Resurrection Lutheran Church

Congregation Council Meeting Minutes                                            

July 21, 2009

 

The regular monthly Congregation Council Meeting was held at Resurrection Lutheran Church.  Members present: President Rachael Orzechowski, Vice President Terri Kuckuck, Secretary Bob Martin, Treasurer Linda Smith, Pastor Jim Kniseley, Tom Bannon, Tom Evans, Lynne Manthei and Norm Sahley.  Pastor Carol Kniseley and Karen Meyer were excused. 

 

Rachael opened the meeting at 7:05 pm with a devotional and a prayer.

 

Rachael welcomed new Council members Lynne Manthei and Norm Sahley.

 

Pastor’s Time: Pastor Jim advised that Pastor Tom Bailey has offered to volunteer as a substitute for him and Pastor Carol if they ever need to take some time off.

 

Pastor Carol will be on medical for six weeks, which began on July 6.

 

Finance: Linda previously provided a report to Council members.

 

Seminarian Fund: The Finance Team recommends staying with the current $1,200 per year payment to RLC seminarians until the scope of what Council is considering is better known.  For example, how many future candidates are there? What is the rate of funding being considered? At this time there is only one possible candidate who is discerning his/her call.  The Council discussed the possibility of disbursing any remaining funds to incumbent seminarians after a Seminarian Sunday special offering. 

 

Twentieth Anniversary Celebration, September 13, 2009: Jerrie Rosenfeld is the recording secretary for the team and Donna Roberts is in charge of food.  A buffet-style pasta entrée with different toppings available is being planned.  A free will offering is contemplated in order to pay for the food.  There will be one worship service at 10:00am with Pastor Cecee Mills of Rejoice Lutheran Church, Chesapeake, VA, a mission church of the ELCA Virginia Synod.  The theme for the celebration will be “Seeing with 20/20 Vision.” The theme incorporates looking back at our 20-year history, while looking forward to the next 20 years.  The Stewardship Team is also adopting this theme as they work on the next Stewardship campaign.  The Homecoming events usually planned for this time of year will be incorporated into the program for the day.  Pastor Jeff Ruby, RLC’s first pastor, will provide a video greeting.  In keeping with the 20/20 theme, the Celebration Team has recommended that members of the congregation give 20% above their normal weekly offering as a special offering for Rejoice Lutheran.

 

Tom E moved, with a second by Lynne, that members of the congregation be asked to give 20% above their normal weekly offering on September 13 as a special offering for Rejoice Lutheran Church.  The motion was approved.

 

Tom E moved that a free will offering be taken to cover the cost of the meal provided at the 20th Anniversary celebration and that and excess funds from the free will offering be given to Rejoice Lutheran Church.  Bob seconded the motion.  The motion was approved with two opposed and one abstention.

 

Special Concert Request: Lynne presented a request for a special concert to be sponsored by the Worship and Music Team.  W&M is requesting permission to invite the African style gospel music ensemble Afrizo to perform at RLC.  Afrizo consists of eight members of Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya, who are touring the United States this fall.  Daystar University describes itself as a Christian college.  Concerts are proposed for Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 12:30pm and 7:30pm.  The group will also need housing while in the area.  In addition, W&M is requesting that a free will offering be taken to be given to the group and that they be permitted to sell their CDs after the concerts.  This event is being sponsored as an outreach activity by W&M rather than as an event by the World Mission Support Team, which has a different set of goals.  Lynne moved and Tom E seconded a motion to authorize inviting Afrizo to perform at RLC, that a free will offering be taken to benefit Afrizo, and that Afrizo be authorized to offer their CDs for sale in conjunction with the performances.  The motion was approved.  The Worship and Music Team will need to file facility use requests for the concerts.

 

Council Person of the Day Assistance:  Bob moved that Eric Carlson and Denise Guest be approved as ad hoc Council Person of the Day for Sunday 11:15am worship services.  Their assistance is needed from time to time since there are only three Council members who regularly cover this assignment.  Both have agreed to provide their assistance.  Their activity would also include collecting and appropriately handling the offering plates after the service.  Norm seconded the motion, which was approved.

 

LARCUM/Habitat for Humanity: Council was advised that use of the RLC facilities for the planned March fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity sponsored by LARCUM (Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and United Methodists) will not be needed.  The fundraiser will be held at a different site.

 

An interchurch picnic to benefit Habitat for Humanity, sponsored by LARCUM, will be held at Sweet Briar Park, Lake of the Woods, on August 16, 2009.  A free will offering to benefit Habitat will be taken at the picnic.  In addition, raffle tickets will be sold with the proceeds also going to Habitat.  Lynne moved, with a second by Terri, that sale of raffle tickets at RLC to benefit Habitat for Humanity be authorized beginning Sunday, July 26, 2009.  The motion was approved. 

 

Church Secretary Salary Benchmarking: Tom E provided a brief history of the salary-benchmarking project undertaken by the Compensation Team for new Council members Lynne and Norm.  Input for the Church Secretary study was provided by Denise Sohlke and Pastor Jim, who both agreed that the position description accurately described the work entailed in the job.  Although the salary range in the study is benchmarked against the Federal Government’s General Service (GS) schedule, annual raises and benefits tied to the GS schedule are not contemplated as part of the compensation structure of the position.  A methodology does not address benefits, but does address compensation.  Council has been asked to review the draft document and provide comments to Tom E by July 28th.  He will then consolidate the comments into the document and resend to the Council.

 

For the benefit of all, Terri reviewed the pre- and post worship service duties of Council Person of the Day.

 

Terri provided Council members with copies of the current Emergency Funds policy, which includes a listing of area emergency resources, and with a copy of a proposed policy dated April 11, 2008.  The two documents are in conflict.  Council members were asked to review the two policy statements and discern the direction RLC needs to take.  The policy will be placed on a future agenda.  Tom E reminded Council members that RLC’s vision statement speaks very clearly to the topic.  A suggestion was made that the Council provide an over-arching philosophy, then provide that philosophy to a group who would delve into the topic and develop a possible policy and process for the distribution of emergency funds.

 

Stewardship Consultant Review Team: The team consists of Dee Tillman, Tom Bailey, Denise Guest, and Pastor Jim.  The team has interviewed Kairos, Stewardship Key Leaders (an ELCA program), and the Kirby Smith Group.  The team will also be interviewing InJoy Stewardship and Cargill and Associates.  The interviews are being conducted in advance of the 2010 – 2013 Capital Appeal.

 

The next Council meeting will be the Council’s annual retreat meeting.  It will be held from 9:00am to 3:00pm on August 29, 2009, at the Manthei home.  The regular monthly meeting of the Council normally scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month will not be held in August.

 

Terri moved and Bob seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion was approved and the meeting was adjourned at 9:01pm with the Lord’s Prayer.

 

Reports received via email:

 

Resurrection Lutheran Preschool meeting

July 23, 2009

1.         09-10 Registration - Susan Scarbeck new board member?

            3 yr - 5

            4 yr - 8

2.        Background checks - all  board members must have annual background check.  Return forms to Kara Irving before August 6.  Cost $13.

3.        Playground - David Cochran will make a presentation at next meeting.

4.        Consignment sale Sept 17-18 - planning meeting last week, so plans underway.  Childrens clothes, toys, books, puzzles; child related items; also mom items. Leftovers to Thurman Brisban Homeless Shelter, Hope House, Bragg Family Life Center.  70% to donator, 30% to RLS.  Plan to tithe proceeds.  Next meeting July 27 at 9:30 am

5.        Camp July 27-31 - petting zoo Thursday July 30

6.        Classroom preparation - need help drilling holes for bulletin boards, etc. Pastor Carol will do whale on one wall; painting to wait until August.

7.        Open house - August 6 at 7:00 pm

8.        Scholarships - Options: Jenny will talk to Pastor Jim regarding requesting funds from congregation for scholarship purposes.  Another option is to set aside money from Little Lambs sale for scholarships, for example $300. 

9.         Next meeting - August 6 at 6:30 pm

 

 

Outreach Team (meeting held July 26, 2009):

 

The Team is working with the Health Ministry in the development of a Senior Fellowship project.  The project would provide an opportunity for a weekly social/outreach gathering for Seniors.  It would be held in the new Fellowship Hall at the Church.  Gathering would be during the day around lunchtime and could include a light lunch, beverages, activities, etc.   Activities could include games, Bible study, hobbies and/or a topic lead discussion.    It could just be talking and providing an atmosphere to nourish body, mind and spirit for those that are alone or need more social interaction.  If held on Wednesday there could be a choice to attend the 12:30 p.m. Service.  Time involved would be approximately 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  A formal proposal will be developed and presented to Council for approval.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Bob Martin

Secretary

 

As approved by the Council at it’s February 17, 2009 meeting, these minutes will be considered approved unless Council members offer additions, deletions or corrections.  These minutes were considered approved on July 31, 2009, with correction of typographical errors and the addition of Team reports.  Please contact the Council Secretary if there are any questions or concerns. 

 

 

 

Resurrection Church Council

2009-2010

Devotion Leaders

 

 

 

July

Rachael Orzechowski

August retreat

Terri Kuckuck

September

Lynn Manthei

October

Karen Meyer

November

Norm Sahley

December

Tom Evans

January

Linda Smith

February

Terri Kuckuck

March

Rachael Orzechowski

April

Linda Smith

May

Tom Bannon

June

Bob Martin

 

 

 

2009-2010 Council Liaisons to RLC Ministry Teams

 

Ministry Team

Liaison

Family Life

Terri

School Board

Terri

Mission Resources/Stewardship

Linda

Evangelism/Outreach

Bob

Health Ministry

Norm

Hospitality

Lynn, Rachael

Property

Tom B

Social Ministry

Rachael

Worship and Music

Tom E

Youth

Karen

World Mission Support

Lynn

Staff Compensation

Tom E

Finance

Linda S