KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 15, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Jennifer Bolton, Chairperson.  Devotion was led by Lois Gonseth.

Members present:  Jennifer Bolton, Lois Gonseth, Shirley Kirchner, Charles Niemann, Virgil Norris, Joe Poretta, Diane Ziehl,  Barry Olson, Don Wilken and Pastor Beese.

Members absent:  Jim Chapman, Pat Garrett and Tom Reeder.

The minutes of the March 18, 2008 meeting were reviewed.  Barry Olson made the motion to approve the minutes.  Diane Ziehl seconded.  Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report:  The Lenten offering has gone into the general fund.  Charles Niemann made a motion to accept the treasurer's report.  Barry Olson seconded.  It carried.

Building Fund report:  Jennifer Bolton reported that the committee investigating a better rate loan found that the loan we have now is better than can be obtained at this time.  Looking at the report, it was noted that the interest saved by the prepayments now show the figures we had previously.  Diane Ziehl made the motion to accept the Building Fund report.  Joe Poretta seconded.  The motion carried.

Pastor's report:  Pastor Beese told about the 4 couples who joined the church on Sunday.  Their pictures were taken and are on the board for everyone to see.  They are also on the website already.  The next class for new members is beginning soon and there are two and possibly four families for that class. Pastor Beese also told of his intention to have a 1/2 hour Bible study between services during the summer.

Education Committee:  Jim Chapman was not here, but it was noted that Dorothy Engelstad's adult class started up again on Sunday, April 12.   Plans are underway for Teacher Appreciation Day on May 18th.  Gift certificates for the Sunrise Cantina will be presented to the teachers. 

Evangelism Committee:  The doughnut order and the bread was increased,  The web site was discussed and praised.  They’re looking for a liaison to make suggestions to Don Brohm as to what should be up on the site.  A comment was made that the history had ended with Pastor Moll's retirement.   Barry Olson has looked into some new signage for the church but the costs would be prohibitive at this time.

Finance:  No report

Long-Range Planning: Don Wilken and Lois Gonseth will share the council representation on the committee. Lois reported that sharing the bulletins with others may bring in members.  Encouraging people to take them home to be aware of the activities and the prayer list for prayers at home is a good thing.   Barry and Susan Olson were thanked for the donation of the digital camera.   There was a suggestion from the Long Range Planning committee that a sub committee of the Evangelism committee might handle the celebration events between services, enabling them to assist with absent members and new prospects.   Guest Sundays were

suggested by this committee,  advertising a couple of weeks in advance to encourage people to bring guests.  "Lutheran Laryngitis" will be coming sometime in the future with skits to demonstrate.  Melba Banert will have the mission statement in the bulletin the next two weeks.   There is a need for an ad hoc committee to form for next year's Easter pageant.  Pastor Dave would like to be informed when someone is planning to be in the hospital so he could make calls.  Often he does not learn about them until some time later.

Ministry Fund:   No report,

Property Committee:  The next three Tuesday mornings at 8:00 a.m. will be workdays for the Outdoor Service area. 

Social Ministry Committee:  People have been donating money to the Social Ministry Committee because they appreciated the crosses they were given.  Hair Brown has requested that any money that is donated in the future as a thank you for crosses go to the Homeless Shelter in Camdenton. 

Area 9 Ministry Meeting:  Virgil & Kathy Norris and Gerry Williams plan to go.  Charles Niemann plans to resign as the secretary for them. 

Stewardship:  Virgil reported that the committee had gotten a lot of ideas of things to do with stewardship awareness from a book called "New Beginnings".   Virgil promised that the audit of the church books will be finished before the April 30 deadline.

Worship & Music:   A pizza party for the Easter Pageant celebration may be in the works.  Charles has gotten ushers lined up for January through April.  The rest of the committee are sharing that responsibility for the rest of the year.   Charles is reviewing the sheet for usher instructions to make sure it is current. The new keyboard is heavier than the old one so it will be placed closer to the back door of the church. The choir also will be sitting in the back when they sing. 

Youth Committee:  $65.50 was earned through the can donations.  Youth will be going to the nursing home to get acquainted over there.  The trip to the zoo was reported at church.  They had a good time. The opportunity for the youth to take part in the "Festival of Sharing" in Sedalia in October is being pursued.

OLD BUSINESS:

Committee Goals for 2008:  The youth group has indicated their goals in their minutes. 

Rose Isernhagen Memorial:  ELW Hymnals:   37 Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnals can be purchased with the funds in Rose's memorial fund.   Discussion of letting the congregation members buy a hymnal and putting their name or a memorial name in the book may allow us to have enough hymnals to use at our worship services.  There are 10 liturgies in this new book and we have been using #10 in our late service for a while.  Pastor Beese had a copy of a form that was used at another church for people to fill out if they would like to purchase a hymnal.  There was also a discussion of asking to use other memorial funds for this purpose. 

Changes to the committee lists:  LeeAnne Brumm is now on the Stewardship committee.  Joan Wilken is the Chair of the Evangelism Committee. 

Change to the Kent Memorial Church Council List:  Remove Ken Mueller from the list.  Add Don Wilken to the Long Range Committee. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Medical Assistance Equipment Pool -  Diane Ziehl made a motion and Charles Neimann seconded it that we establish this storage of assistance devices for members to borrow and return when no longer needed. Crutches, walker, portable toilet chair, etc. have already been brought to the church.  Some items are in the basement storage area and are marked.  The motion carried.

Evening of Music with Kathleen Marco & Tracy Garrett:  Barry Olson made the motion and Virgil Norris seconded it to approve this fundraiser to benefit Citizens Against Domestic Violence and Kent Music Department.  It is to be Monday night, June 23 at 7:00 p.m.  $10.00 per person will be the charge.  An hors deurves reception will be held after the hour concert.   The motion carried.

Jennifer Bolton mentioned that we have been given a plaque acknowledging our donations to the ELCA for Mission support for 2007.

The discussion of the Westlake Christian Academy was tabled by a motion from Diane Ziehl and seconded by Shirley Kirchner.  It carried. 

Charles Niemann asked for feedback from the council about the gourmet coffee.  People agreed that the coffee tasted great.  The regular coffee tastes fine, but we need to make it stronger, like 3 cups of coffee for 55 cups of water.  The cost of the coffee would more than double if we used the gourmet coffee.

The meeting was adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Jan Kennedy, substitute secretary