Council Members Present: Airin Cherian, Vicar Judy Converse, Beverly Dougherty, Pastor Ross Goodman, Sergia Hay, Jen Nahn, Mark Olson, Dana Ramish, Cindy Reuter, Alison Roberts, Brian Sniffen, Darcie Sunnerberg, Marilyn Waehler.
Absent: none.
A quorum is gathered and we come together in God’s name at 7:30pm. A candle is lit to remind us that Christ is present with us as we meet.
We share images of Holy Week and Easter Sunday’s services.
The agenda is accepted with new business on lss and a report from the Christian Education Committee.
The minutes of March’s council meeting are accepted with an adjustment of 37¢ to the Lilly Grant distribution.
Alison Roberts then leads a devotion on the hymn Goodness is stronger than evil. We sing Goodness is stronger than evil (721) and Thine is the glory (376). Next month Darcie Sunnerberg will lead devotions.
Mark Olson leads us in prayer.
March is a five-weekend month, so we’re looking surprisingly good.
Stewardship has overspent, buying only the one item they budgeted for: the council erred in not budgeting Shipping & Handling for donation envelopes.
Motion 1 We approve the request from the Social Ministries committee to contribute $4400 from the n7 account for the Wunlang School project for uniforms. moved, seconded, carried.
Motion 2 We approve the request from the Social Ministries committee to use up to $2000 from the n7 account to cover expenses for the Midwife Kit project, beyond the amount raised through church fund raising. moved, seconded, carried.
The committee estimates an expense between $1000 and $2000, and will inform the Treasurer when the total is known.
Contributions designated for u2 are still being collected. Instead of waiting for the end of the year to make payments on the mortgage we can reduce our total interest costs by making those payments on a more regular basis. Darcie suggests that while this is a fine idea now, we might also re-finance the mortgage as a lower interest rate. We are presently paying 6.75%, which is high even for a commercial mortgage.
Motion 3 The treasurer shall make monthly payments of money collected in the u2 fund towards the principal of our building’s mortgage with Thrivent. moved, seconded, carried.
The search committee charged with recruiting and hiring a Music Director recommends that the congregation hire Colleen Henry.
A copy of the letter of agreement is provided. Beverly asks that the letter be changed to offer an annual salary instead of a pro-rated salary for the first year—which should more clearly achieve the same result.
We ask the personnel committee to clarify with Colleen that the four weeks of vacation is annual, and that we will pay for four Sunday morning substitute organists per full year.
Motion 4 The council accepts the search committee’s recommendation and moves to hire Colleen Henry to serve as Director of Music. moved, seconded, carried.
The “Safe Church” document is presented. The rules of order are suspended for this discussion. Erik Sunnerberg, Alison Roberts, and Cindy Reuter will gather to refine the policy for our congregation.
Marilyn will be interviewing a new attendant this week. The nursery procedures have fallen by the wayside these last months—for example, parents are not signing their children in.
The committee has concerns about the use of the Godly Play rooms by the Korean Congregation. They would like the Pastor’s help in establishing a liaison with their Korean counterparts.
The fifth grade class has switched to the Witness curriculum, meeting in the Council’s meeting room at the end of the hall. That room will be occupied by lss next year.
Bill Ames of lss reports to Pastor Goodman that they’re ready to move in, ready to start paying rent—though they are working out details of how to escape or sublet their present lease.
Pastor Goodman reminds us that yesterday was Easter. He compares some events now at St. Paul to the events chronicled in the Acts of the Apostles. He talks about a book by Diana Butler Bass, The Practicing Congregation. He has provided copies for the Council members to read. There will be a quiz later. He also suggests taking time with the Council to think about where the congregation is going—perhaps most of a Saturday in June.
Vicar Converse will be going to Philadelphia next week to defend some final academic work. She will be ordained this summer.
Please print two summaries and one detail with names.
Pastor Goodman gathers us in prayer and leads communion at 9:35pm. Respectfully submitted, Brian Sniffen
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Next regular council meeting: 11 May 2009 at 7:30pm.