes were read from the church staff for Christmas bonuses. A note was received from Ken Mueller thanking the council for their generous gift. Jennifer read a letter from the ELCA Synod requesting an additional year-end contribution for their operating budget.
Next Meeting – Monday, February 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Devotion will be led by Virgil Norris.
Adjournment – A motion was made by Jim Chapman and seconded by Shirley Kirchner that the meeting adjourn with prayer at 9:25 p.m. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller
Recording Secretary
