First English Lutheran Church

Congregational Council Meeting

North Site, Dec. 16, 2008

 

Present: John Zweig, Peter Peregrine, Nancy Hershfield, Jeff Diehl, Dan Baumbach, Mark Des Rochers, Ellen Evensen, Amy Henderson, Mike Lokensgard, Dana Olson, Jeff Picken, Steve Uslabar, Pastor Detweiler, Pastor Bauer, Pastor Dismer

Excused: Karen Dorn, Wayne Luck, Kirsten Owens, Walt Rugland

 

Guest: Brenda Smongeski

 

Devotions: Ellen Evensen

 

Approval of minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the Nov. 25, 2008, Congregational Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Ministry team reports: The ministry team minutes were reviewed. Discussion followed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s report:  Jeff Diehl submitted the following documents: FELC 2008 Budget Summary and FELC Budget Summary. Discussion followed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion passed unanimously.  

 

Old business

  1. Nomination Committee: John reported in Karen Dorn’s absence that seven members of the congregation have agreed to be placed on the ballot for election to the Congregational Council. Karen and Jan Sommerfeld will work together to communicate the nominations to the congregation and create the ballots for the annual meeting.
  2. “Listening Post” update: Peter Peregrine/Pastor Detweiler

1.      Peter Peregrine discussed the purpose and objectives of the Listening Post concept and noted that the activity is a way to achieve reconciliation with ourselves, with one another and to live in the body of Christ within the guidance of Matthew 18:15.

2.      The leaders of each session will be past presidents and the recorders will be Council members.

3.      Twelve groups of six members have been created.

4.      Training for facilitators and recorders will be on Dec. 30, 2008.

5.      Proposed meeting dates are Jan. 12, 15, 19 and 22.

6.      The council will go through the Listening Post process.

 

 

 

 

New business

A.        Budget proposal for 2009

1.      Brenda Smongeski presented the documents Budget Worksheet 2009    Projected 2008 and 2009 Budget Backup-12/16/2008 with a line-by-line review. Discussion followed. Recommendations and changes were noted. The budget will be revised as suggested and forwarded to the Council for final review.

2.  John stated the goal is to move forward to a budget without a deficit and FELC needs to develop a plan to manage the deficits from the last two year’s budgets and possibly recommend that the mortgage be refinanced.

B.        Agenda for Annual Meeting, Feb. 1, 2009: The proposed agenda was reviewed. Recommendations and changes were noted.

C.        Pastor’s reports: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Pastor’s Reports as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

D.        Peter Peregrine reminded the Council that the Feb. 8, 2009, 1:00 to 4:00 meeting is set aside as a meeting for new and old Council members to review Council member responsibilities, Council goals and responsibilities.

E.        Peter Peregrine noted the book the Council will be asked to read next year is entitled “Winning on Purpose.”

F.         Official acts: A motion was made and seconded to approve the November 2008 official acts. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Adjourn: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Closing Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer

 

Notes taken by Judy Snavely