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St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2008 Present: Pr. Eastman, Pr. Williamson (late), Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino (late), Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Bob Hein, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson (late), Gayle Meskimen, Bob Miller, and Nick Poulos (late) Guests: Ann Hein and Nancy Hubbard Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. Devotions Bob Hein Member Presentations Nancy Hubbard from the Earth Ministries Team presented a report on how our congregation can care for the creation as part of our faith life. The Earth Ministry Team would like the Council to review the Green Congregation Covenant and consider becoming a Green Congregation. The covenant would include goals in the area of worship, education, buildings and grounds, earth-friendly lifestyles and community involvement. The Worship and Music Team is already planning a Season of Creation for St. Paul’s worship life in the fall. Nancy had informational handouts available to council members following the presentation. Approve Agenda There were no additions to the agenda. Jim Baumgardner moved to approve the meeting agenda and Nick Poulos seconded. The agenda was approved. Approve December Minutes Bob Miller moved to approve the minutes dated December 17, 2007. Gayle Meskimen seconded and the minutes were approved. Reports and Information 1. Treasurer’s Report-Ann Holmstrom presented the December financials. We took in $15,000 more in December than we spent. Over the year we spent $70,000 more than we took in however we are still very solvent. Capital improvements for December included replacing the north door and completing the security system and some electrical work. The final mortgage payment was made on January 14 and we will have a mortgage shredding ceremony at the Congregational Meeting. Bob Hein moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Bob Miller seconded. The motion passed. 2. Senior Pastor’s Report-Pr. Eastman distributed her report and added positive comments concerning the celebration for Martin Luther King she attended Monday night. Pastor visited DuPage County Jail on Christmas Day, planned for the Blue Christmas Service and attended the Du Page United Clergy Caucus. 3. Associate Pastor’s Report-Pr. Williamson distributed his report that highlighted the eight confirmands affirming their baptism, the good response to the Mexico mission trip, the development of a theme for Lent, “Confrontations with Jesus”, and the assimilation of five youth into leadership positions on the Youth Board. 4. Personnel Report-Council went into closed session to consider some personnel issues. Action Items-Council came out of closed session. 1. Jim Baumgardner moved to approve up to $2000 for the training and purchase of a defibrillator and Nick Poulos seconded. The motion passed. 2. Gayle Meskimen moved to approve February 13th as the date for Lenten Soup Supper with the Council. Lisa Jackson seconded and the date was approved. 3. Bob Hein moved to approve the agenda for the Council Retreat with the addition of a Spiritual Formation time from 9:15-10:50 replacing the reorganization of the Org chart and the planning for the Endowment Committee, The Green Team, and the BOB. Lisa Jackson seconded. Pastor Eastman moved to amend the motion to include work on the Org chart and Continuing Resolutions from 9:15-10:15 with the remainder of the morning spent on Spiritual Formation. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion was amended. It was then moved and seconded to approve the amended agenda. 4. Charlie Boone added two items to the Congregational Meeting Agenda, a Treasurer’s Report and the shredding of the mortgage. Lisa Jackson moved to approve the amended agenda and Bob Hein seconded. The amended agenda was approved. 5. Nick Poulos moved to remove the following people from the roles of St. Paul: Gordan and Karen Brand; Jacie, Todd and Mary Collum; Casey Cook; Jamie, Wendy and Mackenzie Donahue; Jasmine Elliot; Dean Jenz; Mark, Taylor and Rachel Schobel; Ken and Sharon Marsh; Tom, Ingrid, Stefan, and Chris Marshall; Annie McDowell; Justin Williams; Tim Schneider; Brad Schneider; Donna Sparber; and Heather Welch. Patty Fess seconded and the motion passed. 6. Pr. Eastman moved to designate $60,000 of her compensation package as housing allowance for the year 2008. Jim Baumgardner seconded and the motion passed. 7. Pr. Williamson moved to designate $20,600 of his compensation package as housing allowance for the year 2008. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion was approved. 8. Kevin Dixon moved to approve the budget contingent on the satisfactory results of a review of all compensation. Nick Poulos seconded and the motion passed. It was requested that the review of all compensation would be by members of the Executive Committee. Bob Miller requested an explanation of how the salaried positions developed as they were approved as paid hourly positions. Pr. Eastman verified that she did receive time sheets from all employees. 9. Kevin Dixon moved to approve and outside audit of the congregation’s finances. As there was no second the motion died. 10. Charlie Boone presented the proposed budget for 2008 with changes made at the council meeting. The proposed 2008 budget, with the cover letter, is attached to these minutes along with the notes of the changes made to the budget. Jim Baumgardner moved to recommend an Operating Budget of $622,000 for approval by the congregation and Lisa Jackson seconded. The motion passed. Board Celebrations and Concerns 1. Worship and Music voted to remove Children’s Worship from the 8:30 service due to low participation. On Memorial Day weekend St. Paul goes to a summer worship schedule. 2. Pr. Eastman encouraged Council to attend Wednesday evening services during Lent. Other Business 1. Kevin Dixon presented an idea from the Communications Team to have a local paper do an article on how St. Paul became an open and affirming church and how it continues in this manner. Council gave support for this idea with the article emphasizing all aspects of the Open and Affirming Statement. Adjournment-As there was no further business Nick Poulos moved to adjourn. Bob Hein seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patty Fess, Congregational Secretary |