Redeemer Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
June 19, 2006, 7:00 PM
Pastor led us in a discussion on change, followed by prayer.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
REPORT – Attached. Marilyn Sloan & Diane Brauer attended to present the
review findings. Marilyn summarized
items in the report asking us to take more time on our own to read it
thoroughly.
Fred asked if they could prioritize action items for
us. Recommendations were, in order of
importance, 1) Payroll records, esp.
tracking hours worked; 2) conversion of financial data into the new accounting
software with the chart of accounts; and 3) creation of a more detailed balance
sheet to better represent our assets and financial position.
Regarding the requirements for overtime pay maintaining
hourly employee records, John Reed was
Diane's contact at BOLI, Employer's Technical Assistance. They will hold
on-site informational sessions for $250/hour. We could organize & share
costs with other churches to have this.
It is not a law that our counters not be related or
roommates, but this is standard accounting practice and is important for our
own protection as well as for those who handle the money.
Council was very thankful for the good work done by Marilyn
& Diane. They offered to attend
future council meetings if we have additional questions.
MAY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES - Bev Steuven corrected reference to Social Ministry under the
Board of Ed. VBS donation suggestion. This should have read Missions &
Ministry committee. Minutes accepted
with this correction.
PASTOR'S REPORT -
Attached
Goals – Spiritual/Stewardship Renewal Program. Pastor Brauer has had several hours of discussion with Founder/President Ron
Schirmer of Pathways Lutheran Ministry (PLM) about their program and is very
confident in their work with Lutheran congregations. At Pastor’s suggestion, PLM would agree to do include Concordia
Luther School, who is struggling with its own stewardship and growth issues.
PLM focuses on three phases: Spiritual, Numerical and Financial, and the
overlap within these phases. Their charge will be $17,000, (discounted from
$3,300). Pastor Brauer asks that Council members read through the information
he handed out and bring questions and thoughts to the next meeting. Jan
suggested we have Pastor John Dinger, Aloha, who's church has been through this
program, visit us to discuss their experience.
Canada Participant Commissioning – Scheduled for July 9 during
worship service. The other participating congregations have been invited to be
commissioned at Redeemer at the same time.
Pastor Vacation. Aug.
14-20. Pastor Joel Nichol will not be
able to substitute on the 21st.. Elders will need to locate another
pastor.
District Convention Per Diem. Motion that we pay actual and reasonable expenses up to $50 for
both Pastor and Roy Tulee to cover meals while they attend the District
Convention. Seconded & approved unanimously. Receipts will be provided to
Etta Mae for reimbursement.
TREASURER'S REPORT
– Attached.
Etta Mae held employee benefits for May in order to capture
a balance error from two years ago. We may be billed this month for July
benefits; if so, the mortgage payment may have to be held. June's benefits have
been paid.
The Gas company won't allow us to switch to the equal pay
program, stating that we are a risk factor. When our bill has been paid on time
for 12 consecutive months, they will permit us to go to the Equal Pay program.
Jonet doesn't yet have the final amount donated from the
flamingo fundraiser. Money is still coming in.
Pat motioned that we accept the treasurers' report with corrections. Bev
seconded. Approved unanimously.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
UPDATE - Paul gave a summary of where the committee is with board
members. There is currently no one on
the Stewardship Board and the Fellowship Board is still very short on
members. Good news, however, on the
Board of Properties - Al Binder has decided to remain on the board, and new
members have joined. Fred motioned that we
lovingly refuse to accept Al Binder's resignation from this board. Jonet
seconded. Approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Vietnamese Congregation. Pastor
will provide copies of the Vietnamese Ministry information to us for discussion
at July Council meeting. He would like
to occasionally include the Vietnamese congregation in our worship services;
e.g. 5th Sunday or on a quarterly schedule. This was agreed to by council and
will be recommended to the voters.
Storage Container near Concordia.
Paul received a letter from the Concordia Board Chair who has
concerns about safety in the vicinity of the new storage container. The present location was chosen because the
ground was too soft to locate anywhere other than on the parking lot when it
was delivered. It will cost about $200 to bring in the necessary equipment to
relocate it. Jonet suggested we ask Concordia to help with the cost if we
decide to move it. Paul noted that it will be painted next Saturday.
Constitution and By-laws. If you don't have a copy of this, contact Sandy. Review and consider where changes could be
made. These suggestions will be compiled and brought to voters. Also consider the Resolution regarding The Service of Women in Congregational and
Synodical Offices, which has been approved by Synod. Pastor will have Sandy
make a copy of this resolution for the library and he will email the link in
his midweek reminders.
Etta Mae asked if changes to board names (from
"board" to "ministry") should be made in the new
computerized accounting system. Since these are only name changes and not
organization changes, they can remain listed as "boards" until they
are revised in the Constitution/ByLaws.
OLD BUSINESS
Stained Glass Window update.
This project started a couple of years ago outside the board of Properties
and should have included them and the
congregation more. Each board member needs to keep others informed where they
might be affected.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AGENDA
Janitorial Work. The board
of properties, not represented at this meeting, may not yet be in a position to
bring up the discussion of janitorial work at the congregational meeting. It
will not be included on the agenda.
Thrivent Coordinators. Joy
is concerned that we don't have enough active Thrivent coordinators. It is
necessary that we do in order to receive funds. She will speak to this at the
Congregational meeting giving info on the coordinators' roles and request
volunteers.
Organist Compensation. Fred
is concerned about the present compensation being offered for organists. Since
the FY2006/07 budget was approved, the Board of Elders have found that, with a
shortage of organists in the area, the $65 we offer per Sunday ($85 beginning
July 1) will not be enough compensation to secure fill-in organists, or to
attract a potential permanent one. Pastor Brauer and Sandy spend a lot of time
phoning around for fill-in organists and making last-minute changes to the
liturgy in order to fit the capabilities of the organist. Council agreed to the
Elders' request to ask the congregation for more latitude in what we compensate
the organist. Pastor suggested Fred
locate a congregation who has a copy of the AGO Musicians' Manual so we can
determine the benchmark for a reasonable compensation.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM with singing of the
Doxology.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jan Shearer, Secretary
