KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Jennifer Bolton, Chairperson. Devotion was led by Tom Reeder.
Members Present: Jennifer Bolton, Pat Garrett, Lois Gonseth, Bob Harger, Shirley Kirchner, Charles Niemann, Virgil Norris, Barry Olson, Joe Poretta, Tom Reeder, Diane Ziehl and Pastor Beese
Melba Bangert, incoming council member, was thanked for her presence at the meeting.
Invited Guest: Ken Mueller, Chairman, Property Committee
Ken requested an opportunity to explain to the Council a recent initiative by CoMo Electric Cooperative to trim all trees within 15 feet of their power lines from ground to “heaven.” This action would result in cutting off the top of the tree which displays the cross in the outdoor worship area. An alternative would be to install a new primary electric line from the north to the church’s electric transformer at an expense to the church of approximately $5,400. In addition to this expense, the church would have to secure two easements from neighbors north of the church. If this were done, it would allow the elimination of the existing primary line that feeds the transformer from the south. It was the consensus of the council members present that we do not wish to incur the $5,400 expense at this time. Ken will meet again with representatives of the electric cooperative to see if a waiver can be granted to save the “cross” tree. Ken was thanked for the information and excused from the meeting.
A motion was made by Pat Garrett and seconded by Charles Niemann to accept the minutes of the October 21, 2008 meeting as written. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made by Diane Ziehl and seconded by Tom Reeder to accept the report as presented. Motion carried.
Building Fund Report – A motion was made by Barry Olson and seconded by Shirley Kirchner to accept the report as written. Motion carried.
Pastor’s Report - Pastor Beese distributed his Pastoral Report for the month of October. Thanks were expressed to the committee representatives for the continued good work of the church committees. Pastor Beese reported he had been away for two Sundays to be present for his son’s marriage in North Carolina and visit grandchildren in Indiana. An Area 9 Ministry Gathering is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Jefferson City, MO. Bishop Mansholt will be present. The theme is “Changed by Love, Sent by Love, to Serve”. Pastor invited members of the Council to attend this gathering and offered to carpool from Kent to Jefferson City. A light lunch will be served to those attending. A Community Thanksgiving Service is scheduled for Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Sunrise Beach. The Thanksgiving offering received will be designated for the work of the Ministerial Alliance. A good attendance from Kent was encouraged. Nine new members will be received into the Kent fellowship on Sunday, November 23, 2008. Another new member class is expected to begin soon.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Christian Education – Bob Harger reported the Trunk or Treat went well with approximately 10-12 cars and one wheelbarrow offering Halloween treats on Kent’s parking lot. The Sunrise Beach Fire Department had a truck on the lot to promote Fire Safety month. It is estimated that approximately 150 neighborhood children and parents stopped by to accept the “treats.” The Children’s Christmas Program is scheduled for December 14, with participation by all grades. The Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study group will bring up the Nativity scene for outdoors on Thursday morning. The Sunday School children will participate in dressing the animals and putting the finishing touches on the outdoor scene. The ELCA National Youth Event will be held in New Orleans, July, 2009. Two youth from Kent will be attending. Gail Kruse will be the sponsor attending. Jerry Fitzhugh will be presenting the subject of “Justice” to the youth during the regular Sunday School time in preparation for attendance at the event. Lee Dau has agreed to teach the older youth class when Jerry steps down in 2009. The Christian Education Committee is meeting the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. to better accommodate the work schedules of the committee members. Easter will be celebrated on April 12, 2009.
Evangelism – Barry Olson reported that Gerry Williams is looking for more volunteers to serve coffee and donuts during the fellowship time after the late service. The Committee continues to explore placement of road signs on strategic roadways near Kent. Eighty-five members of Kent and friends attended “Noah’s Ark, the Musical,” in Branson on October 9, 2008. Christmas “goody bags” will be prepared for Kent children following the Sunday School Program on December 14. Three new members on the Evangelism Committee include Ada Terry, Gus Granneman and Glenice Gibson.
Finance Committee - Shirley Kirchner reported the changes in the 2009 Budget approved at the Congregational Meeting of November 16, 2008 had been given to Gail Kruse.
Long-Range Planning - Lois Gonseth reported success in selling the plates commemorating Kent’s 20th anniversary. Free will offerings for the plates received Sunday ranged from $2 to $20. Additional plates remain for sale. Rich Strothman has agreed to serve on the Committee. The Long-Range Planning Committee is committed to supporting Diane Ziehl’s initiative to provide an after school program for children once a week beginning in 2009. Major Thomas has agreed to volunteer his time to do further research on the stained glass window project. The current committee members are Bob Galvin, Don Peterson, Jim Ziehl, Audrey Halverson and Karen Pragman.
Ministry Fund – No report.
Mutual Ministry - Pastor Beese reported the Committee had met. They discussed the subject of continuing education.
Property – Joe Poretta confirmed that the council members present were not in favor of incurring a $5,400 expense to install a new primary electric line to the church’s transformer, as outlined earlier by Ken Mueller and agreed with Ken’s request to seek a variance from Co-Mo Electric cooperative not to trim the “cross” tree. The tree trimming that has been done to date has made a positive improvement in the aesthetics of the grounds adjacent to the outdoor worship area. The concrete work in the Garagnani Garden and Columbarium areas is nearly complete.
Social Ministry – Pat Garrett reported that four families had been helped recently with their electric bills. Additional requests for assistance with utility bills are anticipated as colder weather approaches. Ways to increase the Committee’s resources were discussed. Four gift certificates for Save-A-Lot in $25 denominations will be given to Community for Christ for their Thanksgiving distribution. Share the Harvest will receive the same amount of money for distribution. Membership on the Committee now includes Barbara Gidley, Bill Ferretti, Georgia Cline and Melba Bangert. Pat reported all the names had been taken off the Christmas Tree in the fellowship hall to adopt children at the Show-Me Homes in Barnett and LaMonte, as well as children suggested by the CADV (domestic violence shelter) in Camdenton. Gifts will be delivered to the Show-Me Home on December 13 at 2:00 p.m., along with a lunch of pizza and ice cream. Kent members and friends wishing to attend should meet at Kent to carpool.
Stewardship – No report.
Worship & Music – Poinsettias have been ordered for Christmas. “Hanging of the Greens” will be November 24. Communion will be administered by intinction at the early service. Monologue-type messages will be used for mid-week Advent services on the subject of “Stirring Up Advent, Recipes for Relationships.” The Committee recommended a trial of having one Sunday worship service during the months of January and February due to lower attendance in the winter, benefit of the choir to lead singing at the service and an opportunity for members to become better acquainted. After considerable discussion by the Council, it was recommended that the times of Sunday morning worship remain the same throughout the winter months. The organ that is on order to replace the organ damaged by lightning will be new, not used.
Youth – Diane Ziehl discussed an after-school program planned for one day a week beginning in 2009. The theme will be “A New Year and a New You!” The Tater and Talent night will be February 21, 2009. Those wishing to volunteer to provide talent should contact Gail Kruse. Diane Ziehl will be looking for volunteers to help with kitchen duty.
OLD BUSINESS
Advent Candlelight Dinner will be Sunday, December 7, 6:30 p.m. Nine hostesses have agreed to set and decorate individual tables. Meat, bread and drinks will be furnished with a free-will offering to be received. Individuals attending will bring a covered dish to share. The youth will be asked to help serve water and rolls.
Each Committee chairperson was reminded that their committee report for the Annual Meeting Part II in February is due by January 15, 2009 for inclusion in the Annual Report. Each committee should provide Jennifer with a list of current committee members and the year their terms expire. It is important that the expiration of terms be staggered to provide continuity. Committees should review their goals for this year to see how they’ve been met.
Partnership for Missional Church Process – Pastor Beese said he would be contacting Bishop Mansholt to report that Kent had voted to participate in this “process.”
NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made by Charles Niemann and seconded by Diane Ziehl that the Advent Offerings and the Christmas Eve offering be designated for Kent’s Social Ministry Committee’s use. Motion carried.
New Council Members’ committee assignments were discussed. Melba Bangert will be on the Social Ministry Committee, Don Peterson the Long-Range Planning Committee and Helmut Lacas on the Property Committee. Ken Gerardy’s committee assignment will be reviewed, since he is already currently a member of the Finance Committee.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Barry Olson will lead the devotion.
Adjournment – A motion was made by Bob Harger and seconded by Tom Reeder that the meeting adjourn at 9:10 p.m. with the Lord’s Prayer. Motion carried.
Darleen Mueller
Recording Secretary
