Present: Tom Heinrich, Dick Ruohoniemi, Bill Fredrick, Pastor Mark Bents, Pastor Jim Carlson, Marian Hutchens, Chuck Krych, Charlie Olson, Kim Cozad, Lynn Bohm, Kevin Mehnert, Mary Gilleshammer Allan Grant Absent: Pastor Hal Stoa
Call to Order: President Tom Heinrich called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Devotions: Allan Grant led opening devotions.
Adoption of Agenda: A motion was made by Bill Fredrick and seconded by Allan Grant to adopt the Council agenda. Motion approved.
Approval of Previous Minutes: A motion was made by Marian Hutchens and seconded by Chuck Krych to approve the minutes from the March 22, 2011 Council meeting as written. Motion approved.
Reports of Officers:
Treasurer/Director of Operations:
March 2011 Revenue for the General Fund was down. Donor directed gifts were high in March. Expenses were higher due to Pastor Luke’s payout for unused vacation leave. Both February and March had one bad weather Sunday that affected receipts.
There was discussion of how and when to transfer dollars between funds. Director of Operations, Charlie Olson has the authority to transfer funds as needed. It will be important to keep the Building Fund balance adequate during the summer months.
A motion was made to accept the Treasures Report by Bill Fredrick and seconded by Mary Gilleshammer. Motion approved.
President’s Report:
Tom provided an update on the activities of the Senior Pastor Call Committee. They met with Bishop Craig Johnson of the Minneapolis Area Synod who provided them with the profiles of available candidates for the position of Senior Pastor at Prince of Peace. Bishop Johnson provided his insight and some additional background on each candidate. The Call Committee is in the process of scheduling interviews. There was a question of the number of names submitted. Tom stated that the total number was not important but that the list was adequate and we pray that our next Senior Pastor is in this group.
Vice President’s Report:
Leave A Legacy Update – Bill Fredrick reported that the Leave A Legacy Team is Developing an End of Life Series and present it to the congregation. The topics will be Retirement and Giving Back, What will be your Legacy? There will be two programs on the evening of May 2, 2011 beginning at 6:30 PM. The Leave A Legacy Team will plan publicity for these sessions with a focus on Fund Founders, members over the age of 50; however they want to stress that the sessions are open to all members.
Bill informed the Council that the Leave A Legacy Team will be working with the Worship Enhancement Team regarding additional monitors in the Welcome Center. The Leave A Legacy Team has requested the assistance of the Worship Enhancement Team regarding placement and installation. This task was previously being headed by Pastor Luke. The $1200 cost is being provided by the Fund. Also the Leave A Legacy Fund provided some much needed tools for the Retired Work Group.
Pastor’s Report:
Pastor Mark: Pastor Mark is very busy planning worship, sermons and giving sermons during this busy Holy Week. Pastor Mark is also working on the development of the final agenda for the planned Council/Staff Retreat for Saturday, April 30th. The times of the retreat will be 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Pastor Jim: Pastor Jim provided a written report. A summary of his report includes the last “Feeding Zanewood” event sponsored by CEAP. This event drew in about 14 members who had not been involved in the past. Prince of Peace was selected by CEAP to receive the 2011 Board Founders Award for excellence as partners with CEAP in community service. The Oak Grove Lutheran High School Choir that performed at Prince of Peace received a free will offering of over $600. Pastor Jim and Lynn Bohm visited the Treehouse Ministry and are hoping to build a relationship with them that will benefit both POP and their ministry. Lisa Stordal from Treehouse will be part of the Worship time at POP on May 15, 2011.
Pastor Hal: Pastor Hal submitted a written report. He is preaching at St. Timothy’s of Columbia Heights for Lent and Easter worship. He provided information from the Leave A Legacy Team regarding the May 2nd seminar, they have a goal of 25-30 people at each session and he invites Council members to attend. The Giving Team is well under way with plans for the 2012 campaign. They are presently writing letters of invitation and encouragement centered in their theme “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant. The Giving Team Leadership requested time to provide the Council with a presentation at the June Council meeting.
Staff Report:
Director of Youth Ministry, Natalia Terfa, provided the quarterly report as requested by the Council. Goals for 2011 include: Continue to grow and improve junior and senior high ministry, provide ongoing support and leadership to Journey and SoulFire, and expand and increase lay leadership and youth (TIM Team) volunteer corps. Natalia
provided the Council with the significant steps that have been taken towards accomplishing these goals as well as plans for the next 3-6 months.
Council Reports
Each Ministry Team is to submit a written report each month. These will be attached to the official minutes. Highlights will be included in these Minutes.
Executive Team: The team listed four goals for 2011.
1. Support Call Committee
2. Forward momentum with 5 areas of ministry
3. Support and assist our Pastors
4. Listen to staff and lay leaders.
The Executive Team also provided the Council a handout of each ministry area and their stated goals and timelines.
Sunday Morning Experience Enhancement: The team reviewed their goal of achieving 200 active members on the WE teams by September 2011. They are working with the May 2010 church survey results to work on the goal of enhancing our worship services.
Congregational Care: The team has met with previous Council Member Gregg Bendtsen to gain insight onto past activities. Looking at the needs of the Befrienders and how they fit within this Ministry Team. They are presently seeking individuals interested in becoming involved with the Congregational Care Ministry Team
Community Life: The team is working on the September 11, 2011 “Homecoming Sunday” event as well as planning the September Confirmation Dinner and early fall small “Foyer” groups. They will set up a calendar for the remainder of the year and into early 2012 at their next meeting.
Spiritual Development: The team provided in-depth reports on a variety of topics these included: Curriculum Committee Goals/Timeline, Volunteer Recruitment Goals/Timeline, Faith in Action Goals/Timeline, Summer Programs Goals/Timeline, Family Events Goals/Timeline, Kids Choir Goals/Timeline, Supplies/Supply Room Goals/Timeline, Parent Connection/Education Support Goals/Timeline, and Artistic Team Goals/Timeline. The Team is actively searching for volunteers and is continuing to research new curriculum options for the PreK/K and 1-6 grades Sunday School scope and sequence.
Outreach: The team is looking at two new outreach opportunities for Prince of Peace they are with TreeHouse and Park Brook Elementary. Terry Hartmann is presently building a wooden tree house for the Welcome Center where members can donate things like Kleenex, school supplies, snacks, gift cards. They are also looking for volunteers to assist Park Brook Elementary with a variety of things. Please feel free to contact park Brook Elementary and state that you are from Prince of Peace.
Unfinished Business:
Dick Ruohoniemi shared a draft of a Continuing Resolution regarding the transfer of funds from Restricted Accounts. The Executive Team has reviewed and forwarded this draft to the Council for review and approval.