Redeemer Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes

August 21, 2006, 7:00 PM

 

 

Pastor's Report – None; Pastor is on vacation.

Paul opened with a devotion and prayer.

July Council minutes accepted as posted.

 

Treasurer's Report – Etta Mae Hitchcock

Correction to 8/20 offering: $1,821, not $2,000.  Some corrections to preschool expenses covering salaries and sick pay.  The expenses are nearly fully covered by fall registration fees received to date.

Motion to accept Treasurer's Report.  Seconded and approved unanimously.

 

President's Report.  Paul Schutz has spoken, again, with the collection agency regarding the Risograph 1-1/2 weeks ago.  He offered $500 to put an end to the collection process.  They have not got back to him yet as to whether they will accept the offer or not.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Worker Benefits & Sick Pay.  Preschool teacher’s hours went over the 20 hr. minimum, so retirement benefits must be paid.  This amounts to $63 for each month hrs. exceed 20/week.  Paul will check look into whether this has to be paid (caught-up) for last year.  He said that there is not a requirement that we must cover health insurance if weekly hours exceed 20.  The teachers can still waive health ins.

 

Synod Convention. Doug Hadley nominated Paul to be the lay delegate to the Synod meeting in July 2007.  Seconded and approved unanimously.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

            Pathways Lutheran Ministries.  Roy has been speaking with people about the stewardship/member drive program and the overall response he as received is that people would not stay if we invested in this program. Joy Anderson would like to find out how Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has been such a growing congregation and find ways to incorporate their successful missions or programs at Redeemer.  Doug Hadley gave Paul a packet of information about small group Bible studies and recommended an evangelism program among our current membership.  After much discussion, it was decided that this would not be a good time to make such a large financial investment as that in the Pathways Lutheran Ministry.

 

Youth Safety.  Roy Tulee motioned we go with the LCMS "Protect My Ministry" program for background checks.  Bev Steuven seconded.  Approved unanimously.

 

Organization Chart.  A final copy of the Organizational Chart had not yet been provided to council members.  An additional correction that needs made is the addition of the Social Ministry Board.

 

Overtime Policy.  Fred Gargiulo has done some research and found a number of personnel guidelines addressing this topic and sent them to council members, for review, today.  We are to review and comment before next Council meeting.

 

BOARD REPORTS

Education – Attached.

Elders – Attached.

Fellowship – Attached.

Properties – Attached.

Al Binder added that the old shed will be torn down - a suggestion had been made to him to let people take a swing at it with a sledgehammer for a donation.  The flailer (lawn mower attachment) that is not being used needs to be disposed of.  A couple of people would like to have it and have offered to replace the roof on the other shed in exchange.  Al will see to it that the new storage shed area is maintained and debris picked up.  That storage shed will hold all the Canada Mission trip supplies as well as the mower.  Jonet Schutz has asked Kathy Cervantes to work with the youth in designing several murals that can be presented to the congregation for selection of one that can be painted on this new shed.  The design should be simple enough that it can be painted over if it gets graffitied.

All the stained glass for the window cross has been delivered.  Al will get the needed materials for installation.

Cleaning crews will continue to be utilized, there currently is not enough support or finances to hire a custodian.  Groups 6,7 & 8, will likely be combined due to dwindling participants.  This will make a total of six groups.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have applied to make use of our facilities, around the oak table, for meetings on Mon. & Fri. evenings from 6:45 - 8:30.  They also asked if we could provide coffee for them.  Council would prefer they use the classroom at the far end, the east side; both for their privacy and ours.  Regarding the coffee, we would prefer that they bring their own, due to concern that a coffee pot may be left on.  They can use our cups.

Al requested $100 to purchase and install a stepping stone walkway for access to the mail box across the lawn.  They will be imbedded enough that the lawnmower can drive right over them.  Bev said she had about 10 large round stones in her yard that she would like removed.  Al volunteered to pick those up and may use them for this project; though it won't be enough for the entire length of the walkway.

Pat asked that he do something about the gopher problem.  The mounds contribute to a lot of dust when she mows, as well as it being unsightly and a hazard.

 

Social Ministry – Attached.

Bev Steuven reported that Tress Wheeler has joined the board, Lydia has resigned.

Sat., Oct. 28 is Make a Difference Day.  She will attend a kick-off breakfast Oct. 6, which will be attended by one representative from each participating church.  We will be collecting food for the Marion/Polk food share prior to that date and will have members sorting food at the Food Share warehouse on Oct. 28.  Bev asked if the youth would like to do this; Jonet will bring it to the youth.  Jan Shearer volunteered to take them if they would like to do this.  Each church will be assigned one item from the Top Ten list to focus on for their collection.  Associated with this project, is the possibility of receiving a $10,000 donation from the Paul Newman fund.

Habitat for Humanity has us scheduled for Sat., Oct. 7 to work at the Thrivent House, and would like us to also sign up for Sat. Nov. 4 as well.  Council agreed to support this; Bev will solicit volunteers.

 

Evangelism.  Doug Hadley updated us on Summerfest.  Paul clarified that Thrivent will donate $150 for food, but not for tents.  We could hold a fundraiser for matching funds.  With all the work being put into the planning, the work required hours will easily be reached, and tickets could be sold to members for $1.  The intention is still to make this event, including the food, free to the community.  Doug will continue to pursue funding.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:50PM, with singing of the Doxology.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Jan Shearer, Secretary