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St John's Lutheran Church Congregation Council Meeting June 14, 2010
Members Present: Mat Trotzig, Margie Pigg, Rhonda Justice, Donna Macek, Gerry Ihrke, Roma Lancaster, Tony Chihak, Larry Petersen, Ed Utesch, Kay Peters and also attending Pastor Greg Gabriel and Pastor Marcia Young.
Members Absent: Rich Ellefson, Kathy Stelzer
Call to Order: Mat Trotzig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Devotions were led by Tony Chihak based on the book What Does the Lord Require?
Review of the Minutes: The minutes from the May meeting were reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Larry Petersen and seconded by Gerry Ihrke. Motion carried unanimously.
Pastor Greg's Report: The church was filled with excitement last week, as St. John's hosted Vacation Bible School. Everyone who helped did a wonderful job. The program was "homemade" this year. Close to 100 children attended.
Pastor Marcia Young's Report: Marcia attended a continuing education event at Wartburg 18-20 May. On the 21st, she attended a Bible camp at Okoboji. Both events were wonderful. She has also been busy this past month working the usual hospital visits, nursing home visits, and communion for shut-ins.
Treasurer's Report: The treasurer's report ending May 31, 2010 was reviewed. Current income is still ahead of this time last year. There is currently an $11,000 loan balance that hasn't changed since last month. The renovation loan balance is $70,000. Gerry Ihrke moved to approve the treasurer's report and was seconded by Tony Chihak. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business: NONE
New Business: 1. New Members: A motion to accept Micah and Makenzie Lang and daughter Emma as new members of St. John's was made by Rhonda Justice and was seconded by Margie Pigg. The motion carried unanimously.
Reports: 1. Education: As written in minutes. Roma Lancaster wanted to get the council's unofficial thoughts on having Sunday School attendance by 7th and 8th graders be a requirement as part of confirmation. The council thinks it is a great idea.
2. Inreach: Need more members for the committee. Discussed getting a group together to check with members personally to ask why they may not be attending regularly. Mat Trotzig is going to get started by at least trying to get a number of "inactive" members. That's a place to start. 3. Outreach: As written in minutes.
4. Property: As written in minutes.
5. Worship: As written in minutes. Pastors will be doing "topical" sermons for the summer months. They will choose a current event and tie it in with the Bible.
6. Youth: Events scheduled for the kids each month over the summer.
7. Personnel, Endowment, Finance: Did not meet.
8. Library: As written in minutes.
9. Forward Planning: Committee is just getting started. Discussed which plan they would like to use. Will be receiving some material for next meeting. Looking at a 3-year plan that will be reviewed each year. After the 3rd year, the process is started once again. It's an ongoing process. Will probably get into full swing at the beginning of the year. If the ELCA plan is chosen, an outside entity to come and take a look at our church will be provided.
10. Ad Hoc Insurance Committee: Mat Trotzig and Rex Knapp have started having personal meetings with the staff to talk about insurance. It is a complicated process. Recommendations will be taken back to the Ad Hoc committee first, and then presented to the council.
11. Green Team: As written in minutes. Soles4Souls was a HUGE success.
12. President's Report: Mat was given an ELCA web site containing a questionnaire by one of our church members. Mat will forward the site to the council members. Dropping attendance is becoming a huge problem...worldwide...not just at St. John's, and this issue isn't discussed in the ELCA questionnaire. In the first twenty-two weeks of 2009, the average attendance per weekend at St. John's was 394. In the same time-frame for 2010, the average attendance was 384. We all need to pray about this. Mat welcomes any ideas to approve attendance.
13. Bethlehem Revisited: Everything is going well...right on track. The ice-cream days parade is this week, and we will have people in the parade advertising the event. Planning a reunion of all the baby Jesus' over Labor Day weekend.
Next Meeting: There will be no meeting in July. The next meeting will be held on the second Monday of the month - Aug 9, 2010
Devotions: Gerry Ihrke
Adjournment: The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer and adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Donna Macek, Secretary
St John's Lutheran Church Congregation Council Meeting May 10, 2010
Members Present: Mat Trotzig, Rhonda Justice, Gerry Ihrke, Tony Chihak, Larry Peterson, Ed Utesch, Kay Peters, Roma Lancaster, Kathy Stelzer, Pastor Greg Gabriel, and Pastor Gary Landsness.
Members Absent: Rich Ellefson, Margie Pigg, and Marcia Young.
Call to Order: Mat Trotzig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Devotions were led by Mat Trotzig based on the book What Does the Lord Require? (Chapter 3).
Review of the Minutes: The minutes from the April meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved.
Pastor's reports: Both pastors reported on the Western Iowa Synod Assembly that they had recently attended in Sioux City. They discussed highlights for them and encouraged others to attend in the future. The Men's Choir from St. John's was complimented.
Treasurer's Report: The treasurer's report ending April 30, 2010 was reviewed. Current income continues to be ahead of this time last year. A new loan of $11,000 was needed to meet expenses. The renovation loan balance stands at $70,000. $4,587.30 is being held for payment to benevolence at the appropriate time.
Old Business: The Nordlie organ situation is still an issue. Pastor Gary asked Mat Trotzig to write a letter stating our position and to try to bring closure at the soonest time possible.
Kathy updated the council concerning Rogation Sunday.
The June and July ideas from Kathy's calendar were approved. June Journeys and July being Freedom Rings.
New Business: A request was made by Karen Vander Sluis to have insurance for her, included in her benefits. This would cost approximately $494 per month. After much discussion a motion was made and seconded to grant this request. This amount will need to be added to the budget in the future.
The Ad-hoc insurance committee reported that they have begun to meet. They encouraged any one interested to attend their meetings. They will be the first Monday of the month. As soon as they have some information to report, they will bring it before the council.
Committee Reports: The committee reports were approved as written.
Next Meeting: June 14, 2010
Devotions: Tony Chihak
Adjournment: The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Justice
St John's Lutheran Church Congregation Council Meeting April 12, 2010
Members Present: Mat Trotzig, Margie Pigg, Rhonda Justice, Donna Macek, Gerry Ihrke, Roma Lancaster, Tony Chihak, Larry Petersen, Ed Utesch, Kay Peters and also attending Pastor Greg Gabriel, Pastor Gary Landsness and Pastor Marcia Young.
Members Absent: Rich Ellefson, Kathy Stelzer
Call to Order: Mat Trotzig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Devotions were led by Margie Pigg based on the book What Does the Lord Require?
Review of the Minutes: The minutes from the March meeting were reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes as written, including the amendment, was made by Kay Peters and seconded by Tony Chihak. Motion carried unanimously.
Pastor Gary's Report: The stewardship project of "Spring Clean-up Day" was discussed. Letters were sent, asking people if they would like help with some spring clean-up. All declined the help. April 25th is the day set aside to accomplish the clean-up. Pastors will address the congregation to see if anyone needs assistance. Roma Lancaster will be at the 8:15 service on the 18th of April with a sign-up sheet for volunteers to help on clean-up day. Gerry Ihrke will have the sign-up sheet at the 10:45 service.
Pastor Greg's Report: Pastor Greg provided us some information that was received from Bishop Michael Last. There are 162 congregations in our Western Iowa Synod. There are five congregations who have voted to leave our Western Iowa Synod. Those wanting to leave are undecided as to which direction they will head. Pastor Greg also talked about the Green Team. They are not an official committee, but they have been meeting regularly. The team came up with an idea to have a "No Car Sunday", just to have everyone think about trying to help the environment. This will be a light-hearted event. We don't want to keep anyone from attending church on May 16. A motion to bring this to the congregation was made by Larry Petersen and was seconded by Tony Chihak. The motion was approved with only one "no" vote.
Pastor Marcia Young's Report: Nothing to report at this time.
Treasurer's Report: The treasurer's report ending March 31, 2010 was reviewed. Current income is well ahead of this time last year. There is currently no loan balance, and the renovation loan balance is $80,598.31. Still no word from John Nordlie. Rhonda Justice moved to approve the treasurer's report and was seconded by Margie Pigg. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business: 1. Committee Meetings: It was decided that all committees will stay with their current meeting nights.
2. Rogation Sunday: Rogation Sunday is set for May 2, 2010. Kathy asked for help purchasing and passing out seeds.
New Business: 1. Synod Assembly: The assembly will take place on May 1-2, 2010 at the Sioux City Convention Center. Our church is looking for two males and two females to attend. Gerry Ihrke and Mat Trotzig are considering attending the assembly. The idea was brought up to have this topic on the ballot for the meeting in January for the four people from our congregation to attend.
2. Future use of Sanctuary Screen: This topic will be taken up by the Worship Team. One suggestion was maybe using it to show DVD's for special music.
Reports: 1. Education: As written in minutes. 2. Inreach: No report. Next meeting is April 15. 3. Outreach: As written in minutes. 4. Property: As written in minutes. 5. Worship: No report. 6. Youth: Soles for Souls ...1st two weeks in May; Graduation; Storm Lake on June 21; Youth choir from Lincoln coming on July 6. Supper for 85 kids is the only request made by the group from Lincoln. 7. Personnel, Endowment, Finance: Endowment met and dispersed $8430 four ways: (1) The renovation project fund, (2) The Lutheran Mideast Development (Asian concern), (3) The ELCA Disaster Relief Response for Chile (South American Concern), and (4) The Center for Agriculture Development in Tanzania (Africa Concern) 8. Library: No report. 9. Forward Planning: Will meet on the 1st Tuesday in May. 10. President's Report: Mat presented the Confirmands on Palm Sunday. He said it was a very special service for the kids as well as their families. Mat received "Seeds for Parish" and recommended it to others to read.
Next Meeting: The second Monday of the month - May 10, 2010 Devotions: Mat Trotzig
Adjournment: The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer and adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Donna Macek Secretary
St John's Lutheran Church Congregation Council Meeting March 8, 2010
Members Present: Mat Trotzig, Margie Pigg, Rhonda Justice, Donna Macek, Kathy Stelzer, Gerry Ihrke, Roma Lancaster, Tony Chihak, Larry Petersen, Ed Utesch, Rich Ellefson, Kay Peters and also attending Pastor Greg Gabriel, Pastor Gary Landsness and Pastor Marcia Young.
Members Absent:
Call to Order: Mat Trotzig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Devotions were led by Rhonda Justice based on the last chapter of the book Giving to God.
Review of the Minutes: The minutes from the February meeting were reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Kay Peters and seconded by Rhonda Justice. Motion carried unanimously.
Pastor Gary's Report: Provided the council an attendance report for February 2010. He also included averages and largest attendances from his statistics. Please see attachment.
Pastor Greg' Report: Noted everything he has accomplished over the last month including meeting with one of the new confirmation students so that he will be able to be confirmed with the rest of his class. He was also involved with the Recharge event as well as visiting shut-ins.
Pastor Marcia Young's Report: Marcia was involved with the Synod Assembly located at the Sioux City Convention Center. She was nominated for the Synod Secretary, but declined the position. She has also done many in-home communions, as well as nursing home and hospital visits this month.
Approval of 2010 Confirmation Class: A motion to approve the 2010 Confirmation Class was made by Gerry Ihrke and was seconded by Margie Pigg. The motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer's Report: The treasurer's report ending February 28, 2010 was reviewed. Current income is well ahead of this time last year. It was noted once again, the commendable effort the congregation made in reducing the debt and giving this past year to the sanctuary renovation project. There is currently no loan balance, and the renovation loan balance is $105,000.
Larry Petersen moved to approve the treasurer's report and was seconded by Kay Peters. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business: 1. John Nordlie: No word has been received from John in response to all of our letters and e-mails sent to him since last August. He was asked to resend a bill to St. John's for the work he accomplished on the organ after the renovation. We currently have someone from Sioux City who will tune the organ from this time forward. Council discussed whether to send another letter to John. Will continue discussion next council meeting.
New Business: 1. Mileage: Mileage for reimbursement was reduced from $.55 to $.40 per mile during the last budget formulation. It was noted that with the current financial condition, maybe the council could approve an increase of the mileage reimbursement. The current IRS rate is $.50 per mile. Kathy Stelzer made a motion to make a change in the budget to increase mileage reimbursement from $.40 to $.50 per mile. The effect on the budget would be $2300. Rich Ellefson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously and will take effect immediately. 2. Stewardship: Kathy Stelzer suggested putting the April and May events together. We would start in mid April. The pastors will send notices out to the shut-ins to see who may need help with clean-up. We will also "advertise" in April Reflections. After we find out how many and who needs help, we can go from there.
Reports: 1. Education: There will be special Holy Week projects done by the youth. Sunday school children will provide music at the 10:00 Easter service. 2. Inreach: Should St. John's have a Facebook presence? If so, who would take over that project? Also, is it possible to compare the number of people who attend Sunday School, but don't stay for church? Would like to come up with a program to get people to stay and get to know one another. 3. Outreach: As printed in the minutes. 4. Property: A new lawn mower will be purchased for the church. The money is currently in the budget. Approval was received to purchase supplies to build a new 10x15 shed. The cost is approximately $1500. 5. Worship: The wedding book will be ready for the next meeting. No comments, good or bad, have been made on using the communion rail. 6. Youth: As printed in the minutes. 7. Personnel, Endowment, Finance: 8. Library: As printed in the minutes. 9. Forward Planning: Currently four people have committed to becoming members of the committee. Will need a total of six to eight people. Should have all members within the next month to month and a half. 10. President's Report: Mat plans to meet with the pastors each month one on one. He also wants to find out why attendance is progressively getting lower and find out what we can do as a congregation to increase attendance. 11. Bethlehem Revisited: The committee is well underway and working hard. T- shirts will be coming soon!
Lenten Supper: Council members will be serving the Lenten supper on March 24th. Next Meeting: The second Monday of the month - April 12, 2010 Devotions: Margie Pigg
Adjournment: The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Donna Macek Secretary
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