Resurrection Lutheran Church

Congregation Council Meeting DRAFT

April 15, 2008

Members present: President Ken Tillman, Vice President Rachael Orzechowski, Secretary Bob Martin, Treasurer Barbara Tomayko, Pastor Jim Kniseley, Pastor Carol Kniseley, Tony Jenkins, Dick Rothermel, and Linda Smith. Eric Carlson and Terri Kuckuck were excused.

Ken opened the meeting at 7:01pm and Barbara led with a devotional reading and prayer.

Rachael moved that the minutes of the March 18, 2008 Council meeting, as corrected, be approved, with a second by Tony. The motion was approved.

Pastors’ Time:

Pastor Jim advised that the Synod Assembly fees have been sent in. The theme for the Assembly this year is “Ambassadors for Christ: Blessed to be a Blessing.” The Assembly will be meeting at Roanoke College June 6 – 8, 2008.

Pastor Carol advised that there will be a number of Baptisms over the next few months.

Tom Evans and Dick Manthei are ending their terms on the Mutual Ministry Team. Colleen Butler and Keith Whelply are being considered for nomination.

Finance:

Income exceeded expenses in March 2008 by $1,083.20. Year to date income exceeded expenses by $443.43. Income has been down, but expenses are as well. Through Eric’s efforts, the mortgage rates have been negotiated down from $4,715.oo per month to $4,461.00 per month. Barbara advised that we are projected to have a deficit of just under $5,000.00. She hopes income will increase over the next three months in order to cover that deficit. A letter to the congregation was included with the quarterly statements encouraging all members to continue to give for the rest of the fiscal year. A copy of the Treasurer’s Report is attached.

Proposed Budget: Income projected based on information provided by Bev Floyd as a result of pledging and other giving histories. Expenses are a copy of the current budget (2007 – 2008). Projected income did not increase, so the budget needs to be held steady. The proposed budget includes projected cost of the new building. The proposed budget contemplates two months with the current mortgage and ten months with both mortgages. Income includes money from the capital fund that will cover the costs associated with the new building. Barbara recommended pulling that capital income out of our operating budget and keeping the capital/building money separate for accounting purposes and reporting to the Synod.

The Council entered Executive Session at 8:06pm to discuss personnel matters.

The Council ended Executive Session at 8:20pm and resumed the open meeting.

Bob advised the Council that Vicki Roberts had just submitted her resignation effective immediately. Barbara moved that the Council accept the resignation of Church Office Secretary Victoria Comer-Roberts. Dick seconded the motion. The motion was approved and the Secretary of the Council was directed to send a letter notifying Vicki of the Council’s acceptance of her resignation, as well as to advise the congregation via an article in the monthly Newsletter.

Audit Report: A copy of the Audit Report is attached. Generally, the report advised that the books of RLC are in good shape and made several suggestions to improve controls. There were no major negative comments. Dick moved that the report be accepted, which was seconded by Bob. The motion was approved.

Emergency Planning presentation: Bob presented a proposal to begin emergency planning for RLC. Council concurred with the recommendation of a survey of RLC’s leaders to begin the process. A copy of the presentation is attached.

Church Directory: Dick reported that Mr. Griffith has refused to return calls. Dick will send a certified letter to him requesting a remedy. The congregation will be notified of the situation via the monthly Newsletter and some sort of congregation directory will be developed “in-house.”

Habitat For Humanity: Greg has advised Pastor Jim that the trusses have been delivered and put in place, all by members of RLC, including the use of a crane to place them. On other builds this is normally a two to three month process in other Habitat builds, but was completed in one day by RLC members.

Building: The project is two and a half weeks behind. Asphalt prices are going up, but it appears the contractor may be responsible for the additional costs. The County requires a fence around the retention pond, so a change order has been submitted to cover that requirement.

The Council was advised that the Virginia Synod has recognized RLC for its support of the Grace Mission Church at Massaponax.

Personnel Committee Recommendation: discussion and action deferred to the next Council meeting.

Compensation Committee: Ken will talk with several congregation members about participating on this committee. Bob was designated as the Council representative on the committee.

Emergency Fund Policy: Terri provided the Council with a draft proposal. She will be asked to provide the Council with a clean copy for consideration at the next Council meeting.

Social Ministry: The Team will be collecting non-perishable food for SERVE. The Team will be requested to coordinate collection through the church staff in order to address space issues.

World Mission: Tony advised that on April 20, a Martyrs presentation will be provided to the congregation by the Team.

Worship and Music: Rachael advised that the altar rail configuration options are being reviewed with a potential completion date of Reformation Sunday. Mother’s Day and Pentecost fall on the same Sunday this year. The focus during worship will be on Pentecost and Baptism.

Evangelism: Dick reported that a new member orientation will be held on May 3 and new members will be received on May 18 at the 8:15 worship service.

Health Ministry Cabinet: Barbara reported that the Cabinet is planning a Health Fair for October 18, 2008. They are also planning another fund-raising dinner.

Property: Ken advised that the spring Clean-Up Day has been scheduled for May 24.

Pre-School: The School Board has requested that Saturday, November 1, 2008, be set an the date for the Silent Auction. They are also proposing a “Giving Tree” to help provide supplies if members of the congregation are interested in helping the Pre-School and requested permission to place the “tree” in the Narthex over the summer. The School Board would work in conjunction with the Youth Group on this project. Rachael recommended that the School Board be sure that it does not conflict with Vacation Bible Camp plans or with activities planned by other groups.

Rachael moved that the School Board be authorized to place a “Giving Tree” in the Narthex over the summer months. The motion was seconded by Barbara and approved by the Council.

Rachael moved that November 1, 2008, be set as the date for the Silent Auction to be sponsored by the School Board for the benefit of the RLC Pre-School. The motion was seconded by Dick and approved by the Council.

Dick recommended that the Council begin to think about donations for rooms and/or furniture for the new building. The Stewardship Team would be responsible for this type of project.

Linda Smith has volunteered to serve as Treasurer after Barbara leaves office. Bob moved that Linda Smith be appointed Congregation Treasurer for a five-year term effective July 1, 2008. The motion was seconded by Rachael and approved by the Council.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:18pm with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bob Martin

Secretary