Zion Lutheran Church Council Minutes – unapproved
August 17, 2010
Council Members Present: Herm Talle, Carolyn Foss, Mike Kelly, Chuck Heinecke, Sharon Severson and Brenda Langseth-Perrault. Jamie Gaboury joined at approximately 7pm.
Absent: Cindi Ulrich
Pastors Present: Peter Nycklemoe, Norm Berg, Connie Tiede and Mark Tiede
Also Present: Dee Ann Cameron, Administrator
I. Meeting was called to order at 6:35pm.
II. Open Forum – none
III. Devotions – Pr. Peter
Additional component to devotions - the sharing of joys and concerns of the council
IV. Routine Business
A. & B. Approval of Agenda and Minutes – both approved with the correct spelling of some names in the minutes.
C. Treasurer’s Report – given by Jamie – Due to diligent watching of spending on the part of the staff, the cash flow continues to be okay, although is a concern. There was a $13,000 savings in personnel as some open positions were not filled during the month of July. This is a temporary savings. General Fund Offerings were approximately $5,000 less than budgeted. The ELCA Loan Balance is now below the $400,000 mark. There was discussion of Zion’s need to get back to a growth pattern. Pr. Peter stated that the stewardship team is being recommissioned. Mike motioned for the Treasurer’s Report to be approved, second by Diane, motion carried.
D. President’s Report – given by Herm – there have been numerous positive comments about the recent changes at Zion and the morale seems very good. He and Pr. Peter discussed continuing with Coffee with the Council although doing so on a monthly basis. It will be the 3rd Sunday of each month following the 8:30 and 9:45 services. Herm will be there for the September 19th date. October 10th Pr. Peter will be installed. We will have a photographer for the event. Discussed the importance of having proper documentation of Zion’s history. This includes personnel business as well.
V. Associate Pastor’s Reports
Norm Berg – spoke of the “contagious excitement” at Zion, continues to enjoy his duties here.
Pr. Connie – Music camp last week was successful with 50 participants. Kallie will have her baby within a week or so. She has completed the confirmation curriculum and organizing the retreats. 10th graders will have the Rite of Confirmation on October 31st. Pr. Connie will take over during her leave, with other pastors filling in as well. Lisa Sampson and Pr. Connie will take over youth groups until Kallie returns. The new children’s ministry program, LOGOS, is getting planned out. There are four components: dining fellowship, recreation play, worship skills & Bible study. Registration night is August 24th. She and Doreen are making some changes in the baptism program to do more outreach to new parents who aren’t members as well as the name of sponsors from Congregational Godparent to Congregational Sponsors. Discussed the various milestones for children and youth, reaching all ages through confirmation.
Pr. Mark – Is working with the ministry teams on defining their specific goals/missions. The Missions team has been struggling, but is looking to reenergize, Adult Ed continues to be active, Men of Zion recently returned from a Canadian fishing retreat. This was a multi-generational event. The Sudanese group tends to be fairly mobile and Zion’s group is looking at ways to become more of a part of Zion as a whole. Is needing to boost the Evangelism team. Will stay connected with the Family Promise program as Zion will most likely become active with this ministry in the future.
V. Old Business - none
VI. New Business – none
VII. Administrator’s Report – Dee Ann Cameron
Christine Johnson has been hired as the part time receptionist, an offer was made for the part time custodian position. Last Tuesday Zion served as a polling place for the first time and this went well for all involved. The Gala will be held on October 17 at Majestic Oaks. The Property Ministry Team met with Pr. Peter and walked the building and grounds discussing work needed. #1. Tuck Pointing #2. west side of window wells #3. sanctuary pews.. The repairs for the organ were discussed. Jamie moved and Diane seconded that Dee Ann go ahead with the needed repairs up to $20,000 using designated funds as well as some of the excess building funds. Motion carried.
VIII. Senior Pastor’s Report –Pr. Peter Nycklemoe
Presented Council with a 4 page report highlighting his reflections of his first 30 days with Zion as well as his objectives, responsibilities and vision. He spoke about the need for continued healing and doing so through ministry and mission. He shared his recommendation of defining and focusing on the areas of each pastor and viewing the Office of the Pastor as one body shared by all Pastors here. He and our other pastors are working on position descriptions that council can review for next month and that will be shared with the congregation at the annual meeting. Additionally, he discussed Zion’s current staffing level being poised for decline, not growth. We will want to look at what other ministries Zion can do with more staff. He discussed the Congregation as a system and the need to assess how we care for one another as well as our neighbors and visitors. Three types of serving were highlighted: Hospitality (how we are created to be/grace); Growing (who are we/identity); and Equipping and Sending (what are we here for/mission and ministry). Council members were invited to see which type of service they see themselves fitting into. A plan for the next council meeting was discussed. We will have a shortened version of our regular meeting then have time where lay leaders within the church will be invited to join us for open conversation about their specific ministries – the missions, goals and needs. The report ended with a detailed list of the responsibilities Pr. Peter sees himself having as the Pastoral Leader here at Zion.
IX. Meeting closed in prayer at 8:45pm.
Executive Session followed. At 9:40 Executive Session ended and council went back in session. Jamie moved that the draft of the personnel policies be approved pending verification by the employment attorney for Zion church. Chuck Heinecke seconded the motion and it carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:50pm.
Respectfully submitted by Brenda Langseth-Perrault