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

Present: Pr. Eastman, Pr. Williamson, Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino, Patty Fess, Bob Hein, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson, Gayle Meskimen, Bob Miller and Nick Poulos
Excused: Kevin Dixon

Charlie Boone called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M.

Approve the Agenda
A motion to approve new members to St. Paul was added to the Action Items. Item number two under Action Items, to approve $2000 for the 2007-08 DuPage United dues was removed from the agenda. Item number three, a motion to move the Communications Team from Worship and Music to Witness was also removed from the agenda. The Review of the Budget under Reports and Information was moved to the end of the agenda. Nick Poulos moved to approve the agenda as amended and Carlo D’Agostino seconded. The agenda was approved as amended.

Charlie Boone presented devotions.

Approve the Minutes
Bob Hein moved to approve the minutes dated October 15, 2007 and Bob Miller seconded. The minutes were approved.

Reports and Information

1. Treasurer’s Report-Ann Holmstrom presented the October financials. For the month income was $4000 less than expenses. The mortgage balance is just under $47,000. Patty Fess moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Jim Baumgardner seconded. The motion passed.
   
2. Senior Pastor’s Report-Pr. Eastman highlighted the “Blue Christmas” service. The Daily Herald wants to write an article about the service. Funeral homes and Hospice are welcoming the brochures with information about the service. She met with some students from Wheaton College working on a class presentation concerning our Open and Affirming Statement. Lisa Jackson announced that Pr. Eastman is reading the Lesson at the World Aids Day Prayer Breakfast. Pastor has been approached by Fr. Don to prepare a joint trip of their congregations to travel to Germany and visit Luther sites.
   
3. Associate Pastor Report-Pr. Williamson had twenty-five people in attendance for the informational meeting on the trip to Mexico. Nine of the individuals were youth. He will need commitments from the youth by the first of the year. He helped out with the radio ads for WETN. Pastor attended a first-call orientation meeting at the Bishop’s office. Once a month Pastor will be presenting Children’s Chapel.
   
4. Coffee with the Council-The discussion at November’s coffee centered around the issue of granting scholarships for $500 or less to members of St. Paul attending an ELCA college. There was support for the idea at the coffee but issues for funding the scholarships were raised. There was praise for the new windows. Bob Miller gave an explanation of the new door access system.
   
5. Update on Scholarships to ELCA colleges-Lisa Jackson gave the update on the progress the Youth Board has made on the scholarships. The current thought is to set up a scholarship fund with a cap of $3500 toward Scholarships of $500 or less on a one-time basis to members of St. Paul attending an ELCA college. They plan to have a recommendation on this topic for the Council meeting in December.
   
6. Update on Continuing Resolutions-Nick Poulos has gathered the resolutions that are completed into a packet and is collecting the outstanding resolutions from the boards. He will have the packets ready for the council by the retreat in February.
   
7. Update on ESGC-Gayle Meskimen said the ESGC is moving forward with the background checks involving social security numbers and birth dates. They will be doing twenty checks including all of the staff and ten additional checks. Next year they will only do ten background checks. Cherie Schumm is working on the individualized training for adults working with youth.
   

1. Nick Poulos moved for approval of the council president’s signature on ELCA Rostered Leader candidacy form for Jessica Warbiany. Gayle Meskimen seconded and the motion passed.
   
2. Pastor Eastman moved to approve the reception of; Patrick Fanella and Leah Holte, Sooin Lee, and Pat Rosborne as members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Jim Baungardner seconded and the motion passed.
   

1. There was praise for the completion of the replacement window project. Jim Baumgradner reminded the council not to crank the windows to tightly and to use the latch to seal the windows.
   
2. Worship and Music will have Dr. Ralph Kline preaching on December 9^th. Pr. Eastman and Fr. Don will switch pulpits in January. A semi-continuous reading cycle from the Old Testament was selected for readings.
   
3. The elevator has been repaired again. The door access system is being completed and the north door for the LSSI will need to be replaced.
   
4. There was an attempted break in of the Pastor’s offices, Cherie Schumm’s office and the ESSE office this month.