American Lutheran Church
Council Minutes March 9, 2006
(Unapproved)
Call to Order
President Char Rohl called the meeting to order. Dave Dermann lead devotions with a musical piece “Walk the World Proudly.” Council members attending were: Pastor Thorberg, Char Rohl, Collin Wiggins Carol Meedel, Linda Bartlett, Kelli Bacon, Bill Bechtolt, Dave Dermann, Randy Evans, and Marcia Worth. Excused: Joel Bacon, Kara Dermann, and Bernice Westerholt.
Joys and sorrows were shared.
Minutes from the Previous Meeting
Minutes of the meeting were reviewed. The minutes were approved as corrected. Motion: Dave Dermann; Second: Bechtolt
Treasurer’s Report
Discussion. Report was accepted as presented. Motion: Bechtolt; Second: Kelli Bacon
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee
· Discussed monthly giving and expenses. Giving was approximately $800.00 under budget; however, expenses were $776.00 under budget. All bills were paid.
· Year to date giving has exceeded expenses by approximately $3,500.00.
· Will serve Lenten supper on March 15 with the Property and Grounds committee. Will be hosting a baked potato bar with all the topping, relish, and desserts.
· Motion to designate Lenten supper offering to the Sunday School Wing Renovation Fund. Approved.
· Motion to approve Gary Voss, Diane Brestel, Bernice Westerholt, and Randy Evans as committee members. Approved.
· Motion to approve the following as counters for 2006: Ryan & Char Rohl, Craig & Holly Gifford, Pam Brush, Connie McDowell, Carol Meedel, Joe Stelmach, Brenda Spilker, Doug Dexter, Bernice Westerholt, Dennis & Donna Dermann, Clarice Riege, Randy & Jerilyn Evans, Joel & Kelli Bacon, Ernie & Gert Remmers, Steve & Diane Brestel, Gary & Barb Moerer, Mark Vetter, Lisa Spilker, Laddie & Arlene Buresh, Derek & Jodi Horalek, and Mike, Terri, & Sara Wheeler. Approved.
Outreach Committee
· Coffee and cookies were well received by voters on February 14. They will be served again at the Primary election on May 9, 2006.
· Motion to designate Lenten supper offering of $124.00 to Phase III. Approved
Parish Education
· First Communion Class child/parents meeting will be held on March 12 following church services.
· First Communion Classes will be held for four weeks. (March 12- April 2)
· First Communion Sunday will be April 13, 2006
· Movie Madness will be held March 12, 2006 from 2-4 pm,
· An Easter Egg hunt will be held on April 16th. There will be no Sunday School.
· Will serve Lenten supper on March 22 with the Youth Committee. Will be hosting a spaghetti dinner.
· Motion: Approve Cheryl Thorberg, Melissa Bernadt and Jodi DeRoos-Horalek as committee members. Approved.
Property and Grounds
· Attached drain pipe to down spout, and glued tack strip on carpet to the Sunday School hallway.
· Put out new sign for Lenten Services. Purchased supplies for a more permanent sign for installation when the weather permits. Will store the extra banners in the basement.
· Will serve Lenten supper on March 15 with the Finance committee. Will be hosting a baked potato bar with all the topping, relish, and desserts
Social Concerns Committee
· Will serve Lenten supper on April 5 with the Stewardship committee. Will be serving soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
· Motion to designate the Lenten Supper offering to Nebraska Prison Ministries – The Bridge. Approved
· Recruiting new members
· Will have a speaker for Girl Scout Sunday on March 19 and recognize all scouts in our church.
Stewardship
· Pastor Henry will hand deliver all of the remaining envelopes.
· Will serve Lenten supper on April 5 with the Stewardship committee. Will be serving soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Proceeds to The Bridge.
· Will work to communicate with the various committees to see where their needs are; and then work to fill those needs.
· Joel will write the newsletter article for April.
Worship Committee
· Seder Meal is “Maundy Thursday”. There will be no service in the sanctuary.
· Chose people to choose hymns for April.
· Discussed costumes for the Lenten dramas.
· Ernie Remmers resigned from the Worship committee.
· Discussed Altar guild concerns.
Youth Committee
· Eight confirmation students attended an overnight lock-in. They studied communion materials and practiced for Easter Sunrise service.
· Youth will provide Sunrise Service continental breakfast.
· Will serve Lenten supper on March 22 with the Youth Committee. Will be hosting a spaghetti dinner.
· Laser Quest on March 12 @ 3:45pm. Meet at the church.
· Looking for new blinds for the Youth room.
· Discussed the position of Youth Director for our church. This is a position that has previously been filled in the past. Is our church willing to build up this position and work toward it?
Acceptance of Committee Reports: A motion was passed to accept all committee reports. Motion: Bill Bechtolt Second: Randy Evans
Pastor’s Report
· The Lincoln Chapter of Word Alone has requested to use American Lutheran Church for their meetings. Pastor Henry has visited with the Bishop deFreese to discuss the synods views. Discussion was held on the Bishops response.
· Motion to decline the request of the Lincoln Chapter of Word Alone to use the church. Motion: Randy Evans Second: Bill Bechtolt. Approved
· TEC meeting held here at American Lutheran went well. Some minor breakage occurred to a bookshelf in the Nursery and a switch plate was broken. TEC will repair these items.
· Feedback on Pastor Nile Buch.
· Visitation Sunday will be on the 2nd Sunday of each month. For March only it will be on the 3rd Sunday.
· Passover Seder was discussed. Kathy Linke and Sara Curren are providing the food. There will be 57 in attendance.
· Provide a key for the Altar committee. Give a key to one member of the Altar committee each month.
· Prayer sheets for prayer concerns are now in the pews.
· Pastor will continue with every member visitations. Visiting with the new members first.
· Received an email from the People’s City Mission regarding Tent City to be held April 7-8 in the north Wal-Mart parking lot. This will be a campout for high school aged kids who will pass out flyers on homeless people.
Executive Committee
· Bishop David deFreese will host a “Heart to Heart Conversation with Congregational Councils” on April 6th at 6:30 pm at Southwood Lutheran Church. This is the time American Lutheran is scheduled to visit with the bishop. All Congregational Council members will receive an invitation to this meeting.
· The April council meeting has been moved to Tuesday, April 18, 2006.
· Discussed a recruiter working on recruiting a Music Director and Accompanist. Lila will be back in June.
· Motion: Appoint Lisa Spilker, Linda Spilker and Diane Brestel to the Memorial Committee. Approved
· Motion: Remove Craig Gifford from the checking account and add Char Rohl. Approved.
· Reviewed the ALC Constitution concerning an Audit Committee and Mutual Ministry Committee. An Audit Committee of three voting members will be appointed by the executive committee. A Mutual Ministry Committee of three voting members who hold no elected position will be appointed jointly by the president and the pastor.
· American Lutheran Church has been asked to host the Crop Walk for the next three years. Kelli Bacon from the Social Concerns committee has attended an organizational meeting concerning Crop Walk. The Crop Walk this year will be held on October 8, 2006. Motion to host the Crop Walk for the next three years. Approved.
· LES will shut down the power for 5-6 hours on Friday, March 17, 2006. This may affect the Bell Tower. Will have Bruce Spilker and Monte check to see if everything reset properly.
· The printer in Clarice Riege’s office needs to be replaced. Motion to approve $250.00 toward printer replacement. Approved.
Old Business
· Craig Gifford will be bringing a co-worker to provide a secure link on the Web page to log in.
· A letter has been sent out to all old committee members so that keys can be returned to the office.
New Business
· An article will be put in the newsletter as a reminder that flowers are not being paid for. A suggestion was made to send each family a reminder along with the amount due.
Dave Dermann led the closing devotions with the Lord’s Prayer. Randy Evans will have devotions at the April meeting. The next meeting will be April 18, 2006. Meeting adjourned. Motion: Linda Bartlett; Second: Bill Bechtolt
Respectfully Submitted
Carol Meedel, Secretary