ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 15, 2010

             St. John’s Church Council met on June 15, 2010 at 7:00p.m. Those present included Nancy Breed, Gloria Heuck, Rod Kleckler, Mike Miller, Denise Norman, Virgle Onnen, Barb Otten, Ken Smith, Jannet Taylor, Shawn Wolfe, Doug Zientara, Intern Ted Carnahan and Pastor Leo Patterson.

Pres. Norman welcomed Mike Miller who will fill vacant Council seat created by Lee Bardier’s March 2010 resignation.

Devotions were led by Intern Ted Carnahan.

Agenda was approved as printed.

Report of the Pastor:
-Appreciated pre-planning done for Pastor Mark’s Sabbatical. Keeping the focus on Christ’s Church.
-Vacation Bible School good example of working together

Report of the Intern:
-Thank you for the picnic celebration
-Part of min lock-in for 3rd and 6th graders
-Part of program for Women’s Day of Prayer and Healing June 5
-Conducted funerals for Marian Smith, Sally Readel, Tom Goss
-Synod Assembly June 18-19
-Special God and Country Service July 4

Approved minutes from My Council Meeting.

Treasurer Nancy Breed discussed financial reports Council members received in their mailboxes. Quarterly installment for undesignated endowment put into general fund for expenses. $1,000 donated from St. John’s member to be used where needed most.

MINISTRY TEAMS:
Stewardship:
-Filming done by Gloria and Dale Heuck of members telling their faith journeys
-Film now being edited by Andrew
-Film used as part of Stewardship Campaign in the Fall

Social Ministry:
-Feed the Children Program
-312 sandwiches first week, 400 sandwiches second week
-Self Help helping with this at St. John’s
-Sandwiches taken to various sites
-Fold over sandwich bags collected on Father’s Day

Intern Committee:
-Picnic for Intern Ted and family good turnout considering the weather. Intern Chuck and family who have finished at Immanuel also invited.
-Preparations being made for Intern Rita coming end of July.

OLD BUSINESS:
-Safety Committee:
-Security System just under $15,000
-Cameras and also key pad for emergency
-Office Manager and other staff can monitor on their computers
-No maintenance agreement, cheaper to pay for repairs as needed
Sabbatical:
-Couple changes in schedule
-Council contact people have received no emergency calls (Council name given to callers after office is closed)

Goals:
-Continue to promote use of name tags
-Home Extension a source of information for after school program for latch-key kids.
-Target 18-25 year age group
             -Sauk student housing good contact, also check with NIU Campus Ministry and other churches for names of their Sauk students
-Dial-a-message; phone tree
-Will contact Unit 5 schools for information on this
-Temple Talk on new carpet

NEW BUSINESS:
-One custodian while Diana out with foot surgery
-Motion made by Rod Kleckler seconded by Gloria Heuck for Special Offering for July/August/September to go to LOMC. Motion carried.
-Website Update
-Questions and or comments should go directly to Intern Ted and Andrew Stutzke

Barb Otten will open and close in July.

Shawn Wolfe will give devotions at July council meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55p.m. with all joining hands and praying The Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Jannet S. Taylor, Council Secretary

St. John’s Church Council met on March 16, 2010 at 7:00pm. Those present included Nancy Breed, Gloria Heuck, Rod Kleckler, Denise Norman, Virgle Onnen, Barb Otten, Mark Sciacero, Ken Smith, Jannet Taylor, Shawn Wolfe, Doug Zientara, Intern Ted Carnahan, and Pastor Mark Oehlert.

Devotions were given by Mark Sciacero.

Motion made by Gloria Heuck seconded by Doug Zientara to amend Agenda. Motion carried.

Report of the Pastor:
-Kathy Peugh funeral on Thurs. March 15
-Sabbatical planning moving along
-Provide support for all at St. Paul and Immanuel (2nd vote coming up at St. Paul)
-Counseling several couples for marriage, etc.
-CRE March 20
-LSSI Pastor preaching March 21
-Central Conference at Amboy March 21
-Begin Communion Services at Heritage Woods Wed. March 17

Report of the Intern:
-Teaching third and fourth graders for their first communion Palm Sunday
-Worked with a group to improve sound system
-Several hearing devices available for Sunday services.
-March 26 lock-in together with youth from St. Paul & Immanuel.

Minutes from Feb. 16 Council Meeting were approved. Correspondence was read from Alice Buyers, LSSI, ELCA, Synod office, Foods Resource Bank, and Wartburg Seminary.

Treasurer Nancy Breed reported using Feb. budget performance sheets. New boiler and new thermostats already helping to lower some expenses. Motion made by Mark Sciacero seconded by Virgil Onnen to transfer $7,500 from undesignated endowment to general fund. Motion carried. Motion by Virgle Onnen seconded by Mark Sciacero to take $600 ($300 for each girl) from youth fund tand give to Sloan Wolfe and Aislinn O’Connell for their mission trip to Romania with other students. Motion carried.

MINISTRY TEAMS:
Christian Education:
-Vacation Bible School June 13-17 5:30pm-8:00pm.
Includes: Dinner, Games, Crafts, Songs, Story (lesson).
Mixed ages groups
Collections (TBA) for Romania
Can register online
-Sunday School all summer for children going into third grade and younger. Older children remain in church.

Finance:
-Insurance payment for stolen chalices and ciborium (holding wafers) received and put in Memorial savings account for now.
-Auditing Committee (Cammie Breed, John Byar, and Art Frey). Time of audit TBA.
-Research office copier costs
-Recommendation to employ Joanne West on an as needed basis for 2010.

Property:
-Get bids on carpet for East Room, Narthex, Sanctuary.
-Get cost for drinking fountain in basement.
-Check into wall mount for TV in nursery.
-Get bids for repairs, seal coating west side parking lot.

OLD BUSINESS:
-Opening-closing devotion schedule to be completed.
-Safety Committee looking at $15,000 or lower for security system (money is available)
-Discussion on Sabbatical Planning
-Pastor Oehlert gone June 1-Aug. 25
-One Sunday service at 9:00am during the summer (Communion each week).

-Completing schedule of those preaching Sunday and Wednesday services.
-Pastor Patterson will attend June and July Council meetings
-Pastor Patterson will conduct nursing home services.
-Motion made by Shawn Wolfe seconded by Nancy Breed to put painting Jesus in the Garden on permanent loan to Historical Society. Motion carried.
-Employment Application policy to be rewritten and acted on at April Council meeting.
-Motion by Shawn Wolfe seconded by Gloria Heuck to continue to employ Joanne West thru 2010 on as needed basis. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
-Motion by Virgle Onnen seconded by Shawn Wolfe to welcome new members to St. John’s, Chris Gierhart and Jason Cox. Motion carried.
-Amended Constitution sent to Synod for approval (thank you to Oris DePuy and Bob Gemeny for working on this).
-Possible change in fiscal year given to Fiance Team for study.
-Motion by Shawn Wolfe seconded by Nancy Breed to accept with regret Lee Bardier’s resignation from Council. Motion carried.
-Need for new Council member put in bulletin March 21 and March 28.
Need for a Council member to replace Lee on Personnel Team.
-Motion by Gloria Heuck seconded by Doug Zientara to take $2,500 from undesignated endowment to pay for Karen Wolfe’s continuing education as Faith Formation Minister at Wartburg beginning May 2. Motion carried.
-Motion by Doug Zientara seconded by Ken Smith for Sterling Brass Quintet to use St. John’s for practice, possibly on Sunday evenings. They will do a concert here a couple times a year. Aaron White, member of the group, is a member of St. John’s. Motion carried.
-Discussed Andrew Stutzke’s position since he will be leaving end of July.
-Special Offering for April, May, June, designated for Eder’s wife Bianca’s parish in Brazil with motion by Virgle Onnen seconded by Nancy Breed. Motion carried.
-At retreat March 13, Pastor Kurt Nordby spoke on Stewardship. Stressed need of giver to give not need of church to receive. Given should be grace centered and not budget oriented.
-At Retreat Pres. Norman presented Goal Setting 101—what to keep in mind when setting goals.
-Brainstorming goals at retreat.
Diakonia—two  year process of spiritual growth
Shawn Wolfe to set this up for Fall 2010
-Will prioritize goals at April council meeting
-In April Gloria Heuck opening and given devotions, Ken Smith closing.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00pm with prayer by Pastor Oehlert followed by all joining hands and praying The Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Jannet S. Taylor
Council Secretary

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING
DEC. 15, 2009

St. John’s Church Council met at 7:00p.m. on Dec. 15, 2009. Those present included Lee Bardier, Nancy Breed, Gloria Heuck, Rod Kleckler, Denise Norman, Virgle Onnen, Barb Otten, Mark Sciacero, Ken Smith, Jannet Taylor, Intern Ted Carnahan, and Pastor Mark Oehlert.

Devotions were given by Denise Norman.

Agenda was approved as printed.

Report of the Pastor:
-Louisville Institute grant for Sabbatical Leave not approved.
-Sunday services during Pastor Oehlert’s sabbatical now being set up with various pastors taking turns
-Officiated at David Davis funeral
-Attended installation of new minister
-Attended celebration at former church in Kansas City where he served before coming to Sterling
-Met with new Safety Task Force
-Will officiate at Huffman-Grevengoed wedding Dec. 28

Report of the Intern:
-Played keyboard on flat in Sterling’s Christmas Parade Dec. 4
-Attended special program at LOMC with Confirmation group.
-Teaching Hiogh School Sunday School class
-Met with Safety Task Force
-Special service written by Intern Ted and Immanuel Intern Check Meyer Dec. 16 at St. John’s and Dec. 17 at Immanuel in Rock Falls
-First week of vacation will be Jan. 4-10

Minutes of November Council Meeting were approved as printed. Secretary was asked to write thank you note to Jim Keime for his recent work on church lights.

Financial report was given by Finance Team Chr. Nancy Breed and Treasurer Rod Kleckler using Budget performance sheets for November. Much time was spend discussing the proposed Budget for 2010. A special council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 22 at 5:00p.m. to continue work on the proposed budget.

Motion by Lee Bardier seconded by Virgle Onnen to put CD interest back into Don Duhm Account, Music Acount, and Christian Ed. Account upon recommendation from Finance Team. Motion carried.

Marian Garrison Estate gift of $10,000 will be put in general fund.

Motion by Virgle Onnen seconded by Lee Bardier to appoint Nancy Breed as Congregational Treasurer on a six month trial basis beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Motion carried.

Pres. Denise Norman thanked Rod Kleckler for all his work during his time as Treasurer.

MINISTRY TEAMS:
Evangelism:
-Billboards for Christmas Eve services are up by Angelo’s in Sterling and on Avenue G bridge.
-Postcards going out to inactive members.
-St. John’s website now on Sauk Valley Chamber website.

Endowment:
-Dusing endowment fund renamed Building Repairs/Maintenance/Improvements fund.
-Council member put on ballot for Endowment Team at Annual Meeting (Mark Sciacero agreed to be that person).

Stewardship:
-About $157,200 in pledges as of now—behind last y ear.
-Many pledge cards have not been returned

Congregational Life:
-27 pints collected at Dec. 12 Blood Drive.

OLD BUSINESS:
-Motion by Lee Bardier seconded by Gloria Heuck to adopt Sabbatical Leave Policy. Motion carried.
-Motion by Gloria Heuck seconded by Lee Bardier to adopt Bereavement-Sick-Vacation Policy. Motion carried.
-Safety Task Force met for first time and viewed DVD on Church Safety
-Slave of candidates for Council to be voted at Annual Meeting Jan. 24
Doug Zientara Barb Otten
Denise Norman Nancy Breed
Virgle Onnen

NEW BUSINESS:
-Virgle Onnen opens church in Jan.—Jannet Taylor closes.
-Devotions at Jan. 12 council meeting will be given by Gloria Heuck.
-Committee asked to deliver some offering envelopes not yet picked up
-Committee reports for Annual Meeting need to be in the church office by Dec. 21
-Budget hearing Jan. 10 between services

Meeting adjourned at 9:50p.m. with all joining hands and praying The Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,
Jannet S. Taylor
Council Secretary