Council Members Present: Airin Cherian, Vicar Judy Converse, Beverly Dougherty, Pastor Ross Goodman, Mark Olson, Dana Ramish, Cindy Reuter, Brian Sniffen.
Absent: Sergia Hay, Alison Roberts, Darcie Sunnerberg, Marilyn Waehler.
We shared highlights of what’s new in our lives while waiting for quorum to gather. August is busy.
A quorum was gathered and we came together in God’s name at 8:00pm. A candle was lit to remind us that Christ is present with us as we meet.
The agenda was accepted.
Beverly Dougherty then led a devotion on Isaiah 61:7–11 and the growth of summer:
7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. 8 For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
Next month, Mark Olson will lead devotions.
The minutes of July were accepted with corrected spelling for a few names and correction of clerical errors in the e-mail motion.
We are ahead $1309 for the year through July, but behind about $4000 in payments from the Korean congregation. We’re behind $10000 in lss payments but have special donations of $9000 which partly offset this. at&t has also begun paying for their new tower.
After paying for work on the security system at Hillside House, lss was short about $700 in a recent rent check, but has discussed making good on their payments.
It sure is easier writing checks when we’re ahead on giving. We’ve been switching checking account types to minimize fees and cost of float while still meeting our record-keeping obligations.
We are spending too much on gas and water for the church building, and have over-spent Youth Ministry. We have also over-drawn a dedicated account (t18, Hammonasset Camp), and have a purchase order in to over-draw t14, ELCA Youth Gathering. The accounting of the youth trips this past year has been confused, with money coming in from kids and going out to pay for mission trips.
Motion 1 We approve the transfer of $298 from p3 to t14. moved, seconded, carried.
To patch part of the over-draw against t14.
Mark Olson, Dana Ramish, and Bob Waehler have begun working with a sub-committee on a new budget for 2010.
Ken Heyda has agreed to fill in for Beverly Dougherty while she’s away this fall. We’re still looking for a Treasurer and a Financial Secretary for next year.
The new at&t antenna and cross will be going up in five to six weeks.
Vicar Converse speaks about her time here this past year and about her entire experience of seminary. She’s looking forward to being matched with a new congregation. Pastor Goodman and the rest of the council speak of the difference Judy has made over the last year.
Pastor Goodman reports on the start of the planning process for next year, new donations for furniture. The National ELCA Assembly this summer will make some tough decisions about rostering of clergy and about the Church’s position on human sexuality. St. Paul wrote about our conscience’s authority as bound by Scripture. The Church is trying to find a Scriptural position that respects the consciences of all its members. Unlike the Episcopal and Anglican rift over a process begun within one diocese, we hope that the Lutheran church’s bottom-up approach will work more smoothly.
We sing Eat this bread (472).
Pastor Goodman gathers us in prayer and leads communion at 9:06pm.
Respectfully submitted, Brian Sniffen
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Next regular council meeting: 14 September 2009 at 7:30pm.