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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES

July 23, 2006

Bruce Krueger, Council President, led the group in prayer and called the meeting to order. 

Minutes – The minutes of the January 2006 Congregational Meeting were approved (Earl Tast/Nancy Tate) as presented.

Treasurer’s Report – A summary of our financial condition is included in the Annual Reports handout.  Lloyd Pinon pointed out that January through April were pretty good financially; but the balance of the General Fund has fallen significantly in May and June to a balance of $10,500.  The Building Improvement Fund is negative $400.  What we have done with that fund is, without borrowing any money, we have done several projects, the parking lot project, heating and air conditioner units, and kept current with our obligations to the consultants on the renewal project.  Contributions for the period January through June totaled $90,600, which is $12,900 under budget. 

Lloyd pointed out that we have contributed nearly $16,000 to charities and programs during the year, something we should be very proud of.  The disbursements for Building Improvement included Vista 3 Design (consultant) $6,410, parking lot sealer $1,137, and hot water heater $700.  A laptop computer and software was purchased from the Memorial Fund for $980.  The Treasurer’s report was accepted (Ron Willis/Myron Dunavan) as presented. 

Bruce and the congregation expressed gratitude to Lloyd for serving as Treasurer for an additional year.

Statistical Report – Interim Pastor Say shared the statistics of the church membership and attendance.  Pastor Say will verify that the baptism records are complete.

Synod Assembly Report – Lloyd and JoLana Pinon, along with Interim Pastor Say, represented Our Saviors as voting delegates at the Synod Assembly and also sang in the choir.  There were 50 workshops available to the 540 delegates who represented 207 congregations.  Lloyd and JoLana presented an overview of the convention as well as sharing a power point presentation and educational material.  Pastor Say was recognized for his 25th year of ministry.   Our Saviors members Dick Rohlfs chaired and Duane Swanson served on the committee to adopt salary guidelines.

The theme of the assembly was leadership.  Next year’s theme will be discipleship and will be held May 31 through June 3, 2007, at the Doubletree in Kansas City.  The Pinons said they considered it a privilege to be delegates and enjoyed the experience.  They encouraged others to consider participating as a delegate in the future.

Election of Officers to the Church Council – Members of the Council completing their term are Bruce Krueger, President; Lloyd Pinon, Treasurer; Linda Willis, Secretary; and Virginia Monroe, Member at Large.  Lloyd presented Bruce a gift of thanks for his leadership on behalf of the Council members.

  The Nominating Committee submitted the names of Kevin Carr for President-elect, Jeannine Bethke for Treasurer, Robin Tast for Secretary, and Beth Edmonds for Member at Large – each for a two-year term on the Council.

Lew Ebert was elected President-elect last year, but is unable to accept the position of President because he and Tammy are moving to North Carolina.  The Council has added to the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers the name of Bruce Krueger as President for an additional year. 

There were no additional nominations from the floor.  The slate of officers was accepted (Lloyd Pinon/Earl Tast) as presented.  The newly elected Council members and two returning members, Roberta Oestreich, Member at Large, and Lee McMahan, Property Chair, were introduced. 

Memorial Committee – The Nominating Committee submitted the names of Dick Olson and Terry Cuthbertson for two-year terms to the Memorial Committee.  There were no additional nominations from the floor.  The nominees were elected (Sue Henke/Gary Sims) unanimously.

Transition Task Force Report – Following Pastor Susan’s announcement that she was moving to Colorado, we were able to wish her well and send her off with our gratitude for her years with us.  The next step we have taken is to develop a Transition Task Force.  The Council was overwhelmed by the number of people who were willing to serve.  The Council selected a team who they felt would represent the broad spectrum the church.  The Transition Task Force Members were introduced:  Charlene Swanson, John Brandau, Carol Brown, Kim Burnam, Ruth Jacobsen, Mike Keil, Roger Moore, Nancy Tate, and Dwight Rumpel as chairman.  The purpose of the task force is to gather information in preparation for calling a pastor following the Synod’s guidelines.  Dwight reported that the task force has met three times as well as subcommittee meetings.  He developed a questionnaire for the Dialog regarding the Mission Statement and our vision for Our Saviors for the next 5 years.  The input of the members on this and on future interviews by the team members will ensure that everyone has a chance to give their input.   They will also be reviewing the results of the discernment from 2002.  When the task force has completed a request for the Synod of what we are looking for in our next Pastor, they will submit their report to the Council for approval prior to presenting it to the congregation.  At that stage, we will be putting a Call Committee together.

Worship Center Renewal Task Force – Lauri Corcoran, JoLana Pinon, and Earl Tast presented an overview of the Master Plan to remodel the sanctuary, narthex, and fellowship hall areas.  A picture was distributed depicting what the north wall would look like when completed.  Copies of the detailed report, including cost estimates, were distributed following the meeting. 

Bruce introduced the task force members and expressed the thanks of the congregation for their time and dedication to develop the concepts for the sanctuary renovation.

Bruce then indicated that the Council has decided that the next step is to look at financing options to raise $250,000 to make this happen.  Members interested in being on the Fund-Raising/Financing Committee were invited to make their intentions known to any of the council members or to Pastor Say. When the finance team has developed a plan a special congregational meeting may be called to take action on the renovation project.

Interim Pastor Say’s Report – Pastor Say invited the group to read his written report, which is included in the Annual Reports packet.  He emphasized the last paragraph.  While we realize we need to look for a new pastor, we need to see to the work of the committees, get bills paid, and attend to the ongoing work of the church; not wait until we get a new pastor on board.  He encouraged the group to be enthused with our present ministry as well as our future.

Pastor Say announced a new addition to the staff.  Mary Heald has accepted another position.  Mike Keil will be joining the staff as the Parish Coordinator.  He will start the first of August.

Lutheran Fine Arts Council – Myron Dunavan called attention to Ann Maus’ report in the Annual Report.  He explained that each congregation can have three representatives and we only have one.  If anyone is interested in writing, music, or graphic arts and would be like to be a part of this group, they should let Pastor Say or one of the members of the Council know.   Myron invited members of the congregation to recommend Lutheran artistic groups or college music groups.  He also reminded the group that all donations to the Lutheran Fine Arts Council are matched by Thrivent.

Worship Committee Announcement – Robin Tast announced that we have collected funds to purchase 105 hymnals.  A barometer will be added to the hymnal display in the Narthex to record the progress toward our goal of 200 hymnals.

Communication – Charlene Swanson reminded the group that not all members have a computer to receive e-mail announcements.  The Dialog is a valuable means of communication for the church. 

Youth Gathering Report – Five LYO members Keith Krueger, Alyssa Padilla, Joshua Patterson, Kelli Krueger, and Sydney Tast and three sponsors, Robin Tast, Bruce and Linda Krueger attended the National Youth Convention in San Antonio.  Linda Krueger explained that the youth worked very hard to raise the money for their trip and were able to pay for their trip to the convention in Texas without tapping into the LYO funds.  The congregation can expect to hear more about the Convention in September.

50th Anniversary Plans – Bruce announced plans to form a 50th Anniversary Planning Committee.  Many people have already been working on plans.  This Committee will help coordinate those plans.  Volunteers to participate in planning this event were asked to give their names to any Council member or to Pastor Say. 

Bruce closed the meeting with a blessing from the National Youth Gathering.  “Go with God.  Please go with God and serve God with everything you do.”

The meeting was adjourned (Charlene Parker/Ane McMahan) by Bruce.  

Minutes Submitted by Linda Willis, Council Secretary

 

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