St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2005

Craig Ellinghausen opened the Council Meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Excused: Andrea Parker, late; Ron Diener and Craig Dickson, absent
Visitors: Gayle Meskimen, Carlo D’Agostino

Treasurer’s Report
JoAnn Maki presented the December financial report. Heidi Carr moved to accept the report and Bob Miller seconded. Motion passed.

Review of December Minutes
Under the Presentation portion of the Minutes Kevin Dixon asked that this sentence be added, “After discussion following Pr. Hooper’s presentation it was decided that Ron Diener would draft a cover letter for Pr. Hooper’s presentation and that the cover letter and presentation would be sent to the congregation.” Kevin Dixon moved to approve the amended minutes, Bob Miller seconded, and the motion passed.

Executive Report

• Craig passed around thank you notes from Sharon Simms and Jane Morency that were received by the Council.
  
• Annual housing allowances of $35,000.00 for Pr. Eastman and $25,00.00 for Pr. Hooper were reported. Bob Miller moved to accept the housing allowances and Mark Disbrow seconded. Motion passed.
  
• Bob Miller moved to approve Kevin Dixon as the Council representative to the Nominating Committee and Andrea Parker seconded. Motion passed.
  
• The Council will review the draft of the letter Council will send to members who present at Council meetings on January 18.
  
• It was proposed to rearrange Council to move Andrea Parker from the Nurture Board to join Ron Diener on the Youth Board. That would leave Mark Disbrow as the one Council member on Nurture. This would be done to give Youth Board some added help. Pr. Hooper moved to have two Council members on Youth Board and Ginny Harms seconded. Motion passed.
  
• Mark Disbrow moved to approve the use of $35.00 per month for a period of twelve months for a Spiritual Director as a part of Pr. Hooper’s Continuing Education. Bob Miller seconded and the motion passed.
  

• There will be a Martin Luther King service on January 17 at First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton at 7:00 p.m.
  
• DuPage United is offering a workshop on strengthening internal relational cultures in a congregation. She is encouraging anyone interested to attend.
  

• Discussed the possibility of renaming the Youth Board to the Youth and Family Board.
  

• Craig Dickson is unhappy with the recent snow removal.
  
• Bob Miller presented the 2005 Proposed Budget. The Council reviewed the budget and each board cut expenses in an attempt to close the gap between the proposed budget and the expected pledges and offerings. With the gap too great to close it was decided to meet Thursday evening in order to prepare a presentation to make the Congregation aware of the need for more money and a way they can respond to the need.
  

• Education Board has not met since the last Council meeting.
  

• There is another training session for ushers and worship assistants this Sunday, January 16.
  
• Two letters were received from the letter sent out to any members who have no record of attendance or contribution for three months.
  

• No additions to the written report.
  

• The Youth are not likely to have an Easter breakfast this year.
  

• Looking into having an adult social this year.