Prince of Peace

COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 2016

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DRAFT

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Council Meeting Minutes

November 15, 2016

Present: Pastor Chad Brekke, Sue LaGue, Christina Jobe, Julia Sevald, Mike Isenberg, Dale Emter, Jeff Amstrup, and Jeremy Hansen

Absent: Associate Pastor Natalia Terfa, Linda Forkey, Richard Habstritt and Ryan Ohm

Guest: Allan Grant

Call to Order: President Sue LaGue called the meeting to order.

Devotions: Jeremy Hansen led us in devotions.

Adoption of Agenda: A motion was made by Dale Emter and seconded by Mike Isenberg to adopt the Council agenda.  Motion approved.

Approval of Previous Minutes: A motion was made by Dale Emter and seconded by Mike Isenberg to approve the minutes from the October 18, 2016 Council meeting as written.  Motion approved.

Highs and Lows: Jeremy shared a high.  Also, prayers needed for Linda, Rachel, and Lori.

Reports of Officers:

Treasurer’s Report:

  • For the month of October, receipts were lower than expenses.
    • The general/building fund activity for the month was a loss of $5,292. This is favorable to budget by $1,941 but unfavorable to prior year by $5,156.
    • Total October offerings were higher than budget and prior year by $3,349 and $2,296, respectively. Other receipts for October were lower than both budget and prior year, mainly related to timing of building use income.
    • Overall, expenses are lower than both budget and prior year by $1,082 and $367, respectively. The favorability to budget and prior year is related to the timing of benevolence payments.
  • For October year to date, receipts are lower than expenses. Offerings year to date are lower than budget and prior year. Expenses are higher than budget and significantly higher than prior year. The increase over prior year is due to increased personnel expense as well as creating a building reserve fund to use for larger building repairs as they come up in addition to additional repairs expense in 2016.
  • The general fund cash balance available for use is $18,188 at the end of October.
  • There were no designated funds with significant activity in October.

President’s Report:

December 4 = Budget meeting at 11:45 after second service

December 13 = Potluck at Sue’s house with a quick check-in meeting at 6:30

Secretary’s Report: None

Ministry Team Reports

Property Report

Repaired the stained glass window this past week which was buckling.

Spiritual Development (Spiritship)

    • Our committee will plan one Sunday a month setting up a station in the Welcome Center with the “Grow Deep and Reach Out” banner. We will answer questions and try to help people connect with giving, service, or learning. Along with the banner, we will plan to have a sign or nametag saying “How can I help you grow deep and reach out”. This would help clarify who we are and what our purpose is. By picking a consistent Sunday of each month such as the 1st or 2nd, etc., we can then rotate into the church announcements and slide loops too. Will likely choose the 1st Sunday of the month.
  • This month, Rob Wavinak and I paid a visit to one of our POP members for a taped “Grow Deep and Reach Out” interview. In the past we have had some great “Called” stories that were in print form and put out in the Welcome Center. We are hoping that these stories can reach a larger audience electronically from our church website. We have other church members that have agreed to tell their stories, and we hope that we can do one to two of these each month.
  • Now that the pledge cards are being turned in, we should soon be able to reach out to people who have made their names available for volunteer and ministry opportunities.                                                            

 

Sunday Morning Experience

SME Meeting November 7

  1. Key Topics –
  2. Head Usher Guest – Rich Kvamme joined us and provided feedback on October WE Teams.
  3. Fellowship after 10:30am worship – Sunday morning “Wrap-Up” hosted Root Beer floats last Sunday after having not hosted the prior two Sundays. Good turn-out was reported.
  4. Veterans Day Planning – Recognition on November 13 along with the Stewardship Sunday program. Contacting all Veterans this week, have carnations ordered, and slide show is ready.
  5. Coffee & Cookie Ministry – Coffee/cookie hosting is running smoothly. We discussed incorporating the youth volunteers, still need to coordinate list of volunteers with Katie.
  6. Pew Organization & Clean Up – Karla and Dianne perform weekly from October to Spring.
  7. Visitor Welcoming – Reminded committee to be aware of visitors and help welcome them to Prince of Peace. Challenging with the many guests coming for baptisms and special services recently. Chuck Dube shared past arrangements with WE Team ambassadors or WE Team coordinators watching for visitors. This will be discussed as a goal 2017.
  8. WE Team Coordinators update – The WE Team coordinators are welcoming the Youth volunteers onto teams this month. And Joel Odens will be taking over as coordinator for Week 3. Wk 1 – Kim Neisen, Wk 2 – Dale Emter, Wk 3 – Joel Odens & Chuck Krych, Wk 4 – George Umolac
  9. Other Topics –
  10. SME committee budget was discussed, and explored if there would be a way to “balance” the coffee and cookie budget although it is likely not necessary.
  11. “Sign-Up” (formerly Volunteer Spot) data entry of SME volunteers is currently being done by Chuck Dube. We need to determine if this is still needed, and if so who might take over this role from Chuck.
  12. 2016 Team Initiatives update:
  13. Invite Head Usher’s to visit SME Committee Meetings: November = Rich Kvamme
  14. (4) Head Ushers for 2017 schedule – (1) Steve Young. Looking to add (3) more.
  15. Establishing the WE Teams – Teams are pretty well established, but will confirm as we test final Team rosters in November.
  16. Visitor Welcoming \ Visitor Bags – Can use more attention in 2017.
  17. Ice Cream Social – Next social will be in 2017, likely mid-February.
  18. Veteran’s Day – November 13, 2016.
  19. First Aid / AED Training for Head Ushers – Chuck Dube mentioned that Dave Herzog might be able to assist in finding a trainer that might be a low cost or free alternative. This will likely be a goal for 2017.
  • Fellowship after 10:30 worship is still happening, but not every Sunday.
  • SME committee will ponder how they can possibly balance the budget for cookies and lemonade, which costs more than what is taken in via the free will donation basket.
  • It was determined that tracking SME volunteer hours in Volunteer Spot (now called Sign Up) no longer has a purpose and is not a good use of someone’s time to do the data entry. If we had a designated Volunteer Coordinator, it could be done. But we currently don’t have the people power to make that happen.

Community Life

  • ToyFest is December 3. Mike and Allison collect toys, and the New Hope police department comes to get them for distribution.
  • Luther exhibit at MIA – need to have 15 people for a group tour.       We’ll just pick a date and have people gather afterwards.

Pastoral Reports:

Pastor Chad’s Report:

  • Stewardship Sunday had a good initial response. Follow up mailing went out today to those who didn’t turn in a card.
  • Kathy Arveson resigned, and Chad has posted the job description on the Mpls area synod website job page. Will also be put up on our website. 25 hours/week
  • Trip to Tanzania January 4 – 17.

Pastor Natalia’s Report:

  • Our Thanksgiving Eve service is coming up soon – worship, serving together, and sharing in pie.  It doesn’t get better than that!  Encourage your groups to attend and join in one of my favorite services of the year!
  • Advent and Christmas are just around the corner and we have some interesting things we’re trying this year, including an Alternative Gifts day on December 4th.  We’ll continue with only one service for the kid’s program on December 11, and one service for the cantata on December 18th. Our Christmas Eve services will be at 3, 5, and 7.
  • On December 7th – the Center for Good Work in Stillwater is going to be here leading a workshop in how to connect faith and life in new meaningful ways.  That’s at 6pm and I can’t wait to be a part of it!
  • GroupLife has finished the fall session to reports of great and meaningful conversation.  We will take a break for the holiday season and jump back in after the New Year.  Winter session will begin the week of January 23rd and will go 5 weeks until Lent begins March 1st.
  • In the church we are always planning a season ahead – so here’s my tiny little soapbox/psa to take time to be present where we are and live fully into each moment as it happens.  “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Unfinished Business: None

 New Business: None

BUDGET

  • Anticipating for 2016 a deficit of $18,000. The proposed 2017 budget has a $25,000 deficit.
  • We have kept the amount we are going to pay on the mortgage, even though our minimum payment goes down with the refinance. Doing this will take 3 years off by paying down our principal.
  • Putting $7000 in the reserve fund that rolls up in the property line.A motion was made by Julia Sevald and seconded by Dale Emter to recommend this budget to be approved at the annual congregational budget meeting in December. Motion approved.Action Items: NoneA motion was made by Mike Isenberg and seconded by Jeremy Hansen to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned.
  • Christina Jobe
  • Council Secretary
  • Respectfully submitted,