June 24, 2007

Congregation Meeting

Resurrection Lutheran Church

 

The meeting opened at 6:30pm with a selection sung by the Men’s Choir and a hymn by the congregation.

 

Dick Rothermel moved that the minutes of the January 28, 2007 Congregation meeting be approved as presented.  The motion was seconded by Tom Murphy and approved.

 

Virginia Synod Assembly Report: Norm Sahley provided a report on the Synod Assembly.  He said it was a good experience for our delegates.  Dick and Lynn Manthei, and Norm and Jane Sahley, who represented RLC at the Assembly appreciated the opportunity to participate.  One of the major themes of the Assembly was youth and the loss of youth from the church after confirmation and also after college.  The keynote speaker, Roland Martineau works with students in seminary.  A new ministry of the Virginia Synod, Roots and Wings, works with parents and grandparents to foster religious teaching to children grade five and under.  Norm said he was surprised to find how many ministries there are in the church.

 

One of the resolutions accepted by the Assembly was to encourage churches to send youth to church sponsored institutions.  There was also lengthy discussion on the human sexuality issue with three different resolutions offered.  One resolution called for the enforcement of the current rules relating to ministers.  Another resolution called for a change in those rules.  The third resolution, which passed, called for the Synod to do nothing until 2009, which would allow the ELCA study group to finish its work.

 

Shepherds to the Flock: Pastor Jim installed 28 Shepherds who will serve the 17 “flocks” of Resurrection Lutheran Church.  The Shepherds are an important part of the pastoral ministry of RLC, maintaining two communications between themselves and “flock” members.  Installed were: Judy Wertz, Sabrina & Khary Stringer, Liv Hauge, Karen Whelpley, Lisa Bruer, Dan Rieken, Kelli Slunt, Donovan O’Brien, Roger & Sharon Vines, Denise Guest, Kathy Brown, Rose Baer, Janet Buccola, Linda Smith, Ken & Dee Tillman, Laurie Miller, Virginia Shkrlac, Tom & Nancy Evans, Warren & Barb Lee, Gaye & Wayne Lauderback, Eileen Davis, and Shannon Wohler.

 

Outgoing leaders of RLC were recognized and thanked for their service: Linda Smith and Terri Kuckuck for their service on the Congregation Council; Ministry Team Leaders Rob Kruger (Property), Katrina Erb (Social), Cheryl Christopher (Hospitality), Dee Tillman (Evangelism), Ed Steinkoening (Personnel); and Mutual Ministry Team members Bob Kuckuck and Karen Whelpley.

 

Congregation Council Elections:  There are two vacancies to be filled by election.  Both vacancies are the result of expiring terms of Council Members Linda Smith and Terri Kuckuck.  The Nominating Committee nominated Linda Smith and Terri Kuckuck, each to a three-year term to expire in 2010.  The floor was opened for other nominations.  Diane Shane moved that nominations be closed, seconded by Paul Niemi.  The motion to close nominations was approved.  Dee Tillman moved that Linda Smith and Terri Kuckuck be elected by acclamation, seconded by Sheldon Edner.  The motion was approved without objection.

 

Pre-School Update:  Tom Evans reviewed the resolution passed by the congregation in June 2006.  The informal Pre-School Committee will be transforming to a formal committee or School Board.  Draft five of the By-Laws call for a chair, vice-chair, and secretary appointed by the Congregation Council.  Letters and newsletters will solicit new members and members with young children to consider service.  Council should be appointing School Committee members in September.  The Pre-School will only work if there are dedicated volunteers to help make it a success.

 

By-Laws: A work in progress.  A draft will be provided on the web site when available.  By-Laws will be presented at the January 2008 meeting.  The Pre-School By-Laws have been posted.

 

Stewardship: Mission and Ministry giving supports all operations of the church.  Capital Fund giving supports the building program.  Dedicated Fund giving supports specific purposes in accordance with the givers personal passion.  The Lenten Stewardship Program, Building on Blessings 2007, combined the Mission and Ministry and Capital Appeal campaigns.  Members of the congregation were contacted by letter, newsletter, and temple talks.  This was an opportunity for all congregation members to make financial commitments to both funds.  Pledges were received at worship on March 26, 2007, along with the groundbreaking for the new building.  The Lenten Stewardship Program resulted in 127 of our 210 contributors pledging to the Mission and Ministry Fund, 20 more than last year.  A total of $363,971.00 was pledged for 2007 – 2008 budget year operations, $6,000.00 more than last year.  There were also 112 families, nine more than last year, who pledged $526,000.00 for the Capital Fund, for total Capital pledging of $1,326,000.00.

 

Capital Appeal: Denise Guest reported that as a result of Capital Appeal pledging and giving, there is $1,326,000.00 pledged and $848,000.00 has been received.  There have been $259,000.00 in capital expenses to date: $98,0000.00 for site work and construction; $109,000.00 for architecture and engineering work; $49,000.00 for consulting and permitting; $3,000.00 reimbursements for events, fundraisers, and administration.  The average monthly giving to the Building Fund from September 2005 to May 2007 has been over $12,500.00, plus about $800.00 per month interest.

 

Finance and Budget: Treasurer Barbara Tomayko reported that as of June 17, 2007, bank account balances were:

 

Income for the period July 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007 was $409,335.86, with expenses for the same period of $408,563.26, for a budget surplus of $772.60.

 

The proposed budget for July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008:

 

Income:                                                                                              $467,338.00

 

Expenses:     Benevolences:                     $ 34,750.00

                        Worship:                                     2,805.00

                        Music:                                                     4,950.00

                        Evangelism-Outreach:             3,525.00

                        Hospitality:                                   100.00

                        Stewardship:                                 800.00

                        Social Ministry:                             100.00

                        Family Life:                                6,185.00

                        Youth Ministries:                       7,785.00

                        World Mission Support:              200.00

                        Administrative:                         78,940.00

                        Property:                                   41,078.00

                        Personnel:                            286,120.00

                        ___________________________________________________

                        Totals:                                    $467,338.00              $467,338.00

 

Barbara advised that the budget, which is a no-increase budget, does not include any increase for staff this year.  Staff did receive an increase in January 2007 (mid-budget), therefore it appears the budget has increased over that approved in June 2006.

 

Dee Tillman said that as members of the congregation, we need to see how we are giving.  All team budgets took a cut this year.  We need to consider our commitments.

 

Denise Guest moved that the budget be accepted as presented.  Lucille Covic seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

 

Building Team: Eric Carlson, reporting for the Building Team advises that the loan has been approved and will close on June 28, 2007.  The construction permit has been submitted and final approval is expected June 29.  Excavation has begun and is ongoing.  The current schedule calls for the building to be completed May 30, 2008.

The status for connecting to city water is unknown at this time.  Spotsylvania County may run water to a planned Visitors Center to be built at the nursery on the other side of Route 3.  If the County runs water along Route 3, we will be able to hook up to it.  We currently use only 10% of our water and septic system at this point.

 

Rod Lyman rose to commend Barbara Tomayko on doing an excellent job as Treasurer.  The congregation affirmed Rod’s comments.

 

Reclaiming the “C” word: Members of the small groups participating in these sessions met on May 20, 2007, to discuss what they had learned.  Representatives from these groups asked Pastor Jim to pass this information on to the congregation:

·         Start new ministries

·         Help people to get “plugged-in”

·         Mentor our members

·         Continue to build on tools to equip

·         Expand adult education

·         Focus high school Christian education

·         Develop new methods of fund-raising

·         Do some creative brain-storming

·         Be less restrictive of new ideas

·         Expand our current ministries

·         Do short and long term planning

·         Continue Vacation Bible School as an outreach

·         Provide large-print bulletins

 

The meeting closed at 7:50pm with Pastor Jim leading the congregation in a prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Bob Martin

Secretary