Council Minutes - April 18, 2006
Call to Order
President Char Rohl called the meeting to order. Kelli Bacon lead devotions with a reading from Matthew 28: 19 on “dandelions.” Council members attending were: Pastor Thorberg, Char Rohl, Collin Wiggins Carol Meedel, Joel Bacon, Kelli Bacon, Linda Bartlett, Bill Bechtolt, Dave Dermann, and Marcia Worth. Excused: Kara Dermann, Randy Evans, and Bernice Westerholt.
Special Guests present at Council Meeting
Andy Galbraith and Craig Gifford were present at the council meeting to present ideas for developing the Congregation Web Site through Faith Groups.
Establish an email-id for each committee/group of the congregation. Set up email groups for distributing newsletters, prayer concerns, congregation announcement, etc. Make congregational directory available on the web site in a secured environment.
Discussion was held. Motion made to allow Andy Galbraith and Craig Gifford permission to produce an “e-ALC” survey to see if members want to include their email address in a directory on the web site. Motion: Dave Dermann 2nd Joel Bacon Motion approved.
Minutes from the Previous Meeting
Minutes of the meeting were reviewed. The minutes were approved as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report
Discussion. Report was accepted as presented.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee
No report
Outreach Committee
Outreach will provide coffee and cookies for the new members’ reception on Palm Sunday (4/09/2006).
Parish Education
Discussed schedules and activities for April and May.
Purchase corsages for 1st communion
Camp Carol Joy Holling will present a temple talk with activities on April 23rd.
Motion: Approve the funds from the Lenten Supper be designated to the Education Wing Renovation.
Motion: Dave Dermann 2nd: Kelli Bacon
Property and Grounds
Checked out toilet in the men’s restroom. Needs a plumber.
Put up a bracket in the basement for the vinyl banners.
Redone the carpet molding in the Sunday School hallway.
Fixed the trim piece in women’s bathroom.
Motion: Approve their portion of the potato supper for the Rose Garden. ($64.22) Approved.
Social Concerns Committee
Investigation the possibility of participation in Thrivent Builds Habitat for Humanity project.
Motion: Approve Pam Aden as a committee member. Approved
Motion: Approve Parcel Post Auction participation with Resurrection Lutheran Church in Juneau, AK. Approved.
Stewardship
Craig Gifford will handle the May newsletter.
Discussed early possibilities for fall stewardship drive.
We will start to include a monthly needs provision in the newsletter.
Worship Committee
The Seder Meal on “Maundy Thursday” was a success. Great Job!
Choose hymns for May.
Discussed Easter music.
Motion: Approve paying Matt Schur for playing the piano at 2nd service for three weeks. Approved
Youth Committee
Planned a skit for Sunrise Service and provide a continental breakfast
Raised $120 for the Lenten Supper. Will be split with the Parish Education committee.
Will deliver May Baskets for Tabitha Home on April 30, 2006.
Pastor Henry, Dave Dermann, and Patrick Aden attended the Wall Raising for Habitat. Need kids age 16 and older to help participate.
Motion: Use the Lenten Supper funds to replace the blinds in the Youth Room. Approved.
Acceptance of Committee Reports: A motion was passed to accept all committee reports. Motion: Bill Bechtolt Second: Joel Bacon
Pastor’s Report
Discussion held on options to set aside money from Pastor’s salary to cover medical expenses. Form 125 would establish a Flex Spending Account. Section 105 discusses medical reimbursement for churches. Joel Bacon is checking into this further.
A Task Force for the Diamond Anniversary of American Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday of 2007 was discussed. Will extend an invitation to Bishop David deFreese to preach during this celebration. Wendy Hirsch will lead the task force. Marcia Worth and Collin Wiggins have volunteered to be on the committee.
Matt Schur will preach on April 30, 2007, John Tallman will preach on May 14, 2007, and Paul Koenig will preach on May 28th.
Visitation Sunday will be the second Sunday of the month.
Passover Seder went very well.
Clean Up day will end at 12:00 pm because of Francis Wyckoff’s funeral.
Possible new members include Christi Higgins & children, the Bouwens, and Julie Taylor.
Starting Every Member Visitation by taking unpicked up envelopes.
Joys and Sorrows. Upcoming wedding. Millers moving out west for her new lawyer job and his new superintendent job.
Executive Committee
The contract on the copier will expire in July. We are looking at several options to replace the copier. Two vendors will bring in their equipment for evaluation.
Motion: The churches insurance policy does not cover theft. In the future anyone who has things stolen while at the church will have to turn it in to their own homeowner’s policy to cover the loss. Approved.
Motion: Upgrade the memory in Clarice’s computer for $75.00. Approved.
Old Business
Parish Education Task Force. Kara Dermann volunteered to head the task force. Will begin working on the costs and time frame.
Received a letter from Bishop deFreese expressing gratitude for the opportunity of meet with us on April 6th. New Business
The Lincoln Area Mission Cluster is planning its second Unity Event, “Mission Wrapped in Prayer.” The event will be held on May 19th and 20th at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church. All churches are asked to donate a quilt for the Bridge. American Lutheran will need to provide 4 ushers for Friday, May 19th worship and 3 dozen bars, coffeecake, or rolls for Saturday, May 20th at 8:15am. The Outreach committee will be in charge of these arrangements.
Kelli Bacon led the closing devotions with the Lord’s Prayer. Randy Evans will have devotions at the May meeting. The next meeting will be May 11, 2006. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted
Carol Meedel, Secretary