Mount Zion Lutheran Church

Council Minutes     March 15, 2010

I.                   Opening Devotions and Prayer:

Meeting called to order at 6:34 PM by Toni Joyce. Robert Compton was going to do the opening devotions and prayer from the book of Psalms, but he forgot it, so he shared his views on how we all work together in the Council, and led us in an inspirational prayer.

II.                Sharing Joys and Concerns:

Jesse had a concern about Wednesday evenings, and discipline with the children. He has heard these extra rules and directives are coming from Council. There is a concern that the children are being devalued. Pastor Dan’s daughter Sarah turns 21 on Thursday. She’s going to Mission Beach for Spring Break. Dorothy shared that her back is injured, and is bothering her. Craig shared that Alma made it through her surgery.

III.             Roll Call-Members Present:

Karen Buntz, Bill Groth, Bill Moyer, Pastor Dan, Pastor Craig, Susan Essington, Toni Joyce, Robert Compton, Sharon Gartner,  Jesse DiMuccio, Dorothy McLean

IV.             Old Business:

AC Fellowship Hall- Thanks to Bill’s Temple talks, the Congregation raised $8400 toward the $8200 needed to complete the Air Conditioning replacement in the old Sanctuary. Friday, Robert Compton will begin the new installation. The Company that provided the units provided most of the ductwork at no charge.

Janitor Interviews-Pastor Craig reported that the interviews went very well. They feel confident in one candidate, but are waiting for the background check to go through. The church needs to establish itself as a legitimate employer by completing required paperwork and guidelines in order to complete background checks, which will be easier in the future.

Solar Power?- Toni Joyce provided some information to Pastor Dan, but the Long Range and Planning Committee has not been able to review it yet. Members of the Cmte were positive about the use of solar panels on our Sanctuary roof. Some Congregation members have a background in solar technology, and the cmte is hoping to get their input in the process. Karen Buntz offered her son, Cody, to help as part of his studies.

Worship in the Park- Will take place on April 11 at Kennedy Park. Toni has sign up sheets for members to help. Toni has a trailer to donate toward moving tables, chairs, and the grill to the park. Toni needs help getting people to help move items to the park, and set up the grill and organize food. Robert offered to help load and unload at the park.

V.                New Business:

A)    Census 2010-4.27-30; 8AM-5PM- A group will be training Census takers in the large classroom.

B)    United Annual Fire Inspection-we need to install a hallway exit light in the kitchen area. It needs to be an illuminated light. They will do one for $625. Robert Compton thinks maybe he can install it for a nominal cost.

C)    Council Member Nominees and Approval- Mike Cresswell volunteered his name to be a council member. Stonecheks were thought of, but they are not members. Robert made a motion, Sharon seconded to elect Mike Cresswell to the church council for a 2 year term.

D)    Lights in the Parking Lot- Karen expressed concern about seeing a woman fall in the Parking Lot during Ash Wednesday night. Bill Groth thinks the planters should be removed. Solar lights don’t appear to be strong enough to help with visibility. Robert Compton pointed out that there was supposed to be an electrical chase out there in one of the planters to place a permanent light. Pastor Dan suggested some temporary lighting on the top of the Sunday school building aimed toward the parking lot.

E)     Pastor Dan – suggested new pictures done for the Council Poster that is located in the church narthex. Mike, Gail, Dorothy and Jesse need to have pictures done.

F)     Email addresses- for Susan to use to email minutes and newsletters.

VI.             Report from Pastor Dan:

There were 3 funerals in the past month. He has done work with couples, and has been asked to be the Officiate for the marriage of one of his son’s friends. A lot of worship and music issues are being discussed, and the idea of going to 3 services, and how it will impact Sunday school and Adult Forum.  He won’t be doing as many announcements in the future to keep the services under 55 minutes. Linda Robinson has been donating 3 days per week of her time for Parish health at the church.  Bible studies are going well, and the groups are large. He is going to try to get out of town in April and may miss our next Council meeting. The church took in $4500 for the yard sale. Welca will use some for Stainless Steel countertops for the new cabinets in the Fellowship hall. Light bulbs in the projectors need to be replaced, but two bulbs will cost around $1100. Pastor has decided to donate some money from his mom’s estate and also use the leftover funds from the sale to replace one projector, and see if the Congregation will be willing to purchase a new one.

VII.          Report from Pastor Craig:

It’s been really busy and exciting time this past month. He and Dan have done over 19 services, book and rummage sales, and various choral and musical concerts.  The Easter egg hunt will be at 10:30 on Easter. Breakfast will be right after Sunrise Service and before the Hunt. There are 4 services this year. He is also very excited that we are getting close to the 3 services. For a bonus, he got his office back, and is looking for a Foosball table.  

VIII.       Report from Treasurer:

Finance team met Feb 4, 27 and March 6. New schedules have been prepared to explain how designated funds are handled throughout the year. They started working on what they should do about the audit. Using ELCA guidelines, the team came up with a one page outline of questions and procedures to use for the upcoming audit. Some issues identified;

*Make sure membership guidelines match each other

*Monies counted and credited to members

*Take counting totals and match them to banking balances/reconcile those

*Audit individual ministries

*Confirmations of donations from various persons using letters

The church continues to have more revenue than expenses

IX.             Report from Ministries: None

X.                Any Other Business: Next Meeting: The next meeting will be April 19. Robert said that we should call Blue Stake for lighting. Sharon said that it was suggested to have another capital campaign to be used for needs. Bill Moyer suggested one for landscaping (plants, etc.) Dan is cautious that funds should be stored away for the lean summer months rather than landscaping. He is hoping for a year round base to carry the church, but he has noticed that people will donate to specifics for the church. The Personnel team feels that the council should meet with them on April 10 to brainstorm ideas on future staffing needs, and guidelines for staff boundaries and job descriptions that the council should vote upon them. There is concern from personnel that some staff is overwhelmed, and boundaries need to be implemented. Sharon pointed out that when a church reaches a $440,000 mark, the church has reached a new complexity. Council members and other teams are requested to attend.

XI.             Motion to accept all Reports:  Made by Sharon and seconded by Bill Moyer.

XII.          Motion to adjourn made by Karen Buntz and seconded by Dorothy.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55. Devotions will be by Dorothy McLean