St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2007

Present: Pr. Eastman (late excused), Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino, Mark Demich, Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson, Bob Miller, Gayle Meskimen, Nick Poulos (late)
Visitors: Fred Amundsen and Barb Deli

Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Devotions: Carlo D’Agostino

Treasurer’s Report
Ann Holmstrom presented the January financials. Bob Miller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Mark Demich seconded. The motion passed.

Approve Agenda
Carlo D’Agostino asked to add to the agenda a motion under Action Items, requesting more detailed information on pastoral care. Mark Demich moved to approve the agenda as amended and Lisa Jackson seconded. The agenda was approved as amended.

Approve January Minutes
There were no additions or corrections to the minutes dated January 16, 2007. Bob Miler moved to approve the minutes and Gayle Meskimen seconded. The motion passed. There were no additions or corrections to the minutes dated January 28, 2007 and Jim Baumgardner moved to approve them. Nick Poulos seconded and the minutes from January 28 were approved.

Presentation on Website Capabilities
Fred Amundsen and Barb Deli, from the Website Committee, gave a presentation on the new capabilities and the new content of the website. The website now has the ability to collect data and form a database. It currently has schedules for choirs and worship leaders. There was a general discussion of further usage within St. Paul, including volunteer job responsibilities. There is available on the website a list of all the books in the library, three years of past council minutes, recent copies of the newsletter in color and a link to a daily Bible verse. To help acquaint more people to the website, Nick Poulos has created a website presentation to display on the Welcome Table on a Sunday morning.

Reports and Information

1. The Call Committee updated the Council on the progress to date. The candidate they were most interested in chose to take a call with another congregation. So far they have received papers from six candidates and have chosen to interview two candidates. They are now waiting for more candidates from the Synod. Jim Baumgardner asked if the Call Committee would consider going outside the Synod for candidates. The committee feels Pr. Eastman would prefer to stay within the Synod. Kevin Dixon suggested reopening the interim call process. Pastor would be the one to request a call for an interim pastor.
   
2. Jim Baumgardner presented a summary about follow-up for members with a lack of attendance. He emphasized the need for timely follow-up with an inactive member. The action needs to be taken within six weeks. There are many reasons why people become inactive but most people drop off due to a crisis like divorce or family illness. Bob Miller commented that the office generates a list of parishioners with inactive attendance that we may follow-up on.
   
3. Patty Fess, Gayle Meskimen and Bob Miller reported on the recent visit made to Our Saviours Lutheran Church. One of their keys to success was the ‘team” approach they use for leadership. The organization has a Visioning Team as the top tier that forms the Strategic Plan, the next level is the Council and then at the third level are various Ministry Teams. They have five services on Sunday morning. The services at the Main Campus progress from traditional to contemporary throughout the morning. Patty distributed a list of questions with answers from Our Saviour council members for our Council to review.
   
4. Kevin Dixon reviewed the need for progress on the Strategic Plan in preparation for the retreat. Council members are to note areas of their responsibility in the plan. They should be ready to report or to request help for their areas of responsibility at the retreat.
   
5. Patty Fess distributed proposed agendas for the retreat, directions to the Loretto Center and copies of the Strategic Plan to help council members to prepare for the retreat.
   
6. Two Coffees with the Council were held on one Sunday in January to help answer questions about the Strategic Plan. The response to the coffees was good and the discussion at the coffees helped to increase awareness to the Strategic Plan. Some new ideas to come out of the coffees. One idea was have more planned activities to get new members involved. Another person volunteered to follow-up on inactive members and someone suggested St. Paul get a button machine.
   
7. Kevin Dixon and Pr. Eastman presented the idea of Soup with Council. This would be a time for Council to provide and serve the soup at a Soup Supper during Lent. Council members could sit at different tables to share ideas and answer any concerns about the Strategic Plan or any other matter pertaining to the council. The date of Wednesday, March 7 was chosen for the Soup with Council.
   
8. Charlie Boone announced there has been a request from the office staff that people follow correct procedure for check request forms in a timely manner.
   
9. Bob Miller put the new door locking system out for two bids but only ADT came back with a bid. We will install the basic unit for now which can be added onto. It can be installed within a month.
   

1. Jim Baumgardner moved to authorize the property council member to be signer or holder of a church credit card. Mark Demich seconded and the motion passed.
   
2. Nick Poulos moved to approve the recommendations from the Remembrance Committee for up to $1500 for library furniture and $3500 for a cross and torches. Lisa Jackson seconded and the motion passed.
   
3. Carlo asked for a tally of pastoral care from Pr Eastman. Any breakdowns of the types of care would be helpful but not necessary. The information would be helpful to the council and the Call Committee. Pastor agreed to keep track of the pastoral care and no motion was made at this time.
   

1. Pr. Eastman noted that the music on Sunday was great even thought the scheduled group for the day had to cancel.
   
2. Bob Miller reported that the ESSE center has begun the process of refinishing the cabinets. There is a leak in the LSSI hall and the roofer has been called.