St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2007

Present: Pr. Eastman, Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino (late), Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson, Bob Miller, Gayle Meskimen
Excused: Mark Demich, Nick Poulos
Visitor: Marilyn Sodergren

Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Bob Miller

Treasurer’s Report
Ann Holmstrom presented the December financials and the 2007 Stewardship report. We ended the year 2006 with a surplus of $6000 and the mortgage for BOB is under $100,000. Bob Miller moved to approve the December Treasurer’s Report, Jim Baumgardner seconded and the motion passed.

Approve Agenda
An action item was added to approve the Privacy Policy being presented under Reports and Information. Gayle Meskimen moved to approve the agenda as amended. Lisa Jackson seconded and the motion passed.

Approve December Minutes
There were no additions or corrections to the December minutes. Bob Miller moved to approve the December minutes, Jim Baumgardner seconded and the minutes were approved.

Reports and Information

1. Marilyn Sodergren, the Helping Hands Coordinator, presented a report on the process and progress of her position to date. She distributed to the Council the form she uses to chart the 55 volunteers and ways they have helped the members of St. Paul. People are mainly used to provide rides, deliver a meal, make a visit or write an encouraging note. Marilyn initiates calls to individuals who may need help and often goes through the church directory to find a member she may have missed that could use assistance. Occasionally members in need do call for help and notices are placed in the Acts reminding people that she is available to coordinate assistance when needed. The response from the volunteers has been very enthusiastic. Marilynn is feels the Helping Hands program is a success and looks forward to coordinating help for those needing assistance and encouragement in 2007.
   
2. Pastor Eastman presented the Sr. Pastor Report. January 31^st –February 4^th Pastor will be in at the Head of Staff Conference. She continues to teach the Relational Culture Team, they are working on building and strengthening relationships within St. Paul and relationships between St. Paul and the world. She is preparing and teaching a class on Baptism for Roots and a class on sex for Connections. The latest book on human sexuality has arrived from the Synod and Pr. Eastman will be condensing the lessons and teach a 5 week class from the book at Forum. Pastor is working on Baptism preparations for people coming from other cultures and faiths. The new hymnal is arriving in late January or early February and she is working to prepare and introduce new music from the hymnal. The RIM Team is looking to have an African-led worship service, possibly on April 22^nd in the evening. Follow-up for the ad-hoc committee looking into the chartering of a Cub Scout Pack at St. Paul is on going. Average Sunday worship attendance is down by about 28 people to 254 people per week.
   
3. Update on the Associate Pastor Position. The Call Committee has received a second set of papers from the Synod and an interview with a second candidate will be held next Friday night. There is the possibility of a third candidate and hopefully a fourth. Call Committee is exploring the possibility of going outside the guidelines provided by the Synod and possibly opening up the call process to other candidates.
   
4. Privacy Policy Report. Carlo D’Agostino distributed the Privacy Policy to the Council for comment. The clarification was made that St. Paul does not use cookies to aid users’ experiences on the web site and St. Paul does not collect personal information tied to the cookies. Charlie Boone move to approve the Privacy Policy with the clarifications. Lisa Jackson seconded and the motion passed. A copy of the Privacy Policy is attached to these minutes.
   
5. A schedule for presenting the Strategic Plan to the boards and the congregation was presented by Kevin Dixon for Mark Demich. The schedule includes ways to educate, inform and collect input about the Strategic Plan through March 2007.
   
6. Patty Fess presented an idea to visit some successful churches in the area on Sundays in February to evaluate their facilities, learn of their worship styles and meet with some of their council members to hear about their success. Dates and locations will be made available.
   
7. Agenda items were requested from the council members for the upcoming retreat.
   
8. There will be two Coffees with the Council on Sunday, January 28^th at 8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Both coffees will be held in the ESSE Room with the topic being the Strategic Plan.
   

1. Charlie Boone presented the St. Paul 2007 budgets for the General Operating Fund and the Building on Blessings. In the General Operating Fund reserves are set up for expenses we plan to incur in 2007. The anticipated expenses are furnishings, a salary for a maintenance person, and moving expenses for an associate pastor. Pledged amounts for 2007 were better than usual. Ministry Boards are encouraged to use the Remembrance Fund for one-time purchases. The mortgage in BOB is under $100,000 and is due to be paid off by mid 2008. After review and discussion Charlie Boone moved to recommend the proposed St. Paul Budget for 2007 to the Congregation for approval. Bob Miller seconded and the Budget was recommended to the Congregation for approval. The proposed budget is attached to these minutes.
   
2. Pr. Eastman moved to table the decision on a gift for St. Michaels, awaiting input from Fr. Don. Bob Miller seconded and the motion was tabled.
   

1. Bob Miller gave an update on the purchase of the wooden folding chairs. It was decided to remove the red banquet chairs from the sides of the sanctuary except for times of expected large attendance. Bob is putting out reminders to the congregation to remember to turn out the lights when leaving the building and all must reserve meeting rooms. ESSE has received a grant to refinish some cabinets, obtain some new cabinets, and re-carpet their office. Bob has rewritten the specs for the security system and is requesting bids by February 5^th.
   
2. Lisa Jackson reported from Ed Board that Chrerie Schumm is requesting to drop some of the high school youth responsibilities from her job description.
   
3. Due to tax law changes people may need receipts for donations for PADS and the food pantry.
   

1. Kevin Dixon reported the Executive Board had completed the Annual Review of the pastor. Pastor Eastman will complete the reviews for the rest of the staff by next month.