Bethany Lutheran Church

Bethany Lutheran Church
Council Meeting   Room 210
7:00 pm   January 26, 2010

1.  Opening Prayer and Devotion

2. Meeting Call to Order and Approvals

a. December 2009 Minutes

b. Agenda Additions?

3. Reports

a. Finance Treas Report Dec 2009 and FinChart Dec 2009

b. Financial Task Force

c. Review monthly financial activities FinMgmnt schedule

d. Budget process for 2010/11 Memorandum – budget 2010_11

e. Housing allowance Report_pastors

4. Personnel

a. DH&W going forward Report_personnel_012610

b. BECC update

5.  President’s Topics

a. 2010 Council appointments Barbara Bell and Gwen Grace

b. Goals for 2010

c. Council Liaisons

d. Council meeting format – slice of life, walk with Jesus

6.  Closing Prayer

Bethany Lutheran Church
2009 Church Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2010

The regular monthly meeting of the Bethany Lutheran Church Council was held on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., in Room 210 with President Andy Gift presiding.  Members present included Don Abram, Derek Birznieks, Maren Diercks, Peggy Furgason, Dan George, Becky Godec, Brenda Greenwald, Ron Guse, Joel Halvorson, Heather Kekstadt, Bill King, Kevin McAuliffe, Terry Pickett, Michelle Stone Kraus. Excused members included Del Hock, Pastor Ruth Ann Loughry and Pastor Ron Glusenkamp. The meeting opened in prayer by Brenda Greenwald at 7:04 pm.

Addition to Agenda:

Michelle Stone Krause requested that membership turnover be added to the agenda. Brenda Greenwald updated progress on the Organist Search Committee.

Reports:

Director of Finance, Joel Halvorson – Financial report for December, Pastor’s Report (In abstentia), Personnel Issues, Budget Preparation memo for 2010/11, Consecration Sunday update, profiles for Gwen Grace and Barbara Bell.

Motions:

Motion A – A motion to approve the December Council minutes was made by Peggy Furgason and seconded by Terry Pickett. It was approved unanimously. A minor correction was made by Becky Godec as she was listed as both present and excused.  She should be excused only.

Motion B – A motion to approve the use of bequest funds to eliminate the six-month deficit for the General Fund of $69,085 was made by Ron Guse and seconded by Derek Birznieks.  It was approved unanimously.

Motion C – A motion to approve the housing allowance $36,000 for Pastor Ron and $29,000 Pastor Ruth Ann was made by Don Abram and seconded by Dan George. It was approved unanimously.

Motion D – A motion to approve the use of up to $6000 Founders Campaign Savings to fund the Director of Health & Wellness through June 30, 2010 was made by Peggy Furgason and seconded by Michelle Stone Kraus. It was approved unanimously.

Motion E – A motion to approve the appointment of Gwen Grace to the Audit Committee for three years was made by Brenda Greenwald and seconded by Ron Guse. It was approved unanimously.

Motion F – A motion to approve the appointment of Barbara Bell to the Bethany Foundation to complete the remaining term of Del Hock was made by Don Abram and seconded by Michelle Stone Kraus. It was approved unanimously.

Recommendations:

1. Joel recommended scheduling three Town Hall meetings throughout the budget setting process before the final congregational meeting and vote.   There was general agreement to have Financial Task Force set three dates. He would like to see representation from Council to the Business Leader’s Forum on February 5 as a preliminary opportunity for input.
2. Recommendations for 2010 Goals: Addressing stewardship and declines in contributions, clarification of activities happening with youth program, addressing and understanding all aspects of worship, discussing what does growth mean and how do we go about it (setting up an Outreach Ministry Team). Have discussions about sound system, chapel expansion, parking lot maintenance, front entrance enhancement.  The Executive Committee will continue the discussion regarding 2010 goals and report back to Council in February.
3. Continuing with Walk With Jesus was generally agreed on for new members and the previous member who hasn’t done it yet. Remaining months will be filled in with devotions.
4. It was recommended that the Fellowship Ministry Team report on why new members were attracted to and joined Bethany.
5. Council recommends that the membership turnover discussion be tabled until the pastors are present and able to participate in the discussion.

Action Items:

1. Don Abram has put together  Financial Task force, consisting of Terry Pickett, Ron Guse, Don Abram, and Joel Halvorson. They will review the budget, discuss current economic conditions and make recommendations for the rest of this budget year and the upcoming budget coming up for congregational approval.

The meeting adjourned with prayer by Peggy Furgason at 8:50 p.m.