KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 20, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Shirley Kirchner, Vice President, in the absence of the President. Devotion was led by Lois Gonseth.
Members Present: Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Shirley Kirchner, Charles Niemann, Virgil Norris, Barry Olson, Joe Poretta and Diane Ziehl
Members Excused: Jennifer Bolton, Jim Chapman, Tom Reeder and Don Wilken. Pastor Beese was not present due to the death of his brother in Warrensburg, MO.
Guests: Bob Harger, member of Kent Memorial and Randy Schemel, owner of Stroke Prevention Plus - Bob Harger explained that he had asked permission for Randy Schemel to make a presentation to the Council on the diagnostic services provided by Randy’s company. Bob and Janet Harger had heard his presentation during their winter travels. Following the presentation, Bob and Randy were excused from the meeting. After considerable discussion, a motion was made by Charles Niemann and seconded by Pat Garrett not to pursue this subject further. Motion carried. It was the consensus of the Council that for the most part the diagnostic tests offered by Randy’s company are traditionally ordered by an individual’s attending physician when indicated, and in most cases are covered by health insurance.
Guest: Brian Kuckler, explained that he had requested permission to meet with the Council to tender his resignation as Sunday School Superintendent. Brian was thanked for his many years of service and asked to provide a summary of the scope of his current duties, in an effort to recruit someone to fill this important position. In this regard, Pastor Beese will be asked to provide his thoughts on the direction of the Christian Education program at Kent, as part of this recruitment process.
Minutes of April 15, 2008 Church Council Meeting – The minutes were not available for review and will be made an agenda item for the June meeting.
Treasurer’s Report – The report was available for review. A motion was made by Virgil Norris and seconded by Charles Niemann to accept the report as presented. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – The report was reviewed. A motion was made by Barry Olson and seconded by Virgil Norris to accept the report as written.
Pastor’s Report – In Pastor Beese’s absence, he had provided a written statistical report on his pastoral activities during the month of April. New members joining the church on June 8, 2008 are Ron and Nancy Larson, Shannon Bullock and daughters, Shade and Keegan and son, Jaxon, Christy Blongy and her fiancée, David Jones, Glenda Jones, Denise Irwin and daughter, Sydney and John and Beth Moorefield. These folks will be invited to the New Member Dinner scheduled for May 22, 2008.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Christian Education - Minutes of the April 2, 2008 meeting were available for review. Sunday School teacher recognition will be held May 18 during the morning worship. A summer adult Bible class is being considered.
Evangelism – Minutes of the May 6, 2008 meeting were available for review. Barry Olson reminded the Council members of the New Member Dinner on Thursday, May 22. Kent Klowns will be providing skits and the closing prayer. There was discussion of the outdoor signage and the method for forwarding photographs to Don Brohm for inclusion on the website. The Evangelism committee has been attempting to recruit someone to assist with the website. For the present time, Pat Dau has offered to take on the task of forwarding photographs to Don Brohm in the format he has requested.
Long-Range Planning – Lois explained the evangelism-based skits to be presented on Sunday mornings on the subject of “Lutheran Laryngitis.” Sunday, June 8, will be “Invite a Guest” Sunday. Lois requested input from the congregation on areas of interest they would like the Committee to pursue.
Property Committee – Joe Poretta reported he had not received minutes from the Property Committee chairperson. Considerable work has been done to prepare the Outdoor Worship area for the season of summer worship.
Social Ministry – A chain saw was purchased and delivered to the family the Committee has been “lifting up” this year. The family lives in a trailer in the woods without electricity, heat or water. They had been cutting their wood by hand. A local lumber company provided the chain saw at half-price, including gas and oil supplies. Pat Garrett and her husband made the delivery which she described as very “heartwarming.” Recent rains made it imperative that the delivery be made with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Pat complimented Melba Bangert on the direction she is providing the Committee as chairperson.
Stewardship – In discussing handicap access to the outdoor worship area, Virgil Norris reported that the Stewardship Committee has been discussing the possibility of purchasing a golf cart to use for this purpose. A paved area for wheelchairs was also suggested. Virgil mentioned a program for young people being discussed by the Westside Ministerial Alliance whereby Jason Little of the Buffalo Bills would be invited to talk to young people on “his walk with Christ” and what it has meant to his life and career.
Worship and Music – Another keyboard was located for the Outdoor Worship area. The one purchased earlier was considered too heavy to move out and in each Sunday and will be used exclusively indoors. Jan Ellis has been talking to the Property Committee about adapting an alternative location for the choir and keyboard in the southeast corner of the outdoor worship area. The Committee has discussed the training of ushers for outdoor worship services. A few new hymnals have been purchased and have been placed in the Gathering Area. A musical evening with Kathleen Marco and Tracy Garrett is scheduled in the sanctuary on June 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Proceeds to be divided between CADV and the Kent Music Fund.
Youth Ministry – Diane Ziehl reported that in an effort to involve the youth in the rewards of stewardship to the church, several youth came by after school and helped Ken Mueller and Brian Kuckler clean up the grassy area just east of the parking lot. The youth thank the congregation for continuing to save aluminum cans. Only aluminum cans should be deposited in the area behind the garage. All other forms of trash must be hand removed from the bags before the cans can be taken to the recycler. Thank for you for continuing to leave only empty cans.
OLD BUSINESS
Lake West Christian Academy – WELCA will be donating one-half of the profit from their rummage sale to the Academy. No further action is considered necessary by the Council.
NEW BUSINESS
New Member Dinner – Shirley Kirchner asked for a count of those attending the dinner.
Resignation of Don Wilken from the Council – Don reluctantly submitted his resignation due to the increased need to travel out of town. A motion was made by Charles Niemann and seconded by Pat Garrett that Bob Harger be asked to fulfill the unexpired term of Don Wilken. Bob will be asked to be a liaison between the Council and the Christian Education Committee. Motion carried.
NEXT MEETING - June 17, 2008. Don Wilken was scheduled for next month’s devotion. Bob Harger will be asked to consider providing the devotion.
ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by Charles Niemann and seconded by Diane Ziehl that the meeting adjourn at 8:45 p.m. with the Lord’s Prayer. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller,
Recording Secretary
