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Council Meeting Minutes

Norway Evangelical Lutheran Church

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

April 23, 2012

Members Present: Dean Beckley, Endowment & Long Range Planning; Sue Betts, Social Ministry; Michael Borchardt, President; Bob Dannenberg, Stewardship; Donna Derse, Education; Pam Hegemann, Worship Assistants; Sue Henry; Evangelism; Jean Jacobson, Property & Old Church; Pastor Kristie Jaramillo; Pastor Mark Jaramillo; Glenn Klein, Treasurer; David Larsen, Youth Board; JoAnn Lovrek, Supportive Ministry; Denise Orth-Berg, Secretary; Michael Schoenfeld, Vice President & Staff Support; Tori Schuh, Worship; John Thorstad, WELCA.

Guest: Tony Acompanado, Youth & Family Director; Ron Sramek (Sandman)

Excused: Del Darga, Website & Technology

President Borchardt called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

President Borchardt asked for approval of the agenda.

Guest Ron Smarek was added to the beginning of the agenda to discuss music and audio needs. An additional thank you note was added to New Business.

UMSC Betts/Lovrek to approve the agenda as amended

Devotions: Del Darga - abs

May: Donna Derse

Music/Audio Needs – Sandman

1. Our electronic keyboard monitor, which was previously used, has been damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced. The model we currently have is no longer available and comparable models are not anywhere near in quality. Purchase of a small keyboard amplifier is recommended. It is designed as compact keyboard amplifier but has several uses. It has the ability to be powered by battery, can be used with our existing microphones and allows for portability, i.e. Bike Blessing. It will also work in the Old Church.

List price is $469 – our cost would be $399.

2. The microphone transmitter for the wireless microphone that Pastor Mark uses no longer works. Also, the four (4) units we own are no longer FCC compliant. Recently a church in Florida was fined and their equipment was confiscated due to FCC non-compliance. Lovelier microphones are not designed for our type of audio environment. It is recommended that we purchase new microphones with body pack transmitters.

· We should change to the face/cheek/head worn microphones. Recommend the purchase of three (3) microphones; Audio-Technica item BP892c with appropriate T4TH connector.

List price is $459 each – our cost would be $329 each.

· We will also need three (3) body pack transmitters for the microphones. Recommend the purchase of three (3) body pack transmitters; Shure ULX Body pack item ULX1-J1.

List price is $241 each – our cost would be $193 each.

3. We will also need four (4) wireless receivers for the microphones (Laurie already has a head worn microphone but would need a new receiver). Recommended purchase of Schure ULXP4-J1

List price is $770 per receiver – our cost would be $616 each.

4. It is also recommended that we purchase a new hand held microphone to work with the new monitor. Recommend the purchase of one (1) hand held microphone: Shure ULS/Beta58 items ULX2B58-J1

List price is $379 – our cost would be $303.

5. Total purchase price for new audio equipment would be $4,732

§ The vendor the quotes were obtained from Sweetwater, a professional audio/lighting organization. It is recommended that we purchase all the items at once so that one installation can be done. These items also provide good options for wireless projection.

§ Council thanked Sandman for his report and tabled further discussion until the new business portion of the agenda.

March 26, 2012 Church Council Minutes: President Borchardt asked for review of the March 26, 2012 council minutes.

Correction to the Property report: Our property improvements alone are valued at 9 million.

UMSC Jacobson/Derse to approve the March 26, 2012 Church Council minutes as amended.

Treasurer’s Report: – Glenn Klein

Results for MARCH P&L Budget Performance Financial Statement:

§ Offerings for MARCH were over Budget (more than) by $1,329, which is 3.2% over Budget (more than we anticipated). The Budget includes $3,630 of undefined income. March offerings included $1,282 of undefined income from Lenten Offerings.

§ General Fund receipts totaled $45,388 for MARCH, which is 4% over Budget (more than anticipated). General Fund receipts included a transfer of $1,645 from closing the Sunday School checking account.

§ “Paid Out” was 100% of Budget for MARCH or $125 more than we thought we would spend.

§ Cash Flow in MARCH was $1,010, which is $1,758 over Budget.

YTD Financial Update MARCH 2012 (Designated and Old Church excluded)

§ Offerings for MARCH 2012 were more than 2011 by $8,415, which is 24.60% over 2011.

§ General Fund receipts totaled $122,258 through MARCH, which is 10.65% over 2011.

§ Expenses totaled $124,017 through MARCH 2012, compared to $127,703 in 2011, which is 2.89% less.

Thrivent will sponsor a presentation on charitable giving on May 17 at the Cotton Exchange. The Financial Committee would like to see more Council support of the event. Past presentations have been very good, with useful information.

UMSC Larsen/Schoenfeld to approve the Treasurer’s Report

REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Education – Donna Derse

§ Sunday School is winding down.

§ The quilters are finishing up quilts for the graduates who have attended Sunday School through high school. Embroidered blankets will be given to all other graduates.

§ Babylon a/k/a Family VBS is well into the planning phase.

Evangelism – Sue Henry

Bike Blessing

§ Everything is coming together nicely for the Bike Blessing.

§ Sandman created professional posters to be placed in local establishments.

§ There is a sign-up sheet on the Kiosk asking for help with the event and clean up.

§ If we have good weather, we anticipate a minimum of 2,000 bikes.

§ We have also heard that a Gold Wing group (Honda) and Motoguzi (British motorcycle) group will be in attendance.

§ Bicycles will also be blessed at noon.

Evangelism Board Rename

§ Evangelism would like to rename their board to Outreach because the true work of this group is outreach and hospitality.

§ Every group in the congregation should be doing evangelism.

§ The current movement in the ELCA is to remove the evangelism title from a group to make clear that evangelism is the work of every group.

§ Evangelism is one of the boards named in our Constitution. The request will be added to items to discuss during the constitution review meetings.

Endowment – Dean Beckley

§ Nothing to report at this time

Long Range Planning – Dean Beckley

§ The group is still working through results of our discussion at the last council meeting.

Old Church Committee – Jean Jacobson

§ The Committee is looking at permanent benches to install outside the church. Styles are being reviewed.

§ Still concerned about deteriorated water pipe. Water is shut off at Old Church.

Property – Jean Jacobson

§ Work day went very well! Much easier now that landscaping has been redone. The cemetery was also cleaned up during the work day.

§ Property will be setting a policy for taping items to woodwork in the church. Recently went through the church and removed all kids of tape from woodwork which has damaged the varnish.

§ Property is currently working on signs for the baseball diamonds. They are also creating signs for the edge of the ball diamond stating that no seating is allowed in the area from the diamond to the parking lot. The bleachers have been moved to the other side of the diamond.

§ The wooden sign with worship times has been removed.

§ Property is still waiting on an exact cost for insurance premiums

§ The Parsonage group that was formed at the last council meeting has had their initial meeting to discuss future plans.

§ Property has also met with cemetery board to understand their future needs

Social Ministry – Sue Betts

§ 40 people were served at Love, Inc. on April 2. Mustard Seed preschool children made Easter baskets for the Love, Inc. patrons and Laurie Duerst filled them with grass and candy. They were appreciated by all.

Staff Support – Mike Schoenfeld

§ Nothing to report

Stewardship – Bob Dannenberg

§ Nothing to report

Support Ministry – JoAnn Lovrek

§ Nothing to report

Website – Del Darga

§ Our Top 5 webpages this month are:

1. Home

2. Calendar

3. Forms and Resources

4. Weekly Announcements

5. Worship Times

Technology – Del Darga

§ TDS internet issues seem to be resolved. No further outages reported from office staff since last TDS service call.

WELCA – John Thorstad

§ Lutefisk net profit $14,604.53 No matching funds available from Thrivent this year.

§ As of April 12, 325 quilts have been made.

§ Additional members are needed for Martha Clausen and Alter Guild.

§ $ 1500 of the Lutefisk profit was donated for Mission. Lutherdale Bible Camp received $1000; Hephatha Lutheran Church received $500.

Worship – Tori Schuh

§ Nothing to report

Worship Assistants – Pam Hegemann

§ Nothing to report

Youth & Family Ministry Board – Dave Larsen

March

§ 22 students and leaders attended the Elementary Retreat at Lutherdale Bible Camp. There was an overwhelming response from students and their families to do more activities like this. Families were also very grateful for the financial assistance to attend the camp which was provided by an anonymous Norway family. Their gift reduced the cost from $75 to just $25 to participate in the retreat.

April

§ Approximately 25 children attended the Easter Egg Hunt

§ Early Family VBS registration started

§ 6 people participated in the roadside clean up event.

§ Youth and leaders participating in the Youth Gathering in New Orleans will be organizing and hosting worship services on April 28 and 29. Tony will be preaching and will do a children’s message.

Youth Auction

§ Donations for the Youth Auction have been solicited from Sunday School classes, ministry teams, congregation members, local businesses and organizations such as the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Admirals.

§ Auction bidding will begin at 4:00 PM on April 28 and will close at 1:00 PM on April 29. A free will Cajun inspired lunch will also accompany the event.

§ Announcements about the event are displayed in the community and Waterford Post inviting them to join us in worship and attend the auction.

§ Donna Hanson applied for a matching funds grant from Thrivent for the auction and was approved! Thrivent has designated up to $1600 of matching funds if the auction can profit $5000.

§ All proceeds from the event will benefit the group attending the Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July.

Miscellaneous

§ Tony shared his vacation schedule with council

§ We are currently exploring options for our young adults (18-25). Tony has met with several young adults and high school seniors and they are developing plans for future mission trips and other opportunities to keep these young people connected.

§ Tony met with Ted Derse and Bruce Rosenquist to explore the possibility of developing ministry opportunities for Seniors (65+). Ideas for ministry incorporate social and educational opportunities. Events would be funded directly by those wishing to participate so no financial commitment is expected from the church. The goal is to develop approximately 10 ministry activities a year (most during the day that won’t conflict with other program options). A hand-out with possible activities was distributed to council. If a senior ministry is added, it will become a new program of our church reporting to the youth and family ministry director

UMSC Jacobson/M. Jaramillo to create a new senior program at Norway Ev. Lutheran Church reporting to the Youth and Family Ministry Director.

New Business

1. Thank You note – Kathy Edstrom, Paws-a-Tive Choice

A note from Kathy Edstrom, thanking the church for use of the parsonage for her K9 scent class, was shared with Council. A donation to the church was also included with the thank you note.

2. Closed Out Sunday School Account – Glenn Klein

Discussed during the Treasurer’s Report

3. Corporate Resolution - Thrivent – Glenn Klein

Thrivent needs a document stating who is authorized to sign off on Thrivent business transactions.

Glenn Klein made a motion to authorize 2012 council officers to sign off on Thrivent business and to require two (2) signatures on every business transaction.

UMSC Dannenberg/K. Jaramillo to approve the motion that two (2) 2012 council officers are authorized to sign off on Thrivent business transactions.

4. Music/Audio Equipment Needs

§ We do a professional performance every Sunday; we need to keep it professional.

§ The money in the sound system budget is currently earmarked for other needed expenses.

§ We currently have $6800 in the Carrington Council Designated fund.

UMSC Lovrek/Schuh to approve the proposed purchases for our sound system using the money from the Carrington Council Designated Fund.

5. Thank you from Helping Hands Food Pantry.

A note from the Helping Hands Food Pantry was sent to council thanking them for distributing half of the Lent offerings to the food pantry.

Pastoral Report

36 new family members will be received on April 29.

UMSC Schuh/K. Jaramillo to adjourn the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. and closed with the Lord’s Prayer

Respectfully submitted,