Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes- February 26, 2007

 

Present:  Pastor David Berg, Donna Caflisch, Sheila Bennett, Paul Evers, Frank Fawcett,  Mark Hannan, Steve Howe,  Scott Kruse,  Cindy  McLaren,  Wes Niemitalo, Tim Olson, Michele Saack, Erik Schlicht, & Jen Woodford.

 

                1. Devotions were lead by Pastor Dave and he  read from the book “Big Picture”.  He gave out a  handout  “Under Construction” and we talked about what can we do at Good Shepherd Church to be a community for others. 

 

                2. The meeting was brought to order by President Jen Woodford and MMS for adoption of the agenda (Sheila Bennett/Donna Caflisch).  Minutes fro the January minutes were approved  (Sheila Bennett/Scott Kruse). 

 

                3.  Juliane Herder spoke about the agriculture restoration project she is involved with in Tanzania through the Lutheran Youth Organization and asked for support and prayers from GSC.  Frank Fawcett brought up that we should make a motion if any action is taken so it is on record what the council has acted upon.  A MMS (Paul Evers/Sheila Bennett) to provide her with $1000 from the relief fun.  Motion passed.  A second MMS ( Frank Fawcett/Paul Evers) was passed to allow Juliane to speak to the congregation and solicit funds for the project. 

                4.  Dave Herder spoke to the council for the GSC Tuesday Morning Coffee Men’s Coffee Group.  They are willing to  “do the leg work” of checking into options for a long term solution to the audio visual needs at GSC.  Steve Howe said they have also been looking into this.  MMS (Scott Kruse/Sheila Bennett) for Steve to research tools for improving the screens, and props and possibility of new technology that would be useful for GSC. Paul brought up that the Welcome Center in the narthex is also being looked at for ways to be improved.  Also, the board with council pictures is outdated so new pictures were taken and the board would be updated.

 

                5.  Financial report was given by Michele Saack.  The WellsFargo checking account was closed.   Expenses were general and a $5000 donation to the building fund was received .  Tim Olson talked about the need to address the chronic deficit.   Jen agreed but explained that this is a problem that is going to take a lot of  people and work to solve and we don’t have time to do much during the council meeting so more people have to get involved to come up with a solution.  Frank mentioned that we may have to look at re-extending the building loan and challenge the interest rate.  We will also have to look at cost cutting so money isn’t wasted but staffing for growth may be the best way of getting out of debt.

               

                6.  Jen brought up that the Seeds of Wisdom contract will expire on June 15 so we need to either cancel or extend it by the March meeting.  They currently pay $400 month and are not causing problems.

 

                7.  Committee reports accepted as written.

                                Donna Caflisch asked  permission for the community outreach program to do a loose change donation about once every three months.  Pastor Dave suggested energizing the Change for Change program first to see if that will bring in the needed money.

                                Committee members were reminded to put the reports in the new folder .

                                Steve Howe reported that the committee is looking at signage for GSC and cleaning out the store rooms.

                                Mark Hannan reported that they had two successful ski trips with 18 youths on the high school trip.

                                There will be a Synod Assembly meeting on June 8-9 with GSC having 3 votes.  Pastor Dave will not be able to attend so will look into whether someone can substitute for him. 

                                Pastor Dave reported that the Retreat for Pastors he attended in Florida was a wonderful experience.

 

                               

 

                8.  Old business

 

                                The coffee maker situation has been tabled for six months.

 

                             Frank-Jackie Brown has been gone but will be working on the parameters for the Nursery Coordinator position.

 

Thanks you’s were written for the out going council members, Val Jorgensen, Doug Tollefson,  Gayle, Olsen, & George Price.

 

The next council meeting will be March 26, 2007.

 

MMS (Paul Evers/Sheila Bennett) to adjourn the meeting.

 

Pastor Dave led the closing prayers.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Wes Niemitalo