Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Council Meeting
September 18, 2012 (Approved)
Present: Tom Heinrich, Bill Fredrick, Pastor Chad Brekke, AIM Natalia Terfa, Julia Sevald,
Dan Ficken, Mary Gilleshammer, Bev Alsleben, Dan Cassada, Chuck Krych, and Allan Grant. Absent: Jennifer Follestad
Call to Order: President Tom Heinrich called the meeting to order.
Devotions: Dan Cassada led the opening devotions.
Adoption of Agenda: A motion was made by Chuck Krych and seconded by Dan Ficken to adopt the Council agenda as presented. Motion approved.
Approval of Previous Minutes: A motion was made by Bill Fredrick and seconded by Chuck Krych to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2012 Council meeting as written. Motion approved.
Reports of Officers
Treasurer’s/Business Administrator’s Report: Notable August activity:
- · August envelope offerings were slightly higher than budgeted. Total August receipts (including donor directed benevolence of $2,187) are favorable to budget by $20,059. Additionally, disbursements are favorable to budget by $4,242. The general fund activity for the month was a gain of $12,993. This is favorable to budget for the month and prior year (loss of $15,111 in August 2011).
- · Year to date receipts are still significantly unfavorable to budget by $14,784, however disbursements are favorable to budget by $32,630 resulting in an overall positive variance to budget YTD of $17,846.
- · The designated fund with significant activity in August was the Miscellaneous Fund. This was related to the move of the Greendahl gift from designated funds to the general fund, as voted on by the congregational council at the August meeting. This gift was $21,872.52. Please note, without this gift, the general fund would have a negative balance for the month.
- · The entire amount of the mortgage reserve balance was transferred to the general fund in August to cover the building fund shortfall year to date. This account will need to be replenished to its full amount of $30,000 at the end of the year.
- · The Jumpstart campaign announced by Pastor Chad this past week will help to ensure we have the funds available at the end of the year to accomplish our ministry and financial goals, including those noted above.
A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Dan Cassada and seconded by Mary Gilleshammer. Motion approved.
- · Congregational Financial Update Meeting: There will be a congregational financial update meeting on October 21, 2012 beginning at 10:15 AM in the CLC.
- · Annual Meeting, Budget Approval Meeting on December 16, 2012: The Executive Committee will be calling a Special Congregational Meeting on December 16, 2012 at 11:30 AM to present the 2012 Congregational Budget. This Special Congregational Meeting will be to present, discuss and approve the 2013 budget. The regular Annual Meeting in January will be for electing officers, receiving reports and discussion of the various Ministries at Prince of Peace.
President’s Report:
- · President Heinrich wanted to thank each Council member that has set up a meeting with him and Bill to discuss your yearly plans, vision for programming and your area of ministry for the future. If you have not please do so ASAP.
- · The December Council Meeting will be held at the Heinrich home on December 18, staff, council members and guests are invited for a dinner, socialization and a short Council Meeting.
Vice-President’s Report:
- · Leave A Legacy Update: The total reported balance of funds in the Lutheran Community Foundation account is approximately $156,067. The total reported balance of funds in the Premier Bank Money Market account is approximately $12,273.
- · Property Committee: The committee has been hard at work around the church. Please notice that the large overgrown trees (shrubs) have been removed from the West Broadway side of the Chapel. They also have trimmed the trees in the parking lot.
Secretary’s Report:
- · Written Reports: Council members are reminded to submit their written reports each month.
Pastoral Reports:
Pastor Chad’s Report:
We wrapped up a strong summer worship schedule on Labor Day. The summer schedule was a bit of a test as it included dropping to only one service on Sunday mornings throughout the summer and the addition of a Wednesday evening service. Pastor Chad is pleased that there was no decrease in summer worship attendance over the same period last year, which was one of the concerns of reducing the Sunday morning schedule.
The entire staff has been preparing for the fall ministry season, which is shaping up to be an engaging mix of worship, service and learning for all ages. The vision and strategy for the launch of our Small Groups ministry will definitely be a focus in this new season. Pastor Chad encourages council members to lead by example and participate in a group.
The first letters related to our fall stewardship emphasis will have gone out by the time you read this report. The 15 week Jumpstart campaign will begin on September 30. Jumpstart is tied to this year’s stewardship theme of “reflecting grace in giving” and is designed to give members a trial period to experience a growth in weekly giving of $5 per week leading up to Christmas. The Jumpstart period is intended to help close the accumulated deficit we carry into the fall while also setting the stage for our members to maintain this growth in giving into the 2013 year of ministry.
AIM Natalia’s Report:
GroupLife launches September 23rd. Natalia is working with group leaders to finalize dates, times, details, etc, as well as working with Dan Ficken to get some elements created for worship and in the welcome center that Sunday. Natalia is confident that our groups will fill up quickly, and anticipate needing more in the winter. A BIG thanks to member Scott Gerber for his awesome design of the GroupLife Logo… it looks awesome and effectively spells out what we’re about here at POP and with Groups.
Now that GroupLife has begun, group leaders are ready to go, and the Launch event is almost here, Natalia has been trying to meet with teams that have asked for help or additional support. She has been enjoying meeting with Bev Alsleben to try to help the outreach team get going with service Saturdays, and look forward to those events bringing some energy into that team, as well as the whole congregation and surrounding community. If any other teams would like to meet to talk about how the staff can support them and how we can work together to accomplish your goals, just let Natalia know!
She have been working with Lynell to get Befrienders up and running again, as well as creating a “Visitation Team” that can help with visits, communion distribution, etc. These are two things that Pastor Jim was really involved with, and have a need for within our congregation.
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: No Report
Spiritual Development: The name of this Ministry will now be Spiritual Growth. The committee has been working to develop a few large group events on one Saturday each month. These events will be for all members of the congregation. The first event is scheduled for October 6 and will benefit CEAP.
Sunday Morning Experience: The committee planned activities for Rally Sunday on September 9th, filled Visitor Bags and is looking into additional ways to include the youth in this Ministry
Congregational Care: The committee has been working on the October New Member Orientations and finding additional Fellowship Friends to match with each new member family. They have also been working to help organize a pastoral care committee and restart the Befrienders Ministry.
Outreach: The committee reported on their activities for Back to School and Service Saturdays.
1) Back to school items and food donations were delivered to CEAP. Several members volunteered filling and giving away backpacks. Meals on Wheels and CEAP volunteers continued logging hours there. Some members will visit the new facility on Sept. 14.
2) Back to school items (15 bags) were delivered to Park Brook. They used some supplies to fill backpacks to give away at Open House. Lori Clausen turned in a list of 6+ “Lunch Buddies” who will begin reading with students and they’re in the process of setting up a schedule.
3) Plans are underway for the Outreach Team to help organize/promote Service Saturdays, an opportunity for all POP members of all ages to serve others the 1st Sat. of each month. Bev Alsleben and Natalia met and formulated a tentative plan:
Oct. 6 – Helping CEAP with any needs. This may include working at CEAP, coat drive, raking, organizing food shelf or clothing, senior chores or whatever assistance they need.
Nov. 3 – Working at or for Park Brook School. Project will be determined by the school.
Dec. 1 – Christmas Caroling/Visiting Maranatha Home and Waterford
Jan. 5 – Feed My Starving Children at Coon Rapids. 120 slots, 11:30-1:30
Feb. 2 – Community Meal at POP (advertise through CEAP, Park Brook, Strawberry Commons)
Mar.2 – Tree House – Work on any projects they have. Invite their youth to join us and have pizza or something special together.
Apr. 6 – Work through Loaves and Fishes (check mobile truck that serves Park Haven), People Serving People or another program.
May 4 – Adopt a highway and Beautify Brooklyn Park
Community Life: No Report
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: Investment in signage for the Church: Several years ago our congregation began looking into replacing our main church signs facing highway 81 (Bottineau Boulevard) and W. Broadway. They have become worn and dated and do not reflect the beautiful church campus they are intended to represent. In short, our church signs do not function well as a welcome to our community of faith.
We have been working with a local company to design a beautiful new main sign on Hwy 81 and a renovated, fully restored sign on W. Broadway.
A Motion was made by Allan Grant and seconded by Bill Fredrick to fully support the purchase and installation of a new digital sign on Bottineau Blvd and a full restoration of the sign on West Broadway and authorize President Tom Heinrich and Pastor Chad any necessary steps to secure these signs with the purchase within the 2013 budget. Motion approved.
A motion was made by Bill Fredrick and seconded by Mary Gilleshammer to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Allan Grant
Secretary