Prince of Peace

Council Minutes August 2015

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DRAFT

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Council Meeting

August 18, 2015

Present:   Pastor Chad Brekke, Sue LaGue, Tim Marker, Christina Jobe, Julia Sevald, Rachel Henderson, Chuck Krych, Jeff Amstrup, Jeremy Hanson

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

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

Devotions:  Rachel Henderson led us in devotions.

Highs and Lows:  Jeff, Rachel, Chuck and Tim shared.

Adoption of Agenda: A motion was made by Chuck Krych and seconded by Tim Marker to adopt the Council agenda.  Motion approved.

Approval of Previous Minutes:  A motion was made by Chuck Krych and seconded by Tim Marker to approve the minutes from the June 16, 2015 Council meeting as written.  Motion approved.

Reports of Officers:

Treasurer’s Report:

Notable July activity:

  • For the month of July, receipts were less than expenses. The general/building fund activity for the month was a loss of ($14,693). This is unfavorable to budget and prior year by $860 and $1,164, respectively.
  • Total July offerings were unfavorable to budget by $5,003 and to prior year by $2,960. Building use income for June was higher than both budget and prior year mainly related to the opening of Angel’s Learning Center daycare.
  • Overall, expenses are favorable to budget but slightly higher than prior year. The favorability to budget is mainly related to timing of benevolence disbursements, partially offset by an increase in repairs expense in the month.
  • July YTD, receipts are less than expenses by $11,475. This net loss is $13,013 better than budget but unfavorable to 2014 by $21,595.
  • The general fund cash balance available for use is $36,111 at the end of July.
  • The designated funds with significant activity in July were Youth Missions, Camp Wapo and Summer Daycamp.

President’s Report:

  • August 26 is the last worship service at Hartkopf Park.
  • Lutheran Church of the Master will no longer be hosting Loaves and Fishes. August 26 will be the final date of meal service at that location.
  • Sue attended the Wapo board meeting. The executive director will be making some changes that will be good. They are also working on their bylaws.Vice-President’s Report:        Property Report
  • Ministry Team Reports
  • Secretary’s Report: None
  • The Leave a Legacy committee did not meet in July or August. There will be a meeting in September. The committee is discussing having Thrivent Financial come to put on a living generously workshop. The committee is still working on the bylaws.
  • Weld and Son’s repaired urinals by youth room and sanctuary.
  • Weld & Son’s snaked line from double stool bathroom by education room. Went 30 ft. and hit large amount of paper. Took camera out to 120ft. and found no other blockage in pipe.
  • Carpet Country fixed ceramic tile and carpet in women’s bathroom by sanctuary.
  • Cut bottom off women’s bathroom door to clear transition strip installed by Carpet Country.
  • Repaired shingles on SW end of chapel roof. Looks like there are a number of shingles that could come loose but need longer ladder or get on roof to check them out.
  • Marsh Heating was out to check unit #12 that would not turn on. They determined that the batteries was the problem. Found out that was not the problem. May have to install new thermostat.
  • Weld and Son’s was out to install new shut off valves to sacristy sink. Faucet needs repair also.
  • Found number of times that stools weren’t flushed by the kids.

Spiritual Development

Prince of Peace has a mission to grow deep and reach out, and by doing so, stories are told. Georgia Larson and the kids at this summer’s “Camp Tell the Good News” have helped showcase this cause by creating 6 video interviews, 2 for each month of June, July, and August. In them, POP members tell us of their vocations, witness, and stories. The Camp TTGN team also put together 7 podcasts and 7 print stories. On the agenda is Rally Sunday which happens in about 4 weeks. Coordinating together, the church committees will present volunteer and ministry opportunities to POP members.

Sunday Morning Experience

Reaching out to people for open team captain positions                                                    

Congregational Care  

No report                                                  

Outreach

We had a regular Outreach Meeting in August; our next meeting will be on 09/08/2015.   Here is a list of completed and upcoming events and projects the Committee is working on:

  1. On Monday, 07/27/2015, we assisted in serving a free meal at Lord of the Master Church in Brooklyn Center.   At the meal in March we fed 140 people with 6 volunteers from Prince of Peace. We have found our Free Meal at Lord of the Master Church in Brooklyn Center will be discontinued after we serve in August 2015.
  2. We want some new members on the Outreach Committee. At this time we only have 4 active members. Our goal is to get 8 members. We gave a big push to the congregation in the last e-news.
  3. The Outreach Committee has taken over the Mobile Blood Drive and set a date of Monday, September 28, 2015 for next date that Prince of Peace can give.
  4. We are planning to have our next Highway Clean Up – “Junk and Jeans” on Sunday, September 20, 2015. I’m concerned this is too much for September and considering moving it to October.
  5. We will work closely with Katie Rykal, Rachel Henderson, Lynell Keller and others on Rally Sunday, September 13, 2015.
  6. Jodi Spoden leads our efforts on Brooklyn Avenues. Starting in September, we want to heavily promote collection of the following supplies for Avenues: toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, body wash, and shampoo. Brooklyn Avenues has been awarded a $750 grant for a community garden. POP has committed to hosting monthly birthday parties at Avenues. Richard secured $250 in Thrivent funds to assist with the costs.
  7. Richard will attend the Park Brook Open House with some of the Staff on Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
  8. We are planning to have a joint event with the Cancer Support Group at Hope Lodge in October.

Community Life                                                                                  

We are going strong with Rally Day planning.  Katie has secured 2 bounce houses and a face painter for the outside youth extravaganza.  We will also have large lawn games set up and have volunteers getting those rolling for older youth and families.  Outside we will have mini donuts, popcorn and snow cones.  Katie and Brent have a good hold on the outside activities.

The big focus is the new, exciting activities going on inside.  With an intent to include more people and not lose those who leave immediately after worship, or don’t show up because they don’t think anything is for them.

We will be having a ministry fair, called “Finding your Fit.”  The goal of this is two-fold.  1) To show people, new members and old, in one quick glimpse everything (or most everything) that happens at POP. 2) To allow and encourage members to find at least one activity they would like to be involved with.  My vision of this is that each ministry area will have a table(s) showcasing what they do.  In order to achieve this—we need everyone’s help.  You, as a ministry liaison, should contact everyone who leads a ministry area and ask them to be involved.  For instance, Linda Forkey (Congregational Care) will reach out to the leader(s) of the funeral team and ask them if they would like to create a poster or if we can help them create a poster.

I am willing to offer help with posters, as long as I know your interest by September 1st.  In addition to that, Lynell has offered to help with whatever sign-up sheets or information cards that you may want to have at your table.

In addition to exhibiting all of the ministry areas, we are looking into food options, which include an omelet bar, or breads and muffins (some more grown-up food choices than what is offered outside).

Pastoral Reports: 

Pastor Chad’s Report:

The summer is winding down and we have already turned our attention to our fall ministries and beyond. In fact, we have already had a meeting related to our worship themes for the remainder of the year, including a discussion about the Christmas Eve services!

Before we go rushing off into this next season, we should pause to give thanks for an incredible summer of worship and outreach. Each of our midweek and Sunday services throughout the summer have been engaging worship experiences. On Wednesdays, we have offered a compelling mix of guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds. We consistently hear from these guest presenters how inspired and impressed they were by the vibrant and welcoming spirit they experienced at POP.

Notable items as we move toward our fall programming:

  • The final “Other Voices” summer Wednesday service will be held at Hartkopf Park on August 26 at 6:30pm. Leaders are encouraged to attend this community outreach opportunity.
  • The expanded POP day camps throughout the summer have been well received and something to build upon.
  • The new Daycare is doing well in our space, and the rental income helps support our facilities.
  • Plans are underway for the Great POP Get Together (Rally Sunday) on Sept. 13. This will be the final Sunday with one service. We return to the 9am and 10:30am worship service schedule on Sept. 20.
  • There will not be the usual themed, three-week fall stewardship campaign this year as we continue to weave our stewardship themes more consistently throughout the year. Stewardship letters with pledge cards will still go out in October.

Pastor Chad will be attending the Bishop’s annual theological conference in Brainerd at the end of Sept.  He will be leading a group on global ministry.

Unfinished Business:  None

New Business: None

Action Items: None

A motion was made by Chuck Krych and seconded by Rachel Henderson to adjourn the meeting.  Motion approved.  Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Christina Jobe

Council Secretary